DUBLIN, Ireland, July 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Amnesty International (AI) awarded its most prestigious honor, the Ambassador of Conscience Award to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Laureate who is currently under house arrest and on trial in Myanmar. U2’s Bono announced the award during a break in the band’s performance Monday night in Dublin, just prior to performing Walk On, their tribute to her heroic campaign for freedom and justice. AI presented the award to U2 in 2005.
“This month marks the twentieth anniversary of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s arrest and twenty years since Amnesty International declared her a prisoner of conscience. In those long and often dark years, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has remained a symbol of hope, courage and the undying defense of human rights, not only to the people of Myanmar but to people around the world,” said Irene Khan, AI’s Secretary General.
“We are proud to announce tonight…on the 27th of July in Dublin…that Amnesty International have chosen Aung San Suu Kyi as the recipient of their Ambassador of Conscience Award 2009,” said Bono onstage last night. “Thank God for Amnesty International. May God keep Aung San Suu Kyi safe.”
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Myanmar opposition party (the National League for Democracy), has been detained for more than 13 of the past 20 years, mostly under house arrest. Her house detention order was set to expire on May 27, 2009, but she was arrested and placed on trial on May 18. More than 2,100 other people are currently imprisoned in Myanmar for their political beliefs.
The Ambassador of Conscience Award, now in its sixth year, recognizes exceptional leadership and witness in the fight to protect and promote human rights. Past winners of the award include Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela and Mary Robinson. The award was inspired by a poem written for AI by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney.
Source: Amnesty International
http://www.amnestyusa.org/
