Prominent Myanmar pro-democracy leader Min Ko Naing was named the recipient of the 17th Citizen of Burma Award during a ceremony held at the Chiang Mai University Convention Center in Thailand on Saturday.
Established in 2010 by the U.S.-based Citizen of Burma Award Organization, the annual accolade recognizes individuals and organizations that make outstanding self-sacrifices for the public good and demonstrate exemplary citizenship within Myanmar society.
Because Min Ko Naing remains a key, active figure in the ongoing resistance to military rule inside Myanmar, he was unable to attend in person. The award was accepted on his behalf by Zaw Zaw Aung, the vice-president of the organization and a former member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU).
A unanimous welection
“When selecting the awardee, we evaluate three core criteria: self-sacrifice, impactful success, and exemplary leadership for citizens and society,” Zaw Zaw Aung explained during the event. He noted that Min Ko Naing unanimously secured 100 percent of the vote through the organization’s multi-tiered democratic selection process this year.
The Citizen of Burma Award Organization—a diaspora-led initiative founded by Myanmar expatriates and ethnic nationalities residing in the United States and across the globe—emphasized that the award honors Min Ko Naing’s unwavering dedication to the country’s pro-democracy movement.
His resistance work spans nearly four decades, tracing back to the historic 1988 Uprising and continuing through the current Spring Revolution against the military dictatorship.
A moving tribute
The ceremony featured a deeply emotional tribute from Nilar Thein, a fellow 88 Generation student leader and the widow of the executed pro-democracy activist Ko Jimmy (Kyaw Min Yu).
Through a video message, she delivered a moving recitation of a commemorative poem composed by Nay Chhoo.
Min Ko Naing has long been recognized on the global stage for his relentless human rights advocacy and the years he spent as a political prisoner. His previous international accolades include:
- The John Humphrey Freedom Award (1999)
- The Homo Homini Award (2000)
- The Student Peace Prize (2001)
- The Civil Courage Prize (2005)
- The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (2009)
