DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2023

Last week, DTP worked with its partners to deliver capacity building programs in Fiji, Thailand and Australia. The focus of the programs were Environmental Human Rights Defenders in the Pacific, human rights and democracy in Myanmar, and children's rights in Australia. Working with many partner organisations, and trainers who donate their time, DTP is responding to diverse needs for human rights capacity building. In this issue we feature a profile of DTP alumnus, Aslam Abd Jalil and DTP alumna/trainer, Usa Lerdsrisuntad. There is news from alumni and the region, and new resources.

We are also continuing with a series of contributions by human rights experts on the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration. In this issue we feature a statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on the need for pushback against intolerance, hatred, bigotry and violence READ MORE

Photos from DTP programs: Myanmar Diaspora Human Rights Advocacy in ASEAN, Environmental Human Rights Defenders workshop and Rights of the Child workshop. Credit: DTP

DTP PROGRAMS

PACIFIC REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORKSHOP - FIJI: 28-30 March. Over 20 participants from across the Pacific participated in this program held with OHCHR Regional Office, the Pacific Human Rights Defenders Network, UNEP, APNED and the Hawai'i Institute for Human Rights. SEE AGENDA and ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TOOLKIT AVAILABLE HERE

AUSTRALIAN RIGHTS OF THE CHILD PERTH WORKSHOP: 19 participants from civil society and the Commission for Children and Young People WA joined DTP, Youth Law Australia and Australian Lawyers for this CRC workshop in Perth last week. FIND OUT MORE

MYANMAR DIASPORA HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN ASEAN: 20 participants had sessions with former Thai Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, HE Yuyun Wahyunungrum, Chairperson of AICHR, EU and other diplomats, Debbie Stothard and others. The focus was the growing human rights crisis in Myanmar. With IHRP, Mahidol, FORUM-ASIA, Migrant Forum in Asia, AltASEAN, HRDF and WITNESS. FIND OUT MORE

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: Sri Lanka, May 8-12. Calling for applications. In partnership with Migrant Forum in Asia. Applications close 14th April. FIND OUT MORE

30th ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM: Bangkok, Jan 23 – Feb 3. 29 participants from 13 countries. READ DRAFT PROGRAM REPORT

31st ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM - TIMOR-LESTE: 21 August - 1 September. Calling for applications. With FORUM-ASIA, PIANGO, Migrant Forum in Asia, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, and local partners JSMP and UNTL Human Rights Centre. Applications close 14th April. FIND OUT MORE

UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES: Calling DTP alumni attending UNPFII 2023, AIPP and DTP will be convening a side event and a DTP alumni consultation/strategy meeting. DTP alumni attending UNPFiI please register interest by emailing [email protected]

Photo of Usa Lerdsrisuntad. Credit: Usa Lerdsrisuntad

TRAINER PROFILE: USA LERDSRISUNTAD

Usa is the Executive Director of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW) in Bangkok, Thailand. She has been a women’s rights activist for over 30 years. Usa campaigns and advocates to address systematic discrimination against women in Thailand, and provides trainings to women’s leaders and leaders of various sectors including members of Local Administrative Organisations, schools and youth groups.

" …after participating in a DTP training program over 25 years ago, it felt terrific to train for DTP... DTP training offers space for networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunity for the human rights advocates and this is important."

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ALUMNI PROFILE: ASLAM ABD JALIL

Aslam is a Malaysian human rights advocate who is passionate about defending the rights of migrants and refugees. Having recently completed his PhD studies in Australia - focusing on the contemporary challenges of forced migration - he is set to join the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA) at the University of Malaya.

"The DTP training program was the best. It shaped the direction of my career. I became more passionate about research and advocacy for the rights of migrant workers and refugees."

READ MORE
Photo of Aslam Abd Jalil. Credit: DTP

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 DTP alumnus Aslam Abd Jalil with DTP Secretariat. Credit: DTP

ASLAM ABD JALIL DTP VISIT

DTP alumnus Aslam Abdul Jalil visited the DTP office in Sydney in March after completing his PhD studies. He reflected on the value of the DTP training and his commitment to continue working and advocating for refugee and migrant worker rights in Malaysia.

