DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2022

Welcome to this issue of DTP’s eNews. It has news of DTP’s programs and a profile of Colin Nicholas – an alumnus of DTP’s first program in 1990, who continues to be involved in advocacy for the rights of Indigenous peoples and as a DTP trainer. We profile leading regional human rights defender and valued DTP Trainer, Debbie Stothard. We also highlight the work of Accountability Council whose work may be useful to some of our alumni. There is also regional news, new resources and job opportunities.

DTP PROGRAMS

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: The recording for the Refugee and Asylum-seeking Children: Australia’s Obligations under International Law webinar with Mary Crock (University of Sydney Law School) and Rasika Jayasuriya (UNICEF) is now available WATCH HERE

DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS: (in partnership with AIPP) May-June 2022. FIND OUT MORE

UNPFII AIPP/DTP SIDE EVENTS:

Strengthening Democracies in Asia through Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Right to Self-Determination as Enshrined in UNDRIP WATCH HERE
The Right to Free Prior Informed Consent and the Duty of Due Diligence: Business and the Rights of Indigenous peoples WATCH HERE

ADVOCACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR A CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR THE DIASPORA: READ THE PROGRAM SUMMARY The program continues with a national workshop in Canberra 18-20 June. Email [email protected] to register interest. READ MORE on the MYANMAR HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS HERE

Capacity building program on UN Human Rights Special Procedures - Submitting Cases – with PIANGO, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, CCF and OHCHR-ROP. Applications close on 11 May FIND OUT MORE

Photo of Debbie Stothard. Credit: Debbie Stothard

DTP TRAINER PROFILE: DEBBIE STOTHARD

Debbie Stothard is one of Asia’s leading human rights advocates. A key focus of Debbie’s advocacy has been human rights and democracy in Myanmar and in 1996 she established Alternative Asean Network on Burma (Altsean-Burma). Debbie’s involvement in DTP dates back to its early years with José Ramos-Horta, and she is a valued trainer and contributor to DTP’s work.

“DTP is doing precious work because the Asia-Pacific region is full of repressive regimes that learn from each other. Building effective coordination between regional human rights defenders is of paramount importance so that they could share their knowledge of resistance amongst each other."

Home-cooked meals during the 1st DTP Annual Program Credit: Colin Nicholas

DTP ALUMNI PROFILE: COLIN NICHOLAS

Colin Nicholas participated in the inaugural DTP program, held in 1990. Since then, he has accumulated over three decades of experience and service to indigenous rights work in Asia. Colin founded the Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) in Malaysia in 1989. COAC’s work with the Orang Asli was recognised when it was awarded the United Nations Malaysia ‘Organization of the Year’ award in 2011.

"It was so basic but it was fundamental learning for me and was the principle to be applied in all my future work – that is, understand the other side and tune your advocacy to that, with competency and facts.”

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 Sutharee Wannasiri. Credit: Fortify Rights

ASIA-PACIFIC

DTP alumna Sutharee Wannasiri shares about the work of her NGO, Accountability Counsel (AC). AC is an international NGO dedicated to amplifying the voices of communities trying to protect human rights and their environment. AC’s work may be of direct help to some DTP alumni. AC works hand in hand with community advocates and peoples harmed by internationally-financed development projects. “We assist communities to defend their rights through complaints to accountability offices tied to international financial institutions that cause harm. Learn more about our past and current cases here. We employ community-driven and policy level strategies to create access to justice and remedy. Our programs are organized into Communities, Policy Advocacy, and Research and Accountability Resources. Learn more about our work and programs here. If you have any questions regarding our work and assistance, please email.

EMAIL SUTHAREE

MALAYSIA

Diana and Bina share examples of how video testimony from mothers with lived experiences is being used to build public support for their equal citizenship rights – following wins in court. Family Frontiers Malaysia

WATCH HERE

Cover of Making Institutions Count: Strengthening Support for WHRDs in Asia by NHRIS. Credit: FORUM-ASIA, ANNI and APF

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA report reveals that women human rights defenders (WHRDs) continued to be the second-most targeted group of defenders across 21 Asian countries READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA New briefing, Fundamental Freedoms in South Asia on civic space on the South Asian subcontinent in 2021 READ MORE

Free Leila protest in Philippines. Credit: ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights

NEWS FROM THE REGION

BANGLADESH Nine years after the Rana Plaza collapse, labour groups call for brands to sign the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry READ MORE and TAKE ACTION

PHILIPPINES ASEAN MPs call on candidates to pledge to release Senator (and Fmr Human Rights Commissioner) Leila De Lima READ MORE Two key witnesses retract testimony against her READ MORE

MALAYSIA UNHCR, denied access to detention centre for Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar, decries the death of six Rohingya fleeing a riot in the camp READ MORE

MALAYSIA Article 19 calls on government to stop demonising and dehumanising Rohingya in public pronouncements READ MORE

DUBAI Drivers strike on May Day and force company Deliveroo to reverse its decision to increase hours and cut pay READ MORE

THAILAND/MYANMAR Myanmar refugees face arbitrary arrest, alleged extortion in Thailand with a bridge used by refugees destroyed READ MORE

Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, UN Geneva. Credit: UN

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health calls for contributions on report on Racism and the right to health by 2 June READ MORE

Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt - call for contributions on report on Taxation, illicit financial flows and human rights by 30 May READ MORE

Applications for consultative status with ECOSOC should be lodged by 1 June READ MORE

Call for input into report on the impact of climate change and the protection of the human rights of migrants, deadline extended to 16 May READ MORE

Interactive E-learning course, Operationalizing the Right to Development in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, 22 June to 19 July APPLY HERE

UPR Info has a new website HERE Latest issue includes report of webinar “Applying Insights from The UPR Process to Improve Reporting on SDG 16” READ MORE

Statement by the UN LGBTI Core Group to the 21st Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues READ MORE

RESOURCES

Briefing paper on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), and the work of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights in relation to Indigenous Peoples’ rights READ MORE

International Service for Human Rights 2022 Annual report: Human rights defenders – inspiring hope, shaping a fairer future READ MORE

Digital Rights and Safety for Filipino Voters: 9 Online Safety Tips to Protect Yourself During the Philippine Elections READ MORE

Transition Minerals Tracker: Tracking the human rights policies and practices of mining companies powering the transition to a net-zero carbon economy READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute seeks a Programme Officer Climate Change & Human Mobility for its Regional Asia Pacific Programmes based in Jakarta, deadline 27 May READ MORE

OXFAM Australia seeks a Program Director to support the Country Director by providing strategic and high-quality leadership to the Oxfam Timor-Leste country program, deadline 12 May READ MORE

SHAPE-SEA Phase 2 which aims to instill a culture of human rights and peace in Southeast Asia is seeking Programme Management Office Staff, deadline 16 May READ MORE

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 #148 May 2022

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