U Ko Ni
Visionary Constitutional Lawyer and Advocate for Democracy
(1953 – January 29, 2017)
Overview
U Ko Ni was a distinguished constitutional lawyer, advisor to the National League for Democracy (NLD), and a leading voice for democratic reform in Myanmar. As a Muslim legal scholar in a predominantly Buddhist country, he courageously championed pluralism, secularism, and the rule of law. His assassination in 2017 was a devastating loss to the country’s fragile democratic transition.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1953 in Katha, Sagaing Region, Ko Ni belonged to Myanmar’s minority Muslim community. He studied law at the University of Yangon, graduating in 1975, and quickly established a reputation as a skilled, ethical, and principled legal mind.
In the decades that followed, he became one of the few lawyers willing to take on cases involving human rights, religious freedom, and constitutional abuses during Myanmar’s military rule.
Political Engagement and NLD Involvement
U Ko Ni formally joined the National League for Democracy (NLD) and became a key legal advisor to the party. He played a central role in shaping the legal framework that supported Myanmar’s democratic opening in the 2010s.
Notably, he drafted proposals to amend or reinterpret the 2008 military-drafted constitution, which barred Aung San Suu Kyi from the presidency and guaranteed military control of parliament. Ko Ni worked on creative legal pathways to reduce military influence, including the establishment of the post of State Counsellor, allowing Suu Kyi to effectively lead the civilian government.
He also advocated for:
Religious tolerance and interfaith harmony
Constitutional reform to ensure civilian supremacy
Legal protections for minority communities
Assassination and Aftermath
On January 29, 2017, Ko Ni was assassinated in broad daylight at Yangon International Airport, while holding his grandson after returning from a legal conference in Indonesia. The killing was widely believed to be politically motivated, aimed at silencing his work on constitutional reform.
His death shocked the nation and the international community. Thousands of mourners, including top NLD leaders and civil society members, attended his funeral.
Legacy
U Ko Ni remains a symbol of legal integrity, courage, and democratic vision in Myanmar. His life’s work continues to influence reformists and constitutional scholars. Despite facing religious discrimination and political threats, he stood firm in his belief that the law should serve all people equally — regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
Today, many view him as a martyr for justice, and efforts to carry forward his vision of a more inclusive and democratic Myanmar persist.
Notable Quotes
“I am a lawyer not only for the NLD, but for the people of Myanmar.”
— U Ko Ni
