OTTAWA (AFP) — Canada's parliament on Wednesday unanimously adopted a motion to bestow honorary citizenship to Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced.
Aung San Suu Kyi "is one of the leading forces in the continuing struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma and a symbol of the desire of the people of Burma for political freedom," Harper said in the House.
"More than anyone else, she has focused international attention on the plight of her people. That is why we are bestowing honorary Canadian citizenship on Aung San Suu Kyi."
"Our nation is built on our founding values: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," said the prime minister. "We must ally ourselves with those in the world who share our values, and especially those who are denied them."
The motion must still be approved by Canada's senate.
To date, the distinction has only been conferred on former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, and Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg.
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