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 a think piece by John Pace, “The Evolution of the International Architecture for the Protection of Human Rights since Vienna”. His purpose “is to underline the ever-widening gap between rhetoric in the meeting room and reality on the ground, which Vienna attempted to address”. John was the Secretary of the Conference, and was until recently on the Board of DTP. READ MORE

Alumni have shared about the escalation of violence in Manipur India as well as the fallout from the devastation wrecked by Cyclone Mocha through Myanmar. In this issue we share statements by DTP partners FORUM-ASIA and AIPP and the UN on the situations. We also include a profile on alumna Nayela Akter, and news from alumni, partners, the region and the UN.

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. The Pacific event will be held 8-9 June, with the Asia event late June/early July. To register interest in participating in either of these events, please contact [email protected]

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: 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 70+ applications. 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]

FORUM-ASIA and CIVICUS strongly condemn Cambodia’s National Election Committee’s decision to bar the opposition Candlelight Party from participating in the July election READ MORE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT and Indigenous Women Forum of Northeast India (IWFNEI) condemn the Ongoing Violence in Manipur READ MORE FORUM-ASIA calls for resumption of access to internet following the eruption of religious violence in Manipur, India READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA marked last week's International Week Of The Disappeared, sharing stories from all across Asia, highlighting the urgent need for truth, justice and accountability for this grave violation of human rights READ MORE

CAMBODIA Amnesty International, HRW and ACTU call for the immediate release of Casino Union leader Chhim Sithar and eight colleagues for protesting and striking against mass dismissals READ MORE

AUSTRALIA HRW calls on government to honour election pledges it made on human rights related to climate change, justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and asylum seekers and refugees READ MORE

PAKISTAN South Asians for Human Rights condemns the National Security Council of Pakistan support of military trials of civilians involved in recent political protests READ MORE

THAILAND APHR welcomes outcome of recent election and urges Thai authorities to respect the result READ MORE

CAMBODIA Farmers supported by NGOs protest and demand the release of three senior staff of farmers’ association READ MORE

AUSTRALIA Australian Human Rights Institute submission to the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum highlights Australia’s human rights treaty obligations READ THE SUBMISSION University of NSW which hosts DTP, joins sporting organisations in support of enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution READ MORE and UNSW public & human rights law experts Gabrielle Appleby, Sean Brennan, Paul Kildea, Lucas Lixinski & Justine Nolan launched @referendumQandA a Twitter account answering questions on the upcoming Voice referendum READ MORE

CAMBODIA / THAILAND Democracy activist Kitiyano Bounsuan assassinated in eastern Thailand days before he was due to seek refuge in Australia READ MORE

Nominations are called for: Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members; Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, member from Asia-Pacific States – deadline 13 June READ MORE

Survey: 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Defining OHCHR’s strategic direction for 2024-2027, deadline 15 June TAKE THE SURVEY

Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development 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