Nov 29, 2007 (DVB), Detained democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been given a lifetime achievement award by a British political association for her contribution to the democracy movement.

The Political Studies Association holds an annual awards ceremony to mark the achievements of politicians, academics and journalists during the year.

In a letter announcing the honour, Professor Ivor Gaber said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had been the unanimous choice of the judges to receive the Special Award for Lifetime Achievement in Politics.

"Her persistent championing of the cause of democracy in Burma has been at huge personal cost, having spent more than ten years in detention under a repressive military regime," he said.

"Aung San Suu Kyi has become an international symbol of resistance via her principled leadership of the National League for Democracy in Burma, deservedly winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, and continuing to provide inspiration for democrats everywhere."

Professor Gaber said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's selection for the award demonstrated the view of British politics professors and lecturers that the struggle for democratic rights is universal.

The annual awards ceremony was held on 27 November at the Institute of Directors in London, UK.

Reporting by DVB