Lawyer Robert Sann Aung nominated for human rights award

23 April 2015
Lawyer Robert Sann Aung nominated for human rights award
Lawyer U Robert Sann Aung in his Yangon home. Photo: Mizzima

Myanmar lawyer and former political prisoner Robert Sann Aung is one of three final nominees for the Martin Ennals Award 2015 for human rights defenders, according to a press release on April 22.
The two other nominees are Asmaou Diallo of Guinea and Ahmed Mansoor of the United Arab Emirates.
Since his first year of university in 1974, Robert Sann Aung has courageously fought against human rights abuses, according to the awards body. He has been repeatedly imprisoned in harsh conditions, physically attacked as well as regularly threatened. His education was interrupted numerous times and he was disbarred from 1993 – 2012. In 2012 he managed to regain his license to practice law. Since then he has represented jailed child soldiers, those protesting at a contested copper mine, peaceful political protesters, those whose land has been confiscated by the military, as well as student activists. Throughout his career he has provided legal services, or just advice, often pro bono, to those whose rights have been affected. 
The lawyer and activist said he felt humble and extremely honoured to be nominated for this prestigious award. 
“This nomination conveys the message to activists, human rights defenders and promoters who fight for equality, justice and democracy in Myanmar that their efforts are not forgotten by the world. And this is also the nomination for the people in Myanmar who stand together with me, who struggle with me, for the betterment of citizens so that they can live in dignity, under the just law, in conformity with the principles of UN human rights declaration," he said.
The Award will be presented on October 6 at a ceremony hosted by the City of Geneva.
The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders is a unique collaboration among ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations to give protection to human rights defenders worldwide.