DTP E-Newsletter 224
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DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM

Building the capacity of Asia-Pacific
Human Rights Movements since 1990

In our continuing focus on Digital Rights, Artificial Intelligence and human rights we provide a link to a webinar, “Balancing Progress and Human Rights: Media Freedom in the age of AI” organised by New Naratif with the participation of the Manushya Foundation. In it Dr Jean Linis-Dinco, Manushya’s Digital Rights Advisor, argues that “AI systems are being deployed to police the poor, silence dissent, and extract data from workers and communities, all while enriching tech firms and state actors”. WATCH HERE  

In this issue, we profile Australian alumna Cathryn Eatock, CEO of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organization – Australia, provide information about DTP's programs and upcoming webinars, reports on recent programs and news from alumni, partners and the region, and calls from the UN for your engagement. 

 

DTP Webinars

THE OECD GUIDELINES ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT AND THE NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS (NCP) WEBINAR SERIES. 1st webinar: An Introduction to the Australian NCP, featuring speakers Laura Llewellyn (Director, AusNCP), John Southalan (Independent Examiner, AusNCP) and DTP alumnus Pillkyu Hwang. WATCH THE WEBINAR Next webinar will be on 19 September focused on OECD Guidelines on RBC and Supply Chains. Registrations will open soon.

WEBINAR SERIES - INDONESIAN WEBINAR ALUMNI SERIES: HUMAN RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE, BUSINESS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: INDONESIA'S FOOD ESTATE IN WEST PAPUA AND ITS IMPACTS This series of three webinars will highlight the impacts of the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s Food Estates strategy in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia. It will focus on the threats to Indigenous Peoples rights, biodiversity and the environment. The impacts of deforestation extend beyond Indonesia’s borders, with predictions it will accelerate global climate heating. Concerns have been raised by local communities, national and international NGO’s and UN human rights experts. Date to be advised soon.

WEBINAR SERIES - HUMAN RIGHTS, DIGITAL RIGHTS AND AI The first two webianrs in the series are now available: An Introduction to Governing Digital Rights with DTP alumni Indriaswati Saptaningrum and Nenden Sekar Arum with David Mejia-Canales WATCH HERE Children's Online Rights with Professor Tama Leaver and Dr Rys Farthing WATCH HERE Next webinar on Indigenous Peoples and Digital Rights coming soon.

WEBINAR SERIES – Ending Impunity for Violators of Human Rights - The Magnitsky Acts and Australia in partnership with STARTTS. The first two webinars in the Magnitsky Act series are now available. Understanding the Magnitsky Act: Origins, Provisions and Global Impact with Sir Bill Browder and Vadim Kleiner and moderated by Anton Moiseienko. WATCH HERE The second webinar Accountability: Case Studies in Targeted Sanctions with Phil Robertson, Elizabeth Wood and Anton Moiseienko. WATCH HERE

HUMAN RIGHTS WEBINAR SERIES - UN Human Rights Accountability Mechanisms now available. The Treaty Bodies with Professor Chinsung Chung and Darren Dick WATCH THE WEBINAR The Universal Periodic Review with Joshua Cooper and Oliver Ray WATCH THE WEBINAR and The Special Procedures with Clement Voule and Professor Ben Saul WATCH THE WEBINAR

GENOCIDE WEBINAR SERIES - three webinars on Genocide and the Genocide Convention are available CLICK HERE

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP) WEBINAR SERIES NOW AVAILABLE HERE. Implementing and Enhancing the Right to Self-Determination with Les Malezer, Founding Chairperson of FAIRA and Monica Morgan. WATCH THE WEBINAR Implementing UNDRIP in Australia with Dr Albert K. Barume, The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Les Malezer and Ngarra Murray, Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria WATCH HERE UNDRIP and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues with Professor Claire Charters and Les Malezer WATCH HERE

DTP Programs

Participants and partners of the Regional Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders Exchange. Credit: DTP

REGIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS EXCHANGE - LEARNING AND TRAINING 2025: Baguio, Philippines, August 15-20. DTP partnered with AIPP and IWGIA for the Asia IPHRD Exchange held in Baguio with local hosts and partners, Katribu and Cordillera Peoples Alliance. The program brought together IPHRDs from 8 countries. Participants shared experiences, changing contexts and strategies. Program content focused on digital security for HRDs, human rights defenders guidelines and engaging with diplomatic missions. This is the third year DTP has partnered with AIPP and IWGIA as AIPP builds its regional IPHRD network.

