Cynthia Maung and Zoya Phan Win Ovations in Barcelona

By THE IRRAWADDY

BARCELONA — Karen physician Cynthia Maung and pro-democracy campaigner Zoya Phan gave impassioned speeches and called for more international support for the democratic movement in Burma as they accepted the 20th Catalonia International Prize at the Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona on Tuesday night.

Cynthia Maung received the award in recognition of her selfless humanitarian work at the Mae Tao clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand, while Zoya Phan, the international coordinator of Burma Campaign UK, accepted the award on behalf of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

At the ceremony hosted by the president of the Catalan government, the two Burmese women were presented with a statue and will share prize money of 100,000 euros (US $128,000). The Catalonia International Prize is awarded annually to persons who have made a remarkable contribution to the development of cultural, scientific or human values anywhere in the world.

Previous recipients include oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and Brazilian bishop Pere Casaldàliga. According to observers, this year’s award was significantly political in its choice of Burmese opposition leader Suu Kyi.

In a televised address, US first lady Laura Bush congratulated Suu Kyi and Cynthia Maung, saying they “inspired millions of people in Burma.” Laura Bush praised Suu Kyi for her “non-violent struggle” against the Burmese military government.

Spain’s growing interest in Burma was evident at the presidential palace with hundreds of dignitaries, officials and activists in attendance. Spanish and Catalan TV and radio covered the event.

Cynthia Maung spoke candidly about Burma, human security issues and the military regime’s obstruction of humanitarian assistance to cyclone survivors in the Irrawaddy delta region earlier this year. She also highlighted the failure of the UN mission to Burma and repeatedly mentioned the people of Catalonia and compared their past struggle against dictatorship [during the reign of fascist Gen Franco] to present-day Burma.

Cynthia Maung was applauded loudly and received an ovation for her rousing speech before Zoya Phan took the stage.

Zoya Phan strongly criticized the Burmese junta’s fear of Suu Kyi and their attempts to silence her.

“The regime wanted the world to forget about Suu Kyi and Burma,” she said. “Suu Kyi represents freedom,” said Zoya Phan, adding that Suu Kyi remains “a symbol of unity in Burma.”

The young Karen activist—whose father, former Karen National Union general-secretary Mahn Shah, was gunned down in February—sobbed as she addressed the hushed audience.

Zoya Phan charged the military regime with ethnic cleansing and called for a multinational approach to Burma, saying the international community was not doing enough. She said world leaders were quick to praise Suu Kyi, but slow to listen to her message in which she has called for more international support for the democracy movement.

“We will never give up. We will stand firm,” said Zoya Phan. As she concluded her speech, much of the audience stood and gave her a long ovation.

Addressing the audience, Catalan government President José Montill said he understood the feeling of the Burmese people and sent them a message of solidarity and hope.

The Burmese delegation and the jury of the Catalonia International Prize were later invited to a formal dinner at the presidential palace with the president and his advisers.