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

Welcome to this issue of DTP’s eNews. Our series on DTP Trainers continues with a profile of DTP alumnus and trainer, Sayeed Ahmad, who’s work with Front Line Defenders focuses on practical support and protection for human rights defenders at risk. There is an interview DTP PNG alumna and women's human rights defender, Helen Mangula who is on the front line of efforts to save Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems – and to protect the natural forests of PNG that are critical to combating climate change. We also have news of campaign success on the rights of undocumented migrant workers in Malaysia and a heartfelt final message from retiring Philippines Human Rights Commissioner, Karen Gomez Dumpit – and other news and resources.

DTP PROGRAMS

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: Registrations are open for the next webinar "LGBTQI+ Children" Australia's Human Rights Obligations" featuring Dr Georgina Dimopoulos, Swinburne Law School and Theo Boltman, a 16 year old transgender non-binary writer, activist, performer and high school student. Friday 27 May, 5.30pm. REGISTER HERE

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

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. FIND OUT MORE

Photo of Sayeed Ahmad. Credit: Sayeed Ahmad

DTP TRAINER PROFILE: SAYEED AHMAD

Sayeed Ahmad works as regional protection coordinator for South East Asia and the Pacific at international human rights organisation - Front Line Defenders. Sayeed has had a long, meaningful and fulfilling career in human rights.

"DTP’s flexibility in changing curriculum and its applied and practical approach to training makes a real difference to the trainees. As the region is rapidly evolving, DTP too was flexible in offering training on diverse yet highly relevant issues such as migration, business and human rights. Many other organizations that provide human rights training do not have that flexibility."

READ MORE

DTP ALUMNI PROFILE: HELEN MANGULA

Helen Mangula is a community advocate in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 2017, she founded an organisation called Eden Empowerment to strive for gender equality in PNG. Helen also created the Facebook group PNG Women Empowerment, the group has over 5,000 members.

“DTP training is beneficial in empowering NGOs, CSOs and individual HRDs with knowledge and linking us all to a greater network in Asia and Pacific... I appreciate them for recognizing where each of the HRD is coming from in terms of fighting for something that matters to every one of us, no matter how small and insignificant we may feel at most times."

READ MORE
Photo of Helen Mangula. Credit: Helen Mangula

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]

Stil lfrom protests in West Papua shared by Arul Prakkash

INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA

Alumnus shares video of protests against Indonesian plan to split West Papua into 5 autonomous provinces, increasing militarisation of the region WATCH HERE Arul Prakkash also send links to videos of protests

WATCH HERE
On Wednesday evening, 144 CrPC was imposed in Daloo Tea Estate in Cachar. At around 5am on Thursday, the excavators started uprooting tea bushes. Credit: ANI

INDIA

Tirtha Prassad shares news of Assam protests against the destruction of 3 million tea plants to build an airport

READ MORE
Photo of Nasrika Paidin. Credit: Nasrika Paidin

MALAYSIA

Nasrika Paidin shares news of successful campaign for legal recognition that undocumented workers have the right to bring cases to the labour court to seek redress for labour violations

READ MORE
Photo of Tual Sawn Khai. Credit: Tual Sawn Khai

MYANMAR

Tual Sawn Khai shares his article “The plight of forgotten Chin people under the military coup in Myanmar”

READ MORE
Photo of Tevita Naikasowalu Credit: Tevita Naikasowalu

FIJI

Tevita Naikasowalu presented on Contemporary Environmental Challenges Affecting the Pacific Islands at the Inaugural Training for Pacific Judges on Environment and Climate Law

READ MORE
Photo of Karen Gomez Dumpit. Credit: DTP

PHILIPPINES

Moving final words from Karen Gomez Dumpit as she leaves the Philippines Human Rights Commission after 28 years’ dedicated human rights work

READ MORE
Land Rights Defenders video screenshot. Credit: AIPP and International Land Coalition

PARTNER NEWS

AIPP In preparation for the Global Land Forum, AIPP circulates video outlining land-grabbing and government development policies that are forcing Indigenous peoples off their traditional lands WATCH HERE

In the past, slaves were shackled in metal chains. Today, they are exploited in supply chains. The new law aims to address that. CREDIT:ANDREW DYSON

NEWS FROM THE REGION

PHILIPPINES Having faced down threats to its existence from President Duterte, the Human Rights Commission faces many challenges with the appointment of new Commissioners READ MORE

AUSTRALIA ratifies the ILO Protocol on Forced Labour but fails to adequately monitor company reporting READ MORE

MENA Arab Regional Global Compact for Migration Review Report: Progress, Priorities, Challenges, and Future Prospects Report SEE THE REPORT

UAE International Trade Union Confederation petition to end slavery in the United Arab Emirates SIGN THE PETITION

PHILIPPINES Commission on Human Rights releases national inquiry on climate change and calls for biggest fossil fuel companies to be held accountable READ MORE

FIJI Reporters Without Borders name Fiji the worst nation in the Pacific for press freedom and open civic space READ MORE

MYANMAR Freedom and Labor Activists Group documents labour violations and the negative consequences of the military coup and the COVID-19 pandemic READ MORE

Logo for UN Sustainable Development Goals. Credit: UN

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

The High Commissioner is seeking inputs on integrated approaches to the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, deadline 30 May SEE THE SURVEY

Special Rapporteur on adequate housing seeks inputs on the right to adequate housing and climate change, deadline 8 July READ MORE

The Committee on Enforced Disappearances calls for inputs on enforced disappearances in the context of migration, deadline 20 June READ MORE

UPR-Info invites CSOs to submit applications to speak on the human rights situation of countries under review at the 41st UPR Working Group. Countries include Indonesia, India and Philippines, deadline 5 June FIND OUT MORE

Report of the 25th session of UNPFII “Indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent” READ MORE

The 3rd UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights highlights progress throughout the region READ MORE

RESOURCES

International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific: “A started kit on gender equality and macroeconomics” READ MORE

EVENTS

Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues will be held online on 14-15 June 2022 (deadline for registrations 8 June) REGISTER 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 #149 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

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