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AnnuAl RepoRt2014

There can be no national reconciliation without the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Burma.

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Table of Contents

LetterfromtheSecretary ............................................................................ 3

AboutUs ...................................................................................................... 4

OurVisionandGoals ................................................................................... 5

TheYearinReview ....................................................................................... 6

AssistanceProgram...................................................................................... 9

Activities .................................................................................................... 12

AdvocacyandLobbying ............................................................................. 13

DocumentationandDataCollecting .......................................................... 15

MentalHealthAssistanceProgram.............................................................19

FutureVision...............................................................................................21

OurSupporters...........................................................................................22

Photos:frontandbackcover,page4copyrightJamesMackay/enigmaimages.net

Layout:NancyChuang

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Letter from the Secretary

In 2014, the AssistanceAssociation for Political Prisoners (Burma), otherwise known as AAPP,successfullyimplementedtheiractivitiesinBurmaandmetwiththeirgoalsthisyear.Howeverdespitethesuccesses,theCommitteeforScrutinizingtheRemainingPoliticalPrisoners(CSRPP),ofwhichAAPPisamember,wasnotabletoholditsregularmeetings.Inaddition,theremainingpoliticalprisonersfrom2013andnewpoliticaldetaineesfrom2014haveyettobefreed.

AAPPalsoprovidedprofessionalmentalhealthcounselingtoaround300formerpoliticalprisonersthroughtheMentalHealthAssistanceProgram(MHAP).Inaddition,AAPPprovidedhumanrightsandtransitionaljusticetrainingsaswellasvocationaltrainingstoseveralformerpoliticalprisoners.AAPPalsoorganizedasixmonthtrainingcamptoprovideEnglishlanguageclassesandcomputerskillstomorethantwentychildrenofformerpoliticalprisoners.Althoughfundsarelimited,AAPPwereabletocontinuetoprovidehealthandeducationassistancetoformerpoliticalprisoners.

The Rangoon andMandalay offices have continued to grow their presence inside Burma andtheyoperateinanefficientandprofessionalmanner.AAPPhasbeguncollaborationwithothercivilsocietyorganizationsthathaveworkedfortheaffairsofpoliticalprisonersandhumanrightsissues. AAPPand theFormerPoliticalPrisonersSociety (FPPS) jointlyheld thefirsthonorableceremonyforpoliticalprisonersthatperishedindetention,interrogationcentersandprisons.InourcontinuingcollaborationwithFPPS,wehavecollectedthedataandrecordedtheexperiencesofpoliticalprisonerswhohavebeenimprisonedsince1962.Moreover,theworkshoptorecognizea definition of political prisoners was held in Rangoon, with 50 civil society organizations inattendance.

AAPPhas faced several challengeswhile trying to implement its goals this year. Activists andfarmershave fought for their rights, and factoryworkershave facedpending trialswhile theyarestillbeingimprisoned.Thisrapidriseinpoliticalprisonernumbersisinadditiontoallthosepoliticalprisonerswhoremained inprisonat theendof2013.Noneof thesehumanrightsorpoliticalactivistshaveyetbeenfreed.Forthesereasons,thenumberofpoliticalprisonersattheendof2014willbesignificantlyhigherthanattheendof2013.

Humanrightsviolationsarestillongoinganditisstillalongroadtoseeingthestartoftransition.ItwillbedifficulttocontinuemovingforwardtowardstheaimsofpeaceandnationalreconciliationwhiletherearepoliticalprisonersinBurma.

AAPPSecretaryTateNaing

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About Us

OnMarch 23rd, 2000, a group of exiled former political prisoners fromBurma came togetherandformedthenon-profitorganizationtheAssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisoners(Burma),otherwiseknownasAAPP,attheThai-Burmaborder.TheorganizationhassincebeendedicatedtocampaigningforthereleaseofallpoliticalprisonersinBurma,aswellasprovidingsupportandaidtocurrentpoliticalprisoners,formerpoliticalprisoners,andtheirfamilies.

ThroughouradvocacyandlobbyingeffortsAAPPhascontinuedtostresstheimportanceofreleasingallpoliticalprisonersinBurmaaspartofthemovetowardsnationalreconciliationandtransitiontowards democracy. Staffed by former political prisoners, the organization carries a wealth ofexperienceandknowledgeofthephysicalandmentaldamageinflictedonpoliticalprisoners,aswellasontheirfamiliesandlivelihoods.AAPPhasfirsthandexperienceoftheconditionspoliticalprisonersareimprisonedunder,andendeavorstoprovidemedicalandfinancialsupportbothduringandaftertheirimprisonment.Inordertotrytoalleviatesomeoftheharmcausedbyincarceration,AAPPrunsarangeofassistanceprogramsinsideBurma,thatprovideeducationalandvocationalopportunitiesforformerpoliticalprisonersandtheirfamilies.

Today,AAPPiswidelyviewedastheforemostsourceofinformationonpoliticalprisonerissuesinBurma,andmaintainsitsdedicationtoassistingpoliticalandhumanrightsactivistsintheirfightforafreeBurma.

AAPPMembersmeetingwith88GenerationPeaceandOpenSocietyinRangoon

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Our VisionWeenvisionaBurmafreeofpoliticalprisonersandasocietywherehumanrightsarerespectedandbasicfreedomsguaranteed

Our Mission

AAPPwillcontinuetosupportpoliticalprisonersandcampaignfortheirunconditionalrelease;aswellasprovidingaidandrehabilitationtoformerpoliticalprisoners.WearededicatedtoprovidingassistanceforthosewhoseektoactivelyparticipateinthedemocratictransitioninBurma.Wefirmly believe that while political prisoners remain there can be no national reconciliation inBurma.

Our Goals as an Organization

1. Accuratelyreportonthenumberofpoliticalprisonersandmonitorthehumanrights violationsperpetrateduponthemduringincarcerationbytheGovernmentofBurma.

2. MobilizegovernmentsandinternationalorganizationstopressuretheGovernmentof Burmatoendthecontinuedpersecutionofpoliticalprisonersandadvocatefortheirun conditionalrelease.

3. LobbyforgenuinelastingreformsinBurma.

4. Providepoliticalprisonerswithvariousnecessitiessuchasfoodandmedicine.

5. Protectformerpoliticalprisonersfromharassment,intimidationanddiscriminationin theirdailylives,aswellassupportingthemintheireducationalpursuits,whileseeking employment,andespeciallyiftheywishtocontinuepoliticalactivities.

6. Assistformerpoliticalprisonersinthetransitionintodailylife,aidinginaddressingboth physicalandmentalhindrancesthatmaybedisruptingthetransition.

7. Providemedicalandemotionalsupporttopoliticalprisonersupontheirreleaseandfor thefuture.

8. Supportthefamiliesofcurrentandformerpoliticalprisoners.

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The Year in Review

Atthestartof2014,30politicalprisonersremainedinjaildespitePresidentTheinSeinspledgeto release themall. By the endofDecember 2014 a total of 159political prisonerswere stillincarcerated,with81ofthoseimprisonedforpoliticalmotivationsand78beingfarmersprotestingtheongoing land confiscations. Furthermore203activistswereawaiting trial. The lackof ruleoflawunderwhichBurmaoperateshasallowedforthecontinuingoppression,harassmentandimprisonmentofpeoplevoicingtheirconcernsregardingviolationsofhumanrightsandspecificallyseekstosilencethemthroughintimidation,arrestandimprisonment.

Throughout2014basicfreedomsandcivillibertieshavecomeunderthreat,withjournalists,landrightsactivists,farmers,politicalandhumanrightsactivistsallhavingbeenarrestedandimprisonedduringthisyear.Itisnotonlythearreststhemselvesthatarediscouraging.Thetacticsemployedduringarrestanddetention,aswellasthecompletelackofrespectfortheirrightsasadetainee,does little toencourage the ideaofaBurmasteadilyprogressing towardsdemocracy.Politicalactivistsarenowbeingdetainedwithoutaverdictforseveralhearings,sometimesawaitingtrialformanymonths.Thistacticmeansthatactivistsnowfacealengthydetentionwithoutsentence,with the constant threat of their ongoing court case hanging over them. By employing thesemethods, the government is ensuring the oppression of activists and human rights defenderswithoutimmediatelyimprisoningthem.Thelengthoftrialsandthenumberofchargesbroughtagainstanindividualareunacceptablewaysofharassingandoppressingactivistswithoutactuallyimprisoning them. Keeping people awaiting trial; whilst constantly having to attend severaldifferent courts andhearings is both costly and traumatizing. Evenwhen indictmentswithoutdetentionarethechargethisstilldiscouragesthemfromcontinuingtheirpoliticalactivities.Thisisevenmoredisconcertingwhenconsideredwiththepolicyofimprisoningpeoplefarfromtheirhomesandsupportnetworks.IntryingtoshowtheworldthatBurmahasmovedawayfromthetacticsofold,thecurrentgovernmentisemployingnewtacticsthatstillgreatlyinfringeonthebasichumanrightsoftheirpeople,whilstpointingtoadecreasedpoliticalprisonernumberthatsupposedlysymbolizesthatprogressisbeingmade.

Theneedforgenuine judicialandruleof lawreformbeforethistransitioncantrulytakeplaceisevident.Thelackofgenuineruleof laworanindependentjudiciarydoeslittletoencouragetheideathatthedemocratictransitionisunderway.Thecontinuedarrestandimprisonmentofthoseattemptingtoexercisebasichumanrightsandcampaignfortheircivillibertiesisindicativeofagovernmentthatdoesnotrespecttherightsofitscitizens,andapoliticalclimatethatdoesnotyetprotect thebasic freedomsof thepeople inBurma. In last12months,crackdownsonbasiccivillibertieshavebecomemoreapparent,afactreflectedinthevastlyincreasedpoliticalprisonernumber.ThegovernmenthasyettohonortheircommitmenttosigntheUnitedNations

ThePeacefulAssemblyandPeacefulProcessionActaswellasotherlaws,arebeingappliedtocriminalizeandimpedetheactivitiesofcivilsocietyandthemedia,whichhasincreasedthenumberofpoliticalprisonersandhasledtodisproportionallyhighsentences

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Burma, UN General Assembly, 28th October

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ConventionAgainstTorture(UNCAT),despiteaccountscomingfrommanypartsofthecountryoftortureindetention,inhumanetreatmentandtheextrajudicialkillingsofcivilians.Thesupposedreforms the government points to as progress during this year have been disingenuous andineffective,withnogreaterrespectfortherightsofciviliansandapoliticalprisonernumberthatlookssettoincreaseintheNewYear.

