DTP E-Newsletter 227

DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM

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

Continuing this year’s series on human rights and digital rights, we provide a link to “Human rights by design: future-proofing human rights protection in the era of AI” from the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. This is a follow up to her report in 2019 “Unboxing AI: 10 steps to protect Human Rights” which provided guidance to governments on the main principles that should be followed to prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of AI systems on human rights. Among her new recommendations she calls on member states to take urgent action to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. READ MORE

In this issue, we profile alumnus Patrick Niebo, a senior human rights advocate from PNG who now heads the Kedu Safe House, provide information about DTP's programs and new webinar series, share reports on recent programs and news from alumni, partners and the region, and calls from the UN for your engagement.

DTP Webinars

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER (HRD) GUIDELINES: A DTP AND FRONT LINE DEFENDERS WEBINAR SERIES - WEBINAR 1: WHAT ARE HRD GUIDELINES?, 23 October, 4:00pm AEDT, featuring Domenica Bumma (European External Action Service), DTP alumnus Sayeed Ahmad (FLD) and moderated by Claire Ivers (FLD). REGISTER HERE

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: THE OECD GUIDELINES ON RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS CONDUCT AND THE NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS (NCP) WEBINAR SERIES The 3rd webinar in this series will focus on the need for companies to respect Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the role of the Australian NCP, 29 October. More details to follow

2nd OECD webinar: Promoting Human Rights through the Supply Chain, featuring speakers John Southalan (Independent Examiner, AusNCP), Laura McManus (Director, Commonwealth Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Office) and DTP alumna Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna. WATCH THE WEBINAR

1st OECD 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

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 highlights the impacts of Indonesia’s Food Estates in Merauke, West Papua, Indonesia.

1st webinar: Food Estate in West Papua and the Impact on the Community, featured Laksmi A. Savitri, Ph.D and Dr. Budi Hernawan and was moderated by alumnus Eko Waluyo WATCH THE WEBINAR

2nd webinar: Indonesia’s Food Estate in West Papua: Impacts on the Communities and Climate 16 October. More details to follow.

WEBINAR SERIES - HUMAN RIGHTS, DIGITAL RIGHTS AND AI 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.

DTP Programs

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 with AIPP, FORUM-ASIA, PIANGO and MFA concluded on 5th September. 31 participants from 13 countries. Trainers included President Ramos-Horta, Professor Lucas Lixinski, Mike Hayes, Nelson Santos, Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Arul Prakkash, Fritzie Rodriguez, Joshua Cooper and more. READ MORE

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

Mubashar Hasan, Bijaya Shrestha and Patrick Earle. Credit: DTP

DTP Special Event with Human Rights Defenders

DTP Advisory Council Member, the Hon Justice Michael Kirby introduced a special DTP event with Nepalese DTP alumna Bijaya Shrestha, Founder and Executive Director of Aaprabasi Mahila Kamdar Samuha (AMKAS), and Mubashar Hasan at Corrs Chambers Westgarth on September 22. Bijaya shared her work to prevent trafficking and protect the rights of female migrant workers. Mubashar shared his reflections on interviewing DTP alumni and the contribution DTP makes to diverse human rights movements through its training of human rights defenders.

Brown Bag Lunch with Justice Hari Phuyal of the Supreme Court of Nepal

Nepal Supreme Court Justice Hari Phuyal joined DTP for a Brown Bag lunch at UNSW on September 25th – leading a fascinating discussion on the rule of law and human rights in Nepal. Hari shared the importance of international human rights law in Nepal’s legal system and court judgements as well as reflections on the Nepal’s current constitutional crisis following the killing of protestors in Kathmandu.

Justice Hari Phuyal with attendees of the Brown Bag lunch. Credit: DTP

Alumni Profile

Patrick Niebo

Patrick Niebo is a senior human rights advocate in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with more than a decade of service at PNG’s Ombudsman Commission. He now serves as a Director of the Kedu Safe House in Milne Bay Province, which provides shelter and advocacy for survivors of violence.

"When I saw the opportunity about participating DTP training, I thought—wow, this is where I can really learn, and it’s relevant to our region, to our Pacific realities. I was right. DTP training showed me that I am not alone."

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].

Photo of burning house in Ramsu Bazar in Guimara sub-district of Khagrachari district. Credit: হ্লামং মারমা/Facebook

BANGLADESH

Attacks against Indigenous peoples in CHT increasing, Shree Chandan Chandra Barman shares a video of the burning of an Indigenous village in the Chittagong Hill Tracts following protests about the rape of an Indigenous young girl READ MORE

WATCH HERE

TIMOR-LESTE

Alumni share news that following widespread student protest, Timor’s parliament has withdrawn the legislation awarding lifetime pensions to MPs and public officials. This follows acceptance of another demand of protestors to halt the purchase of 4WDs for each MP.

