CALD is a regional alliance of Asian liberal and democratic political parties, established in 1993.
Aung San Suu Kyi (PHOTO: Getty Images)
On the sidelines of the UK Liberal Democrats annual conference currently being held in Liverpool in England, a plaque was received on Suu Kyi’s behalf by well-known Karen activist Zoya Phan, the international coordinator of Burma Campaign UK.
CALD’s executive committee previously decided to bestow the honorary individual membership title to Suu Kyi at its meeting held in Makati City, the Philippines, on June 29, 2010. She is the first person to be awarded such a title by the organization.
In a press release on Monday, CALD said, “In bestowing the honorary individual membership title to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, CALD once again affirms its unwavering support and solidarity to the people of Burma in their continuing struggle for justice, freedom and democracy.”
Suu Kyi has been detained for 15 of the last 21 years, mostly under house arrest and separated from her family. Leader of the disbanded National League for Democracy, she is banned from voting in the Nov. 7 general election.
Despite her incarceration, Suu Kyi is admired not only by Burmese people nationwide and around the world, but by the international community at large. She has received more than 80 international awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, which she received en absentia in 1991.
In June, Pakistan presented Suu Kyi with the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Award for her lifelong commitment to democracy and the welfare of her people.
In May 2009, Suu Kyi was named as the recipient of the annual Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation. The prize, also known as the MAGI Award, is given to those who inspire young people to make a commitment to nonviolence, forgiveness and reconciliation.
On Aug. 11, 2009, almost three months after she was due to be freed from her illegal six-year period of house arrest, Suu Kyi was sentenced to an additional three years in prison, which was then commuted to 18 months of house arrest under Section 401(5) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Suu Kyi is due to be released when her period of house arrest ends on Nov. 13.
