Suu Kyi accepts Nobel Peace Prize 21 years later
- 12 years ago
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi finally accepts her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Saturday after spending 15 years under house arrest.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR OPPOSITION LEADER, AUNG SUU KYI, SAYING:
"Receiving the Nobel Peace prize means personally extending my concerns for democracy and human rights beyond national borders. The Nobel Peace prize has opened up a door in my heart."
Suu Kyi, who spent a total of 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and her release in late 2010. She never left Myanmar even during brief periods of freedom after 1989, afraid the military would not let her back in.
She was elected to parliament in April, in a country that is going through a transition, with violence erupting along the western coast between muslims and buddhists.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MYANMAR OPPOSITION LEADER, AUNG SUU KYI, SAYING:
"Receiving the Nobel Peace prize means personally extending my concerns for democracy and human rights beyond national borders. The Nobel Peace prize has opened up a door in my heart."
Suu Kyi, who spent a total of 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and her release in late 2010. She never left Myanmar even during brief periods of freedom after 1989, afraid the military would not let her back in.
She was elected to parliament in April, in a country that is going through a transition, with violence erupting along the western coast between muslims and buddhists.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters