For over 12 years Mervat worked in Jordan's garment factories. Seeing the treatment of women and migrants, she went on to work for the trade union, focusing on the issues facing migrant workers. Mervat now works for the Migrant Workers Center. 

“Human Rights in Peril”, new Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) report documents governments in Asia using the Covid-19 pandemic as a cover for conducting military campaigns, land grabbing, rolling back rights protections, weakening environmental laws and safeguards on human rights.

Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) leads global call for new justice mechanism for migrant workers most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to address unpaid wages, workplace grievances, and legal support for migrant workers.

DTP/FORUM-ASIA and Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) hosted a CSO session ahead of Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights as new report highlights tightening CSO space amid Covid-19 impacts.

AIPP condemns Rio Tinto’s destruction of 46,000 years-old sacred site of the Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Peoples, Australia and cites UN Declaration Rights of Indigenous Peoples and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. BLM Protests across Australia highlight deaths in custody and racism towards Indigenous Australians.

Aslam Abd Jalil’s article “Who is responsible for so many undocumented migrants?" highlights treatment of migrants. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a strong statement, criticises governments for clamping down on free speech. Human Rights Watch documents the Malaysian government’s use of outdated laws to persecute and intimidate critics.

Smaranika Chakma calls for solidarity and shares new report “Where is Kalpana Chakma?” – the enforced “disappearance” of women’s and Indigenous human rights defender in CHT, Bangladesh. Binota Moy Dhamai shares this historical analysis of the failure of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracks Peace Accord to provide peace, protect rights or implement self-determination to the Indigenous Jumma peoples of CHT.

Mark Ibak shares, Cleanathon in Lae highlights campaign against Wafi Golpu’s Mining proposed waste pipeline into Huon Gulf. #NOTODSTP #LAENOTODSTP #KEEPLAECLEAN  

Campaign to Save Sepik River gathers momentum. Emmanuel Peni interviewed on ABC’s Pacific Beat.

Nukila Evanty introduces the Civil Society Coalition against Corona (in Bahasa Indonesia: Koalisi Lawan Corona or KLC) in a PowerPoint presentation of a campaign for the rights of the poor, the disabled, migrant workers, the elderly, the imprisoned and transgender groups affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oil well blowout in Assam North-East India affects over 3000 people and highlights concerns at permits to explore for oil in National Parks. Article sent by Tirtha Prasad.

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 #104 June 2020

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