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CFOB welcomes throne speech to honour
Suu Kyi for Honorary Citizenship
October 16, 2007
Ottawa – Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) welcomes the government's
decision to nominate Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for
Honorary Citizenship, which has been proposed in a throne speech in
the Chamber of Senate in Parliament this evening.
"Our government immediately calls upon Parliament to confer Honorary
Citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi for her long struggle for freedom and
democracy for the people of Burma," said in the speech delivered by
Governor- General Michaelle Jean.
"Her long struggle to bring freedom and democracy to the people of
Burma has made her the embodiment of these ideals and an inspiration
to all of us," she added,
The idea of this nomination was first discussed among members of
Parliamentary Friends of Burma (PFOB) and has been in consultation
since six month ago.
"We welcome the government taking the lead in this initiative. Now the
government appears to put more emphasis on Burma, given the appalling
situation in Burma. And we expect Burma will become a priority of
Canadian foreign policy," said Tin Maung Htoo, Executive Director of
Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB).
CFOB lunched the nomination section on its website a few months ago
and has received thousands of Canadians' support for this nomination.
"We also urge the government to implement 'Burma Motion' passed in the
House of Commons in May, 2005 in order to show concrete support on
Burma and toughen stance on the repressive Burmese military junta,"
Tin added.
The honor that is regarded as the highest award in Canada has been
already bestowed to Delia Lima in 2006, Nelson Mandela in 2001 and a
Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg in 1985. It requires the unanimous
approval of Parliament.
Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB)
145 Spruce St. Suite 206
Ottawa, ON K1R 6P1
Tel: 613.237.8056
Mobile: 613.297.6835
Fax: 613.563.0017
Email: cfob@cfob.org
Website: http://www.cfob.org
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