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

DTP is 30 years old in 2020 - 30 years since DTP’s first program at the Faculty of Law UNSW, Sydney. With over 3000 DTP alumni in human rights networks and movements across the Pacific, Asia and Middle-East, DTP will highlight how its alumni and partners are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other key human rights challenges. 

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.

Issue 101 of DTP’s E-News - a new format for the e-News with each issue focusing on a thematic priority area for DTP. To mark May Day, this issue has a focus on Migrant Workers.

DTP ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTING MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
For information on our alumni, click here

DTP Alumni Workshop on Universal Periodic Review, Bangladesh (Aug 2016)
Bangladesh & Beyond

Issues of forced repatriations of migrant workers back to Bangladesh highlighted by Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), MD Abdullah Al Mamun.

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Yuyun Wahyuningrum at the AICHR meeting December 2019
ASEAN

Indonesian ASEAN rights representative expresses concern as Malaysia turns away refugees

DTP alumna and trainer HE Yuyun Wahyuningrum, interviewed on Malaysian television about ASEAN’s approach to the Covid-19 pandemic and Malaysia’s treatment of refugees (9min).

WATCH
Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna
Malaysia

Practical and urgent help delivered to migrant communities in need by DTP partner Our Journey and others – highlighted in media interview with Director (and DTP trainer/facilitator) Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna.

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Malaysia

Living in peril - Covid-19 haunts migrant workers

Nasrikah Sarah highlights the plight of migrant workers who have lost their jobs or not been paid because of Covid-19.

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Thailand

Director of Cultural Foundation (CrCF) Thailand, Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, urges Thai Government not to extend the imposition of the Covid-19, State of Emergency after its expiry on 30 April 2020.

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Bangladesh

Appeal from Bangladesh civil society to UN Secretary General for Action

The Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants submitted a Memorandum to UN Secretary General to highlight the plight of the Bangladeshi migrants with an appeal to him to engage with destination countries, DTP Partners Dr. C R Abrar & Syed Saiful Haque.

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MIGRANT WORKERS AND COVID-19

ASIA - DTP Partner Migrant Forum in Asia along with Lawyers Beyond Borders Network have made an appeal to governments on behalf of migrant workers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read More

ASEAN - Migrant Care Indonesia among NGOs criticizing the lack of ASEAN focus on vulnerable groups badly impacted by the pandemic. Read more

ASEAN - Women and girls must be put at the heart of COVID-19 response and recovery in ASEAN. Read more

NEPAL - Supreme Court orders the Nepalese government to take care of the health needs of Nepali migrant workers living in foreign countries and to repatriate vulnerable ones to Nepal. Read more

THAILAND - Migrant Working Group report on Covid-19 response outlines government policies that impact on migrants, services available and recommendations to the government. Read more

SINGAPORE - Measures introduced recently to confine tens of thousands of workers to packed quarters may increase the risk of infection spread. Read more

Invitation from SDC to share Good Practices/Responses on Covid-19 and Migration. If you would like to make a contribution please read this form.

THE GULF - The Open Society Foundations' International Migration Initiative has revealed the extent of the challenges facing migrant workers in the Gulf.

UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty, Philip Alston
UN STATEMENTS ON COVID-19

SDGs under threat. New United Nations University research highlights Covid-19’s impact on poverty holds that hundreds of millions more could be pushed into poverty and lead to social unrest.

Philip Alston, the UN Rapporteur on extreme poverty criticises UK and US governments for inequitable coronavirus response.

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights issued a statement on the relevance of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in ensuring that business respects human rights during the crisis and beyond.

UNDP has released a report on the Social and Economic Impact of Covid-19 in the Asia-Pacific Region stating that to defeat the crises global solidarity and coordination are required.

SPEAKING UP ON HUMAN RIGHTS

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) has begun a COVID-19 #MPs4HumanRights video campaign sharing short messages from Members of Parliament (MPs) in the region to remind everyone and Southeast Asian governments why human rights matter in this challenging time.

Kunthida Rungruengkiat, former Thai MP, calling on the Myanmar government to lift the internet ban in Rakhine State

Bobby Adhityo Rizaldi, Indonesian MP, calling for solidarity and social cohesion

Mu Sochua, former Cambodian MP, urging governments to respect freedom of expression

Charles Santiago, Malaysian MP, calling for measures that do not discriminate and protect all

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.

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. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Click here to donate to DTP now.

Issue #101 30th April 2020

E: [email protected] | W:www.dtp.unsw.edu.au |

P: +61 2 9385 3549 |

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