Ko Ni

Ko Ni, often known as U Ko Ni, was a prominent Burmese lawyer, constitutional law expert, and advocate for democratic reforms and interfaith dialogue in Myanmar. 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 and the National League for Democracy (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.