AAPP Monthly Newsletter for April 2018
DISCUSSION
Human Rights and Good Governance Discussion
Attendees at an AAPP discussion on human rights and good governance.
In April, AAPP held a total of seven discussions about human rights and good governance for village and ward administrators, ten and hundred Houses Group Elders in Shwedaung, Thegon, Paungde, Pauk Khoung, Pyay and Pandaung Townships in Bago Division. A discussion was held for the National League for Democracy (NLD) ward members in New South Dagon Township, Rangoon Division. The opening speech was delivered by townships and ward officials and parliament representatives including the following:
Upper House Representative, Dr. Win Myint Chit Lower House Representative, Daw Mya Khwar Nyo Oo Lower House Representative, Daw Ni Ni Doon Rangoon Division Parliament Representative, U Nyi Nyi Shwedaung Township Administrator, U Khin Maung Soe Pauk Khoung Township Administrator, U Kyaw Htay Pyay Township Administrator, U Myat Kyaw Thegon Township Deputy Administrator, U Tun Thar Hla, and Yadanabon Ward Administrator in Okshitpin Town, U Mya Thein AAPP staff, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe and Ko Myo Htut Aung, explained the purpose of the discussion.
Ko Wanna Nwe, and Ko Kyaw Oo then addressed issues regarding 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 and Ko Wanna Nwe spoke about good governance.
There were a total of 565 attendees. Participants included village and ward administrators and members of the NLD youth organization. At the end of the discussion, AAPP distributed UDHR pamphlets and posters, papers describing important aspects of the good governance system, and Chapter Four of the Ward and Village Tract Administration By-Laws.
AAPP Provides Human Rights Lecture in Bago Division
AAPP holding a human rights discussion in Bago
On April 24, AAPP delivered a human rights lecture in Sitkwin Town, Thin Taw Kan Village Tract in Minhla Township, Bago Division. AAPP staff, Ko Myo Htut Aung, explained the purpose of the discussion. Then, Ko Wanna Nwe addressed issues regarding 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). There were a total of 55 attendees including village administrator At the end of the discussion, AAPP distributed UDHR pamphlets and posters.
Discussion about Human Rights
Human rights discussion in Insein township
On April 1 at Human Rights, the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law and Good Governance Discussion, Rangoon Office In-charge, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, led a discussion about Human Rights. This Discussion was organized by the Social Research and Development Group (SRDG) Group and East Zaygone Ward Administrator in Insein Township, Rangoon Division. There were 50 participants who attended, including ward administrators and ten and hundred houses group elder.
TRAININGS
Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training Held in Rangoon Division and Kachin State
Human rights and transitional justice training
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) (AAPP) held two long trainings in the month of April. A 10-day training from April 3-12 was organized in New South Dagon Township, Rangoon Division and a 11-day training from April 20-30 was held in Indawgyi Region, Kachin State.
In New South Dagon Township, the Training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Wanna Nwe, and Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Tin Myo Htut. A total of 25 people (16 women and 9 men) participated in the training. Participants included people of Burmese, Arakanese, Pa-O, Mon and Shan-Karen backgrounds, as well as members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), students and civilians. New South Dagon Township has faced issues with children working without receiving their full wages and overtime wages and do not receive sufficient medical health care, despite having to face danger at work.
In Indawgyi Region, the training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer Ma Zun Pan, and Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Kyaw Oo. A total of 27 people (12 women and 15 men) including students attended the training. Attendees are Shan, Burmese and Chin backgrounds. In Indawgyi region, crimes often occur due to poor rule of law.
These training served as capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants about democratic principles.
ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING
Australian Embassy, including Deputy Head of Mission Jeremy Kruse, Visit the AAPP Museum
Australian embassy team visiting AAPP’s museum in Yangon
On April 26, Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission, Jeremy Kruse, First-Secretary, Alex Street, and Senior Policy Officer, Jonathan McManus, visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners’ (AAPP) museum in Rangoon. They discussed with AAPP’s Joint Secretary, U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe, and AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, about AAPP’s activities and future plans, as well as the current political and human rights situation in Burma.
