2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Bangkok NGO Declaration of Human Rights. We share a link to the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s opening address to the UN Human Rights Council (with links to UDHR 75th Anniversary Campaign). In it he states that to avoid a retrograde step in human rights, it is critical that we rekindle the spirit, the impulse and the vitality that led to the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago READ MORE

Next week marks International Women’s Day and we profile the work of DTP alumna Fitria Sumarni, a courageous woman defending the rights of religious minorities in Indonesia. We also profile DTP trainer, Ruki Fernando from Sri Lanka. There is news of programs, a call for applications for DTP's Administration and Office Coordinator, news from alumni, updates from the region, and calls for input.

AUSTRALIAN RIGHTS OF THE CHILD WORKSHOPS: DTP is seeking participants for its next CRC workshop in Perth 30-31 March. Applications close 16 March FIND OUT MORE Dr Noam Peleg, James McDougall, Matthew Keeley and Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Natalie Lewis led rich discussions at the CRC workshop in Sydney 28 February-1 March. READ MORE

ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORKSHOP - FIJI: Rescheduled 28-30 March. Over 70 applications received for 3 day workshop for Pacific EHRDs in partnership with OHCHR Regional Office, the Pacific Human Rights Defenders Network, and the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights. ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TOOLKIT AVAILABLE HERE

MYANMAR DIASPORA HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN ASEAN: This program will bring members of the Myanmar diaspora community together with others to build capacity to engage more effectively with international human rights mechanisms, ASEAN, the media, and others to address the growing human rights crisis in Myanmar. Rescheduled to 27-31 March 2023, Bangkok, Thailand. FIND OUT MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: in partnership with Migrant Forum in Asia. May 8-12, Sri Lanka. Applications clsoe 24th March. FIND OUT MORE

31st ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM - TIMOR-LESTE: Our Annual Program in partnership with Forum-Asia, PIANGO, Migrant Forum in Asia, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, and local partners JSMP and UNTL Human Rights Centre, returns to Timor-Leste. 21 August - 1 September, 2023. Applications close 17th March. FIND OUT MORE

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]

DTP hosted a special lunch in Sydney on Monday 27th February with DTP alumnus and PNG advocate, Emmanuel Penu. DTP supporters, Board members and staff met with Manu to learn more of his work and the Save the Sepik campaign. Reflecting on his DTP training, Manu spoke of his initial reluctance to attend due to frustrations with the UN but that in hindsight it was a very wise decision, given the knowledge he gained and the networks he built. The training not only provided valuable connections among advocates across the region but has impacted positively on Save the Sepik's work and strategy. Manu will be a DTP trainer at the Pacific EHRDs Workshop in March to share his experience of engaging UN Special Procedures – and his campaign has made a complaint under the OECD Guidelines on MNEs.

PIANGO Media statement shares PIANGO’s work in support of self-determination and voice in West Papua and hopes for more advocacy and action on this conflict following meeting of delegation with newly elected Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka READ MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (HRDF) IOM highlights the important work of Thailand’s HRDF in supporting access to justice for migrant workers denied due compensation and confiscation of identity documents WATCH THE VIDEO

FORUM-ASIA calls on the Sri Lankan government to respect the right to peaceful protest following the systemic clampdown on protests READ MORE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA Indigenous communities allege timber company acquired land for carbon offset scheme without free, prior and informed consent READ MORE

INDONESIA HRW calls for immediate release of anti-mining activist Robison Saul arrested for protesting against planned goldmine on Sangihe Island North Sulawesi READ MORE

THAILAND On the 30th anniversary of the Bangkok NGO Declaration on Human Rights, Thailand approves 5th human rights action plan READ MORE

MALAYSIA Court reaffirms right of refugee workers to file claims in the Industrial Court and rules in favour of Yemeni migrant worker on wages and unfair dismissal READ MORE

PHILIPPINES 77 Global and National Human Rights and Environmental Groups in Six Countries Expose OceanaGold as an Irresponsible Mining Company and Oppose its Expansion READ THE STATEMENT

REMINDER: EMRIP Call for Inputs: Report on “Establishing monitoring mechanisms at the national and regional level for implementation of the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples” deadline 17 March READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence. Call for inputs: “Financing of reparations owed to victims of serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law”, deadline 17 March READ MORE

The 2023 Call for Nominations for Nansen Refugee Award has now opened. This year the Committee especially encourage nominations related to inclusion or solutions, helping to set the stage for the next Global Refugee Forum in December 2023. Deadline for submissions is 17 March READ MORE