July Newsletter 2018

TRAININGS

Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice (Advanced) Training Held in Kachin State

Figure 1 Trainistional Justice Training in Myitkyina

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 one long trainings in the month of July. A 12-day training from July 5-16 was organized in Myitkyina City, Kachin State.

This Training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Saw Than Hlaing, and Human Rights  Documentation, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 25 people (9 women and 16 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of National League for Democracy (NLD), Grip Hands,  Youth Policy, JWH/KBC, Inn Chit Thu, New Generation 88 and civilians and they are Burmese, Shan-Burmese, Shan, Kachin, Shan-Kachin, Lael-Burmese and Chin backgrounds. Kachin State faces arbitrary detention, forced displacement due to conflict, land and house confiscation and restrictions on freely movement.This training served as capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants about democratic principles and help them protect their human rights.

HUMAN RIGHTS LECTURES

Thirty-three Lectures on Human Rights Provided to Students

In July, AAPP provided a total of 33 lectures in nine 32 basic education high schools and one Institute of Sports and Physical Education in Chaungzon Township, Kyaikmaraw Township and Mawlamyine Township in Mon State.

We provided six lectures in six basic education high schools in Chaungzon Township, eight lectures in eight basic education high schools in Kyaikmaraw Township, 18 lectures in 18 basic education high schools and one lecture in Institute of Sports and Physical Education in Mawlamyine Township. A total of 12,530 students attended the lectures.

The following school officials provided the opening:

• No.5 Basic Education High School Headmaster(Mawlamyine),  U Hla Htay
• No.13 Basic Education High School Temporary Headmistress(Mawlamyine), Daw Nilar Than
• Thukhawaddy Basic Education High School Headmistress(Mawlamyine), Daw Nyo Nyo Nyunt

Moreover, Pa-O Ethnic Affairs Minister of Mon State Government, Daw Nang San Wint Khaing , delivered the opening speech at No.6 Basic Education High School.

Figure 2 Basic Education High School Human Rights Lecture

AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Kyaw Oo and Ko Khin Maung Win gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of lecture. Ma Zun Pang, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Kyaw Oo, Ko Aung Thein Kyi (Ko Nay Wun-MYEO), Ko Khin Maung Win, Ko Maung Maung Naing and Ko Pyae Lwin (Phyu Pwe) addressed issues on human rights awareness, including the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and responsibility and accountability. There was a question and answer period at the end of lectures. Comedian Poe Lay and Chairman of Comedian Association of Mawlamyine Township,  Ko Good Shel, Mi  Sher from Community Driven Development and Htut Arkar a.k.a Winaw from Youth Talk Organization were involved in helping facilitate the event.

At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) pamphlets to raise awareness amongst the participants.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Australia’s Ambassador Visited AAPP’s museum

Figure 3 Meeting with HE Nicholas Coppel Australian Ambassador

On July 5, a group led by Nicholas Coppel, Australia’s Ambassador, visited AAPP’s museum, Memory of The Past.  AAPP’s Joint Secretary, Ko Bo Kyi, and the Officer In-Charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe, explained the exhibition and the conditions that political prisoners endure. After that, the group and Ko Bo Kyi, Ko Zaw Moe and Ma Khin Nyein Chan from AAPP discussed AAPP’s human rights activities and future plans.

Meeting with the Burmese, Lisu, Shan, and Rawang Ethnic Affairs Ministers of Kachin State Government

Figure 4 Kachin State Government Meeting

On July 6 at 1pm, the Burmese, Lisu, Shan, and Rawang Ethnic Affairs Ministers of Kachin State Government, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), and New Generation 88 (Mohnyin) met in the Kachin State Government meeting room and discussed AAPP’s activities, especially Human Rights Training and AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP).  The Rangoon Officer In-charge, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, Human Rights Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu, Ko Kyaw Moe Than, and Ko Sein Aye from New Generation 88, as well as former political prisoner, U Thaung, from Myitkyina, attended the discussion.

Delegation from Robert F.Kennedy Center Visits AAPP Museum

Figure 5 Meeting with Michael Schreiber Chief Operating officer from Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Organisation

On July 10, a group led by Michael Schreiber, the Chief Operating Officer from Robert F.Kennedy Human Rights Organization, Michael Posner ( Jerome Kohlberg, Professor of Ethics & Finance Director and Center for Business & Human Rights from New York University of Stern School of Business), and Hon. Thomas H.Andrews, visited AAPP’s museum, Memory of the Past. AAPP Joint Secretary Ko Bo Kyi, Rangoon Office In-charge Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, In-charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs Ko Zaw Moe, and AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief Ko Kyaw Soe Win, explained the exhibition and the conditions that political prisoners endure.

After that, they met in AAPP’s meeting room and discussed AAPP’s human rights activities and future plans.

Now Action & Unity for Human Rights (NAUH) Visited AAPP’s museum

Figure 6 Students from NAUH visiting AAPP museum in Rangoon

On July 17, a group from Now Action & Unity for Human Rights (NAUH), and organization from Seoul, Korea, visited AAPP’s museum, Memory of the Past. AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, and the Officer In-Charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe, explained the exhibition. After that, the group, Ko Kyaw Soe Win and Ko Zaw Moe discussed AAPP’s activities and future plans

Mental Health Assistance Program

Training

Provide Stress Management and Self Care Training at Sandhi Governance Institute

Figure 7 Self care training at Sandhi Governance Institute

AAPP-MHAP trainers Ko Htin Aung and Ma Khin Nyein Chan Soe delivered Stress Management and Self Care Training in Sandhi Governance Institute on July 2 to July 3. 29 participants attended.

Provide Stress Management and Self Care Training to AAPP-MHAP Counselors

Figure 8 Self Care training at AAPP office

On July 31, AAPP-MHAP trainers Ko Htin Aung and Ma Khin Nyein Chan Soe delivered Stress Management and Self Care Training to AAPP-MHAP Counselors at AAPP Office.

Counseling

Every Saturday and Sunday in July, four female counselors went to Women Vocational Training Center. In July, three clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and — clients are receiving their counseling sessions.

Two female counselors went to the Women Development Center in Yangon to provide mental health counseling services. In July, three clients are receiving counseling.

Every Monday in July, one Supervisor and five Counselors went to Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison) to provide CETA mental health counseling services. In July, 12 clients were completed their counseling session and 18 clients are receiving CETA mental health counseling services.

In July, AAPP-MHAP Mae Sot team provided CETA mental health counseling services for the migrant population, victims of human trafficking, and victims of the ongoing conflicts in Burma. In July, four female and one male clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and 12 female and 14 male clients continued  their counseling sessions.

In July, AAPP-MHAP Yangon team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population in Yangon area.

A counselor from Magwe Region is providing CETA mental health counseling services for HIV patients in Nat Mauk and Taung Twin Gyi in Magwe Region.

A counselor from Bago Region is also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners, their family members and other vulnerable populations in Bago area.

AAPP-MHAP Mandalay team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population in Mandalay area.

For More Information

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)

Tate Naing   (Secretary) +66 (0) 812 878 751

Bo Kyi  (Joint Secretary) +95(0) 42530 8840

Download link for July Newsletter English Newsletter July 2018