February Newsletter
TRAININGS
Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Training in Shan State
As a part of the series of regular Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Training, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) held two long trainings in the month of February. A 10-day Training from February 6-15 was organized in Namhsam City in Pa Laung Self-administered Zone in Northern Shan State and a 11-day Training from February 16-26 was held in Hsipaw City, Northern Shan State.
Transitional Justice training in Nant Hsan, Shan State
In Namhsam City, 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 32 people including 25 females and seven males participated in the training. Participants, all of Palaung background, included village youths, students, heads of health organisations, village administrators, and National League for Democracy (NLD) representatives. Namhsam Township has faced issues with restriction on movement, torture by the village administrators, and human trafficking.
Transitional Justice training in Hsipaw, Shan State
In Hsipaw City, the Training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ma Zun Pang, and Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Tin Myo Htut. A total of 26 people including 16 females and ten males participated in the training. Participants are members of the Palaung Literature and Culture Group, the Shan Literature and Culture Group, Farmers Union, the Lisu Christian Convention, the Zayyet Welfare Association, the Ta’ang Women’s Group, the Northern Shan State Christian Convention for all Ethnic Minority, the Wa Nrapha Women Group, and Shwe Parami Social and Religious Association. They are from Shan, Lisu,
Ta’ang, Burmese, Lahu, Karen, Danu, and Pa’O backgrounds. Hsipaw Township has faced land confiscation.
These training served as a capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants in the democratic setup.
Human Rights and Good Governance Discussion
FBERUARY NEWSLETTER 2018
Good Governance discussion in Daik-U, Bago Division
In February, AAPP held a discussion about human rights and good governance for village and ward administrators at Yedashe, Htantabin, Pyu, Oaktwin, Taungoo, Kawa, Waw, Daik-U, Bago, Shwekyin, Nyaunglaybin Kyauktaga, and Kyaukkyi Townships in Bago Division. A discussion was held for the National League for Democracy (NLD) youth organization. The division and the opening speech was delivered by townships officials including: • The Chairman of Education, Health, Social and Labor Affairs, • Bago Division Parliament, Dr. Kyaw Kyaw,
• Bago Division Parliament Representative, U Kyaw Min San, • The Yedashe Township Administrator, U Myoe Naing, Daik-,
• Township Administrator, U Kaung Myat Nyi,
• Shwekyin Township Administrator, U Zaw Myint Thein,
• Nyaunglaybin Township Administrator, U Thein Zaw Kan, and
• Kyaukkyi Township Administrator, U Tin Myo Aung,
Representatives from the following departments were presented at the opening of the discussion:
• The Coordinating Body for Rules of Law Centers,
• Shwekyin Township Auditor Office,
• Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Department,
• Township Immigration Department,
• Department of Fisheries,
• Township Department of Sports and Physical Education,
• Department of Traditional Medicine,
• Myanmar Agricultural Development Bank,
• Kyaukkyi Township Police Chief,
• Executive Officer of the Township Development Committee,
• Township Officer of the Rural Development Department, and
• Officer of the Township Immigration Department.
AAPP staff, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Than Htike Win, Ko Lwin Moe Myint, Ko Myo Htut Aung, Ko Ko Aung, Ko Aung Gyi, Ko Kyaw Oo and Eastern Bago Former Political Prisoners Group representative, Ko Bo Tauk, explained the purpose of the discussion.
Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, and Ko Kyaw Oo then addressed issues on human rights awareness, including the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, U Ye Aung, and Ko Bo Tauk, spoke about good governance.
There were some total of 1074 attendees, including townships’ officers, ward administrators and staff from the Township General Administrative Department. There was a question and answer period at the end of the discussion.
The following individuals helped to facilitate the event:
Good Governance discussion in Nyaungleybin, Bago Division
• AAPP members,
• Ko Bo Tauk,
• Representative from Tharthyi Myay Foundation, Ko Bo Chit, • Former Political Prisoner Ko Zaw Than Htut,
• Taungoo Township’s National League for Democracy (NLD) representatives, Ko San Tun Aung and Ko San Jay,
• 88 Peace and Open Society representatives, Ko Hla Hphone and Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, and
• Daik-U City Four Eights Party Organisation Committee member, Ko Saw Linn A.K.A Ko Linn Linn.
At the end of the discussion, AAPP distributed UDHR pamphlets and posters, papers describing important factors of the good governance system, and Chapter Four of the Ward and Village Tract Administration By-Laws.
