AAPP September 2018 Newsletter

TRAININGS

Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training Held in Sagaing Division

Figure 1 Transitional Justice Traning in Homalin Township

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 September. A 12-day training from September 5-16  and a 11-day training from September 18-28 were organized in Homalin Township, Sagaing Division.

The 12-day training from September 5-16 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ma Zun Pan, and Human Rights  Documentation, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 20 people (9 women and 11 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of Naga Women Organization, Kukee Women Center, Shan literature and culture, Naga Culture, Homalin Youth Network, Mai Wel Youth Group, Child Protection and East Naga Development Organization and they are Naga, Shan, Kukee and Burmese backgrounds.

A 11-day training from September 18-28 , the training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ma Zun Pan and Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Tin Myo Htut. A total of 24 people (9 women and 15 men) participated in the training. Participants are civilians and members of National League for Democracy (NLD), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Shani Party and Shan Literature and Culture Group. They all are Burmese, Shan, Shani, Naga and Chin. Homalin Township faces land confiscation  and having to pay bribes.These 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

Forty-Three Lectures on Human Rights Provided to Students

In September, AAPP provided a total of 43 lectures in 42 basic education high schools in Mudon Township, Kyaikto Township, Thanbyuzayat Township and Ye Township in Mon State and one lecture in Pyin Nyar Thasaung Border in Homalin Township, Sagaing Division.

We provided 12 lectures in 12 basic education high schools in Mudon Township, eight lectures in eight basic education high schools in Kyaikto Township, 10 lectures in 10 basic education high schools in Thanbyuzayat Township and 12 lectures in 12 basic education high schools in Ye Township and one lecture in Pyin Nyar Thasaung Border in Homalin Township. A total of 14,730 students attended the lectures.

Figure 2H awareness training in Thanbyuzayat Township B.E.H.S A Nin

AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Myo Htut Aung, Ko Myo Tun and Ko Than Htike Win gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of lecture. Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe, Ko Kyaw Oo, Ko Phyo Swe Maung, Ko Aung Thein Kyi (Ko Nay Wun-MYEO) and Ko Than Htike Win  addressed lectures. During our discussion, we showed  powerpoint presentations about the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and responsibility and accountability and there were questions and answers with students. Then, we showed short cartoon about discrimination, discipline and showed short films to students about how they should try to reach their goal and persevere when they are on their journey of life and then discussed with them. Moreover, we delivered the disadvantage of drug use and students asked the questions.

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

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Delegation from  Netherlands Visited AAPP Office

                           Figure 3 Meeting with Deputy Ambassador Thomas Van Leeeuwen

On September 22, Deputy Ambassador Thomas van Leeuwen (Head of Political and Economic Department), Senior Political Officer Chayanuch Thananart and Officer from Netherlands Embassy in Thailand, visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) office in Mae Sot, Thailand. Ma Moe Pan Phyu from AAPP met with the group and explained AAPP’s activities, current conditions of political prisoners and prisoners cases. After that, the group asked questions. In addition, Ma Moe Pan Phyu gave them a tour of AAPP’s museum and explained the exhibits.

British Foreign Secretary Visited Rangoon AAPP Office.

Figure 4 Museum tour with British Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon Jeremey Hunt

On September 19 at 4:41pm, a delegation led by British Foreign Secretary Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt visited the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) office in Rangoon and toured AAPP’s museum exhibition “Memory of the Past”. AAPP’s officials, Rangoon Region MP Daw Sandar Min and former political prisoner Ma Thida (Sanchaung) explained the exhibition and Burma’s political history to the delegation. After that, AAPP Secretary U Tate Naing, Joint-Secretary U Bo Kyi, head of the AAPP’s Rangoon office U Aung Myo Kyaw, Daw Sandar Min and former political prisoner Ma Thida (Sanchaung) held a meeting with the Foreign Secretary and discussed Burma’s human rights conditions and the situation of political prisoners.

Meeting with  New Mon State Party

Figure 5 Meeting with New Mon State Party Representatives

On September 21, New Mon State Party’s Domestic Relations Coordinator, Naing Win Hla, Central Politics Incharge, Naing Aung Ma Ngae and office staff Ko Thura Htay and Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, head of the AAPP’s Rangoon office, U Kyaw Soe Win, Chief of MHAP, Counselor Maung Maung Naing,  Trainer Ko Nay Wunn, met at the New Mon State Party liaison office in Mawlamyine City in Mon State and introduced AAPP’s activities and discussed the issues of working together in future.

Provide Money Donated for Political Prisoners

Figure 6 Donations for Wa Lone, Kyaw Soe Oo and Moe Yan Naing

On September 6, a group of former political prisoners from Insein Township went to the Insein Prison to provide money donated for political prisoners Ko Thet Oo Maung a.k.a Wa Lone, Ko Kyaw Soe Oo a.k.a Moe Aung and Ko Moe Yan Naing, on behalf of AAPP.

Internationals Visited AAPP’s Museum in Mae Sot

An architect from Germany visited AAPP’s Mae Sot museum on September 4, 12 university students from England and staffs from Mobile Education Partnership in Mae Sot and Rustic Pathways Organization on September 8, 24 students from Australia on September 10, two Australian visitors on September 26. Ma Moe Pan Phyu from Mae Sot AAPP Office gave a tour to museum and then explained AAPP’s activities, current Burma’s conditions and political prisoners’ issues.

Mental Health Assistance Program

CETA Counseling

September: (Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison)

Every Monday in September, one Supervisor and five Counselors went to Hnget Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile Prison) to provide CETA mental health counseling services. In September,18 clients were completed their counseling sessions and another 17 clients are receiving CETA mental health counseling services.

September: (Women Vocational Training Center and Women Development Center)

Every Saturday and Sunday in September, five female counselors went to Women Vocational Training Center. In September, six clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and 10 clients are receiving their counseling sessions.

Four female counselors went to the Women Development Center in Yangon to provide mental health counseling services. In September, seven clients are receiving counseling.

In September, 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.

In September, 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 September, four female and eight male clients completed their CETA counseling sessions and 21 female and 11 male clients continued  their counseling sessions.

Provide Stress Management and Self Care Training

On the 5 and 16 of September and the 18 and 28 of September, CETA trainer U Htin Aung  provided mental health awareness and self-care training on the final day of AAPP’s Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice training.

Figure 7 CETA Trainer providing self care training

 For more information:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Tate Naing (Secretary) +95(0) 9428023828

Aung Myo Kyaw (Office In charge) +95(0) 428117348

Download link for Newsletter for September September Newsletter