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 publish a resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council at its 52nd Session commemorating the anniversaries of the UDHR and the VDPA, urging States to redouble their efforts in fulfilling their duty to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, and requesting the High Commissioner to hold a high-level event in December in commemoration of the anniversaries. READ THE RESOLUTION

This issue includes a profile on alumna Wenise Kim, as well as news from alumni, partners, the region and the UN. DTP also highlights the human rights emergency in Myanmar as H.E., Aung Myo Min, DTP Trainer and NUG Human Rights Minister visits Australia to call for solidarity and support.

DTP PROGRAMS

DTP ALUMNI WORKSHOPS: ASIA AND PACIFIC: DTP will be holding two alumni workshops - in Bangkok and in Fiji to reflect on DTP's programs and strategise future program priorities and direction, and strengthening of DTP networks. To register interest in participating in either of these events, please contact [email protected]

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA: Report from February's Capacity Building Strategy Roundtable with Indigenous Law Centre, Nura Gili and Oxfam Australia with alumni and others is available. READ THE REPORT

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY CAPACITY BUILDING FOR MIGRANT AND REFUGEE DIASPORA COMMUNITY LEADERS IN NSW/AUSTRALIA: 27 migrant and refugee community leaders attended the 2-day workshop in February in partnership with STARTTS. READ THE REPORT

MYANMAR DIASPORA HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN ASEAN: 20 participants the workshop in Bangkok in March. The focus was the growing human rights crisis in Myanmar. With IHRP, Mahidol, FORUM-ASIA, Migrant Forum in Asia, AltASEAN, HRDF and WITNESS. READ THE REPORT

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

31st ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM - TIMOR-LESTE: 21 August - 1 September. With FORUM-ASIA, PIANGO, Migrant Forum in Asia, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, and local partners JSMP and UNTL Human Rights Centre. DTP is reviewing the first round of applications. FIND OUT MORE

ALUMNI PROFILE: WENISE KIM

Wenise is an Australian-based Korean human rights advocate, focused on crimes against humanity perpetrated by the North Korean regime. She's currently working on a documentary film that captures the story of Australian veterans in the Korean War.

"DTP training has not only opened my eyes to the particular vulnerabilities certain groups of people face in Asia-Pacific, but also reminded me as to why this work is vital... The training was intensive for all the right reasons – it was one of the most practical learning experiences I have ever had."

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]

ASIA

DTP congratulates Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso on her appointment as Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. Aileen participated in DTP’s annual program in 1997.

FIJI

Nalini Singh, leader of The Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre have called for the repealing of the current Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act because of its discriminatory impact on married women.

Photo of solar power panels in field in Assam. Credit: Indigenous Rights Monitor

INDIA

Dilip Chakma shares the latest issue of Indigenous Rights Monitor with updates on Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Madhya Pradesh, and India’s UPR.

Photo of Waheed Ahmad. Credit: Waheed Ahmad

PAKISTAN

Waheed Ahmad shares details of lynching of man accused of blasphemy during rally for former president Imran Khan.

Flyer for Climate litigation and permit evaluation, two initiatives for the sake of Papua's customary forests panel discussion. Credit: Greenpeace Indonesia

INDONESIA

Franky Butar Butar participated in the Greenpeace Indonesia panel discussion, Climate litigation and permit evaluation - two initiatives to save Papua's endangered customary forests.

WATCH HERE

Flyer for John Kennedy Bingham Memorial Series webinars. Credit: MFA

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA joins NGOs demanding the dropping of charges against journalist Nguyen Lan Thang or allowing public attendance at his trial READ MORE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA In preparation of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, People’s Migration Challenges schedules two discussion sessions on 16 and 30 May REGISTER HERE

FORUM-ASIA invites applications for the 2023 ASEAN Human Rights Advocacy Academy: four interactive sessions online over two weeks in June 2023, and live Jakarta 1-14 July APPLY HERE

A woman holds up a sign during a protest on Dec. 6, 2022 outside the Senayan legislative complex in Jakarta, after the House of Representatives approved the new criminal code (KUHP) that bans sex outside marriage, unmarried cohabitation, insulting the president, and expressing views contrary to the national ideology. Credit: Reuters/Willy Kurniawan

NEWS FROM THE REGION

INDONESIA New penal code adopted by House of Representatives criminalising “moral offenses” will breach Indonesia’s women’s human rights obligations says ICJ READ MORE

NEPAL The Indigenous Media Foundation is taking part in the campaign around the international decade of Indigenous languages on its Indigenous TV web site VIEW HERE

MYANMAR Swedish company withdraws from hydropower dam project because of junta’s human rights abuses READ MORE

LAOS HRW and Amnesty call for immediate investigation into shooting of young political activist Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom in Vientiane following his medical evacuation out of Laos READ MORE HERE and HERE

AUSTRALIA Indigenous Australians file complaint against 20 pension funds for investing in Santos Barossa and Narrabri gas projects claiming threat to culture and livelihood READ MORE

MYANMAR UPDATES Indonesia, Singapore alarmed as shots fired in Myanmar at diplomats, aid group LINK; How Much Longer Can Myanmar’s Villages Withstand Junta’s Onslaught? LINK; Military violence in Myanmar is worsening amid fierce resistance and international ambivalence LINK NUG Union Minister for Human Rights H.E. Aung Myo Min met with MPs at the Australian Parliament LINK

The Knotted Gun sculpture at UN New York. Credit: UN Photo

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

Special Rapporteur calls for input on Enhancing climate change legislation, support for climate change litigation and advancement of the principle of intergeneration justice, deadline 25 May READ MORE

Special Rapporteur calls for input into two thematic reports: (i) outlining a vision for the future in “reinvigorating the right to development” and (ii) “the role of business in realizing the right to development in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other relevant international human rights instruments”, deadline 9 June READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation calls for input for his report to UNGA on "The rights to water and sanitation as a tool for peace, prevention and cooperation", deadline 26 May READ MORE

NGO applications for ECOSOC status, deadline 1 June HOW TO APPLY

RESOURCES

National Human Rights Commission of Nepal: Report on the Human Rights Situation of Migrant Workers READ THE REPORT

OHCHR: Fact Sheet No. 6 (Rev. 4): Enforced Disappearances READ MORE

A Compilation of UN Treaty Body Jurisprudence, Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, and the Advice of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Volume IX READ MORE

EVENTS

Aung Myo Min will speak at the “Is Peace and Democracy Possible in Myanmar?” and will be awarded the Sydney Peace Foundation Gold Medal for Human Rights on 2 June REGISTER HERE

Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment, 13-14 June READ MORE

Global Launch of IOM’s Labour Migration Process Mapping Guide for Businesses, 23 May REGISTER HERE

UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum - Asia and the Pacific: From Commitment to Action 6-9 June REGISTER HERE

Call for applications for UPR Info Pre-session in advance of the 44th UPR Working Group. Countries include Bangladesh and Tuvalu. Some scholarships available, deadline 31 May READ MORE, APPLY TO ATTEND and SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Canadian International Development Research Centre invites organisations to present concept notes on “Reclaiming Civic Space to Confront the Climate Emergency” deadline 26 May READ MORE and APPLY

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 #173 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