MARCH NEWSLETTER 2020

Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training Held in Shan State 

In March, AAPP provided Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Training in Ywarngan Town,  southern Shan State. Ko Wunna Nwel and Ko Kyaw Oo conducted the 13-day training course between March 6 to March 18. A total of 28 people (15 women and 13 men) participated in the training. Participants are members of Danu Women’s Affairs, Mong Pan Youth Association (MPYA), Danu Culture and Literature  Development Association, Myit Phyar Pang laung Environmental lovers, Danu Youth Charity, Nam Khone School, Southern Shan Women’s Organization, National League for Democracy (NLD), Militia group, Camp Forest group, Danu Patriotic Youth, The Agriculture and Farmer Federation of Myanmar (AFFM – IUF), Yellow Generation Youth, Doe Lu Pae and Maing Pang Network.  The attendees were from Danu, Taung Yo, and Pa’o and villages near Ywar Ngan Town faced land confiscation. 

Figure 1Human Rights and Transitional Justice Training

The training served as a capacity building measure, aiming to inform the participants about democratic principles and help them protect their human rights.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Representatives of Sweden Embassy Yangon Visited AAPP

Figure 2 Meeting with Swedish Embassy representatives

On March 2, representatives of the Swedish Embassy in Yangon led by Frida Zaric (Minister Counsellor – Head of Office), Cecilia Skinner (Controller Development Cooperation), Aung Khaing Min and Thiri Sun, visited AAPP’s Yangon Office where staff gave them a tour of our Memory of the Past Museum. After that, U Tate Naing, AAPP’s Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, head of AAPP’s Rangoon Office, Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, and U Kyaw Soe Win, In-Charge of Mental Health Assistance Program, discussed AAPP’s current activities, along with the political and human rights situation in Burma.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Attended the Opening Ceremony of Human Rights Garden  

Figure 3 Opening human rights garden

On March 8,  the ceremony of human rights garden was held in Pabedan Township, Rangoon. Including U Tate Naing, the secretary of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) Mayor U Maung Maung Soe and members of YCDC, parliamentary representatives, township-level officials and the Czech ambassador attended the opening ceremony. AAPP’s Secretary U Tate Naing explained the situation in which AAPP has been involved in drawing the human rights inspired paintings. AAPP also distributed the pamphlets of human rights declarations to those who attended.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Training

Provided CETA Short Session(CSS) Training

Figure 4 CETA short session training

From March 11 to March 12, at the TOP Center, U Htin Aung, trainer of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), and Daw Khin Nyein Chan Soe from AMHR(JHU), provided CETA Short Session(CSS) Training to CSS provider trainees of Top Center. 

Counseling

In March, 2020, six female counselors visited the Women Vocational Training Center in Yangon on every Saturday and Sunday. A female client was completed her counseling sessions and 18 female clients are receiving their treatment. 

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

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

In March 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 and all the clients were completed their counseling sessions. 

In March 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 counselors continue to provide CETA mental health counseling services for the migrant population, the victims of human trafficking, sex workers and victims of civil war in Myanmar. In March, two female clients and two male clients completed their counseling sessions, and 21 female clients and nine male clients are receiving counseling.

20th Year Anniversary of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners

March 23, 2020 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). For 20 years, AAPP has been tirelessly working to secure the release of political prisoners and ensure the protection and promotion of human rights, civil and political rights. We are continuously working for the promotion of civil and political rights during political transition. As long as the civil war, inequality, abuses of power, unlawful arrests, killings, and political prisons remain, AAPP also will continue to fight for a free and democratic society,  where no political prisoners remain incarcerated. “As long as there are political prisoners, national reconciliation cannot be achieved. ”

As a memorial of 20th Anniversary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), AAPP’s 20 years Anniversary talk show of AAPP’s secretary and joint secretary who were involved in the foundation of AAPP was released in eight parts.

Figure 5 AAPP’s 20 years Anniversary talk show

AAPP’s 20 years Anniversary talk show could be accessed at the following link;

https://aappb.org/bu/category/video-burmese/

In addition, a report entitled ’20 Years’ Journey’ was published.

Figure 6 AAPP’s 20 years Report

For more information:

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)

U Tate Naing (Secretary)
+95(0) 9428 023 828

U Bo Kyi (Joint-Secrtary)

+95(0) 942 530 8840

Download link for March Newsletter_3