---
title: 'ASEAN Urges Myanmar to Free Aung San Suu Kyi and Other Prisoners'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/asean-urges-myanmar-to-free-aung-san-suu-kyi-other-prisoners/'
author: 'News Desk'
date: '2026-04-24T16:32:10+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Southeast Asia'
  - 'World'
tags:
  - 'ASEAN'
  - 'Aung San Suu Kyi'
  - 'Myanmar'
  - 'Philippines'
---

# ASEAN Urges Myanmar to Free Aung San Suu Kyi and Other Prisoners

**Manila (TDI):** The Philippines, which currently holds the chairmanship of ASEAN, has called on Myanmar’s military authorities to release more political prisoners, including former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying that recent limited pardons are a step in the right direction but not enough.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said it remains committed to helping Myanmar find a peaceful and lasting solution to its ongoing political crisis. The bloc stressed that Myanmar remains an important member and urged continued efforts toward national reconciliation and inclusive dialogue.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained since the 2021 military coup that removed her elected government. She has since been sentenced to a total of 27 years in prison on multiple charges that her supporters argue are politically motivated, including allegations of corruption, incitement, election-related offenses, and breaches of state secrecy laws.

Her sentence was recently reduced slightly as part of a broader amnesty that saw thousands of prisoners released, including former president Win Myint, who was also arrested after the coup.

**Read More: [ASEAN, Pakistan Defense Ties Take Centre Stage as Envoys Meet Defense Minister ](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/asean-pak-defense-ties-envoy-meet-defense-min/)**

The issue of Suu Kyi’s health and treatment has continued to draw regional attention. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow recently raised ASEAN’s concerns during discussions with Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing. He said the Myanmar side claimed she was being “well looked after,” though no detailed information was provided.

The 2021 military takeover, led by Min Aung Hlaing, ended a decade of gradual democratic transition in Myanmar and triggered widespread protests as well as an ongoing civil conflict. In response, ASEAN restricted Myanmar’s participation in regional summits, though diplomatic engagement has continued in limited form.

**Read More: [ASEAN’s Multilateral Dilemma: Continuity and Change From NAM to BRICS](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/aseans-multilateral-dilemma-continuity-change-nam-brics/)**

Despite ongoing tensions, Myanmar’s leadership has recently expressed interest in restoring relations with ASEAN and pursuing peace efforts, a position that some regional members, including Thailand, have said they are willing to engage with cautiously.