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DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2020

DTP is 30 years old in 2020 - 30 years since DTP’s first program at the Faculty of Law UNSW, Sydney. With over 3000 DTP alumni in human rights networks and movements across the Pacific, Asia and Middle-East, DTP will highlight how its alumni and partners are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and other key human rights challenges. 

For updated news, advice and human rights related action on COVID-19 pandemic please see the dedicated DTP web page. Please follow DTP’s socials and visit our website.

SOLIDARITY IN ACTION FROM DTP ALUMNI AND PARTNERS

For information on our alumni, click here

Mervat Al-Jumhawee

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. 

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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. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

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Indigenous Peoples in Asia

“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 Workers

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.

Human Rights and Business

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.

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Human Rights and Migrant Workers in Malaysia

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.

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Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh

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.

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Papua New Guinea

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.

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Indonesia

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.

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India

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.

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Indonesia/West Papua

Sentences for the Balikpapan 7 from West Papua were announced, with the Papuan activists being sentenced to ten and eleven months imprisonment. The trial, linking the treatment of Papuans in Indonesia to the Black Lives Matter global movement, received considerable coverage within Indonesia and abroad.

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ACTION REQUIRED

MALAYSIA: Labour rights defender Sarasvathy Muthu, along with four others have been charged for protesting against the treatment of cleaners in state hospitals and the lack of protective equipment during the pandemic.

INDIA: Founding members of women’s movement ‘Pinjra Tod’, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal have been arrested for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act that would lead to the denial of citizenship to Indian Muslims.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Human Rights Defender advocates can apply at the US-based Human Rights First for the 2020 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award for Human Rights Defenders, deadline June 30, 2020. Nomination form.

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 #104 June 2020

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