DTP E-Newsletter 105 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

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

Dear

In two weeks the UN High-Level Political Forum on Development in New York will be examining the Voluntary National Reviews of 47 countries in their implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic – one of the themes of this issue of E-News. Civil society is critical to building back better, to ensuring no-one is left behind. The health and economic crisis of Covid 19 should sharpen the focus of governments on global cooperation to address poverty, inequality and discrimination – on human rights in development. The pandemic highlights the need to defend the safety of human rights defenders, the voices of civil society, and to invest in these advocates of shared values and solidarity. DTP’s partners AIPP and Hawaii Institute/PIANGO are among those organising side events for voices from civil society to be heard.

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.

Best wishes and good luck,

Patrick Earle
Executive Director

SOLIDARITY IN ACTION FROM DTP ALUMNI

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]

Alumni Profile: Mahendra Pandey

Having experienced life as a migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, Mahendra returned home to Nepal and established Pravasi Nepali Coordination Committee (PNCC) to support fellow workers and tell their untold stories. Following his experience as a DTP participant in Bangkok in 2011, he brought the DTP course to Nepal – beginning the first of its national programs. Mahendra now works in Washington combatting forced labour and human trafficking with Humanity United. In March 2020, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Freedom Fund.

Solidarity Selfie: Rejimon Kuttappan

At this time when the stories and voices of human rights defenders risk being silenced by governments and/or the weight of big news on Covid-19, DTP, in partnership with WITNESS, is providing space to its alumni, trainers and partners to share their stories, from where they live.

Rejimon Kuttappan is a journalist based in India. He has been reporting on migrant workers in the Gulf for years and is now highlighting their plight in the COVID-19 pandemic.

WATCH HERE

Indonesia

Nukila Evanty describes the resistance of the East Manggarai Indigenous peoples of East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia against the encroachment of cement factory company PT Singa Merah on their traditional lands.

Myanmar

Yuyun Wahyuningrum, DTP trainer and Indonesian representative on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, points out that despite some positive moves by the Government of Myanmar, the steps taken are inadequate without recognition of Rohingya identity.

Bangladesh

OKUP is a community based migrants organization. Its 2019 Annual Report sent by DTP alumnus Abdullah Al Mamun outlines the challenges to migrants in Bangladesh and notes the need for a social protection and safety net program for Bangladeshi migrant workers - especially women workers - and for fair and ethical overseas recruitment.

READ MORE

The High-Level Political Forum in New York from 10-14 July is a meeting of governments, the UN, civil society and other stakeholders to follow-up and review the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process in July 47 countries will present their reviews. These include Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands.

DTP has prepared a Guide to the Sustainable Goals (SDGs) the VNR and Human Rights Advocacy. READ HERE

The following are also useful resources:

NEWS FROM THE REGION

ASEAN Amnesty International and AICHR have called on governments, particularly those in ASEAN, to meet their commitments made during the Bali process to provide “safe, legal and affordable migration pathways” to migrants and to protect Rohingya refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in Myanmar. READ MORE

BLACK LIVES MATTER IN THE REGION

MYANMAR Taking inspiration from the international Black Lives Matter movement, the 'Don't call me Kalar' campaign in Myanmar refers to the derogatory term used to slur members of a variety of ethnic groups that face discrimination from the Bamar majority. READ MORE

INDONESIA West Papuans comprise only 1% of the Indonesian population. They are discriminated against and persecuted for speaking out against injustice. In an open letter, Meitilda Yaung calls on the Indonesians majority to face the history of West Papuan dispossession and to address the negative image spread by the media. READ MORE

CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY

CAMBODIA Wanchalearm Satsaksit is among a number of Thai dissidents to have fled to Cambodia in fear of persecution by the Thai authorities. He was abducted in Phnom Penh on 4 June and has not been heard of since. TAKE ACTION

PHILIPPINES Human rights defenders and independent journalists are under attack in the Philippines (OHCHR and HRW). Rappler's editor, Maria Ressa and researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. have been convicted of “cyber libel”. Interview with Maria Ressa on press freedom (6min 19sec). Statement from AICHR Representative (and DTP alumna), Yuyun Wahyuningrum on increasing attacks on press freedom in the region. TAKE ACTION. FORUM-ASIA is organising a side event at the UN Human Rights Council Human Rights Situation in the Philippines, 6 July, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Manila. Register for the webinar by 5 July.

CHINA Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng has been in incommunicado detention since May 2019. He has now been sentenced to four years in prison for ‘inciting subversion of state power’. TAKE ACTION

SRI LANKA Dharisha Bastians reported on the abduction of an employee of the Swiss Embassy in Colombo. The Sri Lankan government has targeted Bastians for years and accuses her of conspiring in reporting the abduction which it claims is fake news. TAKE ACTION

AUSTRALIA The Draft National Report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is now available on the Attorney-General’s Department website. Civil society is invited to provide written submissions on the report. Deadline is 5pm AEST Wednesday 29 July.

NEWS FROM THE UN

The 44th regular session of the Human Rights Council is currently taking place in Geneva. Information on the session including a link to the live webcast can be found here.

Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights provided a global update on human rights and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in her address to the Council.

JOB OPENINGS

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) is looking for a Southeast Asia Researcher and Representative, deadline 20 July. APPLY HERE

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

The Human Rights Centre of the University for Peace is accepting applications for its online courses on the topic of ´Child Rights and Development', beginning 15th July 2020 as part of the professional development online diploma programme on Sustainable Development and Human Rights. APPLY HERE

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 #105 July 2020

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