DTP E-Newsletter 116 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

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

DTP PROGRAM AND ACTIVITY NEWS

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS Over the past two weeks, 25 participants from Asia and the Pacific have been participating in DTP's second online program. Participants are building their human rights advocacy in cases including the Papar Dam in Sabah, Electricity Transmission Lines in Nepal, and forced evictions in Bangladesh.

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS Anne Hollonds, National Child Rights Commissioner and Sue-Anne Hunter National Sector Development Manager, SNAICC will speak on Child Rights and COVID in Australia in DTP’s 2nd webinar on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 11 December at 12:00PM AEDT. REGISTER HERE.

1st UN PACIFIC FORUM ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DTP Board Members and Alumni highlight key issues and cases at 1st UN Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights – Report to follow.

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]

Alumni Profile: Flora Bawi Nei Mawi

Flora is a Chin Indigenous Woman, feminist and Director at Community Care for Emergency Response and Rehabilitation (CCERR). She founded Latsi Nu Women Agency to advance the status of women in the political sphere.

Flora encourages others to participate in DTP’s programs as they provide opportunities to learn and build networks.

Singapore

Arrest of Jolovan Wham for ‘violating public order’ draws international media attention to repression in Singapore. Jolovan faces large fines or prison for a one-man silent protest in support of climate activists.

Members of the Mro community organised a “cultural showdown” urging the authorities to stop the construction of a hotel by Sikder Group, on November 8, 2020. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh

Mong Marma shares news of mounting domestic and international concern at forced evictions of Indigenous Mro communities for proposed construction of 5 Star Marriott Hotel in the Chittagong Hills Tracts, in breach of their rights and CHT Peace Accord.

Environmental film maker Wensislaus Fatubun handcuffed when Indonesian police arrested Papuan participants in the Merauke consultation. Image: Papuan sources

Indonesia/West Papua

Wensislaus Fatubun arrested with 53 others at meeting to discuss proposed Special Autonomy laws.

SPECIAL FOCUS: INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

OHCHR expresses concern about extra-judicial killings, excessive use of force, arrest and continuous harassment and intimidation of protesters and human rights defenders in Papua and West Papua provinces. READ MORE

Indonesian human rights lawyer Veronica Koman is considered an enemy of the state by the government for her advocacy of human rights in West Papua. LISTEN HERE and journalist Febriana Firdaus speaks about political and religious protests in West Papua and Indonesia. LISTEN HERE

On Independence Day, December 1, West Papuan leaders presented a new constitution and named a provisional government with Benny Wenda as interim President. READ MORE and HERE

NEWS FROM DTP PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA Voting has opened for MFA's poster competition as part of their Justice for Wage Theft Campaign. VIEW SHORTLISTED ENTRIES.Voting closes on 10 December 2020 at 11:59PM Manila time. Winners will be announced on 18 December 2020, International Migrants Day.

MFA has two events in the lead up to International Migrants Day: Unpaid Wages and Remittances: Deconstructing the Impact of COVID-19 and Ways Forward - 9 December 2020 and International Migrants Day: Global Celebration of Our Rights and Our Struggle for Justice – 18 December 2020.

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS have released a guide to secure web chatting and conferencing READ MORE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT published their Briefing Paper on Business and Human Rights 2020: BHR Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Asia prepared on the occasion of November's UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights. READ MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS

MALAYSIA Malaysia supports UN GA resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty READ MORE

AUSTRALIA NCP for the OECD Guidelines for MNEs accepts Friends of the Earth complaint against ANZ Bank regarding fossil fuels, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. READ MORE

MYANMAR The UN Special Rapporteur’s report to the UN General Assembly stresses need to regularise the situation of the Rohingya and peacefully resolve the conflicts in the north. READ MORE

THAILAND Poultry company Thammakaset (see last E-Newsletter) has brought defamation cases against three women who expressed support for critics of the company. TAKE ACTION

United Nations Office in Geneva, UN Photo/Elma Okic

UN NEWS

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN UN Secretary-General calls for united global action in response to increased violence and discrimination against women during Covid-19 crisis. READ MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DECEMBER 10 The year's theme is “Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights” – calling for Human Rights to be central to COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 3 DECEMBER “Building back better: People with disabilities have vital role”: UN chief calls for greater inclusion READ MORE

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The World Justice Challenge 2021: “Advancing the Rule of Law in a Time of Crisis” is now open for submissions. Applications are due December 11, 2020. READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITY

ASEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS is seeking an Executive Director, deadline for applications 4 January 2021. 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 #116 December 2020

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