Burma 's democracy advocate honoured

17 June (The Irish Times) - "Truly inspirational" was how the Mayor of Galway described Aung San Suu Kyi last night when the Burmese pro-democracy activist was awarded the freedom of Galway city.

The Nobel peace prize winner has been under house arrest in Rangoon for the past decade, and has "paid a heavy price for her resolute defence of freedom and justice for the people of Burma", said Galway mayor Cllr Catherine Connolly (Lab).

"Galway's voice has now been added to many others throughout the world, who believe that this remarkable woman's courage and determination deserves to be recognised," the mayor said.

Aung San Suu Kyi marks her 60th birthday on Sunday, but restrictions on contact with her mean she is not yet aware of this latest honour conferred on her, according to her sister-in-law, Ms Lucinda Phillips.

Ms Phillips, who lives in Wiltshire, England, accepted the award last night in Galway on behalf of Ms Aung San Suu Kyi. She said the event was a "beautiful gesture by the people of Galway".

Her nephew, Kim, one of the activist's two sons, will accept the freedom of Edinburgh on his mother's behalf this weekend.

"I haven't seen her since 1988, and she hasn't been allowed any contact with her two sons, Alexander and Kim,for many years. Nor has she ever met her grandchildren," Ms Phillips said.

Among those at the ceremony were film-maker John Boorman, who is honorary president of Burma Action Ireland.