DTP hosted a special lunch in Sydney on Friday 9th September with its Founder and Patron, President José Ramos Horta at the end of his state visit to Australia. DTP supporters, Board members and staff were joined by diplomatic representatives at Corrs Westgarth Chambers for a discussion reflecting on DTP’s work and current challenges for human rights and democracy.

Matthew is the Director of Youth Law Australia and a key partner in DTP's child rights program. A lawyer, advocate, access to justice campaigner, and researcher, Matthew is passionate about his work and the value of sharing knowledge and experience to advance rights.

"There are so many ways to contribute to promoting and protecting human rights and children’s rights, and amongst them all I especially value the collaborations that DTP facilitates, and its approach in supporting respectful dialogue on how human rights can be implemented by us all".

Khokon is a Bangladeshi Indigenous rights advocate working as a National Committee member of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum and project coordinator at Kapaeeng Foundation. Khokon says his participation in DTP’s 2019 Annual Program in East Timor bolstered his capacity and made him more confident in engaging with foreign diplomats. Khokon is on study leave doing a Masters of Environmental Management and Sustainability (MEMS) in Australia.

“One of the immediate impacts of the DTP training was for me to produce a media advocacy video around a local business and human rights issue. I also published articles in Bangladeshi newspaper after being inspired by DTP’s training.”

Mirza Jahanzeb Beg shares concerns about the compromise of data on social media platform Twitter

Anisur Rahman Khan asks the 4th Asia-Pacific UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum meeting on 20-22 September in Bangkok to consider the plight of tea garden workers

Diana Kurisunka UN Special Procedures condemnation of court decision to deny Malaysian women married to foreigners to pass on Malaysian citizenship to children born abroad

Alumnus send account of the torture of 3 West Papuans and the killing of another by Indonesian soldiers in the Mappin Regency

FORUM-ASIA launches Defenders Are Not Criminals campaign on judicial harassment against human rights defenders in Asia READ MORE See campaign on judicial harassment of Khurram Parvez in Kashmir HERE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT's Secretary General Gam A. Shimray gives a masterclass on shrinking civic spaces and the impact on Indigenous peoples WATCH THE VIDEO

CITIZENS' CONSTITUTIONAL FORUM expresses concerns at recent law and urges more public participation in law making processes in Fiji READ MORE

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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 #157 September 2022

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