Naw Ohn Hla
Naw Ohn Hla has been an active human rights defender for decades and has been instrumental in calling for the suspension of the Letpadaung mining project as it is harming the environment. Numerous other human rights defenders have been targeted in recent times for their peaceful opposition to the project.
Naw Ohn Hla campaigned for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi while she was under house arrest. The human rights defender has been imprisoned more than seven times since 1989 for her peaceful efforts to free political prisoners and assist Buddhist monks during the 2007 uprising.
Threats against HRDs working on economic, social, and cultural rights have increased. HRDs supporting communities affected by the Letpadaung mining project endure repeated judicial harassment, arrest, imprisonment, and prevention of travel to the area.
