Asean envoy ends Myanmar trip with no public Suu Kyi meeting

Myanmar authorities have confirmed that former democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest in the capital, Naypyidaw, according to the statement from the country's foreign ministry. Asean's special Myanmar envoy, Philippines Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, concluded a two-day visit to the nation on Thursday without arranging a meeting with Suu Kyi.

The Philippines, currently holding the rotating Asean chair, has persistently advocated for access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained since the 2021 military coup. The 81-year-old's status has been a contentious issue for the 11-nation Asean bloc, which has excluded Myanmar's leadership from its summits since the putsch. In discussions with Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe, Lazaro aimed to restore Myanmar's original role and rights within Asean.

However, the Philippines foreign ministry did not disclose any meeting with Suu Kyi during her visit. Last year, authorities reportedly began permitting Suu Kyi limited contact with the outside world to mitigate her international isolation. In recent weeks, Suu Kyi received a package from British King Charles, including books and a sealed diplomatic communication from the monarch.

Her son, Kim Aris, had a 20-minute consular phone call with his mother for the first time in over five years. The Philippines had requested brief access to meet Suu Kyi in April, after her transfer from prison to house arrest. In August, during a meeting with Myanmar's senior Red Cross official, they reiterated their demand for access.