(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- A British Member of the European Parliament Sajjad Karim called Monday on the European Parliament President to review the suitability of Aung San Suu Kyi to maintain her status as a Sakharov Prize holder.
In a speech during the opening of the EP session in Strasbourg, France, Karim expressed his concern to EP President Antonio Tajani regarding the appropriateness of Myanmar's premier - Aung San - holding on to her award for her human rights record, following her inaction on and denial of the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Burma.
"What powers do you have in your office, Mr. President - in terms of the award of a Sakharov Prize - when the holder of such a prize is then blatantly conducting activities and speaking words, and carrying out actions which go against the very spirit on which such awards are given? How can we revisit the awards that have previously been given in such circumstances?" asked Karim.
For many years now the Rohingya have faced discrimination and violence from the Buddhist majority in the country - largely unnoticed by the world - despite many human rights activists describing their maltreatment as ethnic cleansing, he noted.
But the situation has rapidly worsened in recent weeks, with more than 300,000 Rohingya Muslims having fled to Bangladesh since Rohingya militants assaulted police posts in the Burmese state of Rakhine, killing 12 security personnel on 25 August.
"What's worse, is to see a previous beacon of hope, Aung San Suu Kyi, denying that such actions are taking place and seemingly letting these brutalities continue. To allow her association with the Sakharov Prize to continue would be an insult to all its previous winners and the people that have died fighting for human rights, which is why I am calling on President Tajani to review her award." Aung San Suu Kyi received her Sakharov Prize in October 2013, 23 years after it was awarded to her by the European Parliament.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was established in 1988 by the European Parliament. It is awarded every year to individuals and groups of people who have dedicated their lives to the defense of human rights and freedom of thought. (end) nk.bs
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