Ko Ni
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Ko Ni (; , often known as U Ko Ni (; ; 11 February 1953 – 29 January 2017) was a prominent Burmese
lawyer A lawyer is a person who is qualified to offer advice about the law, draft legal documents, or represent individuals in legal matters. The exact nature of a lawyer's work varies depending on the legal jurisdiction and the legal system, as w ...
, constitutional law expert, and advocate for democratic reforms and interfaith dialogue in
Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
. Renowned for his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and pluralism, Ko Ni emerged as a vital figure in Myanmar’s turbulent political landscape. As a legal advisor to
Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945) is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and political activist. She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. She served as State Counsellor of Myanmar and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Myanmar), Ministe ...
and the
National League for Democracy The National League for Democracy (, ; Abbreviation, abbr. NLD; Burmese abbr. ဒီချုပ်) is a deregistered liberal democratic political party in Myanmar (formerly Burma). It became the country's ruling party after a landslide victo ...
(NLD), he played a pivotal role in crafting constitutional strategies to navigate the military-dominated political landscape, seeking to curb the military's entrenched control over governance. His dedication to human rights, minority rights, and democratic principles made him a target of hostility, culminating in his assassination on 29 January 2017, in Yangon, Myanmar. His death was mourned nationally and internationally as a profound loss for Myanmar's democratic transition and interfaith harmony, underscoring the risks faced by the reformists in a nation under military rule.


Early life and education

Ko Ni was born on 11 February 1953 in a village near Katha,
Sagaing Division Sagaing Region (, ; formerly Sagaing Division) is an administrative divisions of Myanmar, administrative region of Myanmar, located in the north-western part of the country between latitude 21° 30' north and longitude 94° 97' east. It is border ...
,
Burma Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
(now Myanmar), to a family of farmers and shopkeepers. His father, Sultan Mohamed, was an Indian Muslim who had moved to Burma in the early 20th century as part of the British Indian Army. His mother, Khin Hla (also known as Halima), was of mixed heritage, with a Muslim father and a Buddhist mother. This diverse background influenced Ko Ni's lifelong commitment to promoting interfaith understanding. Growing up in poverty, Ko Ni worked as a day laborer to fund his education. Despite these challenges, he execelled academically, earning a
Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...
degree in 1975 and a
Bachelor of Laws A Bachelor of Laws (; LLB) is an undergraduate law degree offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree and serves as the first professional qualification for legal practitioners. This degree requires the study of core legal subje ...
degree in 1976 from
Rangoon Arts and Science University Yangon, formerly romanized as Rangoon, is the capital of the Yangon Region and the largest city of Myanmar. Yangon was the capital of Myanmar until 2005 and served as such until 2006, when the military government relocated the administra ...
. His resilience and dedication to education became a cornerstone of his later advocacy for justice and equality.


Legal career

Ko Ni founded the Laurel Law Firm, establishing himself as a leading voice in constitutional law. He became a member of the
International Bar Association The International Bar Association (IBA), founded in 1947, is a bar association of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA in 2018 had a membership of more than 80,000 individual lawyers and 190 bar associati ...
, the Independent Lawyers' Association of Myanmar, and the Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association. Through his practice, Ko Ni championed human rights, often taking on cases that others avoided due to political sensitivities. He authored six books on topics such as democratic elections, constitutional reform, and human rights, which became essential reading for aspiring lawyers and activists. His contributions to legal literature and advocacy for the rule of law were widely respected, even among his adversaries. Ko Ni's work extended beyond individual cases to systemic reforms. He critiqued the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar for its entrenchment of military power and advocated for its replacement, not just amendment. His meticulous legal strategies were instrumental in creating the office of State Counsellor, enabling Aung San Suu Kyi to assume a leadership role despite constitutional barriers.


Political career

Ko Ni officially joined the
National League for Democracy The National League for Democracy (, ; Abbreviation, abbr. NLD; Burmese abbr. ဒီချုပ်) is a deregistered liberal democratic political party in Myanmar (formerly Burma). It became the country's ruling party after a landslide victo ...
(NLD) on 8 October 2013, after years of serving as a legal advisor to State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945) is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and political activist. She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize. She served as State Counsellor of Myanmar and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Myanmar), Ministe ...
, the leader of the NLD party. His legal expertise and reformist vision became crucial in navigating the complexities of Myanmar's political system, which was heavily skewed in favor of the military. He was a vocal critic of the military-drafted
2008 Constitution of Myanmar The Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (2008) is the third Constitution of Myanmar after 1947 and 1974 constitutions which lost force after military coups. It is part of the seven steps road map announced by then Prime Minis ...
and sought to diminish the military's grip on power through legal avenues. His efforts earned him both admiration and hostility. Ko Ni was also an advocate for the Rohingya minority, openly criticizing the 1982 Citizenship Law that stripped them of citizenship. This advocacy made him a target of threats and hate campaigns, as he consistently called for constitutional changes to ensure equality for all citizens. Beyond constitutional reforms, Ko Ni was active in the interfaith movement, working to bridge divides between Myanmar's Buddhist majority and religious minorities. His commitment to pluralism and dialogue was seen as a unifying force in a fractured society.


Assassination

Ko Ni was assassinated on 29 January 2017 at
Yangon International Airport Yangon International Airport ( ) is the primary and busiest international airport of Myanmar. The airport is located in Mingaladon township, north of central Yangon. Many domestic Myanmar carriers and international airlines operate at Yangon ...
upon returning from Jakarta, Indonesia, where he had attended a senior leadership program on democracy and conflict resolution. As he was waiting for transportation, Kyi Lin, an ex-convict, fatally shot him in the head. Nay Win, a taxi driver who attempted to apprehend the gunman, was also killed during the incident.


Arrest and motives

Police arrested Kyi Lin, the gunman, shortly after the shooting. The gunman had also shot and killed Nay Win, a taxi driver who attempted to intervene. Allegations emerged in
social media Social media are interactive technologies that facilitate the Content creation, creation, information exchange, sharing and news aggregator, aggregation of Content (media), content (such as ideas, interests, and other forms of expression) amongs ...
that Kyaw Swe, the Minister of Home Affairs and former Commander of South-west Command in
Pathein Pathein ( ; , ; , ), formerly called Bassein, is the largest city and the capital of the Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. It is located 190 km (120 mi) west of Yangon within Pathein Township on the bank of the Pathein River—a western branc ...
,
Ayeyarwady Region Ayeyarwady Region ( , , ; formerly Ayeyarwady Division and Irrawaddy Division) is a region of Myanmar, occupying the delta region of the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River). It is bordered by the Rakhine State to the northwest, the Bago Region to ...
had orchestrated the killing. The assistant secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Maung Maung Myint, issued a statement on 1 February 2017, denying the allegations as "rumors." Subsequent police investigations uncovered that the plot to assassinate Ko Ni had begun in April 2016 when three former
Burmese military The Tatmadaw, also known as the Sit-Tat, is the armed forces of Myanmar (formerly Burma). It is administered by the Ministry of Defence (Myanmar), Ministry of Defence and composed of the Myanmar Army, the Myanmar Navy and the Myanmar Air For ...
officers met at a Yangon teahouse. The three officers included Zeyar Phyo, a retired military intelligence captain, Aung Win Khine, a retired lieutenant colonel, and Lin Zaw Tun, an ex-colonel who formerly served in the office of the commander-in-chief
Min Aung Hlaing Min Aung Hlaing (born 3 July 1956) is a Burmese army general who has ruled Myanmar as the chairman of the State Administration Council, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) since seizing power in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, Fe ...
from 2011 to 2015, and had departed to become a
Union Solidarity and Development Party The Union Solidarity and Development Party (; abbr. USDP) is an ultranationalist, pro-military political party in Myanmar. Alongside the National League for Democracy, it is one of Myanmar's two principal national parties. USDP is the succe ...
politician. The three had concocted a scheme to find a gunman to kill Ko Ni. Zeyar Phyo gave Aung Win Khine US$80,000 to pay for the operation, and the latter sourced Kyi Lin, an ex-convict, as the hitman.


Investigation and Motives

Police investigations revealed that the assassination was orchestrated by a group of former military officers, including Zeyar Phyo, a retired intelligence captain, Aung Win Khine, a retired lieutenant colonel, and Lin Zaw Tun, an ex-colonel. The conspirators recruited Kyi Lin to carry out the attack, reportedly providing $80,000 for the operation. Allegations also surfaced linking high-ranking officials, but these were denied by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Ko Ni's assassination was widely interpreted as a targeted attack on his efforts to reform Myanmar's political and legal systems. Amnesty International described the killing as having "all the hallmarks of an assassination," and called for a thorough investigation.


