Bashar is a Sydney-based Arts and community cultural development specialist who works closely with culturally and linguistically diverse Middle Eastern communities in  the western suburbs of Sydney. After escaping the wars and discrimination in Iraq, Bashar utilises the transformative power of music, theatre, storytelling, poetry, and visual arts to create a positive social change.

"Lynda's session provided insights and practical techniques on how community leaders can effectively engage with politicians and inform their perspectives. That knowledge will be helpful for me to apply to my own work, recognizing its potential for making a significant impact."

Dickson Ntwiga stopped by the DTP offices during his recent first visit to Australia. Over lunch, Dickson updated the team on his work helping women migrant workers, breaking the cycle of violence against women and improving gender equality both at home in Kenya and abroad.

Agus Mahuze’s advocacy includes working with communities to preserve and promote local Indigenous cultures and languages, including through exhibitions and festivals. He shares some photos of rehearsals for next month’s cultural festival.

Following the successful meeting of DTP Pacific Island alumni in Fiji, Ursula Rakova celebrated Bougainville day on her return home, planting new mangroves in the Carteret Islands – one of the places in the global spotlight for climate induced displacement.

Wensislaus Fatubun shares UNFPII reports of regional dialogues between Indigenous Peoples and Member States, and the report of the 22nd Session to ECOSOC both of which took account of the situation of Indigenous peoples of West Papua.

Anna Lissa Galdo shares ILO report on extent and violations of the rights of domestic workers in Asia.

Peoples’ 20 issues statements on development and agriculture aimed at influencing G20 ministers ahead of G20 Summit in September.

Alumni share report from an investigation by Forensic Architecture and Greenpeace Indonesia that 57,000 hectares of Papuan forests in Boven Digoel have been cleared by the Korindo Group since 2001.

Ngankiu Kahmei shares an opinion piece explaining that the current conflict claiming lives in Manipur, North East India is complex and has a history dating back to colonial times and is deeply connected to a lack of recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights.

Dewi Kholifah Hamzah shares news of the latest US State Department’s TIP report on Malaysia – showing an improvement in Malaysia’s ranking on human rights trafficking. This rating has political and economic consequences and is keenly watched by government and activists.

Tharindu Jayawardhana's work on institutionalised censorship in Sri Lanka was reported on in Daily Mirror article.

Wensislaus Fatubun has been active in writing and speaking about the situation of West Papuans under Indonesian occupation. He shares a presentation on development under the Indonesian regime HERE, and on the impact of business practices on Indigenous West Papuans.

FORUM-ASIA documents the harassment of HRDs in the region in its report ‘Defending in Numbers: Rising Together Against All Odds’ READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA, FRONT LINE DEFENDERS, ISHR and partners on the 25th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration, ISHR invites HRDs to complete a survey READ MORE

ASIA INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PACT Secretary General Gam Shimray provides regional context for new study showing Indigenous and local communities see big gains in land rights READ MORE

MIGRANT FORUM IN ASIA: The PMC John Kennedy Bingham Memorial Series Episode 6 on Migrants' Rights and Advocacy is on this Tuesday 27 June, 9:00 AM NY / 3:00 PM Geneva / 9:00 PM Manila REGISTER HERE

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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 #176 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