Phyoe Phyoe Aung is the General Secretary of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), and has led widespread protests for academic freedom across the country. She spent three years in prison for peacefully participating in the “Saffron Revolution” in 2008, and was again arrested in 2015 with more than 100 other students – many of whom were tortured. Phyoe Phyoe was released on presidential pardon in April 2016.
On 7 May 2019, human rights defenders Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo were released from Insein Prison in Yangon after spending 511 days in jail, following their arrest on 12 December 2017.
On 11 January 2019, a court in Myanmar rejected an appeal by Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo, journalists and HRDs who had previously been sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labour, accused of spying.
On 7 May 2019, human rights defenders Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo were released from Insein Prison in Yangon after spending 511 days in jail, following their arrest on 12 December 2017.
On 11 January 2019, a court in Myanmar rejected an appeal by Ko Wa Lone and Ko Kyaw Soe Oo, journalists and HRDs who had previously been sentenced to 7 years in prison with hard labour, accused of spying.
On 28 September 2018, human rights lawyer Khin Khin Kyaw was sentenced to six months in prison by the Minhala Township Court in Bago region. She is currently being held in Tharrawaddy prison. Khin Khin Kyaw’s license to practice law has also been revoked.
On 14 October 2015, the trial against human rights lawyer Ms Khin Khin Kyaw began at the Thayawady Township Court. The WHRD is being persecuted for working to hold high-ranking police officials responsible for a violent crackdown on protesters in March 2015.
On 29 January 2017, U Ko Ni was shot and killed by a gunman at the international airport in Yangon. The human rights defender travelled from Indonesia to Yangon after attending a meeting to discuss sectarian tensions in Rakhine state, where there is significant public support for a military operation.
On 30 July 2017, human rights defender and journalist Ko Swe Win was arrested at Yangon International Airport as he was trying to fly to Bangkok for a short work trip. He was reportedly taken into police custody in relation to a defamation case brought by a follower of extremist Buddhist monk U Wirathu, who told the police he believed Ko Swe Win was attempting to flee the country. Despite the defamation lawsuit filed against him, no travel restrictions were issued against Ko Swe Win. The human rights defender was released on bail on 31 July 2017.
On 26 October 2016, human rights defender Ko Htin Kyaw was arrested and taken to Insein Prison in Rangoon. He is alleged to have used offensive language when he accused the military of committing human rights abuses with impunity outside a court in Rangoon.
On 12 March 2015 at approximately 11:00 pm, two human rights defenders, leaders of the All Burma Federation of Student Union (ABFSU), Ms Han Ni Oo and Mr Thiha Win Tin, were detained in an ongoing crackdown on student protesters. Ms Phyoe Phyoe Aung, also a member of ABFSU, was detained on 10 March 2015.
On 12 March 2015 at approximately 11:00 pm, two human rights defenders, leaders of the All Burma Federation of Student Union (ABFSU), Ms Han Ni Oo and Mr Thiha Win Tin, were detained in an ongoing crackdown on student protesters. Ms Phyoe Phyoe Aung, also a member of ABFSU, was detained on 10 March 2015.
On 14 October 2015, human rights defender Mr Patrick Khum Jaa Lee was arrested at his home in Rangoon’s Hlaing Township. He is currently being detained in the Rangoon’s Insein prison and charged of defamation of the Myanmar Army for sharing a photo on social media.
On 1 April 2016, Patrick was released from prison following a 6 month sentence.
Three student human rights defenders are in hiding after authorities brought charges against them following a peaceful student protest in March 2015.
Since November 2014, student organizations including ABFSU have been protesting against the National Education Bill, which student activists claim restricts academic freedom.
On 8 April 2016, the Tharawaddy court dismissed the cases of 69 student human rights defenders and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on peaceful student protests in 2015.
Three student human rights defenders are in hiding after authorities brought charges against them following a peaceful student protest in March 2015.
Since November 2014, student organizations including ABFSU have been protesting against the National Education Bill, which student activists claim restricts academic freedom.
On 8 April 2016, the Tharawaddy court dismissed the cases of 69 student human rights defenders and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on peaceful student protests in 2015.
On 11 April 2016, the Tharawaddy Court in Bago region, following the announcement of the presidential pardon, released the General Secretary of All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) Ms Phyoe Phyoe Aung, together with her husband. From 8 April 2016 to 12 April 2016, sixty-nine Burmese student human rights defenders, who had been detained since 2015, were freed. The student human rights defenders were on trial for over a year for protesting against the National Education Law. Dozens of other prominent Burmese human rights defenders were also freed following a presidential pardon.
On 8 April 2016, the Tharawaddy court dismissed the cases of 69 student human rights defenders and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on peaceful student protests in 2015.
On 8 April 2016, the Tharawaddy court dismissed the cases of 69 student human rights defenders and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on peaceful student protests in 2015.
Naw Ohn Hla and other HRDs work for the promotion of human rights and environmental rights. She has repeatedly called for the suspension of the Chinese-backed Letpadaung mining project in Burma's Sagaing region. The project is strongly opposed by local communities due its damaging effect on the environment.
Naw Ohn Hla is a prominent advocate for land rights and political prisoners, and has been imprisoned on more than seven occasions since 1989, as a result of her peaceful efforts to free political prisoners and assist Buddhist monks during the 2007 uprising.
On 8 April 2016, the Tharawaddy court dismissed the cases of 69 student human rights defenders and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on peaceful student protests in 2015.
On 15 May 2015, the Dagon Township Court in Rangoon sentenced human rights defenders Ms Daw Naw Ohn Hla, Ms Daw Sein Htwe, Ms Daw San San Win (also known as “Lay Lay”) and Messrs Ko Nay Myo Zin, Ko Tin Htut Paing and Ko Thant Zin to four years and four months' imprisonment.
On 21 November 2013, six peaceful demonstrators were sentenced to one month's imprisonment in Kyimyindaing Court in Rangoon under Section 18 of the 2011 Peaceful Assembly Law. On 21 November 2013, six peaceful demonstrators were sentenced to one month's imprisonment in Kyimyindaing Court in Rangoon under Section 18 of the 2011 Peaceful Assembly Law.
On 21 November 2013, six peaceful demonstrators were sentenced to one month's imprisonment in Kyimyindaing Court in Rangoon under Section 18 of the 2011 Peaceful Assembly Law.
On 7 April 2013, Mr Chit Ko Lin was interrogated at Kyaukthadar police station in central Rangoon, following reception of a letter on 6 April from the police station summoning him to appear for questioning. It is reported that Chit Lo Kin is being investigated under Section 353, concerning assaults against public servants, and Section 506, concerning criminal intimidation, of the Penal Code. If he is found guilty under these charges, he faces a maximum sentence of four years.