TheCSRPPprocessexperiencednumerousdifficulties in2014withonly threemeetings takingplace,comparedtothe12heldin2013.Membersexperiencedgreatdifficultyinattainingaccesstoprisonsaswellasinformationaboutprisoners.Accesstoprisonersandinformationregardingtheir cases is limited, greatly hinderingmembers ability to effectively lobby for their release.Thestallingofthisprocessisanindictmentofthegovernmentattitudetowardspoliticalprisonerissues,withtheirerroneousstatementsthatnomorepoliticalprisonersremaininjailsupposedlysymbolizing the steady progress towards democracy. In reality the CSRPP has had little to noimpactthroughout2014,withthegovernmentshowinglittlecooperationwithcivilsocietytofulfilltheCSRPPmandate.Nopoliticalprisonerdefinitionhasbeenratifiedandthepoliticalprisonernumberatthebeginningoftheyearstoodat30.Thatnumberhasincreasedsignificantlyoverthelastyearandislikelytodosofurtherthroughoutthecomingmonths.

InresponsetothelackofprogressmadebytheCSRPP,fromAugust17th-18th,AAPPco-hostedatwo-dayworkshopinRangoonwith(FPPS)aimingtodefinewhatconstitutesapoliticalprisoner.Therewereover50participants,encompassingrepresentativesfrompoliticalpartiesandNGOS,aswellasformerpoliticalprisoners,activists,lawmakers,lawyersandinternationalexperts.

Participantsatthetwo-dayworkshopinRangooninAugust

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Theyagreedonthefollowingdefinition:

1. Anyone who is arrested, detained, or imprisoned for political reasons under politicalchargesorwrongfullyundercriminalandcivilchargesbecauseofhisorherperceivedorknownactive role, perceived or known supporting role, or in association with activities promotingfreedom, justice,equality,humanrights,andcivilandpoliticalrights, includingethnicrights, isdefinedasapoliticalprisoner.

2. Theabovedefinitionrelatestoanyonewhoisarrested,detained,orimprisonedbecauseofhisorherperceivedorknownactiverole,perceivedorknownsupportingrole,orinassociationwithpoliticalactivities(includingarmedresistancebutexcludingterroristactivities), informingorganizations, both individually and collectively, making public speeches, expressing beliefs,organizing or initiatingmovements through writing, publishing, or distributing documents, orparticipatinginpeacefuldemonstrationstoexpressdissentanddenunciationagainstthestatureandactivitiesofboththeUnionandstatelevelexecutive,legislative,judicial,orotheradministrativebodiesestablishedundertheconstitutionorunderanypreviouslyexistinglaw.

ThefactthattheCSRPPprocesshasstalledsodramaticallyin2014isdemonstrativeofthechallengescivil societyhaveencountered inworkingalongside thegovernment.TheabovedefinitionhasbeenpresentedtoParliamentbutasyet remainsun-ratified.TheCSRPPwas intendedtobeabridgebetweencivilsocietyandthegovernment,andworkintandemtoresolvepoliticalprisonerissues.Thedifficultiesinachievinggenuineprogressin2014areindicativeofthelackofpoliticalwilltodevelopandrecognizeadefinitionandreleaseallpoliticalprisoners.

It is thissituationthatnecessitates theongoingworkofAAPP.2014hasseentheorganizationexpanditspresenceinsideBurmaandcontinuetoprovideessentialassistanceandopportunitiestocurrentandformerpoliticalprisoners,aswellastotheirfamilies.

TateNaingSpeakingatthePoliticalPrisonerDefinitionWorkshopinAugust

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Assistance Program

AkeycomponentofAAPPsworkinsideBurmaisthatofprovidingassistancetocurrentpoliticalprisoners,formerpoliticalprisonersandtheirfamilies.

Accesstobasicmedicalcareandthenecessaryhealthrequirementsinprisonis often restricted, particularlywhen political prisoners are imprisoned farfromtheirhomesandfamilies.AcentralactivityofAAPPisthatofprovidingfinancialandmedicalassistancetothosecurrentlyinjail.

Evenupontheirreleasefromprisonthereisnoofficialrecognitionoftheirpolitical status and no provisions are made to account for the medicalconditionssufferedasaresultofunjustimprisonment.Medicalcheckupsareprovidedforasmanypoliticalprisonersaspossiblewhentheyarereleased.Theorganizationalsoseekstoensureprovisionsareavailableforemergencyhealthcareiftheneedarises,aserviceavailabletobothcurrentandformerpoliticalprisoners.

