Burmese opposition leader honoured by university

News - World Source > Ireland Online Tuesday, 07 July 2009 22:48

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Imprisoned Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded an honorary degree today by the University of Ulster.

Ms Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace laureate, has spent much of the past two decades in prison or under house arrest under the military junta’s regime. She is on trial for breaking the terms of her detention.

The democracy campaigner was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws for services to human rights during a ceremony at the Millennium Forum in Derry.

Her representative Mra Razam Linn told 500 new graduates the recipient was a “great hero” who had sacrificed her life in the struggle for democracy for 50 million people in Burma.

“This award is not only honouring Daw Aung San Sui Khi, but also I do believe that the honour is for all democracy-loving people of Burma, those who are tirelessly struggling and sacrificing their life for the advancement of democracy and human rights in Burma,” she added.

“I do believe that the peoples of Ireland support our non-violence movement for democracy in their heart and soul, and recognise non-violent activists who are struggling for the peace, justice and human rights in Burma. The award of the honorary doctorate degree to our top leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a kind of recognition to our whole people in Burma.

“Now, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is being detained in Insein Prison. But she is not alone; I am with her, we all are with her, people who love peace in the world are with her.”

Ms Suu Kyi is leader of the National League for Burma.

Among the first to offer congratulations was fellow Nobel Laureate John Hume.

Mrs Linn was forced to flee the country in 1988 after she delivered the first pro-democracy speech in her home state of Rakhaing in western Burma. She continues to work for the democracy movement and has been internationally recognised for her human rights advocacy and campaigning for the needs of refugee women and children along the border.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on the generals’ regime in Burma to release Ms Suu Kyi.

He made the request last week during talks with Gen Than Shwe in the remote administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw.