Canada Invites Burmese Democracy Leader to Canada

December 30, 2010 Updated: October 1, 2015

Prime Minister Stephen Harper invited Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Canada. (Drn/Getty Images)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper invited Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Canada. (Drn/Getty Images)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper invited Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to come to Canada and accept her honorary citizenship, awarded to her in 2007 while she was still being held under a 15-year house arrest.

“We recognize that Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate priority since her release from house arrest is to focus her energies on consultations and dialogue within Burma, before embarking on international travel. We hope, however, that she will be able at the appropriate time to accept our invitation,” said Harper.

The PM said Canada’s stance towards Burma reflects serious problems in the country created by the ruling military regime.

“Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded honorary Canadian citizenship by the Parliament of Canada in 2007. On November 13, 2010, she was released after being held under house arrest for almost 15 years,” he said.

“Canada once again calls on the Burmese regime to engage in a meaningful, inclusive dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic and ethnic leaders to ensure a better future for all Burmese people, in which their fundamental rights are respected and their long-held desire for the restoration of democracy is realized.”