Theprovisionofbasicmedicalservicesandongoinghealthcareisanessentialactivity of the organization, with many political prisoners suffering fromtorturoustreatmentfollowingtheirdetentionin interrogationcentersor inprison.InprovidingthisserviceAAPPandourcolleaguesseektominimizetheharmcausedbyperiodsofincarceration.

2014 Assistance Programs

Medical Checkups and Basic Healthcare for 84 former political prisoners

Emergency Healthcare for 7 current political prisoners

Financial Support for 66 current political prisoners

Emergency Healthcare for 46 former political prisoners

EducationalScholarshipsprovidedthroughout2014

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Inadditiontotheirmedicalneedspoliticalprisonersfacemanychallengesandobstacles in rebuilding their livesafterprison.AAPPandournetworkof colleagues and supporters inside Burma are dedicated to making thistransitionaseasyaspossible.Periodsofimprisonmenthaveoftenledtoadisruptededucation,lossoflivelihoodsandofvocationalskills.Theneedtoaddresstheseissuesisbeingtakenupbycivilsocietyorganizationsthatareattemptingtofillthehealthcareandwelfaregapleftbyalackofgovernmentsupport.

Educational opportunities and academic support are offered to formerpolitical prisoners who may wish to learn new skills or complete theirstudies.Theirunjustimprisonmentmustnotbeallowedtoimpactontheir

opportunitiesoutsideofprisonandthisareaoftheassistanceprogramaimstosupporttheminreenteringdailylife.Provisionsaremadethroughouttheyeartoprovidefreedpoliticalprisonerswiththemeanstocontinuetheireducation.Academicscholarshipsandeducationalfundinghavebeenpresentedtoformerpoliticalprisonersandallowthemtoachieveacademicqualificationsorcontinueaneducationinterruptedbyprison.

TheSkyAgeeducationprojectopenedonJanuary27th.ThisprojectisafreemobileeducationgroupthatfocusesoneducatingstudentsfromruralareasofBurmathatdonothaveequalaccesstofreeeducation.Italsoassistschildrenofformerpoliticalprisoners,asthesefamiliesareoftendiscriminatedagainst,makingitdifficultforthemtofindwork.Throughout2014thereweretwosixmonthprograms,eachintakeconsistingof25students.Theprogramfocusesonthreemainareas:civileducationincooperationwiththeAmericanCenter,elementaryEnglish,andcomputerskills.Thestudentsarealsogiventechnicalandmoralsupport.

StudentsatSkyAgeSchoolinRangoon

2014 Educational Assistance

Academic scholarships provided for 22 Former Political Prisoners

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Duringthefirstsessionseventrainerstaughtthestudents;14outofthe25camefromdisadvantagedformerpoliticalprisonersfamilieslivinginruralareas.

During the second training session, three foreign volunteer teachers have concentrated theirefforts into pronunciation, listening and speaking skills to enhance confidence and strengthenthestudentsabilitytocommunicateeffectively,notablythankstogroupwork,pairedworkandindividualconversation.

Finally,inordertoimprovetheirlearningexperience,anewapartmentthatincludesclassroomsandlivingquartershasbeensetupattheschool.

Januarysawthefirstceremonytohonorpoliticalprisonerswhodiedinprison,ininterrogationcentersand indetention,held inRangoononJanuary2nd.Thedeathofapoliticalprisonerasaresultof thepoorconditionsandtorturoustreatmentmanyreceive indetention leaves longlastingharmtotheirfamilies.TateNaingspokeattheceremonyoftheimportanceofhonoringtheirmemory,withtheeventprovidingfinancialassistancetothefamiliesof54deceasedpoliticalprisoners.Thisceremonysoughttomitigatetheharmcausedbyprisonbyimprovingthelivelihoodsofthesefamilies.

CeremonytoHonorDeceasedPoliticalPrisonersinRangoon

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Activities in 2014

Thefollowingdiarydemonstratestheextensiveeducational,vocationalandskillsbasedtrainingprograms.Weaimtosupportandprotectformerpoliticalprisonerswhowishtocontinueacademiclearning,meetwithfriendsandcolleagues,andlearnnewvocationalskillsandreengageintheir

politicalactivities.

Trainings

Theneedtoassistpoliticalprisoners inadaptingto lifeoutsideprison isparamount toAAPPsactivities.Thetrainingsprovidedthroughout2014coverednumerousareasofeducation,rangingfrompracticalcomputerskillstotrainingsinhumanrightsprinciples.Thefollowingaresomeofthetraininghighlightsfromtheyear.

January16th

DigitalSecurityTrainingatRangoonoffice

ADigitalSecurityTrainingwasgivenbyFreedomHouseattheAAPPRangoonoffice.ThetrainerswerefromFreedomHouseandtheco-trainerfromMyanmarICTandDevelopmentOrganization(MIDO). The training sought to improve the participants knowledge regarding security ofinformation.

