Myanmar's imprisoned pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was Tuesday awarded the Olof Palme Prize in absentia at a ceremony in Stockholm marking the 20th anniversary of the murder of the Swedish prime minister after whom the award is named.
Suu Kyi, who has either been in jail or under house arrest for more than 10 of the past 16 years, was honoured "for her outstanding persistent work to let democratic order be established in Burma," Palme's widow Lisbet said as she handed over the prize to the head of Myanmar's government-in-exile, Sein Win, on Suu Kyi's behalf.
"She is an outstanding example of the efforts by her people to achieve democracy ... To peoples around the world, she is an example of peaceful opposition to oppression," a visibly moved Lisbet Palme added.
The award, which was established a year after Sweden's then prime minister was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on a busy Stockholm street on the night of February 28, 1986, is usually awarded on Palme's birthday, January 30.
But this year, due to the 20th anniversary, it was handed over on the day of his death in the presence of Palme's three sons.
Suu Kyi has had virtually no contact with the outside world since her last detention period began in May 2003. Her house arrest was last extended by six months in December.
"This award tells the Burmese generals that what they have done to her is morally reprehensible and unjust ... This will help us a lot in our struggle," Sein Win said as he accepted the prize.
The award comes with a prize sum of 50,000 dollars (41,400 euros).
Previous winners include former Czech president Vaclev Havel and human rights group Amnesty International.
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