AAPP Monthly Newsletter for December 2017

TRAININGS

Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Training (Basic) in Southern Shan State

                                         Transitional justice trainng in Taunggyi City

As a part of the series of regular Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Training (Basic), the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Union of Karenni State Youth (UKSY) held training in the month of December. A 5-day Training from December 12-16 was organized in Taunggyi City, Taunggyi Township, Southern Shan State. In Taunggyi City, the Training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Wanna Nwe, and Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Kyaw Oo. A total of 45 people including 22 females and 23 males participated in the training. Participants are members from organizations including KNLP, KSPMN, Law Home, KSFU, KNPLF, WWF, KNOW, UKSY, FWA, KNUJC, YCO, LAIN, KNP, KYSDP, KNGY, KSSU, KYWO, KNLP/A, KNLALP, KNP, KNPLF – Youth, BWU, and FED and are from Burmese, Shan-Kachin and Kachin Backgrounds. These training served as a capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform their participants in the democratic setup.

HUMAN RIGHTS LECTURES

Seven Lectures on Human Rights Provided to University, College and High School Students

         Photo: Human rights lecture at Pyay Computer University

In December, AAPP provided a total of seven lectures across Taungoo and Pyay Townships in Bago Division. In Taungoo Township, AAPP provided five lectures in Taungoo University, Taungoo Technological University, Taungoo Computer University, Taungoo Education College, and Taungoo Government Technical High School. In Pyay Township, AAPP provided two lectures in Pyay Technological University and Pyay Computer University. A total of 3,450 students attended the lectures. From December 19-22, five lectures took place at the Taungoo University, Taungoo Technological University, Taungoo Computer University, Taungoo Education College and Taungoo Government Technical High School.  Bago Division Parliament MP for Taungoo Township, U Moe Ma Kha, and Taungoo University Rector, Dr. U Tin Tun, Taungoo Technological University Registrar, Daw Thin Thin Nwe, Taungoo Technical High School Headmaster, U Htay Myint, Chairman of Education, Health, Social and Labor Affairs, Bago Division Parliament, Dr. Kyaw Kyaw, and Chief of the Software Department of the Taungoo Computer University, Professor Dr. Yu Ya Win, gave an opening speech. There were 2,800 students and teachers in attendance at the lecture, which ended with a question and answer period. Taungoo University Student Union, Taungoo Technological University Student Union, Taungoo Computer University Student Union, and Ko Hla Hpone Oo from 88 Peace and Open Society helped facilitate the event. From December 27-28, two lectures took place at the Pyay Technological University, Pyay Computer University. Pyay Technological University Rector, Dr. U Nyunt Soe, and Pyay Computer University Rector, Dr. U Myo Min Than, gave an opening speech. The lectures were attended by 650 students and teachers were present and which ended with a question and answer period. Pyay Technological University Student Union, Pyay Computer Student Union, and Pyay District Former Political Prisoner, Ko Pyae Lwin A.K.A Ko Phyu Phwe, helped facilitate the event.

Photo: Chief of the Software Department of the Taungoo Computer University, Professor Dr. Yu Ya Win, giving an opening speech. 

Ko Aung Myo Kyaw explained AAPP’s background, the purpose of the lecture and introduced the other AAPP members. Next, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Saw Than Naing, Ko Kyaw Oo, and Ko Khin Maung Win addressed human rights awareness, the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR), and the continued need for responsibility and accountability for human rights violations.
At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed UDHR pamphlets to raise awareness amongst the participants. The Government cooperated with AAPP to organize these lectures, and helped make them a success.

                                          Photo: A student asking a question about human rights.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

AAPP Member Attended International Human Rights Day

Photo: Ko Zaw Moe at Human Rights Day

On December 9, 2017, the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) celebrated International Human Rights Day at Panda Hotel in Yangon. The ceremony was attended by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoner (AAPP) member Ko Zaw Moe.

International Human Rights Day Lecture at Yedashe Township

Photo: Ko Aung Myo Kyaw giving the opening speech at the Bogyoke statue opening ceremony in Yedashe Township.

From December 9-10, AAPP organized an International Human Rights Day literature talk for the Bogyoke statue opening ceremony at Yedashe Township, Bago Division. Writer and Actress, Shwe Sin Htike, Comedian, Bay Lu Wa, Writer Hnin Pan Eain and Writer, Sayar Chit Oo Nyo, gave speeches and the local people attended.

AAPP Member Participated Contributed to Discussions at International Human Rights Day

                          Photo: Ko Wunna Nwe at Human Rights Day in South Okkalapa

On December 10, Wi Moke Ti Organization organized the International Human Rights Day ceremony at Seit Tine Kya Tea Shop, South Okkalapa Township. The director of Wi Moke Ti explained the purpose of the ceremony and AAPP representative, Ko Wanna Nwe, discussed the role of transitional justice and human rights. Ray of Future Group representative, Ma Thet Thet Aung, spoke about labor rights. Land and Labour Rights Activist,U Zaw Yann, spoke about the situation of human rights in various countries and the secretary of the Women’s League of Burma, Loi Poe Nyli, spoke about women’s rights.

PP’s Provide Assistance to Political Prisoners in Insein Prison

Photo: Political prisoners provide financial assistance o political prisoners in Insein Prison, Rangoon.

Political prisoners from Insein Prison, donated money on behalf of AAPP to eight political prisoners, including Ko Aung Myo Thu in Insein Prison.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MHAP)

Counseling Services for Clients

Every Saturday and Sunday in December, two female counselors went to the Women’s Vocational Training Center in Yangon. In December, one clients completed her counseling sessions. A further six clients are continuing to receive counseling.

A female supervisor and six female counselors went to the Women Development Center in Yangon to provide mental health counseling services. In December, seven clients completed their counseling sessions and another 11 clients are continued their sessions. .

Every Monday in December, one Supervisor and five Counselors went to Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison) to provide CETA mental health counseling services. In December, 12 clients were completed their counseling sessions and another 12 clients are starting their counseling session. In December, three counselors met with ten females and eight male Burmese Migrants to deliver mental health assistance. In December, five female and three male Burmese migrant clients finished their counseling.