February13th

BasicDrivingSkillsTrainingforformerpoliticalprisoners

11formerpoliticalprisonersattendedarehabilitationprograminRangoon.TraineeswereenrolledbyAAPPandExPoliticalPrisonersNetwork(UpperBurma)andundertooktheTrainingofMotorVehicleDrivingandRoadMaintenancecourse.

March18th-25th

Aone-weekworkshopinMandalaydiscussedHumanRightsandTransitionalJusticeprinciples.25formerpoliticalprisonerswereinattendanceattheworkshopwithmuchdiscussionfocusedonhowtoachieveapeacefulfutureforBurma.TheworkshopintroducedtheUniversalDeclarationof Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and theConventiononEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights (ICESCR)by lookingatspecificarticlesandsectionsoftheseinternationaltreaties.

April19th

BasicAccountancyTraining

Thebasicaccountancytrainingsoughttodevelopabasicfinancialsystemforcommunitybasedorganizations byusing the ExcelAccounting Template. This trainingwouldhelp to standardizefinancial systemswith an appropriate reportingmechanism, as well as developing a financialpolicyfororganizationstoadhereto.

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August1st-10th

AtendaytrainingwasheldinMyingyan,MandalayRegionwith23formerpoliticalprisonersandlocalactivistsfromseveralareasofBurmaattended.

Advocacy and Lobbying

WitharrestsongoingandpoliticalprisonersstillverymucharealityforBurma,AAPPcontinuestostronglyadvocatetoboththeGovernmentofBurmaandtotheinternationalcommunitythatallpoliticalprisonersmustbefreedunconditionally.Theirfreedomisnottheonlyconsiderationofouradvocacycampaigns.Thereneedstobegenuinereformsinthelegalandjudicialsystems,inordertoendtheunjustdetentionandimprisonmentofBurmaspeople.ThroughouttheyearAAPPstaffmembershavemetwithdiplomats,embassies, internationalNGOs,academicresearchers,communitybasedorganizationsandmanyotherorganizationswhohavediscussed the currentsituation inBurma. Inaddition somestaffmembershaveundertaken interviewswithBurmesemediaoutletsincludingDemocraticVoiceofBurmaandTheIrrawaddy.

February3rd

Human RightsWatch (HRW)membersmetwith AAPP staff to discuss the current situation inBurma.

February7th

The InternationalDevelopmentResearchCentre(IDRC)visitedAAPP inRangoonto learnabouttheorganizationhistory,theactivitieswecarryoutinBurmaandthecurrentsituationforpoliticalprisoners.

BasicAccountingandInternalControlTraininginApril

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February24th

BoKyiattendedadiscussiononTransitionImagineFutureattheFrenchEmbassyinRangoon.

March21st-23rd

ASEANCivilSocietyConference/ASEANPeoplesForum2014(ACSC/APF)

Civil society organizations from all ten ASEAN countries gathered for the ASEAN Civil SocietyConference/ASEANPeoplesForum2014(ACSC/APF)hostedattheMyanmarConventionCenter(MCC)inRangoon.DuringthiseventAAPPwasinvitedtoholdaphotoexhibition,givingfellowASEANparticipantstheopportunitytolearnaboutpoliticalprisonerissues,aswellasspeakingdirectlywithformerpoliticalprisoners.

May19th

TheEuropeanUnionheldaforuminBurmatoengagewithcivilsocietygroups.

August17th-18th

Theneedforanagreedandratifiedpoliticalprisonerdefinitionisstillongoing,withthepoliticalprisonerreviewcommitteestillusingaworkingdefinitionandmakinglittleprogressinsecuringanofficialrecognition.50civilsocietygroupsattendedaseminartoestablishajointdefinitionofpoliticalprisoners,wheremanydifferentinterestsandperspectivescouldbeconsidered.

PoliticalPrisonerExhibitionattheAseanPeoplesForuminMarch

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September29th

ProfessorRomanDavidofLingnanUniversityHongKongdiscussedtherehabilitationofformerpoliticalprisonersfromtheCzechRepublicduringaforumheldattheAAPPRangoonOffices.Themeetingwasattendedbyaround40representativesfrom88GenerationPeaceandOpenSociety,FormerPoliticalPrisonersSociety(FPPS)andbyformerpoliticalprisoners.

October22nd

TheOsloCentervisitedRangoontodiscusstheprogressoftheCSRPP.ThediscussionalsoservedtoupdatetheOsloCenteronthecurrentlandrightsissuesandthecontinueddetentionoffarmers,aswellasdiscussingthepowerthePresidentholdsinparliamentandthelackofprogresswithregardstoreform.

October31st

BoKyimetwiththeOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights.

November13th

MembersoftheBritishpoliceforcevisitedRangoontodiscusspolicingmethodsandproceduresinBurma.