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Photo of Nayela Akter. Credit: Nayela Akter

ASIA/PACIFIC

DTP alumna Nayela Akter is working with another DTP alumna, former Philippines Human Rights Commissioner, Karen Gomez Dumpit on an Intergovernmental Mechanism Project with the Asia-Pacific Forum of NHRIs (APF).

Photo of IAST APAC staff winning award. Credit: Matthew Coghlan

AUSTRALIA

DTP congratulates DTP trainer Matthew Coghlan who was in Sydney recently, where he received an award for his innovative work engaging the investor community to bring an end to modern slavery and trafficking.

Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya. Credit: TheStar

MALAYSIA

Bina Ramanand shares news that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has highlighted how corrupt and unscrupulous law enforcement officers are targeting foreigners, including migrant workers, for extortion.

READ MORE
Supplying SLAPPs: Corporate Accountability for Retaliatory Lawsuits in Thailand’s Poultry Supply Chain” report cover

THAILAND

DTP alumna shares new report, “Supplying SLAPPs: Corporate Accountability for Retaliatory Lawsuits in Thailand’s Poultry Supply Chain” which highlights corporate use of SLAPPs to harass and intimidate migrant workers, lawyers and journalists.

READ THE REPORT

ASIA/PACIFIC

DTP alumni including Paul Belisario, Pervez Siddique, Tirtha Prasad and Danica Castillo were among the DTP alumni participating in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 2023. Tirtha presented a statement and Pervez appealed to the leaders in the Asia-Pacific region at the UN to protect the rights and dignity of migrant workers.

Photo of Danica Castillo (left), Tirtha Prasad (top) and Pervez Siddique (bottom) presenting at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) 2023. Credit: Tirtha Prasad and Pervez Siddique
The Maldives parliament is seen on February 7, 2018. The parliament is considering an amendment that would restrict journalists’ coverage of elections. Credit: AFP

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA expresses concern at the proposed amendment to Maldives’ General Elections Act which would restrict journalists from freely monitoring elections READ MORE


SHAPE-SEA's Research Grants Programme is calling for applications from academics, students, and researchers based in Southeast Asia, to support research on human rights and peace in the region, deadline 15 May. READ MORE

Photo of Ravi Madasamy. Credit: Front Line Defenders

NEWS FROM THE REGION

SINGAPORE Front Line Defenders calls for the dropping of charges against HRD lawyer Ravi Madasamy suspended from the bar for criticising the Attorney-General for his stance on the death penalty READ MORE

PAKISTAN Ali Palh of RightsNOW Pakistan shares the report of International Activists Convening Nepal where the Kathmandu Declaration was issued where grassroots activists and community leaders from 44 countries met in Nepal in March READ THE REPORT

MYANMAR Joint statement from 201 CSO at HRC condemning the UN’s support of a project to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar READ MORE

Knotted gun statue at UN with state flags in the background. Credit: UN Photo/x

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights calls for inputs on “Multiple crises, fiscal systems and human rights”, deadline 8 May READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on adequate housing calls for inputs on “A place to live in dignity for all: Make housing affordable”, deadline 30 April READ MORE

Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons: Call for inputs for a report on older persons in the context of climate change-induced disasters and building back better, deadline 1 May READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor emphasises successes in the achievements of HRDs in her report “Success through perseverance and solidarity: 25 years of achievements by human rights defenders” READ THE REPORT

General Assembly votes to seek World Court’s opinion, in quest for ‘bolder’ climate action READ MORE

RESOURCES

Towards a Human Rights-Based Approach to Migration: Training Guide READ MORE

Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants: Lessons Learned in Supporting Undocumented Young People Advocating for Change READ MORE

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Fortify Rights is seeking a Rohingya Human Rights Associate APPLY 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.

Photo of participants from 2023 30th Annual Program. Credit: DTP
Participants on DTP's 2019 Regional Business and Human Rights Program in Fiji. Credit: DTP and Recruitment Practices, Dubai

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

One of DTP's strengths is you, our alumni and networks. If you have news, opinion pieces, resources or examples of best practice to share, or have questions on human rights, please send them to us at [email protected]. Please stay safe.

Issue #170 April 2023

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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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