UNISON has suspended Aung San Suu Kyi’s honorary membership with immediate effect as international criticism mounts over her response to Myanmar’s growing humanitarian crisis.
The award was given to her during her time as a political prisoner and its suspension comes as a number of British institutions say they are also reviewing or removing honours bestowed on her during her campaign for democracy under Myanmar’s oppressive military junta.
UNISON president Margaret McKee said: “The situation facing the Rohingya of Myanmar is appalling. Aung San Suu Kyi’s honorary membership has been suspended, and we hope that she responds to international pressure.”
Over the last 30 years Aung San Suu Kyi has been awarded with honorary degrees from several UK universities including Glasgow, Bristol, Bath and Cambridge, as well as the freedom of several cities, and other honours.
The UN has described the brutal mistreatment of the Rohingya as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.
