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

Welcome to this issue of DTP’s eNews. We speak with Serena Lillywhite, who has provided training on business and human rights and Indigenous peoples rights on many DTP programs, and alumna Chou Yi-Lan, who currently works with DTP partner FORUM-ASIA. It also features news and updates from alumni, partners and the region – we hope it is of interest and use to you.

DTP PROGRAMS

RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: The next webinar will focus on children's rights and access to justice and will be held in late August. More information to follow.

DIPLOMATIC OUTREACH FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS: (in partnership with AIPP) The start of this program has been delayed. More information will be sent to participants shortly. FIND OUT MORE

CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL PROCEDURES - Submitting Cases – with PIANGO, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, CCF and OHCHR-ROP. The start of this program has been delayed. More information will be sent to applicants shortly. FIND OUT MORE

SRI LANKA WEBINAR SERIES: Sri Lanka In Crisis Needs Its Friends: The first webinar in this new series in partnership with the Asia Institute at La Trobe University, Australia will be on Thursday 25 August at 6pm AEST. More information to follow.

Photo of Serena Lillywhite. Credit: Serena Lillywhite

DTP TRAINER PROFILE: SERENA LILLYWHITE

Serena is a leading international expert on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. She has just finished up as CEO of Transparency International Australia. She was also recently awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) recognising her many years of service through NGOs as well as her contribution to higher education. Serena has contributed her knowledge and expertise in many DTP courses, on Business and Human Rights and on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"DTP ensures that community and NGO leaders have an understanding of FPIC and that it is grounded in international declarations such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through the DTP program we link this to business and human rights - even though not all governments and companies uphold these rights."

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DTP ALUMNI PROFILE: CHOU YI-LAN

Chou Yi-Lan is a communications and media officer at DTP's partner FORUM-ASIA. Originally from Taiwan, Yi-Lan is passionate about creating positive impact on people’s lives and enjoys working together with the grassroots community. Her role is to drive audience growth and engagement on human rights and development issues through communications, media advocacy, and campaigns.

“DTP training provided me with foundation knowledge on business and human rights. I still keep the training manual. Because business and human rights is one of the priorities of FORUM-ASIA, the knowledge gathered in training helps me when I am writing a statement or press release, or when I have to provide inputs to reports on Indigenous peoples, business and human rights. I can apply a more analytical approach which increases the impact of my work.”

READ MORE
Photo of Chou Yi-Lan. Credit: Chou Yi-Lan

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 villagers campaigning against deep sea mining. Credit: Jonathan Mesulam

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Jonathan Mesalum sends photos of villagers campaigning against deep sea mining focused on the SDG’s and human rights.

Photo of Barshashree Buragohain. Credit: India Today

INDIA

Alumnus shares report that 19-year old Barshashree Buragohain arrested for writing a poem on social media in support of banned organisation has been granted bail.

READ MORE
A garment factory worker who lost her job, pictured in her dorm room in the working-class Hlaing Tharyar Township in March 2021. Credit: Frontier

MYANMAR

Trainer and MDHRA Steering Committee member Htwe Htwe Thein quoted in “A slow-motion train wreck’: Junta’s policies worsen foreign currency shortage” noting that businesses are leaving the country.

READ MORE
Title slide of the Global Parliamentary Conference on refugees and migration. Credit: IPU

GLOBAL

Trainer Patrick Taran attended, spoke at, and has shared the summary outcome of the Global Parliamentary Conference on refugees and migration.

READ THE SUMMARY
Construction workers on site in Malaysia. Credit: freemalaysiatoday

INDONESIA / MALAYSIA

Bina Ramanand shares that Indonesia's temporary freeze on workers entering Malaysia will be lifted from August 1.

READ MORE

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA Executive Summary from United Nations 49th Regular Session of Human Rights Council Side Event held jointly with CIVICUS, OMCT and ISHR at March 22 session of the UNHRC: Challenges facing HRDs across Asia is now available READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA joined Front Line Defenders, FIDH, South Asians for Human Rights, and CIVICUS in condemning the brutal attack against peaceful protesters by security forces in Sri Lanka READ THE STATEMENT

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA shared news of the death of John K. Bingham. John was known as someone at the forefront in advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees. DTP extends our condolences to his family and friends.

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT the report from the third regional consultation on the Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) Framework in Asia held in June 2022 is available READ MORE

People protest in the wake of executions, in Yangon, Myanmar, July 25, 2022 this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Credit: Lu Nge Khit/via REUTERS

NEWS FROM THE REGION

MYANMAR National Unity Government and Southeast Asian MPs are among many condemning the barbaric executions of four democracy activists and calling for international action READ HERE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA/AUSTRALIA The National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines on MNEs has issued its initial assessment of the complaint brought by Project Sepik and Jubilee Australia Research Centre against PanAust Limited READ THE ASSESSMENT

MYANMAR Judges at the ICJ dismiss objections to a case alleging genocide against the Rohingya READ MORE

THAILAND HRW calls for immediate release of activists calling for reform of Thai monarchy READ MORE

AUSTRALIA BHRRC and HRLC list amendments needed to strengthen the new Modern Slavery Act READ MORE

BANGLADESH Threats and harassment faced by Rohingya human rights defenders Saiful Arakani and Aziz Arakani TAKE ACTION

LAOS UN experts call on Government and companies to provide compensation to victims Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam collapse four years ago, condemning lack of action READ MORE

Annual observance of World Humanitarian Day at the Palais des Nations. Debate on the impact of the Sustainable Development Goals on humanitarian work and response. Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room. August 19, 2015. Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. Credit: UN Photo/Pierre Albouy

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

UN General Assembly declares access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing public invitation to consultation in preparation for his report to the HRC on climate change and housing, register by 4 August READ MORE

Bank Information Center new report highlights inadequacies in World Bank’s protection of children’s rights and calls for reform READ MORE

The agenda has been released for the UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum in Bangkok, 20-22 September READ MORE

Reminder: Stakeholder consultation: "Enforced Disappearances in the context of Migration in the Asia Pacific Region" online 18 August REGISTER HERE

RESOURCES

BHRRC briefing Resistance, harassment and intimidation: Garment worker abuse under Myanmar's military rule READ MORE

IOM/UNICEF Guiding Principles for Children on the Move in the Context of Climate Change SEE THE GUIDELINES

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 #154 July 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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