Suu Kyi Set for Landmark Trip to Europe

Posted June 12th, 2012 at 6:20 pm (UTC-5)
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Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to leave Burma for Europe Wednesday, her first trip to the continent in 24 years, after spending much of the past two decades under house arrest.

Aung San Suu Kyi's first stop will be Geneva on June 14, where she will address the annual International Labor Organization conference. From Geneva she will continue to Norway to formally receive the Nobel Peace Prize that she won nearly 21 years ago but was unable to accept in person because of her detention.

Aung San Suu Kyi will then make a brief stop in Ireland to receive an Amnesty International human rights award from rock star Bono and will continue to Britain where she plans to address both Houses of Parliament. The long-time democracy activist lived in the country for years with her — now deceased — husband. Her sons, Kim and Alexander Aris, still live in Britain.

This will be Aung San Suu Kyi's second trip abroad after a recent five-day visit to Thailand. It comes as Burma is taking the first steps towards democracy after decades of military rule.