Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Honouring the struggle for democracy and human rights, Washington based 'The Council of Women World Leaders' has nominated Burma's detained Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as honourary member of the group.

The 37 distinguished women members of the council comprising current and former heads of states or heads of government on Saturday voted to nominate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as honourary member of the council as a mark of respect to her commitment to the struggle for democracy in Burma.

"The Council's distinguished membership has voted to include Ms. Suu Kyi as an Honorary Council Member due to her extraordinary leadership in promoting freedom, respect for human rights, and the re-emergence of democracy in her home country of Burma, where she has lived under house arrest since 1995," the council said in a statement.

The council, set up in 1996, is a network that promotes good governance and gender equality, and enhances the experience of democracy globally by increasing the number, effectiveness, and visibility of women who lead their countries.

Fellow Council Member Janet Jagan, former President of Guyana, 1997-1999, in the statement said, "In Guyana, for many years, we have urged the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and other political prisoners. We are deeply concerned about these prisoners and hope for an early release."

Edith Cresson, a Council Member and former Prime Minister of France, 1991-1992, echoed her feelings saying, "I support the effort of the Council of Women World Leaders for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi."

The 37 council members, which includes current Philippines President Floria Macapagal-Arroyo, is currently chaired by former Ireland President Mary Robinson.