FEBUARAY NEWSLETTER 2020

HUMAN RIGHTS DISCUSSION

Human Rights Lectures Provided in Rangoon Division

 Human Rights Lectures at IDAP School

In February, AAPP provided two basic human rights lectures in South Dagon Township in East Rangoon District and one lecture in Insein Township in North Rangoon District. A total of 210 people attended the lectures. 

• In South Dagon Township, AAPP provided two lectures to 180 students and teachers of the IDAP Private High School. 
• In Insein Township, AAPP provided 1 lecture to 30 students and teachers of the A Mae Eain Vocational Training Charity Center of the National League for Democracy Education Network.

The lectures were provided by AAPP representatives, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Kyaw Oo, Ko Khin Maung Win, Ko Myo Tun and graduate of AAPP’s Human Rights Training Of Trainers (TOT) courses, Ma Tin Win Maw Htwe. The main topics discussed were the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), humanitarian law, eliminating discrimination, and the side effects of drugs. Then, we showed movie clips about responsibility and accountability, and there was a question and answer session with participants. At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) pamphlets to raise awareness of UDHR amongst the participants. 

TRAINING

Human Rights Training Held in Kayah State

Human Rights and Transitional Justice Training Held in Kayah State

From February 14 to February 19 , the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) held a training at the State office of the National League for Democracy in Loikaw, Kayah State.

The 6-day training was administered by AAPP’s Trainer, Ko Wanna Nwe. A total of 23 people (18 women and 5 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of National League for Democracy(NLD), youths and AAPP members, and participants are from Shan, Mon-Shan, Kayaw, Karen, Kayah, Pa-O, Burmese and Gaybar Ethnic backgrounds. Kayah State faces land confiscation. The training served as capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants about democratic principles and help them protect their human rights.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Meeting with International Relations Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw

Meeting with International Relations Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw

On February 3, a meeting was held between committee members including Committee Chairman U Zaw Thein of the International Relations Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw in Naypyitaw and U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, AAPP Rangoon Office Chief, Ko Khin Maung Win, AAPP Member, Ko Aung Zaw Oo, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), Ma May Phue Pwint Aung, Equality Myanmar, and Ma Su Chit, The Seagull, at the meeting hall of the International Relations Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm. The two sides discussed the need to sign and ratify the ICCPR and UNCAT in order to prevent human rights abuses and torture.

Meeting with the Public Management Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw  

Meeting with the Public Management Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw

On February 3, a meeting was held between committee members including Committee Chairman Doctor Aung Tun Khaing of the Public Management Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw in Naypyitaw and U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, AAPP Rangoon Office Chief, Ko Khin Maung Win, AAPP Member, Ko Aung Zaw Oo, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), Ma May Phue Pwint Aung, Equality Myanmar, and Ma Su Chit, The Seagull, at the meeting hall of the Public Management Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw from 2:15 pm to 4:00 pm. The two sides discussed the need to sign and ratify the ICCPR and UNCAT in order to prevent human rights abuses and torture.

Meeting with the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights of Pyithu Hluttaw 

Meeting with the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights of Pyithu Hluttaw

On February 4, a meeting was held between committee members including Committee Chairman U Saw of the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights of Pyithu Hluttaw in Naypyitaw and U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, AAPP Rangoon Office Chief, Ko Khin Maung Win, AAPP Member, Ko Aung Zaw Oo, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), Ma May Phue Pwint Aung, Equality Myanmar, and Ma Su Chit, The Seagull, at the meeting hall of the Public Management Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. The two sides discussed the need to sign and ratify the ICCPR and UNCAT in order to prevent human rights abuses and torture.

Meeting with the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights, the Democracy and Human Rights of Amyotha Hluttaw

Meeting with the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights, the Democracy and Human Rights of Amyotha Hluttaw

On February 4, a meeting was held between committee members including Committee Secretary U Salai Myo Htet of the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights, the Democracy and Human Rights of Amyotha Hluttaw in Naypyitaw and U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, AAPP Rangoon Office Chief, Ko Khin Maung Win, AAPP Member, Ko Aung Zaw Oo, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), Ma May Phue Pwint Aung, Equality Myanmar, and Ma Su Chit, The Seagull, at the meeting hall of the Committee for Citizens’ Fundamental Rights, the Democracy and Human Rights of Amyotha Hluttaw  from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The two sides discussed the need to sign and ratify the ICCPR and UNCAT in order to prevent human rights abuses and torture.

