Wai Hnin to Collect Award for Aung San Suu Kyi

17 June 2011: Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, daughter of Burma’s political prisoner Ko Mya Aye, is today to receive the Freedom of the City of Newcastle award on behalf of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.

Burma’s democracy icon, Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded two days ahead of her 66th birtday on Sunday in honour of her selfless works in campaigning for civil rights and freedom of speech in the military-ruled Southeast Asian country.

Anne Stokle, UNISON activist and health worker, who has made a number of visits to Burma and the Thai-Burma border, said: Aung San Suu Kyi has endured years of personal hardship in her quest for democracy and freedom in her homeland.”

“Her work and determination to bring about change, whatever the personal cost, is truly inspirational.  She is very deserving of the greatest honour Newcastle can bestow and I am delighted to be involved in the Freedom of the City award.”

Clare Williams, UNISON Regional Convenor, said today that she was extremely pleased to learn that Newcastle City was recognising Aung San Suu Kyi who has been an extremely important symbol of the struggle for democracy and the role of women.

“UNISON is committed to campaigning for women’s emancipation across the world and for international solidarity with trade unions and workers in struggle. We believe that we have obligations to those in other parts of the world who are suffering oppression and exploitation and we are extremely pleased that Newcastle City has recognised the work of Aung San Suu Kyi.”

UNISON is Britain and Europe’s biggest public sector union with more than 1.3 million members.

Ms Wai Hnin is currently working as Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, one of the leading Burma campaign organisations in the world committed to raising awareness about the situation in Burma, and pressuring the international community to take action in support of the people of Burma.

Van Biak Thang
[email protected]