Ywet Nu Aung, 44, has been awarded the 29th International Human Rights “Ludovic-Trarieux” Prize 2024 by the Institut des droits de l’homme des avocats européens (IDHAE). This marks the first time that a Myanmar legal professional has received the award, which was established in 1984 and is considered the most prestigious in the legal profession.

The ceremony took place in Rome, Italy on Oct. 18. Aung Myo Min, the National Unity Government (NUG) Minister of Human Rights accepted the award on behalf of Ywet Nu Aung, who is serving a 15-year sentence at Mandalay’s Obo Prison.

“Despite knowing she would face unjust arrest and punishment…she bravely assisted political prisoners in securing their legal rights, making her truly deserving of this human rights award,” Aung Myo Min shared on social media.

The IDHAE wanted to recognize Ywet Nu Aung for her commitment to defending human rights by providing legal representation to political prisoners in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup. Prior to the coup, she had worked as a legal advisor for the National League for Democracy (NLD) party and was a member of its Central Executive Committee.

Ywet Nu Aung represented Zaw Myint Maung, the ousted Mandalay chief minister and NLD vice chairperson, who was sentenced to 29 years in prison. The 73-year-old died at Mandalay General Hospital on Oct. 7 – one day after his release from prison on “medical grounds.” 

Ywet Nu Aung was arrested in Mandalay on April 27, 2022 and subsequently sentenced under the Counter-Terrorism Act for allegedly providing financial support to the People’s Defense Force (PDF), an armed resistance group deemed a “terrorist” organization by the military regime in Naypyidaw, which took power after the coup.