Strategic Planning Workshop on “The Life Which Need Protection: Workshop on Human Rights Abuses in Burma”

The life we need protection workshop

On February 18 and February 19, the Strategic Planning Workshop on “The Life Which Need Protection:on Human Rights Abuses in Burma” was held in Metta Venue in South Okkalapa Township, Rangoon. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Genuine People’s Servant (GPS), Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP), Than Lwin Citizen Empowerment, New Myanmar Foundation, The Ta’ang Students and Youth Union (TSYU), PEN Myanmar, Athan, Seagull, Open Myanmar Initiative (OMI), Generation Wave (GW), SYNERGY, Ta’ang Women’s Organization(TWO), Pro-Peace Network (PPN-Mdy), Myanmar ICT for Development Organization (MIDO) , Metta Campaign and Network for Human Rights Documentation Burma (ND-Burma) attended the meeting and discussed advocacy, strategic planning factors and future plans. Ko Aung Thu Nyein served as a facilitator at that workshop. 

The First Stop of Norwegian People Aid and The Trade Union Visited AAPP 

Delegation of Norwegians People Aid visit AAPP

On February 23, The delegation of Norwegian People Aid and The Trade Union visited AAPP’s office in Rangoon. AAPP officials gave them a tour of AAPP’s Memory of the Past museum. Afterwards, U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Joint Secretary, and U Kyaw Soe Win, In-Charge of Mental Health Assistance Program, met with them to discuss AAPP’s current activities, along with the political and human rights situation in Burma.

U.S Embassy Yangon Visited AAPP

US Embassy Staff visit AAPP

On February 24, Ryan McKean (Law Enforcement and Security Unit Chief, Political-Economic Section), Shwe Zin Nyunt (Senior Program Management Specialist – Security and Justice Unit – Bureau of international Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs) and Lian Bawi Thang (aka) Bawi Pi (Political Sepcialist – Political / Economic Section) of U.S. Embassy Rangoon, visited the Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). AAPP officials gave them a tour of AAPP’s Memory of the Past museum. After that, U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, Head of AAPP’s Rangoon Office, and Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with them to discuss ways to cooperate to eradicate drug abuse. 

Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar Visited AAPP

Meeting on Promotion of Rule of Law

On February 27, Robert C. La Mont (Chief of Party) from Chemonics (Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar), Heather Goldsmith (Senior Technical Advisor), Zin Myo Htut (Translation Specialist), and two other members visited the AAPP office. AAPP officials gave them a tour of AAPP’s Memory of the Past museum. After that, U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, Head of AAPP’s Rangoon Office, and Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with them and discussed the transitional justice process that is AAPP working on and the current political and human rights conditions in Burma. 

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Attended Australian Day Celebrations

Attending Australia Day Celebrations

On February 6, U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Joint Secretary, and U Aung Myo Kyaw, Head of AAPP’s Rangoon Office, attended Australian Day Celebration which was held at the Australian Embassy Staffs Club.

International Visited Mae Sot AAPP Office

Students from Taiwan Visiting AAPP

On February 10 students from Taiwan & 2 visitors from Malaysia visited the AAPP office in Mae Sot, Thailand. U San Min and Ma Moe Pang Phyu gave them a museum tour and then explained and discussed AAPP’s current activities & the current political and human rights situations in Burma.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MHAP)

Counseling 

In February 2020, AAPP-MHAP Yangon team 3 (1 supervisor and three counselors) travelled to Pakokku Township, Magway Region & completed providing individual counseling to former political prisoners and their family members. The supervisor and counselors completed mental health counseling services to nine female and nine male clients. 

In February, five female counselors visited to Women Vocational Training Center in Yangon on every Saturday and Sunday. Three female clients were completed their counseling sessions and 19 female clients are receiving their treatment. 

A counselor visited to Women Development Center in Yangon on every Saturday in February, two female clients are receiving counseling. 

In February 2020, two supervisors and 11 counselors visited to Hgnet Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile prison) on every Monday and Friday. In February 2020,  17 male clients were completed their counseling sessions and 38 male clients are receiving their counseling sessions.

In February 2020, one female counselor and two male counselors are providing counseling to three female trainees and five male trainees of Disable Adult Vocational Training Center in Yangon.

In February 2020, AAPP-MHAP Yangon team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population such as HIV patients, victims of human trafficking, victims of raped and poverty effected population in Yangon area.

AAPP-MHAP Mandalay team counselor is providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population in Mandalay area.

AAPP-MHAP Mae Sot team provided CETA mental health counseling services for migrant population, the victims of human trafficking, sex workers and victims of civil war in Myanmar. In February, six female and five male clients were completed their counseling sessions and 16 female and 12 male clients are receiving their treatment. 

For more information:

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Tate Naing (Secretary)           +95(0) 9428 023 828

U Bo Kyi (Joint-Secrtary)        +95(0) 942 530 8840

Aung Myo Kyaw (Office In-Charge)  +95(0) 942811 7348