JOHN PUGH TO MEET WITH AUNG SAN SUU KYI

Friday, 15 June 2012

John Pugh is to meet with the Burmese pro-democracy campaigner and politician Aung San Suu Kyi during her first visit to the UK for 24 years next week.

Dr Pugh, previously secretary to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Burma which has long campaigned in support of Burma’s pro-democracy movement, will have the chance to meet Miss Suu Kyi at an event held in her honour at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office next Thursday.  Miss Suu Kyi has strong personal ties to the UK, with both of her sons having been born here.

Miss Suu Kyi  spent 15 of the past 21 years imprisoned by the Burmese military junta after her National League for Democracy party won the Burmese elections in 1990.  She was eventually released in 2010, and earlier this year made a triumphant return to Burmese politics, being elected as the representative for the Kawhmu township in the Burmese 2012 national by-elections.  Her party won 43 of the 45 contested seats, making her the official leader of the Opposition in the Burmese lower house.

Commenting on the opportunity to meet with Miss Suu Kyi, Dr Pugh said:

"It is a tremendous honour to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, whose long fight for democracy in Burma is a reminder to all of us of the importance of the democratic principles we so often take for granted here in Britain.

"Having worked with the APPG on Burma and having heard her name so often in our meetings, it will be a great privilege to finally meet her and congratulate her on her success.  Yet, despite the progress we’ve made, steps forward on democracy and human rights in Burma have been tentative and much remains to be done.  I will offer my continued support in these regards to Miss Suu Kyi  and I look forward to hearing what she has to say about the way ahead for her country."