<p>Suu Kyi is the most prominent pro-democracy campaigner in Myanmar and spent 15 years under house arrest before the Southeast Asian country's military leaders freed her last year.<br /><br />The university honoured her late yesterday with its annual Wallenberg Medal, named for alumnus Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during World War II.<br /><br />Although she has not been expressly banned from leaving Myanmar, Suu Kyi doesn't travel abroad because of concerns she may not be allowed back. "Fear renders us dumb and passive. Fear paralyses," Suu Kyi said during the recorded speech, before answering live questions from the audience.<br /><br />"If we are too frightened to speak out, we can do nothing to promote freedom of speech. "If we are too frightened to challenge injustices, we will not be able to defend our right to freedom of belief. Neither will we dare to ask for the rectification of the social and economic ills that make our lives a misery."<br /><br />Myanmar, which was under direct military rule for decades until this year, has been saddled with trade, economic and political sanctions from the US and other nations.<br />Since taking power in March, Myanmar President Thein Sein has adopted policies that could lead to an easing of international sanctions, including the recent release of 200 political prisoners.<br /><br />Suu Kyi, 66, said she didn't feel different after being released from house arrest because "my mind had always been free." Nonetheless, she said, her freedom means she "can work to take our country further along the road to democracy."<br /><br />She added: "I have emphasised freedom from fear in our struggle because I see it as the master key that will open the door" to other freedoms.</p>
<p>Suu Kyi is the most prominent pro-democracy campaigner in Myanmar and spent 15 years under house arrest before the Southeast Asian country's military leaders freed her last year.<br /><br />The university honoured her late yesterday with its annual Wallenberg Medal, named for alumnus Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Jews during World War II.<br /><br />Although she has not been expressly banned from leaving Myanmar, Suu Kyi doesn't travel abroad because of concerns she may not be allowed back. "Fear renders us dumb and passive. Fear paralyses," Suu Kyi said during the recorded speech, before answering live questions from the audience.<br /><br />"If we are too frightened to speak out, we can do nothing to promote freedom of speech. "If we are too frightened to challenge injustices, we will not be able to defend our right to freedom of belief. Neither will we dare to ask for the rectification of the social and economic ills that make our lives a misery."<br /><br />Myanmar, which was under direct military rule for decades until this year, has been saddled with trade, economic and political sanctions from the US and other nations.<br />Since taking power in March, Myanmar President Thein Sein has adopted policies that could lead to an easing of international sanctions, including the recent release of 200 political prisoners.<br /><br />Suu Kyi, 66, said she didn't feel different after being released from house arrest because "my mind had always been free." Nonetheless, she said, her freedom means she "can work to take our country further along the road to democracy."<br /><br />She added: "I have emphasised freedom from fear in our struggle because I see it as the master key that will open the door" to other freedoms.</p>