AAPP’s March Newsletter 2019

DISCUSSIONS

Human Rights Lectures Provided to Students in Mandalay Division

Human Rights Lecture in Mandalay

In March, AAPP provided three lectures in Mandalay Technological University, Mandalay Education College and Meiktila Education College in Mandalay Division. Over 1,760 students attended the lectures, teachers also attended.

AAPP representatives, Ko Aung Myo Kyaw gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of lecture. Ko Wanna Nwe and Ko Kyaw Oo 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 cartoons about discrimination, discipline and showed short films to students about how they should try to reach their goal and persevere on their journey of life and then held discussions with them. Moreover, we talked about the disadvantage 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 Sagaing Division and Kachin State

TJ training taking place in Naga self administrated zone

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 trainings in Sagaing Division and Kachin State in the month of March. A 8-day training from March 14-21 was organized in Lahe Township in Narga Self-Administered Zone in Sagaing Division and a 11-day training from March 21-31 was organized in  Putao Township in Kachin State.

The 8-day training from March 14-21 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Saw Than Hlaing, and Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 23 people (20 women and 3 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of National League for Democracy (NLD), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), Naga Literature Group and Blood Donation Group,  Ethnic Language teacher and students and participants are from Lainong, Tangshang and Naga Ethnic backgrounds. Lahe Township faces land confiscations, forced labour. Moreover,  Naga Ethnic Armed Group collects protection money and recruitment soldiers.

The 11-day training from March 21-31 was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ma Zun Pang and Documentation of Human Rights Violations and Transitional Justice Trainer Ko Kyaw Oo. A total of 31 people (24 women and 7 men) participated in the training. Participants are students, volunteers, members of Community Driven Development Project, civilian, member of Mya Sein Yaung Group and village incharge. They all are from Lisu, Rawang and Jingpaw Ethnic backgrounds. Putao Township faces 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.

Transitional Justice Training Provided Trainees of the Wings Institution

TJ training provided to trainees of the Wings Institution

From March 5 to March 7, Wunna Nwe, trainer of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), provided the Transitional Justice Training to 38 trainees of the Wings Institution.

Transitional Justice Training Provided Ta’ang Ethnics

Transitional Justice training provided to TWO

From March 25 to March 29 at Lashio in Shan State, Wunna Nwe, trainer of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), provided the Transitional Justice Training to Ta’ang Ethnics (Female 6, Male 14) from villages in Nansang Township, Kyaukme Township and Hsipaw Township in Northern Shan State. The training is organized by the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO).

ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING

Human Right and Potential Prison Reform Workshop

Human Right and Potential Prison Reform Workshop held in Naypyidaw

From March 9 to March 10, the Human Right and Potential Prison Reform Workshop, which was organized by Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), and the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners(AAPP), was held at Man Myanmar Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw. A total of 49 participants attended the workshop, including MNHRC members, parliament representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw, officials of AAPP, retired officials of the Prison Department, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) and representatives of the Civil Society Organizations(CSOs).

Resident Program Director of the International Republican Institute Visited AAPP

Jeremy Liebowitz visits AAPP

On March 28, Jeremy Liebowitz (Ph.D), Resident Program Director of the International Republican Institute, visited to the office of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Rangoon and observed the Memory of the Past Museum. Then, AAPP Joint Secretary U Bo Kyi and Officer In-charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe, explained the past and current activities of AAPP, conditions of human rights and politics in Burma.

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

Talk Delivered to Mark International Womens Day

Talk given to KWAT

On March 15, Wunna Nwe, trainer of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), delivered a talk as the guest speaker in the lecture, titled Access to Justice & End Impunity Now, organized by the Kachin Women Association Thailand (KWAT)  as the mark of the International Women Day in Muse in Northern Shan State.

International Visitors Visited AAPP’s Mae Sot Office

International visitors come to Mae Sot office

On March 10, 15 students from Hong Kong and March 16, 13 students from Canada visited to the office of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Thailand. Ma Moe Pan Phyu from AAPP explained AAPP activities, conditions of the political prisoners and gave a museum tour. On March 16 tour, AAPP Joint Secretary U Bo Kyi and Officer In-charge of the Documentation and Research Team/Deputy Foreign Affairs, Ko Zaw Moe, explained them the current human rights and political conditions in Burma and answered the questions.

Reggae Singer Saw Phoe Khwar Visited AAPP Museum

Saw Phoe Khwar visits AAPP museum

On March 26, Reggae Singer Saw Phoe Khwar visited to the office of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Rangoon. Rangoon Office Incharge Aung Myo Kyaw gave a museum tour him and explained the political experiences and life of the political prisoners.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Counseling

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

Download link for March Newsletter