By Tirthankar Mitra
A Singapore diplomat, a Myanmar activist and a Bangladesh aid-giver will be given the prestigious Magsaysay award this year. Magsaysay award is considered Asia’s version of Nobel Peace Prize.
It is named after the popular former Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay, who died in a plane crash in 1957. The award honours “greatness of spirit” through selfless service to people across Asia.
Tommy Koh, a Singapore lawyer and diplomat, has been recognised for promoting international dialogue and the rule of law. Koh is 88 and is best known for his presiding over a United Nations conference of more than 150 countries, which adopted the U.N Convention of the Law of The Sea in 1982.
“Of enormous significance to maritime countries, the constitution for the oceans, defined territorial waters and economic rights of the countries to their coastal waters and provides mechanism for settling disputes,” the awards body stated.
The UN convention was the main basis of for a 2016 ruling by an arbitration panel in the Hague. It invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing refused to participate in the arbitration.
China, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have been locked in a tense territorial standoff in the disputed waters. The matter was unresolved for decades.
China rejected the decision. The arbitration was initiated by the Philippines.
The awards body recognised Koh’s contribution against this backdrop. “Through his steadfast faith in dialogue, the rule of law and international cooperation, he has helped make peaceful coexistence possible in a world of unequal power,” it was stated.
Bo Kyi, the 61-year-old awardee, is from Myanmar. He had twice been arrested in the past and has spent seven years in prison.
He is a life-long human rights activist. His life has been spent in defence of democracy.
He resisted widespread human rights violation by the Myanmar military. This is no means feat as his country has been under army rule for decades, with a brief return to democracy, which had to again make way for the old order.
Kyi has demanded the release of all political prisoners in his country. They include former leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi.
His efforts are not confined to demanding the release of all political prisoners. He helped raise funds to support the detainees and their families.
In March, 2000 Kyi and former fellow political prisoners organised Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. It documented political imprisonment, supported detainees and their families, while ensuring the continued visibility of political prisoners in Myanmar and around the world.
The third recipient of the award is the 67-year-old Runa Khan from Bangladesh. She is being awarded the Magsaysay for “her profound sympathy for the poorest of the poor in her country”.
In 1979, she first taught poor children. In 2002, she set up “Friendship Bangladesh”, an organisation that “helped the most destitute, educate their children, deal with climate change, empower women, create livelihood opportunities and bring social justice to the excluded”, the award body stated.
Her organisation now employs more than 7,500 people with seven hospital ships. Two land-based hospitals have been set up together with 550 mobile clinics.
The winners will receive their awards in November 15 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila. They will be given a medallion, inscribed certificate and an undisclosed cash prize.
The trio work for humanity during all their waking hours. They strive so that others have an opportunity to live with dignity. (IPA Service)