December18th

AAPP, Equality Myanmar, and Burma Partnership wrote a statement on Government PolicyonReturnandResettlementof ExiledActivists andPolitical Forcesurging thegovernment toadoptandeffectivelyimplementaclearpolicy.Thestatementincludedmeasuresthatmustbetakenbythegovernmenttoensurequickandequalresettlementforexiledactivistssuchastoceaseimposingrestrictionsonindividualsandorganizationswhohavedifferentpoliticalbeliefstopartakeinworkingfordemocracy,peace,andhumanrightsinBurma,toadoptandimplementclearpoliciesbasedondemocraticprinciples,andalistofelementsthatmustbeincludedwhennecessarypoliciesareadopted.

Documentation and Data Collecting

Thereareestimatedtobebetween7,000and10,000formerpoliticalprisonersresiding insideBurma,howeververylittleisknownregardingtheircurrentsocio-economicstatus,noristherecomprehensivedataconcerningtheirexperiencesinsidetheprisonsystem.Moreover,governmenteffortstoassistformerpoliticalprisonerstoacclimatizeandreintegrateintosocietyhavebeenlargely nonexistent in Burma. FromMarch 2014 to date, AAPPs Documentation Project,withthesupportofthe(FPPS),hasbeenimplementinganongoingandvastdatacollectionprocessbothinsideBurmaandalongtheThai-Burmaborder.Inearly2014theInternationalCenterforTransitional Justice(ICTJ)conductedatrainingworkshop inRangoonfor thedatacollectorsonhowtoadministerthesurveytotheformerpoliticalprisoners.TheUniversityOfCaliforniaIrvineSchoolOfLawundertooktheeditingandproductionofthefinalsurvey.Thesurvey,comprisedofacombinationofmultiplechoiceandfreeresponsequestions,focusedonbaselinedemographicdata;mentalandphysicalhealth;educationalneeds;needsandaspirations;baselineeconomic

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data; and qualitative responses on post-release reintegration. Many other trainings wereconductedthroughouttheyeartoensurethedatacollectorsarewelltrainedandabletocarryoutthedocumentationwork.

Thefollowingdiarydemonstratestheongoingnatureofthedocumentationprocess:

January9th

AAPPmetwith88GenerationPeaceandOpenSocietytodiscussthedatacollectionproject.

February6th

FormerpoliticalprisonersmetatNLDoffice,KemmendineTownshiptocarryoutdatacollecting.

February25th-March1st

DatacollectionwasalsocarriedoutinBogalewithvisitstofourvillagesthatwereinvadedbythemilitaryin1991.Manyofthevillagershaveatsomepointbeenimprisoned.

March6th-12th

Tate Naing and FPPS members travelled to Myitkyina, Kachin State to meet former politicalprisonersfordatacollection.

March27th-28th

FreedomHouseCommunityConsultationatYMCAwithAAPPandFPPS

DataCollectioninBogaleinFebruary

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FreedomHouse conducted a research survey in order to identify commonon-goingproblemsfacing formerpolitical prisoners and their familymembers. 73 formerpolitical prisonerswereinvited to participate in the survey. The consultation successfully concluded with a collectivedecisiononhowtousethesefindingstoworktowardaneffectiveadvocacyplan.

September10th

DatacollectionwithformerpoliticalprisonersofTaunggyi,ShanState.

October7th

AAPPandFPPSmetwithformerpoliticalprisonersinDalaTownshiptocontinuedatacollecting.

The data collected has been completed in Rangoon and Dala in Rangoon Division; Pegu andPyay in Bago Division; Laputta, Myaungmya, Eain Me, War Khe Ma, Kyaungkon, Kyonepyaw,BasseinandBogale in IrrawaddyDivision;Pakokku inMagwedivisionareasof theKachinandKarenstates;Yenangyaung,Chauk,KyaukPadaung,MeiktilaandMahlainginMandalayDivision;Kyaukme,HsipawandLashioTownshipsinNorthernShanState;andThandwe,Gwa,TauunggupandKyeintaliinRakhineState.DatahasalsobeencollectedfromlocationsalongtheThai-Burmaborder,includinginandaroundMaeSot,andatMaeLa,UmphiumandNuporefugeecamps.

Usingvariousmicro-networksofformerpoliticalprisoners,thedatacollectorshaveadministeredthe survey to approximately 5,000 former political prisoners so far. In areas where the datacollectorswereunabletoadministerthesurveywiththeformerpoliticalprisoners,surveysweredistributedatcollectionpointstobeself-administeredandreturned.Thusfar,2,849surveyshavebeenreturned.Thedatacollectedhasbeenbothdetailedandcomprehensive.

TheDocumentationProjectseekstoconcludewiththereleaseoftwocomprehensivepublications

DataCollectingSurveysCompletedbyFormerPoliticalPrisoners

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basedontheentiredatacollectioninthefirsthalfof2015:onthesystematicuseoftortureandmistreatmentofpoliticalprisoners;andonidentifyingneedsofformerpoliticalprisonersandbuildingthecaseforreparationsaskeytotransitionaljusticeinBurma.

