Pro-democracy campaigner Dr Aung San Suu Kyi will be awarded the Freedom of the City of Glasgow on Wednesday.However, the iconic politician will not be there to accept the award in person as she remains under house arrest in Burma.
Dr Suu Kyi, founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD), has battled for years to bring freedom to the south east Asian nation, which is ruled by a military dictatorship.
In 1990, the NLD were victorious in the country's elections and by right Dr Suu Kyi should have been sworn in as Prime Minister.
But the military junta refused to recognise the election results and instead placed Dr Suu Kyi under house arrest.
She won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts on behalf of democratic principles in 1991.
The Oxford graduate has spent more than 12 of the past 19 years under some form of detention.
When her husband was dying of cancer in England in 1999, military authorities offered her the chance to go to his bedside. Yet she took the difficult decision to refuse, fearing she would be denied re-entry into the country.
The Oxford graduate has spent more than 12 of the past 19 years under some form of detention.
When her husband was dying of cancer in England in 1999, military authorities offered her the chance to go to his bedside. Yet she took the difficult decision to refuse, fearing she would be denied re-entry into the country.
Dr Thuang Htun, who will accept the award on her behalf said: "The fact that Dr Aung San Suu Kyi should be given the freedom of a city far from her home, at a time that she is denied even basic freedoms in her own country is a sharp reminder of the reality of today's Burma."
Lord Provost Bob Winter, who will present the honour, added: "It is with profound respect and admiration for Dr Aung San Suu Kyi's unflinching bravery that the council has conferred upon her the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.
Lord Provost Bob Winter, who will present the honour, added: "It is with profound respect and admiration for Dr Aung San Suu Kyi's unflinching bravery that the council has conferred upon her the Freedom of the City of Glasgow.
"This is tempered with frustration that she cannot be here today, in person.
"However, I am delighted that her loyal representative Dr Htun has been able to visit our city to accept the award in her absence. He goes with our very best wishes for Dr Suu Kyi, a shining beacon of hope in her country."
"However, I am delighted that her loyal representative Dr Htun has been able to visit our city to accept the award in her absence. He goes with our very best wishes for Dr Suu Kyi, a shining beacon of hope in her country."
