Ko Ni

In this Burmese name, the given name is Ko Ni. There is no family name.
His Excellency
The Honorable
U
Ko Ni
ကိုနီ
U Ko Ni during a VOA interview in 2015
Born(1953-02-11)11 February 1953
Katha, Sagaing Division, Burma (now Myanmar)[1][2]
Died29 January 2017(2017-01-29) (aged 63)
Yangon International Airport, Myanmar
Cause of deathAssassination (gunshot by an alleged assassin)
Resting placeYayway Cemetery
CitizenshipBurmese
EducationBachelor of Arts (1975), Bachelor of Laws (1976)[1][2]
Alma materRangoon Arts and Science University[1][2]
Occupation(s)Lawyer
Legal advisor
Activist
Advocate
Years active1976–2017[2]
Known forHuman rights lawyer, writer, legal advisor to the National League for Democracy
Political partyNational League for Democracy (NLD)
SpouseTin Tin Aye[1][2]
ChildrenMultiple, including:
Yin Nwe Khaing[2]
Aye Thi Khaing
Thant Zin Oo
Parents
  • Sultan Mohamed (father)
  • Halima Khin Hla[2] (mother)

Ko Ni (Burmese: ကိုနီ, pronounced [kò nì]; 11 February 1953 – 29 January 2017) was a prominent Burmese lawyer, constitutional law expert, and advocate for democratic reforms and interfaith dialogue in Myanmar. 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.[3][4] Known for his intellectual rigor, dedication to justice, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles, he became one of Myanmar's most influential reformists in the post-military era. Ko Ni was assassinated by gunshot in Yangon, Myanmar, on 29 January 2017, a loss mourned as a blow to Myanmar's democratic transition and interfaith harmony. His death spotlighted the ongoing challenges faced by reformists and minorities under Myanmar's military rule.[5][6]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Frontier-obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Brief Biography of Lawyer U Ko Ni". Mizzima News (in Burmese). 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Myanmar: Leading lawyer Ko Ni assassinated at Yangon airport". BBC News. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ^ Moe, Wai; Ives, Mike; Nang, Saw (2 February 2017). "Brazen Killing of Myanmar Lawyer Came After He Sparred With Military". New York Times. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Myanmar's probe of lawyer's killing beset by leaks, confusion". Bangladesh News 24. Reuters. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Ko Ni death: Thousands mourn shot Myanmar lawyer". BBC. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 5 February 2017.