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

Afghanistan is facing a human rights and humanitarian crisis. You can add your voice to call for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members HERE. This E-News features items on the human rights impacts of climate change, the continuing emergency in Myanmar and the violations perpetrated on West Papuan human rights defenders, and news from DTP alumni and partners.

DTP PROGRAMS

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS "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) WATCH RECORDING HERE

BUSINESS, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE SDGs AND THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY IN THE PACIFIC: Over 30 participants from 15 Pacific Island nations participated in this 4 week online capacity building program. A collection of program resources are available CLICK HERE

HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERSHIP TO INFLUENCE POLICY: Australian Awards Indonesia is funding DTP and partners to work with 25 Indonesian human rights defenders in a new program beginning next month. Participants will be working on projects addressing refugee rights, children's rights, disability rights, strengthening human rights advocacy, business and human rights, and indigenous peoples rights among others.

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 Binota Moy Dhamai Credit: AIPP 2020

ALUMNI PROFILE: BINOTA MOY DHAMAI

Binota is a Bangladeshi indigenous rights activist. He was recently elected Vice-chair of the high-level UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Binota began his rights advocacy in response to the “disappearance” of Kalpana Chakma.

READ MORE
Voices Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna podcast cover

MALAYSIA

Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna podcast about the pandemic's impact on migrants workers in Malaysia and what businesses should do

LISTEN HERE
Tolukuma Gold Mine in the early 2000. Photo: supplied

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Matilda Koma argues against the re-opening of the Tolokuma Gold Mines on environmental, social and economic grounds

READ MORE
Victor Yeimo of the West Papua National Committee Photo: Info West Papua

INDONESIA/
WEST PAPUA

Trial of Victor Yeimo, West Papuan leader begins despite his deteriorating medical condition

READ MORE
Photo of PIANGO Executive Director Emeline Siale Ilolahia

FIJI

Emeline Siale Ilolahia shares “Operationalizing the right to development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”

READ THE REPORT
Sepik River

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Emmanuel Peni highlights concerns with Frieda River mine in major Nikkei article on China-backed mining and resource sector

READ MORE
Still image from China’s CCTV showing Muslim trainees in a garment factory in Xinjiang. Rex Patrick’s bill would prohibit the import of goods made using forced labour. It makes no specific reference to China. Photograph: AP Video

MALAYSIA

Dewi Kholifah Hamzah shares good news for rights of migrant workers of Australian Senate’s vote to ban the importation of goods made with forced labour

READ MORE
Cover of OHCHR Workshop summary report: Pacific Indigenous Peoples and Climate Crisis: Lessons from the Frontlines

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA Video ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on Myanmar: 100 Days Later – What’s Changed? WATCH HERE

THE BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE documents 679 cases of human rights abuse by Chinese companies abroad between 2013 and 2020. READ MORE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA Launch of Migrant Women Forum and webinar on the impact of the COVID pandemic on women migrant workers, 8 September REGISTER HERE Asia Regional Democracy Assembly via Zoom September 7-8 READ MORE

OHCHR–ROP Summary report of the OHCHR workshop on Pacific Indigenous Peoples and Climate Crisis: Lessons from the Frontlines VIEW THE REPORT

HUMAN RIGHTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

CALL FOR INPUT: UN questionnaire on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights of people in vulnerable situations READ MORE

Greenpeace reports on the impacts of climate change and the need for action “Te Mana o te Moana: the State of the Climate in the Pacific 2021” READ MORE

Indigenous peoples dance during a celebration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in Oddar Meanchey province last year. Facebook

NEWS FROM THE REGION

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA: Emanuel Gobay, the Director of LBH Papua describes the Oneibo shooting in 2017 as a typical example of widespread and ongoing impunity among security forces in West Papua READ MORE For more news on human rights in West Papua, CLICK HERE

PHILIPPINES: Eleven organisations urge end to unlawful killings of land and environmental activists increasingly targeted for opposing industrial projects READ THE STATEMENT

THAILAND: NGO urges authorities to protect human rights defenders from judicial harassment and drop criminal defamation charges brought by Thammakaset against Angkhana Neelapaijit READ MORE

BANGLADESH Human Rights Watch urges UN to probe 86 disappearances "Where No Sun Can Enter: A Decade of Enforced Disappearances" (also see profile of Binota Moi Dhamai above) READ MORE

THAILAND: FIDH documents arbitrary detention of eight pro-democracy activists READ MORE

CAMBODIA: Indigenous peoples express concern about threat to land and forest from land encroachment on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples READ MORE

AUSTRALIA: Human Rights Watch says the government should act to prevent Covid-19 Delta from having devastating outcomes for vulnerable First Nations and prisoner populations READ MORE
People block the road during a protest against the coup in Yangon on February 26. Photo: AFP / Anadolu Agency

MYANMAR

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that junta crackdown death toll passes 1,000 READ MORE

Statement of Dr Tun-Aung Shwe, Representative of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, to Forum organised by Australian Parliamentary Friends of Myanmar READ MORE

RESOURCES

Human rights investigations during COVID: Restricted access interviews: a guide to interviewing witnesses in remote human rights investigations READ MORE

Security in-a-Box: Tactics and tools for digital security SEARCH THE TOOL BOX

“Human Rights-based Approaches to Conservation: Equitable, Effective and Imperative" by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Environment READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITY

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights seeks an Advocacy and Campaigns Officer to lead the organization’s work on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Deadline September 5 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 #133 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

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