New Delhi - Burma's pro-democracy icon and Noble Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, will be conferred an honorary citizenship by the government of Canada. It comes as an honour for her selfless struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma.

The Canadian government last year decided to confer the award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The award is to be received on her behalf by Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the Burmese government (NCGUB) in exile.

"It is very encouraging for the Canadian government to honour Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is not only an honour for her but also for the people of Burma, who are suffering untold miseries  under military rule," Kyaw Zaw Wai, spokesperson of the Canadian Campaign for Free Burma told Mizzima.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent more than 12 of 18 years in solitary confinement will be the fourth person to receive this award, which was earlier conferred to South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, Sweden's Raoul Wallenberg, and his highness Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet.

"This award is a symbol of recognition to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma for their struggle to restore democracy in Burma," Kyaw Zaw Wai added.

Aung San Suu Kyi, like her father General Aung San, the architect of Burma's independence, remains committed to the pro-democracy movement, which she has likened to "the Second Struggle for Freedom".