A Rohingya political activist, born in Buthidaung in 1978 and raised in Rangoon, and a leading voice in the global advocacy for Rohingya rights and justice. Since leaving Myanmar he has documented human rights violations and military campaigns in Arakan, sharing information and analysis with governments, human rights organisations, United Nations staff and journalists. In July 2025 he became Co-Chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC).
Telling the world what happens in Arakan
Nay San Lwin (Zafar Shah) is a prominent Rohingya political activist and a leading voice in the global advocacy for Rohingya rights and justice. Born in 1978 in Buthidaung, Arakan (now Rakhine State, Myanmar), and raised in Rangoon (Yangon), he hails from a family with a legacy of civil service. His great-grandfather, Abdul Zolil, was officially recognized as an indigenous person in Burma.
Since leaving Myanmar, Nay San Lwin has dedicated himself to documenting human rights violations and military campaigns in Arakan State. He provides information and analysis to governments, human rights organizations, United Nations staff, and journalists to raise awareness of the Rohingya crisis.
In July 2025, Nay San Lwin was appointed Co-Chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC), a unified political platform representing Rohingya communities from Myanmar, refugee camps in Bangladesh, and the global diaspora.
He has been publicly attacked by Myanmar's presidential office and the State Counsellor's office for his role in disseminating news about military atrocities in Northern Arakan State.
Nay San Lwin continues to be a leading voice for the Rohingya community, advocating for justice, recognition, and protection for his people.
