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

We are continuing with a series of contributions on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 30th of the Vienna Declaration. In this issue we reproduce an opinion piece, “As important as ever: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” from Eva Wuchold, the Programme Director Social Rights of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Geneva Office. She concludes that the UDHR has oriented the civil society struggle for human rights and ‘contributes to international solidarity: human rights-based and universal’. READ MORE

This issue provides coverage of DTP and its alumni at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a profile on alumna Riji Joy, as well as news from alumni, partners, the region and the UN.

DTP PROGRAMS

AUSTRALIAN RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: In partnership with Youth Law Australia and Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. The program reports for Sydney and Perth workshops are now available. READ THE PERTH REPORT and READ THE SYDNEY REPORT

DTP ALUMNI WORKSHOPS: ASIA AND PACIFIC: DTP will be holding two alumni workshops - one in Bangkok and one in Fiji over the next few months to reflect on DTP's programs and strategise future program priorities and direction, movement building needs and DTP's engagement with its alumni.To register interest in participating in either of these events, please contact [email protected]

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: Sri Lanka. This program has been postponed till later in 2023. In partnership with Migrant Forum in Asia. FIND OUT MORE

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. FIND OUT MORE

DTP alumni at PFII. From top left: Nukila Evanty and Chanchana Chakma, Nukila and Durga Mani Rai, Shohel Chandra Hajang, Priti Chakma, Patrick Earle and Josephine Crenshaw. Credit: DTP

DTP AT UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES

The 22nd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is taking place in New York from 17-28 April. The focus is: “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach”. DTP alumni from 1990 through to 2022 were participating – from Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. DTP partnered with regional partner Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and others on a side event. See below for highlights

SIDE EVENT

AIPP, DTP and partners, IWGIA, Forest Peoples Programme, IIFB, UNPFII, UNDP and Rights Resources, convened the UNPFII side event Securing land and territorial rights for Indigenous Peoples, equitable participation in decision making is central to ensuring the survival of biodiversity, improve planetary health and mitigate climate change on 20th April. The side event focused on what is required to recognise the rights of Indigenous peoples in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commitments.

Binota Moy Dhamai chairs alumni meeting with Patrick Earle and Morse Flores. Credit: DTP

DTP ALUMNI EVENT

On Thursday 20 April, EMRIP member Binota Moy Dhamai chaired a meeting with DTP alumni attending UNPFII. Alumni discussed the future direction of DTP's Indigenous peoples work and opportunities for engagement between DTP and its Indigenous program alumni, including the establishment of an Indigenous program alumni network.

DTP and AIPP staff with Justin Mohammed. Credit: DTP

AUSTRALIA AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS

DTP and AIPP met with Australia's recently appointed inaugural First Nations Ambassador (and DTP alumnus), Justin Mohammed on the sidelines of UNPFII. AIPP have welcomed Justin’s appointment and the priority being given to Indigenous peoples’ rights by the new Australian government and hope to have further engagement as Australia’s First Nations Foreign Policy strategy is developed and implemented.

Nukila Evanty at the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Credit: Nukila Evanty

INDONESIA

Nukila Evanty was one of the DTP alumni actively engaging in the UNPFII. She organised and spoke at a side event and raised concerns about the negative impacts of palm oil on Indigenous peoples in Indonesia. She spoke of the forcible removal of Indigenous peoples in Riau Province by companies with government support.

“Imagine having your rivers dry up; having contaminated fertile soil; losing your food sources and medicinal plants...”

ASIA

Durga Rai from Nepal presented the statement on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus during the human rights dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The incidents of killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrest and detention, intimidation, persecution and violence against IPs, Indigenous women and human rights defenders are increasing every day.”

READ THE STATEMENT

ALUMNI PROFILE: RIJI JOY

Riji is a migrant rights activist, who is associated with the Middle East Centre for Training and Development (MECTD) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Her activity with the Centre includes building the capacity of migrant workers at national and regional level, which includes the post arrival orientation program that is held by the Centre along with the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs in Dubai.

