Aung San Suu Kyi, Free And In Europe
- June 18th, 2012
- Posted by EUEditor
The freed Myanmar-Burma opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is making a strategic tour in Europe, demonstrating her presence as a political leader and symbol of democratic change.
The occasion is a challenge to the imagination for a generation of observers. Aung San Suu Kyi became one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners, while unable to leave her home country for a quarter of a century – for most of that time in home detention.
She told the International Labour Organisation at Geneva, 14.6.12, that Burma needed development assistance, so long as the rights of workers were not compromised in the process.
On Saturday in Oslo she received the Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to her 21 years ago, while still under house arrest.
She is spending a week in the United Kingdom including a visit to her own university, at Oxford.
After the end of her time in detention late in 2010, and with the military regime retreating from despotic controls, Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy last April successfully contested a set of free by-elections, and she then led a delegation into the national parliament.
Prominent supporters of her during the years of political detention, the European Union and also Australia, began lifting travel or economic sanctions against the Burmese state; investors and aid donors have begun making stop-overs in Rangoon .
The Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, made a three day call at the start of this month, announcing a multiplication of aid contributions, including A$80-million for education over three years, and help in restoring and maintaining heritage buildings.
See EUAustralia Online, “EU likes, supports Burma (Myanmar) thaw”, 21.4.12.
Reference
Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs,  “Australia to double aid to Myanmar by 2015â€, Canberra, 7.6.12. http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_120607a.html, (18.6.12).
Washington Post (AP), Washington, “Aung San Suu Kyi to make bittersweet return to Oxford …,†18.6.12. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/aung-san-suu-kyi-to-make-bittersweet-return-to-oxford-her-alma-mater-and-longtime-home/2012/06/18/gJQAKLITkV_story.html, (18.6.12).
Pictures Aung San Suu Kyi, Bob Carr