THE military junta that holds sway in Myanmar clearly wants to ensure that Aung San Suu Kyi does not participate in the country’s politics. The pro-democracy leader and former state counsellor faces nearly a dozen cases the military instituted against her after removing the hybrid regime led by her from power in February. On Monday, she was sentenced in two of these cases for incitement and violating Covid restrictions. Ms Suu Kyi has denied the charges while the UN’s human rights chief has denounced the “sham trial” against her. Aung San Suu Kyi had led an uneasy administration in partnership with the military for years, with the latter always retaining the upper hand in matters of state. However, the generals felt that a landslide victory for her party in elections last year would only solidify her position, thus they chose to strike earlier this year, denouncing the polls as rigged and removing the semi-elected government. Most observers had said the elections were fair. Following the coup, thousands in Myanmar took to the streets against the junta. But the military’s crackdown against the political class, and its use of brute force against protesters has ensured that the pro-democracy movement has been severely curtailed.

Ms Suu Kyi was not an ideal leader. Her silence during the 2017 anti-Rohingya violence — overseen by the generals — was deafening, especially considering her position as the state’s top civilian leader, and global reputation as a human rights defender. However, the only way to ensure rights for all is sustained representative rule in which fundamental rights for all segments of society are protected. Under the junta’s watch, the protection of such rights is unlikely. The international community has made attempts to call for a return to civilian rule. For example, in October, Asean — of which Myanmar is a member — did not invite the country’s top general to a summit as a rebuke. More such messages need to be sent to the junta to help pave the way for a return to democracy.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2021