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 begins today. 31 participants from 14 countries. Trainers will include Professor Lucas Lixinski, Mike Hayes, Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Arul Prakkash, Fritzie Rodriguez, Joshua Cooper and more. We apologise to the late response to those who were unsuccessful this year. READ MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSINESS IN THE PACIFIC: Suva, Fiji, 23-27 June 2025 in partnership with PIANGO, Fiji Council of Social Services and OHCHR-PRO. 25 Pacific human rights and climate change advocates gathered together for the new program focusing on Human Rights, Climate Change and Business in the Pacific. READ MORE

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS: Chiang Mai, Thailand 9-13 June in partnership with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). 23 participants from 7 countries, and six DTP alumni returning as trainers. AIPP Secretary General led the session on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Self-Determination. There was a focus on the OECD Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct with Serena Lillywhite AM. READ MORE

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 IDERD and the 50th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act to explore the ongoing fight to eradicate racism. READ MORE

 

DTP 2024 Annual Report

DTP's 2024 Annual Report is now available. In 2024, working with alumni and partners, DTP delivered an impressive range of face-to-face and online programs. Its 14 programs held in 6 countries included 269 participants (about 50% women) from 23 countries. The Annual Report details its activity throughout the year and highlights the stories of some of its alumni and trainers and the human rights issues they work on.

READ MORE
Cover of DTP's 2024 Annual report. Credit: DTP
 

Alumni Profile

Photo of Cathryn Eatock. Credit: Cathryn Eatock

Cathryn Eatock

Cathryn Eatock is a Gayiri and Badtjula woman who has dedicated 35 years of her life to promoting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Australia and the Pacific. Currently Cathy is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indigenous Peoples’ Organization – Australia (IPOA).

"The training was of exceptionally high quality — well-structured, engaging, and led by experienced facilitators."

READ MORE
 

DTP Alumni in Action

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].

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

DTP Executive Director Patrick Earle and trainer Arul Prakkash with DTP alumni at the Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders Network exchange in Baguio, Philippines.

DTP Executive Director Patrick Earle and trainer Arul Prakkash with DTP alumni at the Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders Network exchange in Baguio, Philippines. Credit: DTP
Photo of Mimin Dwi Hartono. Credit: Mimin Dwi Hartono/Facebook

AUSTRALIA

Mimin Dwi Hartono shares news in Jakarta Post that Australia will recognise the state of Palestine at the forthcoming UN General Assembly joining France, Germany and Canada in the move.

READ MORE
Photo of Jacob Ngileb with William Gois, DTP partner MFA. Credit: Jacob Ngileb

ASIA

Jacob Ngileb shares news of international consultation on “Combatting Forced Migration, Human Trafficking, and Increased Cyber Crime in Asia” held from 13-15 August.

READ MORE
Matthew Coghlan receiving a trainer certificate during a DTP program. Credit: DTP

ASEAN

Trainer Matthew Coghlan shares the news that the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights is developing two declarations to be adopted in October the ‘ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment’ and the ‘Declaration on Promoting the Right to Development and Peace, Towards Realising Inclusive and Sustainable Development’.

READ MORE
Photo of a workers thumb showing her skin worn away. Creit: Rejimon Kuttappan

INDIA

Rejimon Kuttappan shares his account of the exploitation of one among the 490 million unorganised workers in India facing abuse of workers’ rights.

READ MORE
Photo of Adrian Pereira. Credit: Adrian Pereira

MALAYSIA

Adrian Pereira shares the launch of the “National Action Plan: Business + Human Rights 2025-2030”, the result of 7 years of active lobbying by civil society.

READ MORE
Photo of Nukila Evanty. Credit: Nukila Evanty

INDONESIA

Nukila Evanty shares video, The Fate of the Fisherfolks in Indonesia's Outermost Islands (Riau Islands) against Illegal Fishing.

WATCH HERE
Governor-General of Australia and participants of DFAT's Fellowship Program. Credit: Govern-General of Australia/Facebook

BANGLADESH

Rani Yan Yan, Queen of the Chakma Circle in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), is currently in Australia on a DFAT Fellowship Program. She and fellow participants met with the Governor-General as part of their visit to Canberra.

