AAPP’s June 2019 Newsletter
DISCUSSIONS
Human Rights Lectures Held in Mandalay Division
In June, AAPP held a total of seven human rights lectures to students in Meiktila Township and Myingyan Township in Mandalay Division. A total of 2,560 students and teachers attended the lectures.In Meiktila Township, AAPP provided (4) lectures to students of Meiktila Computer University, Meiktila Technological University, Meiktila University of Economics and Meiktila University. A total of 1,660 students and teachers attended the lectures.
In Myingyan Township, AAPP provided (3) lectures to students of Meiktila Degree College, A Linn Oo Yin Free Education School and Shar Taw Village Monastery School. A total of 900 students and teachers attended the lectures.
Figure 1 Human Rights Lecture at Shar Taw Village Monastery School
AAPP representatives, U Aung Myo Kyaw and Ko Wanna Nwe gave an introduction of AAPP and its activities and purpose of the lecture. Then, U Aung Myo Kyaw, Ko Wanna Nwe and Ko Khin Maung Win addressed the attendees. During our discussion, we showed a 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 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 discussed with them. Afterward, AAPP staff answered the questions of the participants.
At the end of each presentation, AAPP distributed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) pamphlets to raise awareness of human rights amongst the participants.
TRAINING
Human Rights (Trainers) and Transitional Justice (Advance) Training Held in Pyin Oo Lwin
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) held a Human Rights (Trainers) and Transitional Justice (Advance) Training in the month of June. A 20-day training from June 6-25 was organized in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Mandalay.
The training was administered by AAPP’s Human Rights Trainer, Ko Saw Than Hlaing, and Transitional Justice Trainer, Ko Sai Myint Thu. A total of 24 people (15 women and 9 men) participated in the training. Participants included members of Karen Literature and Culture, National League for Democracy(NLD), Ta’ang Women Organization (TWO), Kachin Women Association Thailand (KWAT), 88 Peace and Open Society, Future Light Youth Network, Kuki Students, Ray of Light, Roman Catholic Youth Group, CSO NW, CA Group, Zomi Students and Youth Organization (ZSYO), Color Rainbow Youth Welfare, Ywet Sein Nu Environmental Conservation Group, Marga Social Welfare Association, Mother Land, Mai Wei Youth Group and Yi Ywel Yar Social Development Group. Participants are from Shan, Burmese, Danu, Karen, Mon, Kachin, Ta’ang, Shani, Kuki and Chin Ethnic backgrounds. Participants, who attended the training from the different areas, had reported the human rights violations occurring in these areas. The ethnic armed groups ask for tributes and recruitment from the villages near Kyaukme and Hsi Paw Townships in Northern Shan State, freedom of movement are restricted in Namhsan Township in Shan State while villagers are often questioned due to the fights which occurred often and civilians are not able to travel freely in Kachin State.
Figure 2 HR and TJ Training at Pyin Oo Lwin
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
Meeting with Representatives of the British Embassy
Figure 3 Meeting with British Embassy
On June 4, Zoe Hambrjdgr (Myanmar Desk Officer, FCO of British Embassy), Ko Zaw Naing Oo a.k.a Khaing Thurein (Political Officer of British Embassy) and Naw Luu Luu (Programme Officer ) from the British Embassy visited the office of AAPP in Rangoon. U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Soe Naing, head of AAPP’s Finance Department, U Kyaw Soe Win, AAPP-MHAP Chief, and Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with them and discussed AAPP’s current activities and the current political conditions in Burma. Following the meeting, Ko Zaw Moe gave them a museum tour.
Meeting with Representatives of the United States Embassy
Figure 4 Meeting with US Embassy
On June 4, John Ryan (Political Officer, Political-Economic Section), Micah L. Watson (Human Rights International Organizations) and Khine Mwan Lurnn (Political Specialist – Political and Economic Section) from the United States Embassy visited the AAPP office in Rangoon and had a look around “the Memory of the Past Museum”. Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, gave them a museum tour. Then, U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Kyaw Soe Win, AAPP-MHAP Chief, and Ko Zaw Moe met with them and discussed AAPP’s current activities and the current political conditions in Burma
Process Negotiation of Prison Reform and Reduction the Number of Inmates Meeting
Figure 5 Attending Prison Reform Meeting
On June 5, U Tate Naing, AAPP Secretary, U Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint Secretary, U Aung Myo Kyaw, head of AAPP Rangoon Office and U Soe Naing, head of AAPP’s Finance Department, attended and discussed the Process Negotiation of Prison Reform and Reduction the Number of Inmates Meeting at the Pyithu Hluttaw Public Affairs Management Committee. MPs, who are committee members, and chairman of the Committee, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), Myanmar Police Force, Correctional Department, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), members of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and Parliament based Public Support Team attended the meeting.
Meeting with the US Embassy and Reparation Working Group
Figure 6 Meeting with US Embassy and Reparation Working Group
On the 10th June 2019, Ambassador Kelley Currie, Ambassador Scot Marciel (US Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Burma), Mr. Ari Bassin (Senior Advisor, US Department of State) had a meeting with members of Reparation Working Group; Ko Tate Naing (AAPP), Ko Bo Kyi (AAPP), Ko Zaw Moe (AAPP), Ko Han Gyi (ND-Burma), Ko Ye Aung (OMI), Ko Twin Lin Aung (GPS), Ma Thet Thet Aung (FLC), at American Centre and discussed the purpose of organizing Reparation Working Group, Reparation Policy, Implemented Activities and the Future Plan. Members of RWG provided the answers relating to questions raised by Ambassadors and Senior Advisor. Then, they also discussed the current Human Rights Situation of Burma and the possible opportunity of developing a Reparation Policy in Burma
AAPP Attended EU-Myanmar Civil Society Forum on Human Rights
Figure 7 Attending EU-Myanmar Civil Society Forum on Human Rights
On June 12, Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, attended the EU-Myanmar Civil Society Forum on Human Rights which was held in Nay Pyi Taw.
Representatives of the British Embassy, including the British Ambassador, visited AAPP
Figure 8 British Embassy Representatives visiting AAPP
On June 17, representatives of the British Embassy in Rangoon led by Dan Chugg (Ambassador of British Embassy, Yangon) and Menna Rawlings, Director-General Economic and Global Issues at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) visited the AAPP office in Rangoon and had a look around “The Memory of the Past Museum”. AAPP officials gave them a museum tour; then U Aung Myo Kyaw, head of AAPP Rangoon Office, U Kyaw Soe Win, AAPP-MHAP Chief, Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs and Ma Than Than Htay, supervisor of AAPP-MHAP, held a meeting with them to discuss AAPP’s current activities and the current political conditions in Burma.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Delivered a Speech at the World Drug Day
Figure 9 Speech at World Drug Day
On June 25, U Aung Myo Kyaw, Rangoon Office Head, delivered a speech on behalf of AAPP at the ceremony of the World Drug Day which was organized by Pa’O Youth Organization at Taunggyi in Shan State.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Figure 10 Attending International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
On June 26, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Women’s League of Burma (WLB), the Vimutti Women’s Organization (VWO) and Asia Justice And Rights (AJAR) held the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in Rangoon. Daw Hin Pan Eain was a master of ceremony and Daw Khin Mi Mi Khine from VWO delivered an opening speech. Then, AAPP Secretary U Tate Naing delivered an opening speech. Then, Ko Zaw Moe from AAPP discussed torture and UNCAT. According to Penal Discussion, U Thwin Linn Aung was a moderator and AAPP-MHAP chief Kyaw Soe Win, Naung Moh Moh from WLB and lawyer Khin Khin Kyaw were panelists.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Attended the National Mental Health Policy Revise Workshop in Nay Pyi Taw
Figure 11 Attending National Mental Health Policy Revise Workshop in Nay Pyi Taw
From June 5th to June 6th, U Kyaw Soe Win, AAPP-MHAP Chief, and Ko Zaw Moe, AAPP’s Documentation and Research Chief and Deputy of Foreign Affairs, attended the National Mental Health Policy Revise Workshop. It was held in Green Amara Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.
MHAP Presentation to Vocational Training School for Disabled Adults
Figure 12 Presentation at Vocational Training School for Disabled Adults
On June 19th, U Kyaw Soe Win, AAPP-MHAP Chief, Ma Than Than Htay, supervisor of MHAP, and three counselors visited Kyaik Wine Vocational Training School for Disabled Adults (Yangon). Then, U Kyaw Soe Win presented disabled adults from Kyaik Wine Vocational Training School for Disabled Adults (Yangon) about the Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP). Then, the supervisor and counselors collected a list of people who are interested in receiving mental health counseling services.
TRAINING
Mental Health Awareness and Self-care Training
Figure 13 Self Care training in Pyin Oo Lwin
On June 18, Ko Htin Aung, trainer of MHAP provided mental health awareness and self-care training to 24 participants of AAPP’s Basic Human Rights, Human Rights Documentation and Transitional Justice (Advance) Training which was held in Pyin Oo Lwin Township in Mandalay Division
Counseling
In June, three counselors visited Women Vocational Training Center in Yangon on every Saturday and Sunday. Three clients completed their counseling sessions and six clients are receiving their treatment.
A counselor visited Women Development Center in Yangon on every Saturday in June, two clients are receiving counseling.
One supervisor and five counselors visited Hgnet Aw Sann Youth Training Center (Juvenile prison) on every Monday. In June 2019, 17 clients were completed their counseling sessions and 18 clients are receiving their treatment.
Six female counselors and two male counselors are providing counseling to 16 trainees of Disable Adult Vocational Training Center in Yangon.
In June 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 the migrant population, the victims of human trafficking, sex workers and victims of civil war in Myanmar. In June, three female clients and two male clients completed their counseling sessions, and 13 female clients and nine male clients are receiving counseling.
for More Information
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
Tate Naing (Secretary) +95(0) 9428 023 828
Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary) +66(0) 819628713
Aung Myo Kyaw (In-Charge Office Rangoon) +95(0) 9428117348
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