In our continuing focus on Digital Rights, Artificial Intelligence and human rights we provide a link to a briefing paper from the International Commission of Jurists, “Digital Technologies and Human Rights: a Legal Framework”. The briefing is aimed at contributing to the understanding of the international human rights legal framework applicable to the design, development and use of new digital technologies. It concludes that “international human rights law provides the… framework to guide the development and application of new technologies… as well as accountability and access to effective remedies and reparations in the case of abuse and violations”. READ MORE

In this issue, we profile Bangladeshi alumnus Dr Bablu Chakma, Indigenous rights advocate and Asia focal point for the Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI), 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. 

PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH THE SUPPLY CHAIN, 18 September, 4:00pm AEST 2nd WEBINAR IN THE OECD GUIDELINES ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT AND THE NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS (NCP) WEBINAR SERIES, featuring speakers John Southalan (Independent Examiner, AusNCP), Laura McManus (Director, Commonwealth Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Office) and DTP alumna Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna REGISTER HERE

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 

WEBINAR SERIES - INDONESIAN WEBINAR ALUMNI SERIES: HUMAN RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE, BUSINESS AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: INDONESIA'S FOOD ESTATE IN WEST PAPUA AND ITS IMPACTS, 24 September 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.

WEBINAR SERIES - HUMAN RIGHTS, DIGITAL RIGHTS AND AI The first two webinars in the series are now available: An Introduction to Governing Digital Rights and Children's Online Rights

WEBINAR SERIES – Ending Impunity for Violators of Human Rights - The Magnitsky Acts and Australia in partnership with STARTTS. WATCH HERE 

HUMAN RIGHTS WEBINAR SERIES - UN Human Rights Accountability Mechanisms in partnership with STARTTS. WATCH HERE

GENOCIDE WEBINAR SERIES - three webinars on Genocide and the Genocide Convention in partnership with STARTTS. WATCH HERE

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP) WEBINAR SERIES NOW AVAILABLE HERE.

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. Report to follow.

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

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].

PACIFIC ISLANDS ASSOCIATION OF NGOS PIANGO's Council have held their triennial meeting in Honiara to chart the future of Pacific civil society, with Executive Director, Emeline Ilolahia stressing a people-centered approach in navigating the challenges of modern geopolitics, the need for a deep understanding of Pacific cultures, values, and history to ground the work of the network. READ MORE 

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT have issued a statement in support of the Indigenous peoples of the Benguet province in the Philippines in their ongoing struggle against mining projects in the region, calling for genuine free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA joins 250+ signatories condemning state violence in Indonesia and demand accountability for Indonesian civilians READ MORE

UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues calls for input on the human rights situation of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities prior to his visit to Nepal 6-17 October, deadline 15 September READ MORE

UN Special Rapporteur on torture calls for input for report on experiences and perspectives of victims and survivors of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, deadline 22 September READ MORE

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders calls for input on report “Raising their voices: HRDs respond to the human rights crisis”, deadline 30 September READ MORE 

UN Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures calls for input on draft guidance on accountability, responsibility, redress and access to an effective remedy, deadline 20 October READ MORE

UN Special Procedures Newsletter READ MORE

Registration is open for the 5th Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights in Suva on 23-24 September 2025. REGISTER HERE and SEE DRAFT PROGRAM

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.

You are receiving this newsletter as an alumni, trainer and/or friend of DTP.
To unsubscribe, please click here.