DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2021

Welcome to this eNews with information on DTP’s courses, webinars, alumni and partners. As COVID continues to ravage the region, and some governments use it as an excuse to impose censorship and stifle dissent it is inspiring to see the amazing efforts of civil society, including DTP alumni in Malaysia – advocating for migrant workers, organising food, access to vaccines, sharing practical health advice, and challenging discrimination and acting in solidarity for human rights for all.

DTP PROGRAMS

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS The next webinar - "Climate change and the rights of children" with Ms Mikiko Otani, Chair, Committee on the Rights of the Child and Solomon Islands student Caleb Pollard, president of Pacific Island Students Facing Climate Change (PISFCC) : Tuesday 24 August 4pm AEST REGISTER HERE

BUSINESS, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE SDGs AND THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY IN THE PACIFIC: Participants are halfway through the latest online program. Material covered so far includes the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises. Next week the focus shifts to human rights and climate change READ MORE

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]

ALUMNI PROFILE: ISIDOR KAUPON

PNG Environmental and Indigenous Human Rights Defender, Isidor Kaupun, working to save forests, lands and traditional knowledge systems

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

DTP alumnus Roland Levy and Kelvin released from jail and sends thanks to DTP alumni and Front Line Defenders - “Thank you guys and all the lawyers who stand with me and Kelvin. I am really thankful”.

Roland Levy and participants from the 29th Annual Program

FIJI

Peter Waqavonovono shares trauma of abuse by the Fiji military, and the way to recover

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Jonathan Mesalum shares news that company behind Deep Sea Mining in PNG has now closed following community advocacy over environmental risks

MALAYSIA

DTP alumni Patricia and Liva share resources with practical advice on care and COVID

Screenshot of Lewis Prai Wellip video on Twitter

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

Alumnus shares appeal for the release of West Papuan leader Victor Yeimo who is ailing in detention

WATCH HERE

PIANGO Executive Director Emeline Ilolahia. Credit: PIANGO

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA calls on Thailand’s government to end violence and judicial harassment of protestors READ THE STATEMENT

FORUM-ASIA calls for an end to human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir READ THE STATEMENT

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT Statement on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples HERE as UN calls for new social contract to protect Indigenous peoples’ rights

PIANGO marks World Youth Day by investing in youth leadership and calls for Pacific youth to lead in Pacific food security systems READ PRESS STATEMENT

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE issues new report on “The human rights impact of China's global investments” READ MORE

Malaysian protests. Image from Twitter account @StPinkie

NEWS FROM THE REGION

AUSTRALIA Human Rights Watch calls on government to withdraw law making it easier to deregister NGOs and charities if they take part in protests READ MORE

MALAYSIA Police harassment and criminal proceedings against activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters threatens human rights and undermines public health during COVID-19 READ MORE

ASEAN All ASEAN countries should participate in the review of the ‘protector’ role of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human, writes Vitit Muntarbhorn READ MORE

THAILAND NGOs call for stop to using COVID-19 to censor information and cracking down on media and internet service providers READ MORE

CAMBODIA Garment workers demand that the world’s biggest clothing companies help recover millions of dollars worth of wages and benefits lost during COVID-19 READ MORE

MYANMAR

Myanmar’s junta offenses against those opposed to the military coup meet the international definition of crimes against humanity READ MORE

The combined effects of repression by the junta and the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly put the lives of women and children at risk READ MORE

Chinese mining company harms farm land of Indigenous peoples in Shan State READ MORE

RESOURCES

Human Rights Education Resources for various target groups SELECT GROUP

The OECD e-learning Academy on Responsible Business Conduct short course on Essentials of OECD Due Diligence for RBC READ MORE

Amnesty International Training module on activist skills READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITY

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights seeks a Myanmar Advocacy Specialist to support the organisation's work on Myanmar: Deadline for applications extended to 16th August READ MORE

Photo of Trainer Virginia Dandan and participant from 2019 Annual Program

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 #132 August 2021

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