Zar Li Aye, a Myanmar Supreme Court advocate and human rights defender from Myanmar’s Chin State, was presented with the International Bar Association’s (IBA) 2026 Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights during the IBA Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Oct. 4-9.
Grassroots Origins to International Recognition
Born and raised in a 13-household village in Chin State’s Falam Township, Zar Li Aye was inspired to pursue a legal career after an early encounter with injustice against a relative was successfully resolved with the help of a lawyer.
Over a decade-long career, she has served as a Legal Adviser to the International Commission of Jurists since 2016 and led Lawyer For YOU, a pro bono legal aid team providing representation in criminal defense and human rights cases inside Myanmar.
Following the February 2021 military coup, Zar Li Aye provided direct pro bono representation in Yangon for citizens arbitrarily detained by police for political reasons.
Her efforts contributed to the release of over 500 individuals across more than 3,000 cases by 2023.
Persistent death threats eventually forced her into exile in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 2023, though she told DVB in an interview that she never regretted her decision to stand by vulnerable communities.
Acceptance Address and Panel Citation
In her acceptance remarks on Oct. 8, Zar Li Aye dedicated the global honour to the wider legal community navigating systemic danger across Myanmar.
“This recognition belongs not only to me, but also to the courageous lawyers, human rights defenders and communities in Myanmar who continue pursuing justice despite extraordinary risks, particularly since the 2021 military coup,” Zar Li Aye said in her acceptance speech on Oct. 8.
The IBA judging panel commended her ongoing advocacy from exile.
“In the face of political repression and significant security threats, Zar Li Aye continues her work from outside Myanmar. This award, which recognises lawyers who make exceptional strides in advancing human rights, honors Zar Li Aye’s unwavering commitment and extraordinary courage to protect vulnerable groups and the rule of law.”
