AAPP’s January Newsletter 2019

DISCUSSIONS

Human Rights Lectures Provided to Students in Karen State and Mon State

Figure 1 Human Right Lecture taking place in Mon State

In January, AAPP provided a lecture in Government Polytechnic Center in Hpa-an Township, Karen State, a lecture in Computer University in Thaton Township, six lectures in Government Technical Institute(GTI), Government Polytechnic Center, Education College, Government Technical High School, Mawlamyine University, Technological University in Mawlamyine Township, Mon State. A total of 3,000 students attended the lectures.

AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw and Ko Wanna Nwe gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of lecture. Ko Wanna Nwe and Ko Aung Thein Kyi (Ko Nay Wunn-MYEO) addressed lectures. During our discussion, we showed powerpoint presentations regarding the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and talked about responsibility and accountability and there was a question and answers session 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. Finally we presented on the problems with drug use.

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

TRAININGS

Human Rights, Documentation of Human Rights Violations, and Transitional Justice Training Held in Shan State and Arakan 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) (AAPP) held two long trainings in the month of January. A 11-day training from January 9-19 was organized in Danu Self-Administered Zone in Pindaya Township, Southern Shan State and a 12-day training from January 11-22 was organized in Sittwe City, Arakan State.

Figure 2 Transitional Justice Training in Danu

The 11-day training from January 9-19 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ma Zun Pun, and Human Rights  Documentation, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Kyaw Oo. A total of 28 people (11 women and 17 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of Youth Development Family, Future Light Community Youth Network, Future Light Youth Network, Danu Women Organization, Union Solidarity and Development Party(USDP), Phyusin Myitta Welfare Network, Thudanu Welfare Network, Lann Pya Kyaw Group, National League for Democracy (NLD), students and civilians and participants are from Taung Yoe, Danu and Shan Ethnic backgrounds. Danu Self-Administered Zone faces ethnic based discrimination.

The 12-day training from January 11-22 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Nay Wunn and Human Rights Documentation Trainer and Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 22 people (9 women and 13 men) participated in the training. Participants are members of All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress, Arakan State Farmers’ Union, Arakan Women Network, Arakan State Students’ Union, Ba-Wa-Arr-Mann Village Library Association, Ar-Yat-Kha Foundation, Green lives, REP၊ KFGF, RWN, NYC/AYAC, MYNG and UAYU. They all are from Arakanese, Mro and Khami backgrounds. Arakan State faces arbitrary arrests, forced labour, bribery and discrimination.

These trainings served as capacity building measures, aiming to encourage and inform the participants about democratic principles and help them protect their human rights.

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Figure 3 Meeting with Chairman of the International Relations Committee

Meeting with Chairman of the International Relations Committee

On January 28, Chairman of the International Relations Committee, U Zaw Thein, met a group led by the Secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), U Tate Naing and discussed issues of the International Agreements. Committee’s secretary, U Bo Bo Oo and responsible persons of the office of the Pyithu Hluttaw attended the meeting.

Discussions held with members of the National Parliament International Relations, Inter-parliamentary Relations and Cooperation Committee

On January 29, AAPP’s Secretary Ko Tate Naing, AAPP’s Rangoon Officer In-charge Ko Aung Myo Kyaw, the Officer 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, met with the National Parliament International Relations, Inter-parliamentary Relations and Cooperation Committee, Chairman U Than Win, Secretary Daw Htu May, and member of the committee Dr.Win Myint, Dr.Kywe Kywe, and U Jyaw Wu in Naypyitaw and discussed regarding the International treaty of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (commonly known as the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT).

Figure 4 Discussions with member of the National Parliament International Relations, Inter-parliamentary Relations and Cooperation Committee

Attended meeting Regarding the Report of “You Cannot Ignore Us”

On January 30, AAPP’s Secretary Ko Tate Naing and Officer In-charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe attended the meeting in regards to the Report of ‘You Cannot Ignore Us’ which was led by the National Parliament, Affairs Committee on Women and Child Rights Committee, and Reparations Working Group in Nay Pyi Taw. Officials from the Parliament Office also attended the meeting.

Figure 5 Meeting with the Women and Child Rights Committee

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Figure 6 Wing Institute visiting AAPP museum in Rangoon

The Wing Institute Visited AAPP’s Rangoon Office

On January 23, 21 students from the Wing Institute, led by Phyoe Phyoe Aung, visited to AAPP’s Rangoon Office and observed AAPP’s Museum, Memory of the Past. Chief of the Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) gave a museum tour to them. Then, AAPP secretary, U Tate Naing, explained AAPP’s history, activities, his time in prison and current political conditions in Burma and MHAP Chief, U Kyaw Soe Win, explained about MHAP. After that U Tate Naing and U Kyaw Soe Win answered the questions of the students.

International Visitors Visited AAPP’s Mae Sot Office

Figure 7 Students from Asia Exchange Program visiting AAPP museum in Mae Sot

On January 17, two visitors from England, January 22, 20 students from Asia Exchange Association, January 24, 10 visitors from Canada and January 25, eight students from Korea visited AAPP’s Mae Sot Office, Thailand. Ma Moe Pan Phyu from AAPP explained AAPP activities, and the conditions endured by political prisoners and the human rights situation in Burma, our museum exhibits and answered questions.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Training

Mental Health Awareness and Self-care Training

In January 15 – 18, Kyaw Soe Win, In-charge of MHAP travelled to Sittwe, Rakhine State to provide mental health awareness and self-care training to 22 participants of AAPP’s Basic Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice training. The participants got more knowledge in mental health, to against stigma on common mental health problems.

Counseling

In January 2019, a counselor visited to Women Development Center in Yangon on every Sunday. One client completed their counseling sessions.
Three counselors visited to Women Vocational Training Center in Yangon on every Saturday and Sunday. Three clients completed their counseling sessions and six clients are continuing their treatment.
One supervisor and five counselors visited to Hgnet Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile prison) on every Monday. In January 2019, 17 clients are receiving their treatment.
In January, two counselors and one supervisor are providing counseling services to five clients from Training School for the Disabled Adult in Yangon which is under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Two clients were completed their counseling sessions and five clients are continuing their treatment.
In January 2019, AAPP-MHAP Yangon team counselors are also providing CETA mental health counseling services for former political prisoners and their family members, other vulnerable population such as HIV patients, victims of human trafficking, victims of raped and poverty effected population in Yangon area.
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.

AAPP-MHAP Mae Sot team provided CETA mental health counseling services for migrant population, the victims of human trafficking, sex workers and victims of civil war in Myanmar. In January, eight female clients and three male clients were completed their counseling sessions and 15 female clients and 14 male clients are continuing their treatment.

For more information:

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)
Tate Naing (Secretary): +66 (0) 812 878 751

Aung Myo Kyaw: +95(0) 9428 117348

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