Honour must now be revoked

Sir, – In an election in 1990 the people of Myanmar, or Burma, chose Aung San Suu Kyi as their new leader.

She was kept out of office, however, by the army, which kept her under house arrest for 15 years, unable even to visit her ill husband in the UK, as the junta would not have allowed her back into her country.

Widespread sympathy for her plight, and admiration for the quiet dignity with which she accepted it, led to a Nobel Peace prize as well as many other honours being conferred on her in this country and elsewhere.

One of the honours granted to her was the freedom of the city of Dundee.

Since finally taking up office in 2015, however, a different side to Aung San Suu Kyi has been seen.

By refusing to condemn the appalling persecution of the Rohingya by the Burmese army, she has lost the sympathy and respect that she once enjoyed.

And now Dundee City Council is to consider stripping her of the freedom of the city.

The suggestion that she be given this recognition came originally from the Dundee branch of Amnesty International.

This group, of which I am convener, has now unanimously decided, regretfully, to support the move to take back the honour that the city previously conferred on her. John Stocks. 10 Hillside Place, Newport-on-Tay.