DTP E-Newsletter 106 - Working Together To Advance Human Rights Since 1989

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

Throughout the world, and exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, nationalism, isolationism and the repression of civil society and freedom of expression are on the rise. This is not going unchecked. Everywhere human rights defenders and activists, UN human rights experts and governments are speaking out in support of universal values, the rule of law, human rights and multilateralism, and against the forces of repression and the denial of rights. This issue of the E-News links to some of these voices.

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

DTP's 2019 Annual Report is out now

READ HERE

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: Paul Belisario

Paul is Communications Officer (Global Secretariat) with the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL). Located in Manila, Paul shares some of the current challenges facing human rights defenders in the Philippines and some avenues to help.

Solidarity Selfie: Rut Ohoiwutun

Rut works in West Papua, working for the Papuan Children's Village Foundation, building awareness of human rights and the capacity of young Papuans, and women and advocating for natural conservation areas, including mangroves. Ruth shares about the impact of COVID-19 on Papua and on her work

WATCH HERE

West Papua

Civil society plays a key role in holding governments to account through the UN human rights system. Wensislaus ‘Wensi’ Fatubun draws attention to NGO submissions to the Committee examining Indonesia’s periodic report to the Committee on Civil and Political Rights. READ HERE.

He also shared a statement from the Papuan Council of Churches, ascribing a history of racism and injustice to the human rights abuses in West Papua.

NEWS FROM THE REGION

TIMOR-LESTE On 15 June 2020 14 Timorese student activists were arrested outside the Indonesian embassy in Timor-Leste during a protest in support of the Balikpapan 7 in West Papua (see DTP E-News 104). In a landmark decision, a court in Dili declared the law under which the students were charged invalid and the students have all been released.

HONG KONG Despite a treaty between the UK and China guaranteeing Hong Kong democratic freedoms until 2047, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s ratification of the ICCPR, a new national security law promulgated by the Chinese People’s Congress has already resulted in the arrest of one man for holding a flag in support of Hong Kong’s independence, and the police invoking the new law to arrest at least seven people who participated in an anti-national security law protest. READ MORE

VOICES FOR MULTILATERALISM AND THE UNIVERSALITY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

UN 75th ANNIVERSARY DTP co-hosted a virtual Anniversary event to mark 75th ANNIVERSARY of the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco on 26 June, and its promise of peace, development, human rights, international cooperation and a just international order. DTP’s John Pace delivered the keynote. The UN has agreed a Declaration, 'The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism' that will be debated at the UN General Assembly in September. READ THE DECLARATION

THE UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: 'A VERY GREAT ENTERPRISE' The former Secretary of the Human Rights Commission and DTP Board member John Pace has written a history of the Commission that led to the creation of the Human Rights Council. He addresses the successes and failures of the two bodies and comments on the future of the human rights system. READ MORE

MULTILATERALISM AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION In a speech ‘Australia and the world in the time of COVID-19’ the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne said that international cooperation was the key to addressing the pandemic and that this was only possible through a rules based international order that includes “the norms that underpin universal human rights, gender equality and the rule of law”. READ MORE

Photo of former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Michel Forst and FORUM-ASIA staff

SPECIAL PROCEDURES REPORT TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Michel Forst served two terms as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. READ HIS FINAL PERSONAL REPORT

POVERTY The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston (who is also on the DTP international advisory council) condemns the Malaysian government for reneging on its commitment to act on the ever increasing rates of poverty in the country. READ HIS REPORT HERE

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, David Kaye reported that governments have used the Covid-19 pandemic to restrict access to information, attack and repress independent media, and withhold essential information from vulnerable groups including from the internet. READ THE REPORT

RESOURCES

ACTION ON ESC RIGHTS The realization of economic and social rights are critical to addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has produced a series of briefs translating socioeconomic standards into useful tools for social justice activists. READ MORE

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

THE SDGs The UN has updated its practical guide “Strengthening stakeholder engagement for the implementation and review of the 2030 Agenda” READ 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 #106 July 2020

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