Global Perspectives

The moment Aung San Suu Kyi made her way down the steps of Westminster Hall, 2500 people rose to applaud her. We didn’t stop applauding until she finally took her seat. Her diminutive figure belies her huge stature.  This beacon for democratic freedoms was speaking at the home of parliamentary democracy; the first Asian to do so, the first woman to do so, the first non head of state to do so. She joined Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela and Pope Benedict XVI in a very small group of international figures to have addressed parliament at all. This was an opportunity to hear and to honour an individual who chose to endure 15 years of detention and even surrendered her right to see her dying husband, Michael Aris, in pursuit of a cause for which she was prepared to give her life. With all the key figures from British political life present, Suu Kyi spoke of her passion for political engagement and participation. She spoke of the cost that the people of Burma have paid; living since 196...