Aung San Suu Kyi addresses Parliament


June 21, 2012

In a rare honour normally only accorded to visiting heads of state, Aung San Suu Kyi addressed both Houses of Parliament on Thursday. Burma's famous pro-democracy campaigner delivered her speech in Westminster Hall – the most historic part of the Palace of Westminster.

Ms Suu Kyi told MPs that the support of people in the UK could take Burma much further towards democracy.

Earlier Prime Minister David Cameron described Ms Suu Kyi as an inspiration for people in the UK and around the world.

Her meeting at 10 Downing Street followed an engagement with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

They chatted for about 40 minutes before emerging into Clarence House's garden for a tree-planting ceremony

The Westminster occasion follows her emotional return to Oxford, the city where she raised a family with husband Michael Aris. It's the first time in 24 years the activitist has been back – she didn't dare to leave Burma in case the authorities refused to let her re-enter.On Wednesday, Ms Suu Kyi was reunited with her relatives and was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Oxford University.The trip to Britain is part of a European-wide tour that has also included Oslo. From there she was flown to Dublin on Bono's private jet.

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