Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to address UK Parliament

 
23 May 2012
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Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will make an historic address to Parliament on June 21, it was announced today.

It is the first time she has ventured out of her country in more than two decades. Speaker John Bercow told the Commons she would address peers and MPs in Westminster Hall at 3pm.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Burmese opposition leader, who spent years under house arrest, was a "remarkable woman". He added: "It is an incredible testament to change in that country (Burma) that she is now able to travel and speak freely, including in this parliament."

Westminster Hall is used for only the most senior world figures. The Pope and United States president Barack Obama have addressed parliamentarians there in recent years.

The rare honour was announced as Mr Cameron prepared to brief G8 leaders, meeting in Camp David, on his visit to Burma last month when he extended the invitation for her to come to the UK.

At the time, Ms Suu Kyi, who had previously been unwilling to leave for fear the country's military rulers would not let her return, was cautious about accepting, replying simply "perhaps".

It is likely to be an emotional trip for Ms Suu Kyi - who has not been outside Burma since returning in 1988 - giving her the chance to be re-united with her sons and grandchildren whom she barely knows.

Since his visit, in the wake of elections which saw Ms Suu Kyi and other opposition supporters elected to the Burmese parliament, Mr Cameron has championed the suspension of international sanctions against the military regime, arguing that the move towards democracy should be rewarded.

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