INDIA

MC Meetei shares media statement from the Manipur International Youth Centre calling on all armed groups in Manipur including those of the Indian government to commit to abide by the Geneva Conventions in the treatment of civilians.

Photo of Letchumanan speaking into a microphone. Credit: DTP

SRI LANKA

Letchumanan shares the news of police attacks on protestors against a wind power project in Mannar, Sri Lanka, on the night of September 26. Despite public
opposition to the project, the government has given the go-ahead for its implementation.

Victor Mambor introducing Indonesian/West Papuan film screenings. Credit: DTP

INDONESIA / WEST PAPUA

Victor Mambor introducing the screening of two films, ‘My Name is Pengungsi (Refugee)’ about children displaced by conflict with the Indonesian army, and ‘Pepera 1969, A Democratic Integration?’ about the ‘Act of Free Determination’ – known by many as “The Act of No Choice” which tells the story of how Indonesian sovereignty over the former Dutch Colony of Irian Jaya came to be recognised by the UN.

Photo of Surya Deva presenting at 5th UN Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights. Credit: Viniana Cakau

PACIFIC BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Viniana Cakau shares photo of DTP trainer Surya Deva presenting at the 5th UN Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights that took place on September 23rd and 24th. The Forum organised by the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights brought together government, business and NGOs and promoted wider awareness of the Business and Human Rights issues in the Pacific.

Partner News

Cover of FORUM-ASIA's Defending in Numbers 2023-2024 report showing a tree with strong trunk and roots spreading out on the bottom. Credit: FORUM-ASIA

FORUM-ASIA shares video based on its 2023-24, “Defending in Numbers” report of harassment of human rights defenders throughout Asia mapping individual countries VIEW HERE

GLOBAL CAMPUS OF HUMAN RIGHTS Vukašin Pajović shares link to a podcast “A Radical Act of Hope”, on Indigenous peoples’ rights and climate change leadership, with Siila Watt-Cloutier, a Canadian, First Nations advocate WATCH HERE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT stand in solidarity with the Sihaporas Indigenous Community of North Sumatra following the attacks of violence and intimidation by security personnel of PT. Toba Pulp Lestari (TPL) and others READ MORE

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE's 2025 report Renewable Energy and Human Rights Benchmark ranks 35 companies in the wind and solar sector and shows that many firms continue to make progress on adopting and implementing human rights practices READ MORE

News from the Region

Pro-Palestine protest outside SEC plating company in Belmore, April 2025. Credit: Instagram/weaponsoutthewest

AUSTRALIA In a new report CIVICUS Monitor documents increased attempts to limit freedom of speech and association by government authorities and the police READ MORE

PHILIPPINES The International Criminal Court formally charges former President Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity over his involvement in extrajudicial killings as President and as Mayor of Davao City READ MORE

VIETNAM UN Secretary-General condemns government reprisals against civil society actors collaborating with UN agencies, citing Thailand’s cooperation with the Vietnamese authorities in the reprisals READ MORE

MALAYSIA Advocacy group International Rights Advocates reaches settlement with company who hadn’t paid salaries to more than 250 Bangladeshi workers, in an agreement that includes the refund of recruitment fees READ MORE

LAOS Manushya Foundation and Power by Keyboard submit a joint civil society report, “Profits Over People, Repression Over Rights: The State of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Laos” to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights READ MORE

CAMBODIA The first wide-ranging Gender and Environment Survey shows the increased vulnerabilities of women from hazard exposure, disproportionate effects on women’s physical and mental health from climate change, and the adverse impact on women of disappearing forests and ecosystems READ MORE

MYANMAR ANFREL launched its report on the Myanmar Junta's planned elections, outlining 15 aspects of the electoral process which demonstrate that "the elections staged by the junta in Myanmar do not align with international standards and cannot be considered credible or legitimate." READ MORE

UN News and Calls to Contribute

Screenshot of Zunaira Qayyum, UNICEF Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls’ Empowerment in Pakistan from UN Interview. Credit: UN News

UNICEF Youth Advocate argues at UNGA that world governments and leaders need to include children’s voices and perspectives when planning effective climate policies, while only 3% of the member states do this currently READ MORE

Events

Save the Date flyer for the Asia Pacific Socail Forum with link to register. Credit: Asia Pacific Social Forum

SAVE THE DATE: Alumnus Boonthan Verawongse shares leaflet for the 2025 Asia Pacific Social Forum on 1-5 November REGISTER HERE

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.

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

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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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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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