Japanese Filmmaker in Myanmar Supports Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release
Toru Kubota, jailed in Myanmar, advocates for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and thousands of other detainees
Toru Kubota, Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar, Yangon, Rohingya, Military Junta
Yangon: So, there’s this Japanese filmmaker, Toru Kubota, who got hit with a 10-year sentence in Myanmar. He’s been speaking out for Aung San Suu Kyi, hoping she gets released soon.
Kubota was arrested while filming a protest back in July 2022. He told The Independent that he really wants to see her and over 20,000 others set free. It’s a big deal, especially since three former foreign secretaries are also calling for her release.
They believe she’s been locked up on some pretty bogus charges by the military government. It’s wild to think she’s facing 27 years in prison and has spent a lot of time in solitary confinement since the military took over in February 2021.
Now, Aung San Suu Kyi is a bit of a controversial figure. She’s got a Nobel Peace Prize but has faced criticism for not speaking out against violence towards the Rohingya Muslims. There’s even a documentary about her rise and fall that dives into her life and the situation in Myanmar.
Kubota, who studied in London, mentioned feeling uneasy about how some people still idolize her despite everything. But he respects her past achievements and hopes for her release, along with all those other detainees.
He was charged with spreading fake news and violating visa rules, but after international protests, he was released after just three months. He’s made films about Myanmar and the Rohingya refugees, and his arrest was seen as a crackdown on journalism by the military.
After getting out, he shared how tough it was in prison, crammed in a tiny cell with others. He was later moved to Insein prison, known for holding political prisoners.
In the documentary, one of the former foreign secretaries, Lord Hague, pointed out that while it’s okay to criticize her, we should still be pushing for her release. He called her a political prisoner, locked up under harsh conditions for being a strong advocate for democracy in Myanmar.
Recently, the military government released over 6,000 prisoners, but sadly, many political detainees, including Suu Kyi, were left behind. It’s a tough situation, and many are hoping for change.