Threats against Robert Sann Aung
Myanmar
Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the threats and harassment of lawyer Robert Sann Aung from Myanmar. The threats started after the killing of lawyer U Ko Ni at 29 January 2017. We have reason to believe that the threats and harassment are connected to his legitimate activities as an attorney.
Robert Sann Aung is a prominent human rights lawyer and a distinguished legal advocate for human rights. His defence of peaceful political activists who were charged by the former military government, led the authorities to revoke his lawyers’ license in 1993. Ever since his license was reinstated in 2012, Robert Sann Aung has continued to represent human rights defenders and peaceful activists charged in politically motivated cases, as well as victims of human rights violations. In 2015 he was one of the finalists of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.
According to our information, after the death of U Koo Ni on 29 January 2017, Robert Sann Aung repeatedly received death threats and other intimidating messages repeatedly. In addition to receiving threatening phone calls and messages, it was reported that Robert Sann Aung was also monitored by Myanmar’s security forces. According to our information, while having to transit in Mandalay for work, Robert Sann Aung been followed by a man wearing civilian clothes who claims to be from the Military Intelligence. This has now happened on four separate occasions since 19 December 2016.
Lawyers for Lawyers called on the authorities of Myanmar to protect and ensure the safety of Robert Sann Aung, and to order an impartial, independent and effective investigation into the threats against him.