She is symbolic of Burma's struggle against the repressive military dictatorship that holds over 2,100 political prisoners without trial in the country. Her father, Burma's independence leader Aung San, was assassinated when she was just 2.
She has spent more than 15 years in detention, much of which was under house arrest. When her husband, Michael Aris, was dying from cancer in London, the Burmese dictatorship refused him permission to visit her in Burma. Instead of risking being barred re-entry back into Burma she made the decision to stay, so did not see Michael before he died. She has long campaigned for people to "please use your liberty to promote ours"
Do make the time to listen to her two talks about freedom on BBC Radio 4. You will find few people able to speak so eloquently and knowledgeably: The Reith Lectures Securing Freedom I and Securing Freedom II.
