In our continuing focus on Digital Rights we provide a link to a collection of articles, Digital Rights are Human Rights from the Digital Rights Fund. Sixteen experts show how each of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is linked to digital rights, and that the digital age presents new and urgent challenges to human rights. READ MORE

In this issue, we profile alumnus Kamal Thapa Kshetri at Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission. He focuses on the rights of migrants and combatting trafficking. We provide information about DTP's programs, reports on recent programs and news from alumni, partners and the region, and calls from the UN for your engagement.

DTP, like others, has been affected by suspension of funding from US sources following the inauguration of President Trump. We are appealing for support to help us continue our support to the individuals and movements whose courage and commitment safeguards human rights, democracy and peace. Please donate here if you can. Investing in human rights movements has never been more important.

NEW WEBINAR SERIES – UNDERSTANDING GENOCIDE, UN ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS, THE MAGNITSKY ACT in AUSTRALIA in partnership with STARTTS. See the third and final webinar in the Genocide Convention series with Lana Tatour, Debbie Stothard and Jonathan Liljeblad focused on Genocide Prevention & Advocacy: Lessons from Recent Genocides WATCH THE WEBINAR The first webinar in the new series on the UN Human Rights Accountability Mechanisms focused on the Treaty Bodies was held on 20 March with Professor Chinsung Chung and Darren Dick WATCH THE WEBINAR The next webinar will focus on the Universal Periodic Review with Joshua Cooper and Oliver Ray on Wednesday 26 March at 5pm AEDT REGISTER HERE

DTP is working with its alumni and partners on more in the series of webinars on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Webinars on Digital Rights, Deep Sea Mining and Enforced Disappearances have also been suggested. To express interest and/or suggest webinar topics, please contact [email protected]

BREAKING BARRIERS AND BUILDING BELONGING SYMPOSIUM in partnership with CORE Community Services Sydney, 14 March 2025. DTP joined advocates, thought leaders and community members for a day's symposium marking the 50th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act to explore the ongoing fight to eradicate racism. READ MORE

THE OECD GUIDELINES ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT AND THE NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS (NCP): AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AUSTRALIAN NCP WEBINAR: See the first in a new series of webinars to build awareness of the OECD Guidelines and the role of NCPs, featuring speakers Laura Llewellyn (Director, AusNCP), John Southalan (Independent Examiner, AusNCP) and DTP alumnus Pillkyu Hwang. WATCH THE WEBINAR

33rd ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM: Timor-Leste, August 25 - September 5, 2025 - at the invitation of President José Ramos-Horta and in partnership with Global Campus of Human Rights, Justice System Monitoring Project and Human Rights Centre, UNTL – AIPP, FORUM-ASIA, PIANGO and MFA. Applications close 31 March 2025. READ MORE

DTP BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ALUMNI NETWORK WORKSHOP: 12-14 December 2024, Bangkok. DTP and partners held a three-day workshop with 23 alumni from 9 countries in Bangkok, Thailand focused on BHR capacity building needs and regional BHR networking. READ THE PROGRAM REPORT

MIGRATION AND BHR WORKSHOP: 11 December, 2024, Bangkok. DTP/MFA alumni and representatives held a half-day workshop focused on BHR and migration reflecting on over 20 years of DTP/MFA collaboration on capacity building. READ MORE

BUILDING SOCIAL INCLUSION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY IN MYANMAR: 11-29 November, Australia in partnership with Lawkapala Foundation. 16 participants from NUG, Ethnic Nationalities and civil society spent three weeks together, engaging with Australian institutions, NGOs and Myanmar diaspora communities and strategizing for an inclusive, democratic Myanmar.

For information about our alumni, click here. If you want to get in contact with any of DTP's alumni, please contact the office at [email protected].

UN Women report shows that the Philippines and Australia are included in list of countries in which women’s and girls’ rights are under attack and where gender discrimination remains deeply embedded in economies and societies READ MORE

Call for contributions: Secretary-General’s report to the General Assembly on the status of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, deadline 18 April READ MORE

Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity calls for input on its Report on the human right to education and the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, deadline: 21 April READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children calls for input: A child-centered response to sexual exploitation of children in street situations, deadline 25 April READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders calls for input for the report on human rights defenders working on climate change and a just transition, deadline 30 April READ MORE

DTP acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, the Bedegal people of the Eora Nation. We recognise their lands were never ceded, and we acknowledge their struggles for recognition and rights and pay our respects to the Elders – past, present – and the youth who are working towards a brighter tomorrow. This continent always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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