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

In this issue we have many calls for action and solidarity – terrible reminders of the risks that human rights defenders face in working to uphold the values and laws that every country has agreed to. The Hon Michael Kirby reminded us of the importance of these standards as he gave the keynote at our new program with Indonesian human rights defenders.

We also mark with sorrow the passing of Professor John Ruggie who leaves as his living legacy the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, a lasting contribution to the work of human rights movements globally.

DTP PROGRAMS

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS The recording from last week's webinar "Using the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Practice - A View from the Bench" with Judge Tony Fitzgerald is now available WATCH HERE

HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERSHIP TO INFLUENCE POLICY: The Hon Michael Kirby reflected on human rights laws and values and why they matter in the program's keynote address last week WATCH HERE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND HUMAN RIGHTS - UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW: The second phase of this program begins this week ahead of PNG's UPR appearance in November. READ THE PARTICIPANT SUBMISSIONS

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 Mimmy Kowel. Credit: Mimmy Kowel

ALUMNI PROFILE: SINTICHE E.D. (MIMMY) KOWEL

Mimmy is the coordinator for the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) South-East Asian Coalition. She strives for the protection of workers against the rampant abuses within the garment and sportswear industries by equipping them with knowledge of their rights, lobbying for the improvement of legislation concerning these rights as well as raising consumer awareness and support.

HONG KONG

Adrian shares joint NGO statement condemning the increasing intimidation of civil society organisations (CSOs) by the authorities and pro-government media in Hong Kong.

PACIFIC

DTP Pacific alumni welcome IUCN World Conservation Congress vote for moratorium on deep seabed mining.

MALAYSIA

Lindu shared the upcoming seminar Migration intermediaries: Lessons from the Nepal-Malaysia Corridor presented by Ms. Yvonne Khor Gee Weon on Tuesday, 5 October 2021, 5-6pm MYT.

REGISTER HERE

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA welcomes the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber’s decision to open an investigation on the Philippines READ MORE

AIPP Podcast on domestic and institutional violence facing Indigenous Women LISTEN HERE

CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY

MYANMAR Incommunicado detention of Kyaw Min Htut, a human rights and environmental activist, member of the Myanmar Alliance for Transparency and Accountability TAKE ACTION

INDONESIA Harassment of Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar for exposing the business activities of Indonesian army officials in West Papua TAKE ACTION

PHILLIPPINES Public interest lawyer Juan Macababbad killed in Mindanao TAKE ACTION

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA The UN urges immediate medical care for detained West Papuan human rights defender Victor Yeimo READ MORE and TAKE ACTION

NEWS FROM THE REGION

MALAYSIA Article 19 and Civicus recommendations to Prime Minister on human rights as Malaysia seeks UN Human Rights Council membership READ THE LETTER

INDONESIA Human rights defenders Egi Primayogha and Miftachul Choir, members of Indonesia Corruption Watch, threatened with defamation charges for exposing corruption READ MORE

PHILIPPINES In his submission to the Philippines Supreme Court Gill Boehringer documents patterns in the killings of lawyers as exemplified by the case of Rex Fernandez READ MORE

BANGLADESH 77 companies have signed the new International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry to work with trade unions to make garment factories safe READ MORE

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA IOM issues Regional External Situational Report on COVID-19 READ MORE

MYANMAR

Two more Myanmar journalists have been arrested by junta forces, raising the number of journalists being held by the military regime to 53 READ MORE

Publish What You Pay Australia makes complaint to Australian National Contact Point on behalf of 245 CSOs against Myanmar Metals for breaches of the OECD Guidelines READ THE COMPLAINT

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun appointed by the NLD and supported by the National Unity Government retains his accreditation at UNGA READ MORE

Human rights network calls for the release of detained labour leader Ma Myo Aye, seriously ill in detention and denied medical help READ MORE

SAVE THE DATE

DTP will partner with others for The Asia-Pacific Environmental Human Rights Defenders Forum, 17-19 November 2021

2nd Pacific Regional Business and Human Rights Forum, 22-24 November. More information to follow. READ MORE ABOUT THE 1ST FORUM

RESOURCES

Integrating a Gender Perspective into Human Rights Investigations: Guidance and Practice READ MORE

Front Line Defenders Workbook on Security: Steps to producing a security plan READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

IWRAW Asia Pacific seeks a Programme Officer, Addressing Corporate Accountability and Discrimination in the World of Work – deadline 27 September APPLY HERE

Accountability Counsel is seeking a Policy Consultant to contribute to projects supporting cases and policy advocacy APPLY HERE

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 #135 September 2021

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