23 October 2007
Ottawa, Canada: CHRO commends Canada’s recent show of support for the pro-democracy movement in Burma by granting Aung San Suu Kyi honorary citizenship.
Last week, on 16 October 2007, the Canadian parliament overwhelmingly favored a motion put forward by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to bestow honorary Canadian citizenship on Burma’s most famous and beloved democracy leader. This tribute is the culmination of lobbying efforts by the Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB), an Ottawa-based non-governmental organization dedicated to the democracy movement in Burma, and thousands of Canadians who supported the nomination petition for Aung San Suu Ski.
“We are very grateful to the Canadian people for their encouragement, solidarity, and compassion,” said Salai Bawi Lian Mang, the Executive Director of CHRO. “Canada has long provided a home and an ally to the people of Burma, and this most recent gesture is just one more demonstration of Canada’s belief in fundamental freedoms and basic human rights.”
Currently, Canada hosts thousands of refugees from Burma, including over 1,000 refugees from Chinland. Canada also serves as CHRO’s main headquarters.
The extension of honorary citizenship to Aung San Suu Kyi comes on the heels of brutal crackdowns against political and religious leaders last month following country-wide protests in Burma. Hundreds are believed to remain in detention facilities throughout the country. Aung San Suu Kyi also remains under house arrest. T