# Nay San Lwin (Born 1978)

> Rohingya activist and co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition · Buthidaung, Arakan

- Also known as: Zafar Shah
- Known for: Rohingya activist and co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition
- Born: 1978, Buthidaung, Arakan
- Place: Buthidaung, Arakan
- Fields: Human rights, Politics
- Page: https://people.rohingya.ro/people/nay-san-lwin/

## Summary

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).

## What he did

- **1978** — Born in Buthidaung and raised in Rangoon (Yangon), in a family with a legacy of civil service. (His great-grandfather, Abdul Zolil, was officially recognised as an indigenous person in Burma.)
- **In exile** — After leaving Myanmar, began documenting human rights violations and military campaigns in Arakan, providing information and analysis to governments, human rights organisations, UN staff and journalists.
- **Official attacks** — Publicly attacked by Myanmar's presidential office and the State Counsellor's office for spreading news of military atrocities in northern Arakan.
- **July 2025** — Appointed Co-Chair of the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC), a political platform for Rohingya in Myanmar, in the camps in Bangladesh and in the diaspora.

## Biography: 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.

## Sources

- Free Rohingya Coalition. (n.d.). Founding members and advocacy work of Nay San Lwin.
- Al Jazeera. (Various years). Reports and commentary citing Nay San Lwin on the Rohingya crisis.
- Reuters. (Various years). News reports quoting Nay San Lwin as a Rohingya activist and analyst.
- The Diplomat. (Various years). Analysis and interviews featuring Nay San Lwin on Rakhine/Rohingya issues.
- Fortify Rights. (Various years). Documentation and briefings referencing Nay San Lwin’s advocacy and information work.
- United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). (n.d.). Civil society briefings and information contributions from Rohingya activists including Nay San Lwin.
- Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC). (2025). Announcement of Nay San Lwin as Co-Chair.

## Photographs

- ![Photograph of Nay San Lwin](https://people.rohingya.ro/photos/nay-san-lwin-2.webp) (Wikimedia Commons, File:Ro_Nay_San_Lwin.jpg)

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From Rohingya Famous People, https://people.rohingya.ro/people/nay-san-lwin/ (updated 2026-11-04)