The “Proof of Life” campaign officially launched on 21 April, as an international effort to demand verified evidence of the health and safety of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has remained incommunicado since December 2022.
The initiative comes as concerns deepen over her condition, after she completely disappeared from public view.
Speaking to Mizzima on 19 April, Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office of the National Unity Government (NUG), said there are serious worries about her health and safety.
The ‘Proof of Life’ campaign is being led by the human rights advocacy group All in One Piece Movement, which has also called for participation in collaboration with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s son, Ko Htein Lin (also known as Kim Aris).
It includes two main activities: encouraging people to express support on social media and urging governments around the world to pressure the military authorities to provide proof that she is still alive.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was detained during the 2021 Myanmar coup d’état on 1 February 2021. She has been held incommunicado since 30 December 2022, when her legal cases concluded.
According to sources close to her lawyers, prison parcels can only be sent to Naypyidaw Prison.
“We have not been able to reach anyone during this time. This situation is extremely worrying for our leader’s health and life,” U Nay Phone Latt said on the morning of 19 April.
He also noted that although some political prisoners including President U Win Myint, were released during the Myanmar New Year amnesty on 17 April, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not among them.
He further accused the military authorities of spreading misinformation, including claims that she had been moved to house arrest.
Nay Phone Latt criticized the military junta for using political prisoners as leverage in negotiations.
On 18 April, the NUG reiterated that the goal of the Spring Revolution is the unconditional release of all those unjustly detained, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the complete end of military rule. The NUG reaffirmed its commitment to its six core positions.
According to the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM), as of 18 April, junta authorities had announced pardons for 4,335 prisoners. However, only 1,686 were actually released, including 292 political detainees.
Meanwhile, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported on 20 April that since the coup, 30,875 people have been arrested. Of those, 22,131 remain in detention, and 14,247 have been sentenced to prison.
