ANNUAL REPORT 2013

Equality Myanmar (EQMM) formerly known as the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), is a nongovern- mental organization that facilitates a broad range of human rights education activities, advocacy programs, and research projects which target civil society organizations and grassroots communities. EQMM conducts trainings of trainers (TOTs), basic and thematic human rights trainings, community events, and in-depth Workshops at its centers in Yangon and Mandalay as well as throughout Myanmar.

EQMM envisions a peaceful, tolerant, and democratic society built on respect for dignity and human rights for all in Myanmar

Our mission is to empower the people of Myanmar through human rights education to engage in social transformation and promote a, culture of human rights for all

EQMM subscribes to a human rights based approach which integrates the norms and principles of the international human rights system into all aspects of the organizations work and methodology:inalienabilit, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights

Message from the Executive Director

A year has passed and as always it’s good to what has been accomplished by the Work our mission of people of Myanmar.

The road to democracy in Myanmar remains a long one—many opportunities and many challenges lay ahead. Some may say that the human rights situation is better than before, citing the release of political prisoners and the passing of new laws. But there are still many civilians who are being arrested and detained for their peaceful demonstrations against violations of land rights, labor rights, and other fundamental freedoms. The communal violence, which is spreading in parts of the country, highlights the dire need for rule of law and respect for diversity.

Equality Myanmar has been working to change the culture of violence into a culture of human rights. We strongly believe that “A Rights Culture is the Right Culture,” a saying that reflects the importance of promoting human rights education among all sectors of society.

During the last two years, many new trainers from new areas have taken part in our ToT courses (trainings of trainers), returning to their communities to lead mobilization activities. The growth of these brave and committed trainers is fostered by teams of Equality Myanmar staff, working to build the skills and capacity of activists and human rights defenders in order to improve service provision and program building within their communities.

During 2013 we have grown our community action work on the ground. We link up with community leaders around the country to build a network of collective actors promoting human rights policy that respects, protects, and fulfills the rights of every person in Myanmar.

Apart from the community human rights awareness program, EQMM continues to take an active role in network building and advocacy work, in collaboration with many other civil society groups. We strongly believe that education without action is merely theory without practice. We strive to link the learning from our education programs with action that protects and promotes human rights, both at the community and national level. The strong commitment and energy from our participants and networks forms the foundation of our advocacy initiatives targeting the national and regional human rights agenda.

At EQMM we aim to be a hub of human rights education resources and skillful trainers, as well as an organization working closely with all corners of civil society, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or class. We thank you deeply for standing with us in support of making human rights education programs in Myanmar possible.

In Solidarity,

Aung Myo Min

Executive Director

Equality Myanmar