US Ambassador Scott Marciel visited AAPP Museum
US Ambassador Scott Marciel visited AAPP Museum
On April 27, US Ambassador Scott Marciel, Political Officer Sean R.Smith, Political Specialist Khine Mwan Lurnn and two other embassy staff visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) museum in Rangoon and discussed with AAPP’s Joint Secretary U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Documentation and Research In-Charge and Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe, and AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief Ko Kyaw Soe Win about AAPP’s activities and future plans, as well as the current political and human rights situation in Burma.
On April 27, US Ambassador Scott Marciel, Political Officer Sean R.Smith, Political Specialist Khine Mwan Lurnn and two other embassy staff visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) museum in Rangoon and discussed with AAPP’s Joint Secretary U Bo Kyi, AAPP’s Documentation and Research In-Charge and Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe, and AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief Ko Kyaw Soe Win about AAPP’s activities and future plans, as well as the current political and human rights situation in Burma.
OHCHR Regional Officer for South East Asia Visits AAPP Museum
OHCHR team members in discussion with AAPP
On April 29, Human Rights Officer, John Coughlan, from the OHCHR Regional Office for South East Asia and Human Rights Officer Asia – Pacific Region, Raja Azwa Petra, visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners’ (AAPP) Office in Rangoon. AAPP’s Joint Secretary, U Bo Kyi, and AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Foreign Affairs Deputy, Ko Zaw Moe, met them and discussed AAPP’s activities and future plans, as well as the current political and human rights situation in Burma. They then looked around the museum and the coordinators, U Bo Kyi and Ko Zaw Moe, explained the exhibition for political prisoners within the country.
MNHRC Commissioners, Led by Vice Chairperson U Sit Myaing, Visit AAPP Museum and Discuss Working Together on Human Rights Prevention and Promotion
MNHRC commissioners visiting AAPP museum
On April 30, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) commissioners, led by Vice Chairperson U Sit Myaing, visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) museum in Rangoon. AAPP’s Joint Secretary, U Bo Kyi and Ko Zaw Moe, In-Charge of Documentation & Research and Deputy of Foreign Affair), explained the exhibition in Burma. They also discussed human rights prevention and promotion implemented by MNHRC and AAPP.
AAPP delegations visit Ministry of Health and Sport
AAPP in discussion with Ministry of Health and Sport
On April 30, Deputy Director General of Medical Services Department of Ministry of Health and Sports, Dr. Thida Hla, Deputy Director General of Public Health Department of Ministry of Health and Sports, Dr. Thaung Hlaing, Dr. Htet Lin, Dr Hanni Win from Ministry of Health and Sports hosted Aung Myo Kyaw who is in charge of Myanmar office and Kyaw Soe Win who is a chief of Mental Health Assistant Program. During the discussion, the AAPP delegation explained what AAPP is doing and Ministry side also explained what they are doing and what their needs where. The meeting was fruitful and both side agreed to continue communication into future.
Guests Visit AAPP’s Memory of the Past Museum
On April 6 and April 7, Swedish Burma Committee Members and guests from Portugal visited AAPP’s Memory of the Past Museum in Rangoon. In-charge of the museum explained the exhibition.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MHAP)
Counseling Services for Clients
Every Saturday and Sunday in April, four female counselors went to the Women’s Vocational Training Center. In April, three clients completed their CETA counselling sessions and nine clients are receiving their counseling sessions.
Every Saturday and Sunday in April, a female supervisors and three female counselors went to the Women Development Center in Yangon to provide mental health counselling services. In April one client completed their counselling sessions and five clients are receiving counselling Every Monday in April, one supervisor and five counselors went to Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison) to provide CETA mental health counselling services. In April, 11 clients are receiving CETA mental health counselling services.
In April, AAPP-MHAP Mae Sot team provided CETA mental health counseling services for the migrant population, victims of human trafficking, sex workers, and those affected by the ongoing conflict in Burma. Three counselors met with 16 Burmese migrants (11 women and 5 men) to deliver mental health assistance. Four female and one male Burmese migrant client finished their counseling.
In April, AAPP-MHAP provided 105 clients and 25 clients completed their counselling sessions in Yangon, Mandalay, Magway, Bago and Mae Sot Thailand.
For more information:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Tate Naing +95(0) 942 802 3828
Bo Kyi +66(0) 819 628 713
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