Oxford removes Suu Kyi portrait after Rohingya criticism


Team Udayavani, Oct 1, 2017, 9:14 AM IST

London: An Oxford University college where Aung San Suu Kyi studied as an undergraduate has removed her portrait from its main entrance amid mounting criticism of the Myanmar leader over the plight of Rohingya Muslims.

Suu Kyi had graduated from St Hugh’s College in 1967 and the portrait had hung prominently at the college entrance since 1999. It was painted by artist Chen Yanning in 1997 and belonged to Suu Kyi’s husband, Oxford professor Michael Aris, and was given to the college following his death.

“The college received the gift of a new painting earlier this month which will be exhibited for a period. The painting of Aung San Suu Kyi has meanwhile been moved to storage,” the college said in a statement.

While the exact reasons for the portrait’s removal, which comes just days before the start of the academic year and the arrival of new students, remain unclear, there is a general view that the allegations of ethnic cleansing as a result of Mynamar’s Rohingya Muslims fleeing their homes to Bangladesh is likely to be behind the move.

Nearly 500,000 Rohingyas have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, causing a major humanitarian crisis. But the decision was branded as “cowardly” by the Burma Campaign UK group, which has called for the college to go further.

“This seems a rather cowardly action by St Hugh’s. If they have taken down the portrait because of Aung San Suu Kyi defending the Burmese military as they commit ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya they should say so and write to her urging her to respect human rights,” Mark Farmaner, the campaign’s director, told the Guardian newspaper.

Suu Kyi was also awarded an honorary degree by St Hugh’s College in June 2012, which the university said it was not considering withdrawing. The Myanmar leader won a Nobel Prize following years as a political prisoner and has been Myanmar’s de facto political leader since winning elections in 2015.

St Hugh’s student newsletter, ‘The Swan’ said the decision to remove the portrait was taken by the college’s governing body. The college’s other notable alumni include UK Prime Minister Theresa May who has also called on Suu Kyi to “make it very clear that the military action (against Rohingyas) should stop”.

Suu Kyi read philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford between 1964 and 1967. Councillors in the city of Oxford have said they would reconsider the ‘Freedom of the City’ honour bestowed on Suu Kyi in 1997.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Assembly clears Mysuru Development Authority Bill

Congress claims party worker ‘died due to tear gas smoke’ during protest in Assam

BJP using legislature for ‘politics’ instead of discussing real issues: CM Siddaramaiah

Congress twisted facts, distorted my statement on Ambedkar: Amit Shah

Govt will not remove temples built on Waqf properties, CM Siddaramaiah tells Assembly

Not God, but Constitution that saves oppressed people: Karnataka Minister Mahadevappa

One dead, 66 rescued after ferry capsizes off Mumbai coast

Related Articles More

Trump says India charges lot of tariff, threatens to impose reciprocal tax

Cyclone Chido hits French territory of Mayotte; Death toll is ‘several hundred,’ top official says

Sheikh Hasina mounts fresh attacks on Muhammad Yunus; accuses him of leading an “undemocratic group”

Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain in San Francisco ICU with heart problems

Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina involved in enforced disappearance: Bangladesh commission

MUST WATCH

Feeding Birds with Creative Paddy Art!

Areca Nut

HOTEL SRI DURGA BHAVANA

Harish Poonja

Heartwarming Miracle!


Latest Additions

Assembly clears Mysuru Development Authority Bill

Blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene, vulgar content: Govt

Boy critically injured after tree branch falls on him in Bengaluru

Congress claims party worker ‘died due to tear gas smoke’ during protest in Assam

Four dead in road accident in Kolar

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.