Singapore diplomat, Myanmar activist and Bangladeshi aid giver win Magsaysay awards
Summary
Three individuals from Asia won the Ramon Magsaysay Awards, which recognize outstanding service to society. The winners include a Singaporean diplomat who helped create an important sea law, a Myanmar activist jailed for defending democracy, and a Bangladeshi aid worker helping poor people.Key Facts
- The Ramon Magsaysay Awards are often called Asia’s Nobel Prize.
- Tommy Koh, a Singaporean lawyer and diplomat, led negotiations that resulted in the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- This sea law treaty defines territorial waters and economic rights for countries, helping to resolve disputes.
- Bo Kyi, a Myanmar activist, spent seven years in prison for promoting democracy and opposing military rule.
- Bo Kyi helped form an organization to support political prisoners and document human rights abuses in Myanmar.
- Runa Khan, from Bangladesh, worked to provide help to her country’s poorest people.
- The awards have been given since 1958 and will be presented in Manila on November 15.
- The awards recognize people who show selfless service and "greatness of spirit" in Asia.
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