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

This issue of DTP’s eNews coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords that promised peace, democracy and human rights following the Cambodian genocide. Marking the anniversary, one of the Accords architects, former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans highlights the broken promises on democracy and human rights, the resilience of the people and the importance of civil society. We will host a special webinar with the Hon Gareth Evans hosted by Yuyun Wahyuningrum on December 9th, International Day for the Prevention of Genocide. More details will follow shortly.

In other news in this issue, DTP continues the focus on Myanmar, brings news of and from alumni, of programs, resources and jobs – and two regional forums on human rights, environment and business are calling for registrations.

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 Bar" with Michael Stanton and Katharine Brown is now available WATCH HERE The next webinar on 11 November will focus on the disproportionate removals of First Nations children from their families in Australia – and the UN’s call for action.

INDONESIA PROGRAM: HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERSHIP TO INFLUENCE POLICY: The online program is entering week 6 and will feature sessions with Rosemary Kayess, Therese Sands, Chris Sidoti and Vitit Muntabhorn.

ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR A CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THE DIASPORA IN 2021: Program to be launched in November. Click here for more information or contact

BUSINESS, HUMAN RIGHTS, THE SDGS AND THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY IN THE PACIFIC: The final report is now available READ MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS IN PNG - UPR 3rd Cycle: Ahead of PNG's review on 4 November, participants from the program will be holding a side event speaking to their submissions made earlier in the year.

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 Liva Sreedharan. Credit: Liva Sreedharan

ALUMNI PROFILE: LIVA SREEDHARAN

Liva is a Malaysian human rights and migrant rights defender, whose experience and expertise is drawn on by international organisations and others in civil society. For Liva, the collaborative aspect of the DTP program was one of the most rewarding parts of her experience.

“What DTP has given me and us is a network of very robust non-governmental organisations or civil society organisations that are really doing the work on the ground”.

The night of the release of Roland and Kevin with their attorney in front of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Detention Center August 3, 2021

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

The night of the release of Roland (DTP alumnus) and Kevin with their attorney in front of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Detention Center August 3, 2021. They and other Papuan students were released unconditionally after long debates with the police and peaceful advocacy – and they thank those that acted in solidarity to raise concerns.

Juukan Gorge Rio Tinto just blasted away an ancient Aboriginal site Image by Renata Wright from Pixabay

AUSTRALIA

Teina Te Hemara shares news of the launch of a joint First Nations, business and investor initiative to improve cultural heritage protection in Australia as Australian parliament releases report on Rio Tinto’s destruction of Juukan Gorge.

Photo of Yuyun Wahyuningrum. Credit: Yuyun Wahyuningrum/Twitter

MYANMAR

Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesian representative on the AICHR explains why Myanmar’s General Min Aung Hlaing was excluded from ASEAN leaders' summit READ MORE

Deforestation in PNG Isidor Kaupon and people of Denangi, Inland Baining Local Level Government, Gazelle District, East New Britain Province

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Isidor Kaupan’s work as Environmental Human Rights Defender informs major Global Witness report on how global finance and household brands are fuelling deforestation, violence and human rights abuses in PNG

students rejoicing about the Sharma v the Minister case

CLIMATE EMERGENCY

UN declares that a healthy environment is a human right and creates a Special Rapporteur READ MORE See Australian Lawyers for Human Rights media release HERE

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child rules that countries bear cross-border responsibility for harmful impact of climate change READ MORE; and that States violate children’s rights when they don't sufficiently reduce carbon emissions READ MORE

Australian judge finds Australian Minister for the Environment owes a duty of care to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis on Australian children in case brought by students. View plaintiff Anjali’s presentation to the Child Rights webinar WATCH HERE

Forest People’s Program joins civil society calls on world leaders to put human rights at the centre of environmental policy READ MORE

Migrant Forum in Asia has a number of climate change resources and action points following the discussions on climate change and migration as part of their civil society mobilization webinar series, the People's Migration Challenge READ MORE

PARTNER NEWS

AIPP and Network of Indigenous Women in Asia condemn threats against the relatives of Indigenous Women leader, Ms Bai Bibyaon. For more news see Asia Indigenous Observor September edition

FORUM-ASIA report on threats against Human Rights Defenders in Asia READ MORE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA and CMA "Manifesto on Building Resilient Communities for Migrants and Families by Promoting Safe, Fair, and Ethical Recruitment READ MORE

OHCHR 2nd UN Pacific Forum on Business and Human Rights, 22-24 November calling for registrations READ MORE

DTP partners with OHCHR, UNEP and others in 1st Asia Pacific Environmental Defenders Forum 17-19 November: calling for registrations, concept note and draft program now available READ MORE

Cover of FORUM-ASIA report Human Rights in the Time of COVID19: Addressing the Crisis in Southeast Asia

People wait outside a Covid-19 vaccination clinic in the Bankstown suburb during a lockdown in Sydney, Australia, August 25, 2021. © 2021 Loren Elliott/Reuters

NEWS FROM THE REGION

BANGLADESH Odhikar 3-monthly Human Rights Monitoring Report READ MORE

THAILAND Arbitrary detention and ongoing judicial harassment of pro-democracy activist Ms. Benja Apan TAKE ACTION

AUSTRALIA Human Rights Watch calls for vaccine equity READ MORE

CAMBODIA On the 30th anniversary of the Peace Agreement, the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia Vitit Muntarbhorn delivered his first report to the Human Rights Council READ HIS REPORT

INDONESIA Dozens of International Human Rights Organizations Encourage the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Indonesia READ MORE

A river spirit ceremony on the banks of the Salween River, in Karen state (Image © Saw Mort / Karen Environmental and Social Action Network)

MYANMAR

National Unity Government’s Representative Office in Australia Myanmar Update on ASEAN’s position on the junta READ THE UPDATE

Indigenous understanding of Salween River key for biodiversity READ MORE

UN Resident Coordinator says 20 million people in Myanmar, or nearly half of the country's population, now live below the poverty line READ MORE

Amnesty International open letter on the need for urgent action to end violations and impunity in Myanmar READ HERE

RESOURCES AND CALLS FOR INPUT

IHRB’s Salil Tripathi keynote address the launch of UNDP’s Reporting Business and Human Rights: A handbook for journalists, communicators and campaigners READ MORE

IHRB Code of Conduct for the Shipping Industry - Delivering on Seafarers’ Rights READ MORE and Self-Assessment Tool provides guidance on how to meet the Code of Conduct READ MORE

Committee on Migrant Workers Launches General Comment on Migrants’ Right to Liberty and Freedom from Arbitrary Detention READ MORE

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material, deadline 10 November READ MORE

Human Rights and Climate Change: Questionnaire on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights of people in vulnerable situations, deadline 30 November READ MORE

Call for applications for mandate holders of the Human Rights Council to be appointed at the forty-ninth session of the Council, deadline 25 November READ MORE

JOB AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

HUMAN RIGHTS & ARTS FILM FESTIVAL seeks a Program Director to shape the future strategy and vision of HRAFF READ MORE

EXPLORE Call for Concept Notes for research on forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia APPLY HERE

EVENTS

Save the Date: Regional Consultation on "Promoting Access to Health Services for Migrants, Including in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic” | 28 October 2021 | 13:30 – 15:30 (BKK) TBA

The Academy on Labour Migration capacity building course on labour migration over a period of seven weeks from 18 October to 3 December 2021 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 #137 October 2021

You are receiving this newsletter as an alumnus, trainer and/or friend of DTP. To unsubscribe, please click here

E: [email protected]
P: +61 2 9385 3549

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