Robert Sann Aung (Burmese: ရောဘတ်ဆန်းအောင်; born c. 1954[1]) is a human rights lawyer and former political prisoner in Myanmar (Burma).[2] Robert Sann Aung is known for his pro bono legal work, defending victims of human rights abuses, student activists, and human rights defenders, including child soldiers and protesters.[3] He has received death threats for his public views on amending the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar, in the aftermath of the assassination of Ko Ni, another prominent Burmese lawyer.[4][3]
Robert Sann Aung | |
|---|---|
ရောဘတ်ဆန်းအောင် | |
| Born | c. 1954 (age 70) Burma (now Myanmar) |
| Nationality | Burmese |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Years active | 1982-present |
| Known for | Human rights |
Career
editRobert became a student activist shortly after his admission to the Rangoon Arts and Science University to study law in 1974.[5] His education was disrupted numerous times due to his activism, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1982.[5]
Following the 1990 Myanmar general election, Robert defended a politician, Peter Linn Binn, who had challenged the election results.[5] The ruling military regime threatened Robert, and revoked his license to practice law.[5] He was disbarred from 1993 to 2012.[5] Robert was imprisoned from 1997 to 2003 for his activism,[1] and was the victim of a politically motivated attack in 2008.[5]
In 2015, he became a finalist for the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.[5]
Personal life
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "The lawyer battling with the Burmese judiciary". Equal Times. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "Robert Sann Aung". Front Line Defenders. 2015-12-17. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ a b "Death threats against human rights lawyer Robert Sann Aung". OMCT. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "Threats against Robert Sann Aung". Lawyers for Lawyers (in Dutch). 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Robert Sann Aung". Martin Ennals Award. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ Lasseter, Tom. "In a Muslim lawyer's murder, Myanmar's shattered dream". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-02-08.