"I feel I am a part of DTP now... I learned so much through the training and DTP’s resource materials. DTP training programs feature contemporary materials and discussions at the training are always great. I have formed better understanding on how to engage and deal with migrant workers rights, and I also feel empowered as I am part of DTP’s extended network."

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]

Indonesian women palm oil workers. Credit: UNDP

MALAYSIA

Yin Xin (Samantha) Chong shares call from Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil for tenders for a Baseline Study on Women’s Safety within the Palm Oil Sector in Indonesia, deadline 4 May.

CAMBODIA

Yuthyia Soun shares account of quarterly dialogue between Cambodia Centre for Human Rights and other NGOs and the Australian Embassy.

Papuan activists displaying banners during a rally commemorating the 61st anniversary of the failed efforts of Papuan tribal chiefs to declare independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1961 in Jakarta, Indonesia , Dec 1 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

INDONESIA / WEST PAPUA

Alumnus shares Free Papua Movement call on Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers to address the ongoing war in West Papua by appealing for UN states intervention.

NEPAL / USA

DTP staff caught up with Mahendra Pandey on a recent visit to DC. Mahendra works with Humanity United and has a global leadership role in combatting modern slavery and trafficking as a Board member of the Freedom Fund.The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on DTP’s focus on building the capacity on migrant workers’ rights, and to discuss future directions for that work. COVID, growing global poverty, inequality and economic and climate crises are driving more to cross borders in search of work, income and hope. Promoting and protecting their rights has become both more urgent and more challenging.

Patrick Earle and DTP alumnus Mahendra Pandey. Credit: DTP

Photo of Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar. Credit: FORUM-ASIA

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA calls for the dropping of all charges against Fatia Maulidiyanti and Haris Azhar who exposed officials’ role in mining exploitation in Papua READ MORE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA held a webinar on the South Korea Seasonal Workers Program in the Philippines, in collaboration with the Joint Committee with Migrants Korea (JCMK), the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), and Lawyers Beyond Borders (LBB) Philippines WATCH HERE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT provided recommendations related to biodiversity, climate change and full participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision making around these issues at UNPFII READ THE STATEMENT

Elders and leaders from Saibai after signing their statement. Credit: Grata Fund

NEWS FROM THE REGION

THE PACIFIC Torres Strait Elders join Pacific Island Elders calling for Australia and other governments to end fossil fuel subsidies and for decisive climate action to limit global warming to 1.5C READ THE STATEMENT

THAILAND/MYANMAR Fortify Rights condemns the forcible return of three Myanmar men from Thailand and calls for end of refoulement by the military junta READ MORE

MYANMAR Amnesty International calls for stop of exports of aviation fuel to the military junta to prevent unlawful airstrikes on the population READ MORE

MYANMAR ASEAN ‘strongly condemns’ deadly air strike in Myanmar READ MORE

SRI LANKA South Asians for Human Rights calls for immediate withdrawal of proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill and of the Prevention of Terrorism Act because of their threats to freedom of expression and other rights READ MORE

BANGLADESH Kabita Chakma shares the Chittagong Hills Tracts Commission statement on the killing of eight Indigenous Bawm men and continuing HR abuses in the CHT READ MORE

Mr. Darío José Mejía Montalvo (Colombia) Chair of UNPFII speaks during opening ceremony. Credit: DTP

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

The deadline for Nomination for the 2023 UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights has been extended to 10 May READ MORE

Call for input on report to the Human Rights Council: Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem, deadline 21 May READ MORE

Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity calls for inputs: Report on colonialism and sexual orientation and gender identity, deadline 26 May READ MORE

OHCHR invites participation in a survey on OHCHR’s strategic direction for 2024-2027, deadline 15 June READ MORE

RESOURCES

UPR New Civil Society Guide for the 4th Cycle READ MORE

WITNESS ‘Video as Evidence Environmental Defense Guide’ to assist communities that are affected by extractive industries READ MORE

The Peninsula Principles on Climate Displacement within States READ MORE

EVENTS

Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Rights in Asia, 4-5 October READ MORE

UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum: From commitment to action, 6-9 June READ MORE

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 #172 May 2023

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