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145 Spruce St. suite #206
Ottawa, ONtario
Canada K1R 6P1
Tel: (613) 237-8056/ Fax: (613) 563-0017

CFOB welcomes throne speech to honor Suu Kyi with 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 launched 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.

For more info, please contact Tin Maung Htoo (613) 297-6835

Canadian Friends of Burma
145 Spruce St. Suite #206
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 6P1
Tel: 613-237-8056
Mobile: 613-297-6835
Fax: 613-563-0017