Aung San Suu Kyi Denied Access to Martyrs’ Day Ceremony for Fifth Consecutive Year

At the 78th Martyrs’ Day ceremony held at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Bahan Township, Yangon Region, while coup leader Min Aung Hlaing attended the event, State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of martyred independence hero General Aung San, was notably absent for the fifth consecutive year. Min Aung Hlaing arrived at the ceremony surrounded by military generals under tight security, accompanied by military council members Hla Win Oo, Nyo Saw, and Kyaw Swa Lin.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been unable to attend the Martyrs’ Day ceremony since her detention following the military coup on February 1, 2021. This marks the fifth year she has been prevented from participating in the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by General Aung San’s family members, represented by his grandchildren who paid their respects at the mausoleum.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi regularly attended Martyrs’ Day ceremonies in previous years, paying tribute to the martyred leaders. However, her detention under the military coup and subsequent imprisonment on various charges has prevented her from attending the ceremony. Martyrs’ Day is a significant date in Myanmar’s independence struggle history, commemorated annually on July 19th. The day honors the sacrifice of General Aung San and other independence leaders who were assassinated in their pursuit of the country’s freedom.