DTP E-Newsletter 113 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2020

This issue of DTP’s eNews highlights the work of DTP’s alumni and partners and others working to protect shared values of human rights and dignity across the region, often at great personal risk. Their work is critical to the functioning of the UN’s human rights mechanisms - The Special Procedures, the Treaty Bodies, the Human Rights Council.

For updated news, advice and human rights related action on COVID-19 pandemic please see the dedicated DTP web page. Please follow DTP’s socials and visit our website.

Best wishes and good luck,

Patrick Earle
Executive Director

Participants of the 29th Annual Human Rights and People's Diplomacy Program, 2019

DTP Program News

DTP Online Program on Business and Human Rights and the SDGs in the Pacific: Over 40 participants from 16 countries across the Pacific have joined twice weekly sessions this month in the lead-up to the 1st Pacific Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights to be held on Dec 1 & 2. Surya Deva (UN Working Group on BHR), Justine Nolan (UNSW), Amy Sinclair (BHRRC), Joshua Cooper (HIHR) and Robert Vaughan (OHCHR) have led sessions on this course so far.

DTP Online Program on Indigenous Peoples, Business and Human Rights in Asia: This course will take place from November 23 to December 11 with participants from Indigenous communities across the region. Case studies the group will work on include the Papar Dam in Sabah, Malaysia, Bagda Farm – Rangpur Sugar Mill Ltd in Bangladesh, and the Lamjung Electricity Transmission Line in Nepal.

30th Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy Program, Timor-Leste: Due to Covid-19, this program has had to be postponed until 2021. The blended learning program will begin in the first half of next year. Applicants will be contacted in the new year.

SOLIDARITY IN ACTION FROM DTP ALUMNI

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

Protests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)

Bangladesh

John Tripura sends a report on the human rights situation in the Chittagong Hills Tracts, highlighting violence against women and lack of progress in the implementation of the CHT Accord.

Maldives

Moomina Waheed has been appointed as one of three Human Rights Commissioners in the Maldives - and will have a special focus on the rights of migrant workers there.

Villagers paddle a canoe by a Cessna 206 along the Sepik River. (Photo: Mark Palm)

Papua New Guinea

Report from Jonathan Mesulam and the West Coast Development Foundation highlights environmental and social impacts of mining on PNG’s West Coast. READ THE REPORT Emmanuel Peni of Project Sepik shares ABC Radio interview with the Governor of East Sepik Province who threatens legal action if the Frieda River Mine proposal receives the greenlight.

LISTEN HERE

Hundreds of people protest against the 2018 civil servant selection test in front of the Keerom regent's office in Keerom regency, Papua, on Thursday.(Kompas.com/Handout)

Indonesia

Three people shot with rubber bullets during a protest against discrimination in the selection of public servants. Maria Komboy shared this photo of the protest.

Myanmar

Flora Mawi from CCERR has forwarded an International Rural Women Day media release from the Latsi Nu Women Agency calling for a cease fire in northern Myanmar and for the government to address gender-sensitive land rights in law and policy.

Bangladesh

Khokon Suiten Murmu shares a video highlighting lack of justice for victims of the Bagda Farm land-grabbing by sugar company.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Report on the ACWC+10: Assessing the Commission’s Impact on Protecting Women and Children’s Rights in ASEAN cover

NEWS FROM DTP PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA member TWC2, welcomes changes in Qatar introducing minimum wage and abolishing the kafala system and asks when Singapore will follow suit. READ HERE

MFA would like to encourage E-News readers to sign the petition Justice for Wage Theft SIGN HERE

FORUM-ASIA Review of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) recommends improving the body’s performance and ways to address human rights in ASEAN. READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA has asked civil society organisations to send an open letter to Indonesian embassies in their countries asking for the repeal of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation for its negative impacts on workers, Indigenous peoples and the environment. READ THE LETTER

UN Human Rights Council. Photo by Jean Marc Ferre

UN NEWS

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders addressing the General Assembly highlighted the plight of human rights defenders serving long prison sentences and those risking their lives for upholding human rights. READ MORE

UN TREATY BODIES Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a financial shortfall, the reviews of state parties by the UN Treaty Bodies has fallen behind. NGOs have called for these reviews to be reinstated fully by 2021. READ THE STATEMENT

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Fourteen civil society organisations have commented on the recently completed session of the Human Rights Council. While welcoming a number of moves by the Council, the NGOs have condemned inaction on Cambodia, China, India and Kashmir, the Philippines and the rights of migrant workers. READ MORE

Two students from ABFSU post anti-war posters on September 15 at the corner of 73rd and 37th Street in Mandalay. Kaung Zaw Hein, 2020

HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS

THAILAND Despite increasing repression by the authorities, peaceful protests have continued throughout Thailand. READ MORE The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders has expressed alarm over the use of criminal charges against protesters.

SOUTH EAST ASIA NGOs are calling for an end to government control over the internet used to repress freedom of speech. Among their demands ‘the decriminalization of defamation’, and an ‘end to internet shutdowns’. READ MORE

MYANMAR Fortify Rights has issued a call for the dropping of charges and the release of 15 activists who had demanded an end to the armed conflicts in Rakhine and Chin states. READ THE NEWS RELEASE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

ARTICLE 19 is seeking applications for three new positions: Myanmar Programme Manager based in Yangon, Asia Communications Manager and Asia Digital Programme Manager both based in Bangkok. APPLY HERE

DTP's 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Report is out now.

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.

Participants on DTP's 2019 Regional Workshop on Ethical Business and Recruitment Practices, Dubai

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

One of DTP's strengths is you, our alumni and networks. As we see the Covid-19 pandemic spreading and the different responses of government, business and communities, you have never been more important in communicating impacts, and enabling/driving solidarity, action and accountability. If you have news, opinion pieces, resources or examples of best practice to share, or have questions on human rights and Covid-19, please send them to us at [email protected]. Please stay safe.

Issue #113 October 2020

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We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, the Bedegal people of the Eora Nation