Funeral

Ko Ni's funeral on 1 February 2017 was a deeply poignant occasion, drawing thousands of mourners, including individuals from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. His death resonated deeply within Myanmar, particularly among those who had advocated for democratic reforms and interfaith harmony. Despite his influence, one notable absence was Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), who did not attend the funeral, which stirred some controversy. Ko Ni's funeral became a symbol of the ongoing struggles for democracy in Myanmar and the tragic loss of one of its most vocal advocates. The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, underscoring the widespread grief felt by the public. His family and friends, along with members of the NLD, paid their respects as he was buried at the
Yayway Cemetery Yayway Cemetery (, also spelt Yeway Cemetery) is a cemetery located in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon, Myanmar. The cemetery is the final resting place of many prominent Burmese. The cemetery is maintained by the Yangon City Development Commit ...
in
Yangon Yangon, formerly romanized as Rangoon, is the capital of the Yangon Region and the largest city of Myanmar. Yangon was the List of capitals of Myanmar, capital of Myanmar until 2005 and served as such until 2006, when the State Peace and Dev ...
, where many prominent figures have been laid to rest. His burial marked the end of a life that had been dedicated to promoting justice, peace, and reform.


Reactions

The assassination of Ko Ni elicited strong reactions from various sectors, both inside Myanmar and internationally. Senior leaders from the
National League for Democracy The National League for Democracy (, ; Abbreviation, abbr. NLD; Burmese abbr. ဒီချုပ်) is a deregistered liberal democratic political party in Myanmar (formerly Burma). It became the country's ruling party after a landslide victo ...
expressed their shock and sorrow, with Tin Oo, a senior party leader, describing the killing as "a great loss for the country, and for democratic forces. His death was seen as not just a personal loss but also a blow to Myanmar's transition to democracy, which had already been fraught with challenges. Internationally, the assassination was met with widespread condemnation.
US Ambassador Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the president to serve as the United States' diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as ambassadors-at-large. Under Article II, Section 2 of th ...
to Myanmar,
Scot Marciel Scot Alan Marciel (born 1958) is an American diplomat and served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs until February 2016. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the United States Ambassador to ...
, who knew Ko Ni personally, expressed his sadness, stating, "All I want to say is, of course, we are all shocked and really sad. I knew Ko Ni and his commitment to his country and democracy."


Legacy and impact

Ko Ni's assassination marked a turning point in Myanmar's struggle for democracy. His contributions to constitutional law, interfaith dialogue, and human rights advocacy remain a source of inspiration for many. Scholars, activists, and politicians frequently cite his work as a roadmap for reform in Myanmar. His assassination underscored the dangers faced by reformists and minorities in a country where military dominance persists. Memorial events, books, and academic discussions continue to honor his life and work, ensuring that his legacy endures in Myanmar's ongoing quest for democracy and equality.


Symbol of resistance

Ko Ni has become a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism and a beacon for those fighting for justice in Myanmar. His life serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dare to challenge entrenched power structures.


Impact on the Rohingya crisis

Ko Ni's advocacy for the Rohingya community highlighted the systemic discrimination they faced. His calls for repealing the 1982 Citizenship Law and granting full rights to the Rohingya resonated globally. While his efforts were cut short, they continue to influence discussions on minority rights in Myanmar.


Outcomes

Kyi Lin also reacted swiftly, labeling the murder as an "assassination" and calling for a thorough investigation. The organization described Ko Ni as a "tireless human rights campaigner" whose death should be fully investigated to ensure accountability.ling. Zeyar Phyo received five years in prison for destroying trial evidence, after the initial charge against him for financing the assassination was suddenly dropped before the verdict. Aung Win Khine evaded arrest and remains at large. Lin Zaw Tun was not arrested or charged for his participation. In December 2020, three nationalist supporters of Kyi Lin received 1 year sentences of hard labour, for wearing provocative t-shirts with threatening slogans during Kyi Lin's trial. In September 2020, prosecutors submitted a special appeal to the Supreme Court of Myanmar to mete out harsher sentences to those involved in Ko Ni's murder.


Personal life

Ko Ni was married to Tin Tin Aye, with whom he had three children. His daughter, Yin Nwe Khaing, is a medical doctor. Known for his humility and dedication, Ko Ni's family often spoke of his unwavering commitment to justice, even at great personal risk.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ko Ni 1953 births 2017 deaths Burmese Muslims Burmese politicians 20th-century Burmese lawyers 21st-century Burmese lawyers Burmese Muslim activists Burmese writers Assassinated Burmese politicians Assassinated lawyers Burmese people of Indian descent People from Sagaing Region Asian politicians assassinated in the 2010s Politicians assassinated in 2017