MapoftheprisonsacrossBurmaattheAAPPofficeinMaeSot

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The Mental Health Assistance Program (MHAP)

Thephysicalharmcausedduringtheirtimeinprisondoesnotaccountfortheunseenmentalscarsleftbytheinhumanetorturepoliticalprisonersandotherdetaineesgothrough.Upontheirreleaseformerpoliticalprisonershavenoaccesstophysicalormentalhealthsupport.TheMentalHealthAssistanceProgram (MHAP) seeks toprovide formerpoliticalprisonersand their familieswithinitialhelpthatisneededtohandletheirtrauma,anxietyordepressiondirectlyaftertheirrelease.Italsoprovidestoolsthatwillhelpthemcopewithandovercomementalhealthdifficultiesattheendoftheircourseoftreatment.

MHAPbeganusingtheCommonElementsTreatmentApproach(CETA),whichwasdevelopedbyJohnsHopkinsUniversity(JHU)inorderforpeopleaffectedbytrauma,depressionandanxietyinlowresourcecountriestobeabletoreceivevitalmentalhealthservices.CETAisaproveneffectivemethodfordealingwithmentalhealthissuesinconflictareasandhasbeenused,notonlytotreatpeopleinBurma,butalsoinothercountrieswithadearthofmentalhealthservicessuchasIraqandThailand.

In 2013 theMHAP gavemental health counseling to 165 former political prisoners and theirfamilies.In2014MHAPincreasedthosementalhealthservicesto514formerpoliticalprisoners,theirfamilies,andotheraffectedpeoplesintwocountries,asignificantincreaseonthepreviousyear.

TheMHAPiscomprisedof6teamsintotal,withachiefclinicalsupervisorandadeputyclinicalsupervisorwhooverseetherunningoftheseteams.2014sawthetrainingof17newstaff,including13counselorsand4supervisors,whichwillallowforevenmorepeopletoreceivethisvaluableservice.Intotaltheprogramemploys6supervisorsand22 counselors.

CETAClosingCeremony

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Despiteworkingprimarilywithformerpoliticalprisoners,theMHAPhasbeguneffortstoworkwithotherpopulations.IntheMaeSotarea,migrantworkershavebecomealargeportionofthepeoplewhoreceivementalhealthassistance.TheofficesinRangoonandMandalayhavebeguntograduallyexpandthereachofthisprogram.Theseteamshavestartedprovidingservicestoformerpoliticalprisonersinotherareasofthecountry,aswellasotherpopulationswhoareinneedofmentalhealthcounseling.

DuringthecourseoftheyearMHAPhadmanylearningopportunities,whichallowedtheteamtogainpracticalknowledgeabouttheapproachesandtechniquesothermentalhealthprogramsuse.OnesuchopportunitywasthetripthattheMHAPteamtooktoCambodia,acountrythathasitsownhistoryoftraumastemmingfromCambodiangenocidethattookplacebetween1975and1979.DuringthetriptheteammetwithseveraldifferentgroupsincludingtheTrans-culturalPsychologicalOrganizationandtheCambodianHumanRightsandDevelopmentAssociation.Thistripprovidedinsightintohowacountrywithamoredevelopedmentalhealthinfrastructureandsimilarhistoryoftraumaprovideseffectiveservicetotheirclientswithmentalhealthconcerns.

ThroughouttheyearMHAPhasgiventrainingstoorganizationssuchasPremireUrgenceAideMdicale Internationale (PU-AMI).The trainingswereaimedatprovidinganotherorganizationwith the skillsneeded to reach furtherpopulations thatareaffectedbymentalhealth relatedissues.Byprovidingthesetrainings,refugeeslivinginthebordercampsareabletoreceivethebenefitsofmentalhealthassistance.

Attheendof2014MHAP,JHU,andUSAIDledaCETAdisseminationoffindingsmeetingwhichgaveadetailedaccountoftheactivitiesthatwereundertakenbyMHAPandJHUthroughouttheyear,aswelltodiscussthefindingsoftheirresearch.AlongwiththedisseminationoffindingstherewasaquestionandanswersessionwhichwasattendedbyrepresentativesoftheUSEmbassy,multipleformerpoliticalprisonerorganizations,theUWinTinFoundation,andAsianJusticeandRights.ThismeetingproducedaconciseoverviewoftheMHAPin2014,helpingtoplotoutthefuturedirectionofthingstocome.

AfterinitiallyworkingincollaborationwithJohnsHopkinsUniversity,theMentalHealthAssistanceProgramhasmovedtowardsworkingonamoreselfsustainingmodelwiththegracioussupportofdonorsincludingtheUSAIDVictimsofTortureProgramandtheUSDepartmentofStatesBureauofDemocracy,HumanRights,andLabor,andPartnersAsia.Thiswillallowtheprogramtofurtherdevelop techniques to provide assistance to a growing number of people.Over the course ofthenextyearMHAPwillcontinuetoexpandthescopeoftheprogramandincreasethetargetpopulation.Thepartnershipsthathavebeencreated inthe last12monthswillcontinuetobestrengthenedinorderforMHAPtoreachitsultimategoalofmakingmentalhealthassistanceauniversalrightforallpeopleinBurma.

