Elected Members of the City of London Corporation's Court of Common Council have today voted to revoke the Honorary Freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi with immediate effect.
Burma's State Counsellor was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony at Guildhall in May 2017 in recognition of her 'non-violent struggle over many years for democracy and her steadfast dedication to create a society where people can live in peace, security and freedom'.
Sir David Wootton, Chairman of the City of London Corporation's Freedom Applications Committee, said:
"Today's unprecedented decision reflects the City Corporation's condemnation of the humanitarian abuses carried out in Myanmar, which have been detailed during the recent genocide hearing in The Hague, at which Aung San Suu Kyi led the delegation of the Government of Myanmar, and gave evidence.
"The Freedom Applications Committee concluded that the argument for the removal of the award had been much strengthened by Aung San Suu Kyi's close association with Myanmar's Government at the hearing, as well as her lack of response to letters from the Freedom Applications Committee."
Previous recipients of the City of London Corporation's highest award include Winston Churchill, Florence Nightingale, William Pitt the Elder, and more recently, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and Professor Stephen Hawking.
ENDS
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Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Arts & Culture), City of London Corporation
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Email andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk
About the City of London Corporation:
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
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