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 include a document “The Long Road from Vienna” produced by the NGO, Asian Cultural Forum on Development Foundation in preparation for the Asia Pacific Conference on Human Rights: Bangkok and Vienna +30 Review on 28-30 June. The document outlines the human rights challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region. READ MORE

Last week DTP began its F2F consultations with alumni in the Pacific, reflecting on DTP’s contribution to human rights movements, program priorities and building DTP alumni networks. We are reaching out to alumni through a short survey this week. Your input will help guide our future work. Please look out for the survey.

In this issue we include a profile on alumna Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, and news from alumni, partners, the region and the UN.

DTP PACIFIC ALUMNI WORKSHOP/TRAINING - 8-10 JUNE 2023

Working with PIANGO and CCF (Fiji), DTP organised a workshop in Fiji with DTP alumni from Fiji, Papua New Guinea/Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Tonga. Over two days DTP alumni from the 1990s through to the 2020’s reflected on the value of DTP’s contribution to their work for human rights, discussed the current context and priority needs for human rights advocacy training, and building DTP’s alumni networks. Following the workshop DTP Trainers Joshua Cooper and Arul Prakkash, led training updates on the UPR, treaty body reporting, VNRs and VLRs, and video advocacy. DTP valued the involvement of its International Advisory Council member, Lopeti Senipuli and his insights from many years working on human rights and democracy issues in the Pacific. A full report will follow.

DTP PROGRAMS

DTP ALUMNI WORKSHOPS: ASIA: Following the Pacific alumni workshop, DTP’s Asia alumni workshop will be held in Bangkok on 26-27 June in Bangkok to reflect on DTP's programs and strategise future program priorities and strengthening of DTP networks. To register interest in participating, please email [email protected]

IMPLEMENTING THE RIGHT TO FREE PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT: In partnership with Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact. The first two online modules of this special online program for EU representatives in Asia, Europe and Africa were completed on 7 and 8 June. The final two modules will be delivered on 13 and 14 June.

MYANMAR DIASPORA HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY IN ASEAN: The focus was on ASEAN’s responsibility to respond to the growing human rights crisis in Myanmar, and the role of ASEAN civil society advocacy in solidarity with the democracy movement in Myanmar. With IHRP, Mahidol, FORUM-ASIA, Migrant Forum in Asia, AltASEAN, HRDF and WITNESS. READ THE REPORT

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

ALUMNI PROFILE: MARY AILEEN DIEZ-BACALSO

Originally from Cebu, southern Philippines, Aileen is the new Executive Director of DTP partner FORUM-ASIA. Aileen has been a leader of human rights advocacy in Asia for many years, with a focus on enforced “disappearances”. Aileen’s very personal experience of human rights violations in the Philippines deepened her determination to end human rights violations – and to defend those defending rights. Her participation in a DTP course in the 1990s helped her at an important time.

"This mutual learning process from the co-students was very important because the students were involved in day-to-day human rights advocacy work. And that was important to combine theory and practice."

Photo of Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso. Credit: FORUM-ASIA

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 Aung Myo Min and Susan Banki Q&A following keynote at the Is Peace and Democracy Possible in Myanmar event in sydney. Credit: Joy Kyriacou/Twitter

MYANMAR NUG HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER’S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

During the NUG's Human Rights Minister (and former DTP trainer/partner) U Aung Myo Min's successful first visit to Australia, he was awarded the Sydney Peace Foundation Gold Medal for Human Rights on 2 June. As part of the ceremony, he gave the keynote at the “Is Peace and Democracy Possible in Myanmar?”. Minister U Aung Myo Min’s visit built important community and political support for the human rights and democracy movement in Myanmar.

LISTEN TO THE KEYNOTE

Jonathan Mesulam delivering an intervention at the 28th session of the ISA. Credit: Jonathan Mesulam

PAPUA NEW GUINEA / OCEANIA

Jonathan Mesulam delivered an intervention on Deep Sea Mining (DSM) on behalf of Greenpeace International and the communities from the Pacific, highlighting the issue of Free Prior Informed Consent and Small Island Developing States at the March session on the International Seabed Authority. This issue will be taken up at the next session in July.

Migrant workers cross the Moei River to enter Thailand from Myanmar. Credit: Visarut Sankham / IOM 2018.

MYANMAR / THAILAND

ILO includes article on its website written by Tuang describing the plight of migrants workers facing administrative obstacles in Thailand.

ASEAN

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights convened its 37th Meeting chaired by Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Representative of Indonesia to AICHR from 22 to 26 May in Bali, Indonesia.

MYANMAR

Alumni have shared the news that Myanmar Junta officially bans aid groups to help Mocha Victims in Arakan.

USA / JAPAN

DTP congratulates alumna Elizabeth Gamarra for her appointment as one of five young people from the USA delegated to the Y20 Summit, the youth engagement group for the G20. The delegation has launched a survey which we can use to help with the negotiations, deadline 30 June

TAKE THE SURVEY

Announcement of the US Delegation Y20 Policy Survey. Credit: Y20 US delegation

Casino Union Leader Chhim Sithar stands in front of protesters. Credit: Amnesty International

PARTNER NEWS

FORUM-ASIA condemns the conviction of Chhim Sithar and eight members of the Labor Rights Supported Union of Khmer Employees of NagaWorld after a peaceful strike over wages and the firing of workers READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA is seeking an East Asia and ASEAN Programme Officer, deadline 15 June APPLY HERE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA's 1st Migrant Women Forum Assembly was held in Indonesia on 5-7 June. Outcomes from the Assembly will be shared shortly on their social media platforms. READ MORE

Human rights lawyer Chow Hang Tung in centre of photo with pictures of candle light protest.

NEWS FROM THE REGION

HONG KONG/CHINA Human rights lawyer Chow Hang Tung convicted for refusing national security information request in “foreign agent” case goes on hunger strike in commemoration of June 4 and is punished with solitary confinement READ MORE

CAMBODIA UN ESCR Committee condemns violations of economic, social and cultural rights related to HRDs and civil society organisations, Indigenous peoples and poverty READ MORE

MYANMAR/BANGLADESH UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights calls for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazaar to be given the right to work to pay for their needs READ MORE

VIET NAM UN Secretary General condemns detention of environmental human rights defender Hoang Thi Minh Hong READ MORE

AUSTRALIA Report documents widespread human rights violations of migrants workers including underpayment of wages READ MORE

BANGLADESH Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities launches legal action against government alleging genocidal crime against minorities READ MORE

SRI LANKA Threats and intimidation against human rights lawyer Priyalal Sirisena who has filed complaint against a powerful elected official in Sri Lanka for contempt of court TAKE ACTION

AUSTRALIA Chair of EMRIP and DTP trainer Professor Megan Davis, delivering the Mabo Oration, emphasizes that only through constitutional recognition can the voice of Indigenous peoples be guaranteed READ MORE

People attending meeting in the The Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room, Palais des Nations, UN Geneva. Credit: Valentin Flauraud/AFP

UN NEWS AND CALLS TO CONTRIBUTE

Upcoming UN meetings:

16th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 17-21 July
2023 Social Forum, 2-3 November
12th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, 27-29 November

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Global Campus of Human Rights is offering a free seven weeks course “Promoting and Protecting Human Rights: a Global Overview”, from 15 June FIND OUT MORE

EVENTS

Asia Regional Pro Bono Roundtable: 'Empowering Pro Bono', online 15 June 2:30pm IST | 5pm HKT | 7pm AEST REGISTER 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 #174 June 2023

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