Aung San Suu Kyi: from prisoner to global politician

THAILAND: Emerging from two decades of imprisonment and personal sacrifice, Myanmar's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is finally making her debut on the world stage as an elected politician. It is a remarkable development for the Nobel laureate, who burst onto Myanmar's political scene in the late 1980s but was kept as a prisoner in her own home by the country's generals for most of the past 22 years.

Suu Kyi's struggle against dictatorship brought her international fame, but concerns that she would never be allowed to return saw her refuse to travel abroad even when her dying husband was denied a visa to visit her. Her first forays overseas in 24 years, with visits to Thailand and Europe scheduled, are the latest sign of confidence from the veteran activist, who was elected to parliament in April in the culmination of dramatic reforms introduced since direct army rule ended last year.

The opposition leader, who attracted huge crowds on the campaign trail, has shown that her appeal within Myanmar was undimmed by the years under house arrest in her crumbling Yangon mansion. Suu Kyi has taken an increasingly global role as Myanmar sheds its pariah status, meeting top world dignitaries in Yangon and encouraging an easing of Western economic sanctions.

Foreign travel will give her greater access to a global community eager to see her in person and allow her to meet ordinary people as well as world leaders.

AFP