AAPP Monthly Newsletter for November 2017
TRAININGS
Advanced Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation, and Transitional Justice Training in Mon State
Advanced transitional justice training
AAPP held one long advanced Training in the month of November. A 12-day Training from November 9-20 was organized in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State. The Training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Saw Than Hlaing, and Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 22 people including 13 females and nine males participated including members of AAPP, the National League for Democracy (NLD), Human Rights Foundation of Mon Land (HURFOM), Network for Social Development Peace (NSDP), Mon Youth Organization (M.Y.O), Dawei Women Union, Karen Student Union, Youth Network, Kyone Doe Youth Network, Aung Lan Youth Network, Yesagyo Youth Network, A Nyar Myay Peace Network, Lann Pya Kyal Sin, Mar Ga Youth, and Rays of Lights Organizations. The Program FDirector of the HURFOM introduced in the training and shared his knowledge and experiences. In addition, he discussed human violations in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Divisions. These training served as a capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform their participants in the democratic setup.
HUMAN RIGHTS LECTURES
Human rights lecture in Taunggyi Township
Twenty-Six Lectures on Human Rights Provided to Students
In November, AAPP provided a total of 26 lectures across Nyaung Shwe, Kalaw, Pindaya, Yat Sauk, and Taunggyi Townships, Taunggyi District. In Nyaung shwe Township, AAPP provided six lectures in six basic education high schools. In Kalaw Township, AAPP provided four lectures in four basic education high schools. AAPP provided two lectures in two basic education high schools and one lecture in one basic education middle school in Pindaya Township; four lectures in four basic education high schools in Yat Sauk Township and nine lectures in eight basic education high schools in Taunggyi Township. A total of over 9,394 students attended the lectures.
From November 15-17, six lectures took place at the six governmental Basic Education High School in Nyaung Shwe Township. Nyaung Shwe Township. The lectures were attended by 2,423 students and teachers were present.
Four lectures were held at the four governmental Basic Education High Schools in Kalaw Township between November19-21. The lectures were attended by 1,218 students and teachers were present.
On November 22, two lectures took place at the two governmental Basic Education High School and one lecture in Basic Education Middle School in Pindaya Township. The lectures were attended by 1,225 students and teachers were present.
Four lectures were held at the four governmental Basic Education High Schools in Yat Sauk Township between November 23-24. The lectures were attended by 1,590 students and teachers were present.
From November 27-30, nine lectures took place at the eight governmental Basic Education High School in Taunggyi Township. The lectures were attended by 2,938 students and teachers were present.
AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wunna Nwe, Ko Myo Htut Aung, Ko Aung Gyi and representative from Human Rights Documentation Network (HRDN), Ko Thant Zin Oo, gave an introduction to AAPP and its activities and introduced the other AAPP members. Next, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Tint Htoo Lwin, Ko Kyaw Oo, Ko Myo Htut Aung, and Ko Aung Gyi addressed basic human rights, history of human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), child rights, and responsibility and accountability. There was a question and answer period at the end of lectures. Ko Thant Zin Oo was involved in helping facilitate this.
At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) pamphlets to raise awareness amongst the participants. The Government cooperated with AAPP to organize these lectures, and helped make them a success.
ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
Trip to Washington DC, United States of America from Nov 5 to 20, 2017
Ko Bo Kyi being interviewed by RFA
Joint Secretary Ko Bo Kyi was invited to attend a convention, ‘Pursuing Justice for Mass Atrocities’ which was held by The Ferencz International Justice Initiative from November 6-8, 2017 in Washington DC.
Representatives from Iraq, Myanmar, South Sudan, Nigeria, former ambassadors, and lawyers joined the convention.
During the three days, the following titles were discussed.
- ‘Victim – Driven Campaigns for Justice,’
- ‘Effective Outreach Strategies During Conflict,’
- ‘Political and Diplomatic Strategy,’
- ‘Legal Strategies,’
- ‘Gathering evidence and documentation,’
- ‘Coordination with Transitional Justice Measures,’ and
- ‘Funding International Justice Coalitions.’
After the convention, Ko Bo Kyi met with different organizations including:
- NED – National Endowment for Democracy,
- Democracy Human Rights and Labor of State Department,
- Priscilla Clapp – working dinner with a former ambassador,
- Michele – Working Dinner with Burma lobbyist,
- USAID,
- Bill Richardson Foundation,
- United State Institute of Peace – USIP,
- Radio Free Asia, and
- Voice of America.
While in the US, Ko Bo Kyi discussed the current human rights situation including political prisoner issue in Burma and what AAPP is doing currently.
6th Annual Peace Practitioners Research Conference
Than Htike Win [pictured in white far left] Peace practitioners research trip conference, Siem Reap, Cambodia
From November 17-018, AAPP’s CSO Forum Representative, Than Htike Win, attended the 6th Annual Peace Practitioners Research Conference that was held at Siem Reap city in Cambodia. Peace research civil societies from Burma, civil societies from Arakan State, and representatives from Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) attended the conference. Geography politics extremism and research documents of peace building from the Philippines, Burma, Sri Lanka, a Korean Island, Afghanistan, Thailand, and Nepal were discussed at that conference.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MHAP)
Counseling Services for Clients
In November, MHAP visited the Women’s Development Center and Women’s Vocational Training Center in Rangoon, to give counseling to the women. Every Saturday, five women from the Women Vocational Training Center met with two counselors from MHAP. Five clients are now meeting with MHAP counsellors. Every Saturday and Sunday, 14 women from the Women’s Development Center met with five supervisors and one counselor from MHAP to receive mental health counseling. In addition, six MHAP counselors visited the Youth Training Center, ‘Hnget Awe San’ (a Juvenile prison) where, every Monday, six counselors give 12 youths counseling. Furthermore, the MHAP team in Mae Sot, Thailand has been giving counseling to Burmese Migrants. In November, three counselors met with ten females and eight male Burmese Migrants to deliver mental health assistance. In November, five female and three male Burmese migrant clients finished their counseling.
Exposure Trip to Bago
Exposure trip to Bago.
On November 18, staff members and approximately 100 women from the Women’s Development Center, and supervisors and counselors from MHAP went on an exposure trip to Bago.
For more Information contact:
Ko Tate Naing Secretary +95(0) 94280 23828
Ko Bo Kyi Joint Secretary +66(0) 81 9628 713
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