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AAPP Staff Members

OverourthreeofficesinMaeSot,Thailand,andinRangoonandMandalay,Burma;AAPPretains46Burmesestaff,withtwointernationalstaffandthreeinternationalinterns.

AAPPcontinuestoappreciatethehardworkanddedicationthatourlocalandinternationalstaffandvolunteersbringtotheorganization.

Future Vision

ThekeymandateofAAPPremains thesame.Wewill continue toadvocate for the immediateandunconditionalreleaseofallpoliticalprisoners,fortheirhumanetreatmentwhileinprison,andfortheirdignitytobepreservedthrougharecognitionoftheirpoliticalprisonerstatus.Weendeavortoprovidepoliticalprisonerswithaccesstothosebasicserviceswhicharedeniedtothem,throughbothfinancialaidandmedicalassessmentsuponrelease.Wewillalsostrivetoimproveaccess toeducationandemploymentopportunities for formerpoliticalprisonersandtheirfamilies,servicesthatasofyetareonlybeingprovidedbycivilsociety.

ThesuccessoftheMentalHealthAssistanceProgramin2014hasencourageditsexpansion.Thereareplanstoincreasethenumberofsupervisors,counselorsandtrainersworkinginsideBurmaand along the Thai-Burmaborder, in order to expand the scope and reachof theMHAP. Thiswill allowus towiden the targetpopulation for this essential program. Throughout 2014, theMHAPsteadilygrew,withanincreasingnumberofpoliticalprisonersand/orfamilymembersinattendance.AAPPseekstofacilitatethegrowthoftheMHAPservicesin2015.

Human rights violations have not abated in Burma and political activists are still harassed,intimidatedandimprisonedfortheircommitmenttoafreeBurma.AAPPwillcontinuetomonitorthesituationinthecountryandkeeprecordsoftheseongoingabuses.Documentationandresearchareinvaluabletoouradvocacywork,ensuringthatpoliticalprisonersarenotforgottenandtheirliberty is fought for. Theongoingdata collectionprojectwill continue toestablish informationaboutthelivesandlivelihoodsofformerpoliticalprisoners.

Former political prisoners have an integral role to play in the national reconciliation processandinensuringthatdemocracytakesalastingholdinBurma.Theyareakeycomponentinthedemocratictransition.Wehopetoseethegovernmentrecognizetheimportanceofhumanrightstreatiesandconventionsandratifythem,affirmingacommitmenttotherightsandfreedomsofpeopleinBurmaandrecognizingtheongoingunjustexistenceofpoliticalprisoners.

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Our Supporters

Without the generous support and solidarity from our supporters we would not be able tocontinue our mission.We would like to express our deepest thanks and appreciation to ourprimarybenefactors,includingbutnotlimitedto:TheNationalEndowmentforDemocracy,TheOpenSocietyFoundation,TheBureauofDemocracy,RightsandLabor,ThePrisonersofConscienceFund,JohnHopkinsUniversity,TheNetherlandsEmbassyinThailand,PartnersAsiaandProfessorJamesC. Scott, all ofwhommade invaluable contributions toour activities this year.Withoutthesesupporterswewouldnotbeabletoprovidepoliticalprisonerswiththesupportwedo.

Wearealsogratefultothemanyindividualsandorganizationsthatmakedonationstoourcausethroughout the year. These contributions are greatly appreciated and assistwithmanyof thedaytodaycostsatAAPPandinhelpingustocontinueouractivities.In2014AAPPreceivedvisitsfrommanyareasofworkincludingacademicresearchers,journalists,studentgroups,diplomats,internationalorganizations,civilsocietycolleaguesandothersupportersfromaroundtheworld.VisitorscamefromallaroundtheglobeincludingUK,US,Denmark,HongKong,Australia,Canada,France, Turkey,Holland, Belgium,Germany,Mexico andChile. The interest visitors take in theworkofAAPPandinthecurrentsituationinBurmaismuchappreciatedandwelookforwardtowelcomingfuturevisitorsthroughoutthecomingyear.

Inadditiontoourfinancialcontributors,wewouldliketothankFormerPoliticalPrisonersSociety,88GenerationPeaceandOpenSociety,HumanRightsWatch,NationalLeague forDemocracy,Amnesty International, Project 2049, Burma CampaignUK,US Campaign for Burma, FreedomHouse, theUNSpecialRapporteur,UniversityCalifornia IrvineSchoolofLaw,The InternationalCentre for Transitional Justice, FIDH andmany others inside Burma and around theworld forcontinuingtostandwithusinourfightfortheunconditionalreleaseofallpoliticalprisoners.Weareindebtedtoyouforyoursteadfastsupportandsolidarity.

VisitorstotheAAPPmuseuminMaeSot

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AAPP is dedicated to all those who have sacrificed their lives in prison, and to all of those who continue to risk their lives and freedom in the ongoing struggle for democracy, human rights and national reconciliation in Burma