AAPP’s Newsletter Feb 2019

DISCUSSIONS

Human Rights Lectures Provided to Students in Mandalay Division

In February, AAPP provided six lectures in Government Technical Institute (GTI), Mandalay Technological University, University of Mandalay, Mandalar Degree College, Yadanabon University,  University of Computer Studies in Mandalay, one lecture in University of Computer Studies in Patheingyi Township, one lecture in Government Technical College in Myingyan Township and one lecture in  Myingyan Technological University in Myingyan Township in Mandalay Division. Over 2,850 students attended the lectures and teachers attended as well.

Figure 1 Human Rights Discussion in Mandala Degree College

AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw and Ko Lwin Moe Myint gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and the purpose of the lecture. Ko Wanna Nwe  held lectures. During our discussion, we showed powerpoint presentations about the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and ideas of responsibility and accountability and there were questions and answers with students. Then, we showed a 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 held discussions with them. Moreover, we spoke about the disadvantages of drug use and students asked questions.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 Trainings Held in Kachin 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 Kachin State in the month of February. A 11-day training from February 11-21 was organized in Myitkyina Township and a 11-day training from February 18-28 was organized in  Phakant Township.

The 11-day training from February 11-21 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Nay Wunn, and Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Kyaw Oo. A total of 18 people (9 women and 9 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of Youth of the Lhaovo National Unity and Development Party (LNUDP), All Kachin Youth Union (AKYU), Lisu literature and culture, Independent Church of Home Mission (ICM), Kachin Women Association Thailand (KWAT) and Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) at Jan Maing Kaung IDP at Jaw Ma Satt IDP and participants are from Kachin and Lisu Ethnic backgrounds. Myitkyina Township faces arbitrarily arrests and charges due to the clashes.

Figure 2 TJ training in Myitkyina

The 11-day training from February 18-28 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Kyaw Oo Ko Tin Myo Htut. A total of 22 people (8 women and 14 men) participated in the training. Participants are members Kachin Social Development Foundation, Shanni Literature and Culture Association, Kachin Youth Committee, village youths, local militants, student, fire fighter, military affair security, village administrators and ethnic language teachers. They all are from Shanni, Kachin and Burmese Ethnic backgrounds. Phakant State faces arbitrary arrests and tortures.

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

ICRC Visited AAPP Rangoon Office

Figure 3 Meeting with ICRC representatives

On February 4, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC)  led by Resident Representative of ICRC, Stephan Sakalian, Senior Advisor of ICRC, Sai Kong Kham and Protection Coordinator of ICRC, Sarah Avrillaud visited Office of the  the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Rangoon. Secretary of AAPP, U Tate Naing, AAPP Rangoon Office Chief, U Aung Myo Kyaw, 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 them and explained the current activities of AAPP working for prison reforms and attempting the government to ratify the United Nations Convention against  Torture(UNCAT) and other international human rights agreements. Then, they toured AAPP’s Memory of the Past Museum and AAPP members explained museum exhibits and prison conditions of the political prisoners.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Students of the Myanmar Institute of Theology Visited AAPP’s Rangoon Office

Figure 4 Students from Myanmar Institute of Theology

On February 7, a total of 43 students of the Myanmar Institute of Theology visited to AAPP’s Rangoon Office. Officer In-charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe and AAPP’s members U Tin Myo Htut and U Ko Ko Aung explained them history of AAPP, AAPP activities and basic human rights. Then, AAPP’s Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP) Chief Ko Kyaw Soe Win and AAPP Member U Than Htike Win gave a tour to them and answered questions.

International Visitors Visited AAPP’s Mae Sot Office

Figure 5 Students from Washington University visit Mae Sot office

On February 12, eight visitors from Japan, February 13, 18 students from Washington University of America, February 19, 30 students from Harrow International School in Bangkok and February 22, 13 students from United State visited to 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

Counseling

• In February 2019, three counselors visited to Women Vocational Training Center in Yangon on every Saturday and Sunday. Six clients are receiving their treatment. One supervisor and five counselors visited to Hgnet Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile prison) on every Monday. In February 2019, 17 clients are receiving their treatment.
• In February, two counselors and one supervisor are providing counseling services to Training School for the Disabled Adult in Yangon, which is under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. All of five clients were completed their counseling sessions.
• In February 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 February, one female client and six male clients are completed their counseling and six female clients and 12 male clients are receiving their treatment.

Stress Management and Self-Care training

• In February 28 – March 1, Htin Aung, AAPP trainer and Than Than Htay, MHAP supervisor provided Stress Management and Self-Care training to 29 participants of Sandhi Governance Institute in Yangon.
• From February 5 – 7, Htin Aung, an AAPP trainer, provided Basic Coping skills, Stress Management and Self-Care training to 29 participants of Tavoyan Women Union in Tavoy, Taninthayee Region.

For more information:

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

+95(0) 9428 023 828

Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary) +66(0) 81 9628 713

Download link for Feb Newsletter