UN Human Rights Chief Demands Immediate Release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Kathmandu. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Turk's statement follows the reduction of Suu Kyi's sentence on Friday.

The military has ruled by force for almost the entire history since independence, before a decade-long democratic experiment gave temporary control to civilian politicians.

Military generals seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting the government of 80-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi.

"All those unjustly detained since the coup, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders, must be released immediately and unconditionally," he said on X.

"The ongoing violence against all people in Myanmar must end."

A source close to the case told AFP that Aung San Suu Kyi's sentence was reduced on Friday as part of an amnesty.

A statement also mentioned that former Myanmar President Win Myint, who was convicted following the military takeover, was included in the amnesty.

Turk stated that the release of Myint and other prisoners provides long-awaited relief to the opposition.

Myint had served as president since 2018 but was sent to prison following the coup.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi remains in detention, but her 27-year sentence has been reduced.