READ MORE
Investing in Asia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Renewable Energy webinar flyer. Credit: Zero Tolerance Initiative

ASIA

Alumni Sutharee Wannasiri, Durga Mani Rai, Surti Handayani and Frederic Wilson are participating in Zero Tolerance Initiative's webinar, Investing in Asia’s Sustainable Energy Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Renewable Energy on Thursday 28 August.

READ MORE
Protest in Indonesia on Indigenous Peoples rights. Credit: instagram.com/@rumah.aman

INDONESIA

Surti Handayani shares article on the "imperial boomerang" faced by Indigenous peoples in Indonesia, particularly in West Papua.

READ MORE
Flyer for panel featuring Binota Moy Dhamai, shohel Chandra Hajong and Toni Chiran. Credit: IPNEWS BD

BANGLADESH

DTP alumni Binota Moy Dhamai, Shohel Chandra Hajong and Toni Chiran spoke on the theme “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and the Participation of Indigenous Communities from Bangladesh in Various UN Human Rights Forums and Mechanisms” at an online dialogue on Indigenous Peoples Day

Photo of Yuyun Wahyuningrum with ASEAN flag in background. Credit: Yuyun Wahyuningrum

ASEAN

DTP looks forward to working with Yuyun Wahyuningrum on human rights issues in the Asia-Pacific region as she steps down from her roles as Executive Director of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights.

Chemmani book launch still. Credit: Tharindu Jayawardhana

SRI LANKA

Tharindu Jayawardhana shares launch of his book, Chemmani, about the mass graves and the human rights abuses in Sri Lanka including extra-judicial executions and disappearances during the civil war.

Nukila Evanty speaking at ASEAN Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Sustainability in Bangkok. Credit: Nukila Evanty

ASEAN

Nukila Evanty was a featured participant at the ASEAN Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Sustainability in Bangkok where she spoke on SDG Goal 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.

 

Partner News

Group photo of members of the Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights Defenders Network. Credit: IPHRDN

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT Guangchunliu Gangmei shares a PowerPoint presentation introducing the Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights Defenders Network and a vision document with issues facing the strengthening of the Network READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA shares their new report "Defending in Numbers 2023-2024: Reclaiming Civic Space, Unbroken Voices" covering the human rights violations experienced by human rights defenders in 2023-2024 READ MORE

ASIA DEMOCRACY NETWORK invites endorsements for a joint statement on Palestine circulated to elevate global pressure, extend solidarity, and raise awareness of the current situation. ENDORSE THE STATEMENT

 

News from the Region

Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata speaking at the UN. Credit: UN Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata/X

AUSTRALIA Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery on his visit in November 2024. The SR makes a series of recommendations including strengthening criminal law provisions, human rights due diligence among Australian businesses and their supply chains, and widening protection of migrant workers, asylum-seekers, refugees, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those engaged in sex work READ THE REPORT

MYANMAR Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar releases its annual report detailing torture and sex crimes in detention facilities throughout Myanmar READ MORE

CHINA The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor calls on China to uphold the rights of imprisoned human rights defenders and grant family and counsel visits and adequate medical attention, with information on their fate and whereabouts being provided to any person with a legitimate interest READ MORE

 

UN News and Calls to Contribute

UN staff members with the SDGs outside UN Headquarters. Credit: UN Photo/Laura Jarriel

UN Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity calls for input for the report on Peace and International Solidarity, deadline 17 October READ MORE

OHCHR Report of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Chairs of the Human Rights Treaty Bodies READ MORE

 

Resources / Events 

Advancing Children’s Right to a Healthy Environment: Guidance: How can civil society support the implementation of Committee on the Rights of the Child General Comment No. 26?, 9 September REGISTER HERE

SAVE THE DATE: 5th Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights in Suva on 23-24 September 2025. More information to follow.

The Universal Human Rights Index allows search of over 230.000 observations and recommendations made by UN Treaty Bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and the UN Special Procedures ACCESS HERE

 

Please donate

DTP relies on donations to provide quality training to human rights defenders so that they can promote and protect human rights effectively in their societies. Please help if you can and donate here. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

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We want to hear from you

One of DTP's strengths is you, our alumni and networks. If you have news, opinion pieces, resources or examples of best practice to share, or have questions on human rights, please send them to us at [email protected]. Please stay safe.

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Diplomacy Training Program
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https://dtp.org.au/

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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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