DTP E-Newsletter 123 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

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

As protests continue inside and outside the country against the recent military coup in Myanmar, DTP’s eNews continues its focus on human rights there. It also focuses on the rights of Indigenous peoples as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues approaches its 20th Anniversary session and includes updates from some of DTP’s partners and 3500 plus alumni.

DTP PROGRAMS

HUMAN RIGHTS IN PNG - UPR 3rd Cycle: The 1st phase of the Papua New Guinea and Human Rights - Universal Periodic Review program concluded. READ HERE. Record number of CSO submissions made on human rights in PNG highlighting range of human rights issues as concerns over COVID transmissions grows. READ THE COMPILATION OF ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

CHILD RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA: The next CRC webinar “Children’s right to participation in practice” with Professor Laura Lundy will be held on Wednesday 21 April, 5pm AEST. REGISTER HERE

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE PACIFIC: 2nd Pacific Online Business and Human Rights Course to be held May-June, 2021 in partnership with PIANGO and OHCHR (ROP) – please check DTP WEBSITE for details/register interest.

STANDING WITH MYANMAR

Sign the petition! #FreeSawLinHtet from prison in Myanmar SIGN HERE

8 actions Australia can do about Myanmar's crazy generals READ HERE

HRW Hundreds Forcibly Disappeared: Account for Missing Politicians, Activists, Others at Risk of Torture, Death READ MORE

Myanmar’s civil disobedience movement is built on decades of struggle READ MORE

Joint statement (Reporters without Borders, FORUM-ASIA, FIDH) Brutal crackdown and targeting of human rights defenders and civil society continue READ MORE

The death toll continues to climb in Myanmar, following the bloodiest week since the Myanmar military seized power in a February 1 coup. See this round up on film for March 15-28. WATCH FILMS

ALTSEAN's Burma Coup Watch, March issue READ HERE

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS

The 20th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues theme is “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16” 19-30 April. READ MORE

State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: UN Report focuses on Rights to Lands, Territories and Resources READ THE REPORT

DTP ALUMNI IN ACTION

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]

Photo of Roland Levy. Credit Bernie Goulding

Indonesia/West Papua

DTP Alumnus and West Papuan student and human rights defender, Roland Levy, remains in detention in an overcrowded Jakarta cell with serious concerns over his health. Front Line Defenders and other DTP alumni call for his release.

TAKE ACTION

Bangladesh

Migrant worker networks successfully mobilise to rescue and return Bangladeshi workers trafficked to Togo reports Awaj Foundation’s Anisur Khan

Malaysia

Forced Labour Finding on Malaysian firm Top Glove leads to US Customs seizures of PPE imports. From Liva and DTP Malaysia Alumni

Bangladesh

From OKUP’s Abdullah Al Mamun the latest policy brief "Access to Justice for Bangladeshi Migrants Workers: Improving the System"

Photo of Yuyun Wahyuningrum presenting. Credit: AICHR

ASEAN

"A decade of institutionalizing human rights in ASEAN: Progress and challenges” New article by Yuyun Wahyuningrum

Timor-Leste

DTP’s Timorese alumni call out for help and solidarity following 2nd year of devastating floods, as COVID cases grow. Australian aid agencies mobilise and advise – send cash not goods. Donations: CARE, OXFAM, UNITING WORLD, GOFUNDME, RED CROSS, MALUK TIMOR

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA is holding an online public dialogue and launching a report on ASEAN responses to the Myanmar crisis on 26 April. READ MORE

AIPP Secretary-General’s Report provides snapshot of IP rights and movement in Asia in context of COVID and shrinking civil society space - “Strengthening Our Movement Through Co-responsibility”. READ HIS REPORT

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA New Report Launched - Crying Out For Justice – Wage Theft Against Migrant Workers – documents over 702 indicative cases in context of COVID and makes recommendations WATCH THE LAUNCH

MFA 1st in a new five-part webinar series in preparation for the International Migration Review Forum, Migration, COVID and a New Social Contract, 13 April, 3pm - 5pm CEST / 9pm - 11pm Manila. REGISTER HERE

NEWS FROM THE REGION

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS APF launches a Regional Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders featuring speakers from NHRIs and CSOs. Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, delivers keynote. WATCH HERE

AUSTRALIA Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has launched a plan to establish a National Anti-Racism Framework and has called on the Australian Government to support and implement it. READ MORE

SRI LANKA From Kidna Selva, UN Human Rights Council Strengthens Human Rights Violations Probe READ MORE

FUNDING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

CLIMATE CHANGE The Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association is calling for submission for his report on freedom to act on climate change, deadline 30 May READ MORE

The Norwegian Human Rights Fund is offering funding for its project ‘Protecting Human Rights Defenders and the Right to Defend Rights’ in Asia; deadline 18 April APPLY HERE

FORUM-ASIA is recruiting a consultant to develop a report on the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework: “Locating the Human Rights and Gender Justice Dimension in the Regional Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic” READ MORE

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 #123 April 2021

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