DTP E-Newsletter 127 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

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

This eNews continues its focus on the human rights and democracy crisis in Myanmar, and responses to it. We also have a focus on Cambodia and the deteriorating human rights situation there - including attacks on freedom of speech and environmental human rights defenders. Tomorrow is world environment day - and the UN is highlighting the role of Indigenous peoples and environmental human rights defenders. We include news here of successful advocacy on business and human rights, and climate change - and news from alumni, reports/resources of interest and calls for action.

Supporters of Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, shout slogans in front of Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday, August 1, 2020. © 2020 AP Photo/Heng Sinith

SOLIDARITY WITH CAMBODIA

International NGOs, including DTP partner FORUM-ASIA, sign joint statement urging government to stop assault on freedom of expression READ MORE

HRW report documents the deteriorating human rights situation in Cambodia READ HERE

Bail denied to seven imprisoned human rights defenders from youth group Khmer Thavrak and the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association TAKE ACTION

Four members of Mother Nature Cambodia convicted by courts for defending the environment TAKE ACTION

DTP PROGRAMS

CHILD RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA: “The rights of children and the digital environment" with Dr Faith Gordon from ANU was held on Wednesday. WATCH THE WEBINAR Catch up on the other webinars in the series HERE. The next webinar will be on children's rights and the environment. For details will follow.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN PNG - UPR 3RD CYCLE: DTP’s capacity building program in PNG brought together civil society advocates from across the country, encouraging collaboration in making submissions to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review. CSO and international NGO submissions raised many pressing issues. Duncan Gabi has shared the International Catholic Centre of Geneva and partners submission HERE – and DTP compiled a list of the issues and recommendations that came out of the course HERE. The report of phase 1 of the program is available HERE – and Phase II of the program will begin next month.

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]

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

The trial of DTP alumnus and peaceful West Papuan human rights defenders and students, Roland Levy and Kelvin Molama began in Jakarta this week. Front Line Defenders has adopted their case. The Papuan Advocacy Team provided the following update and report

MYANMAR

Following the military coup overthrowing the elected government, over 800 civilians have been killed and there is a growing humanitarian crisis - documented here in this report from Mindat, Chin State in western Myanmar.

FIJI

Tevita Naikasowalu shares this new report outlining how denial of free, prior and informed consent has lead to environmental degradation from black sand mining by an Australian company - that the community continues to oppose.

STANDING WITH MYANMAR

The Australian Council for International Development and member of UN fact-finding mission on Myanmar and Special Advisory Council for Myanmar, Chris Sidoti urge the Australian Government to impose sanctions on the military junta READ MORE

DTP partner Forum-Asia, Progressive Voice, and ALTSEAN-Burma urge ASEAN governments to support a UN proposal for a global arms embargo on Myanmar’s military junta. READ MORE

NGOs Call on Thai Firm to Back off on Myanmar Oil Deals READ MORE and energy companies Chevron and Total SA to suspend payments from a gas pipeline project in Myanmar READ MORE

Call to Action: #SolidarityForMyanmar: Forum-Asia provide an overview about #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar, relevant responses from the international community and what actions you can take to support the peoples of Myanmar. TAKE ACTION

DTP partner Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact have released their GROUND REPORT: THAI-MYANMAR BORDER CRISIS READ MORE

PARTNER NEWS

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA Briefing papers on the inclusion of migrants in COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies in UAE and BAHRAIN

MFA People's Migration Challenge Round 2: Race and Ethnicity in Migration, 8 June, 3PM (CEST). REGISTER HERE

OHCHR ROP Workshop on Environmental Human Rights Defenders in the Pacific Region: Strengthening Environmental and Human Rights Protections, 14-15 June REGISTER HERE

Bangladesh victims of enforced disappearances. Photo credit: FIDH

10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ALL PERSONS FROM ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

The Committee on Enforced Disappearances delivered its report on requests for urgent action submitted under article 30 of the Convention including disappearances in Cambodia and Sri Lanka. READ THE REPORT

Guidance for the submission of a request for urgent action to the Committee on disappearances READ HERE

BANGLADESH Government must conduct impartial and thorough investigations into all cases of enforced disappearance and bring the perpetrators to justice READ MORE

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

New Investor/shareholder strategy succeeds in electing pro-environment board members of ExxonMobil READ MORE

Breakthrough strategic litigation results in court ordering oil giant Shell to cut emissions – that Paris climate agreement applies to companies not just governments READ MORE

AUSTRALIAN children’s litigation to stop coal mine results in Court ruling government has duty to protect young people from climate crisis READ MORE

INDIA International companies linked to forced labour in Indian spinning mills READ MORE

New report documents corporate strategies to avoid accountability for human rights abuses READ MORE

AUSTRALIA New Report 'First Peoples and Land Justice Issues in Australia: Addressing Deficits in Corporate Accountability' urges reform and implementation of UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples READ THE REPORT

OPPORTUNITIES

OHCHR Senior Human Rights Officer, deadline 19 June 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 #127 June 2021

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