We are continuing with a series of contributions by human rights experts on the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration. In this issue we link to an article by Sydney academic, Tim Anderson, called The Political Economy of Human Rights. In it he highlights the important distinctions between formal (human and legal) rights and effective (individual and social) rights and argues that in Asia the social character of rights has been a feature of debates around rights since the 1993 Bangkok NGO Declaration. READ MORE

This issue we include a profile on alumnus Sushil Pyakurel, provide information about Australia's upcoming Constitutional Referendum, report on the 31st Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy training program and news from alumni, partners, the region and the UN.

This year Australians will be asked to vote to recognise Indigenous peoples in the Australian Constitution and to establish a constitutionally protected “First Nations Voice” (The Voice) to advise the Australian Parliament and government on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  

The rights of Australia’s Indigenous peoples, its First Nations, have been a priority focus for DTP since its establishment by José Ramos-Horta and Professor Garth Nettheim in 1990.  DTP has alumni in over 50 countries, and partners across Asia and the Pacific. 

I will be voting Yes when we get the chance on October 14^th, and with DTP alumni and friends, I look forward to continuing to work with First Nations advocates and allies in promoting human rights and the rights of Indigenous peoples in Australia and beyond. The hope is that the generosity of spirit they show can be reciprocated.

The Irish poet Seamus Heaney has talked of moments “when hope and history rhyme”. I hope that October 14th will be such a moment.

DTP's 31st Annual Human Rights and Peoples' Diplomacy training program in Timor-Leste concluded last Friday. The 24 participants, from 10 countries, had sessions on the UN system and mechanisms, the rights of women, LGBTQI+, children and disability, video advocacy and had the chance to hear from activists working on the ground both in the region and in Timor-Leste.

Highlights included a keynote address by HE Aung Myo Min, Human Rights Minister of Myanmar's NUG Government (READ MORE) and a human rights masterclass by Timor-Leste's President and DTP Founder José Ramos Horta at the Presidency. DTP alumni training on the course included Nelson Santos and Gaspar Afonso. A report will follow shortly.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS EXCHANGE AND TRAINING: AIPP, in partnership with DTP, is organising this program in Nepal, 3-7 September. More information to follow.

3rd ASIA-PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FORUM over 200 EHRDs from across Asia and the Pacific will gather in person from Wednesday, 20 September to Thursday, 21 September 2023 with an additional workshop on Procedural Environmental Rights on Friday, 22 September 2023. The theme of this year’s Forum is Strengthening Protection through Data Collection. SEE THE AGENDA

CHILD RIGHTS AND THE NEW GENERAL COMMENT WEBINAR SERIES: The Committee of the Rights of the Child released a new General Comment on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change. A new webinar series in partnership with ALHR and YLA on the General Comment is coming soon. READ THE GENERAL COMMENT and READ COMMENTARY BY CHILD RIGHTS EXPERT NOAM PELEG

ASIA DEMOCRACY NETWORK'S ASIA DEMOCRACY ASSEMBLY 2023: 20-22 November, Bangkok. FIND OUT MORE DTP is working with ADN and others for a focus on human rights capacity building, Indigenous peoples rights and the role of parliamentarians and a focus on UDHR 75 and is inviting EOIs from DTP alumni to attend. EMAIL EOI TO [email protected] If you are interested to participate in a workshop to reflect and review human rights capacity building in Asia please email EOI to [email protected]

UDHR @ 75: DTP ASIAN ALUMNI WORKSHOP/TRAINING - 26-27 JUNE 2023: DTP’s first workshop with DTP alumni in Asia took place in Bangkok from 26-27 June, with 28 alumni from 10 countries and DTP partners, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). FORUM-ASIA was also well represented by its Chair (Jerald Joseph) and Executive Director(Aileen Balcaso), both DTP alumni. READ MORE

UDHR @ 75: DTP PACIFIC ALUMNI WORKSHOP/TRAINING - 8-9 JUNE 2023: DTP alumni from Fiji, Papua New Guinea/Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Tonga gathered in Nadi, Fiji to reflect on DTP’s contribution to human rights movements, discuss the current context and priority needs for human rights movements, and building DTP’s alumni networks. READ MORE

BANGKOK AND VIENNA+30 CONFERENCE: Human rights advocates from across Asia, including DTP alumni and trainers, gathered in Bangkok on 28-30 June to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bangkok NGO Declaration and the subsequent Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. READ THE BANGKOK COMMITMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA

DTP ALUMNI - NETWORKING SURVEY: DTP recently surveyed its alumni on networking. A big thanks to the 250 plus alumni who responded. We are working on the report to share and will invest more in supporting alumni networking.

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 expresses concern at the detention and disappearance of human rights defender, lawyer Lu Siwei arrested by Lao authorities on his way to Thailand READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA among NGOs condemning the burning of churches and violence against Christians in Punjab and the lack of protection provided by law enforcement agencies READ MORE

FORUM-ASIA joint statement on the continued use of the Anti-Terrorism Act to harass human rights defenders and the appeal lodged against a judgement exonerating ten of them READ MORE

THAILAND After a four-year struggle, human rights activists Thanaporn Saleephol, Puttanee Kangkun and Angkhana Neelapaijit have been found not guilty of defaming chicken company Thammakaset READ MORE

AUSTRALIA Queensland government passes new laws through parliament allowing children to be locked up in adult prisons and watch houses for the next three years READ MORE

MYANMAR Fortify Rights documents junta officials’ application of National Verification Card regulation to classify Rohingyas as foreigners and deny them citizenship READ MORE

THAILAND Manushya submission to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on Extractive Sector, Just Transition and Human Rights showing that Thailand is not doing enough to stop climate change READ MORE

CAMBODIA LICADHO condemns arrests of 10 Koh Kong Land Activists for attempting to travel to Phnom Penh to deliver petition against land-grabbing READ MORE

BANGLADESH Front Line Defenders condemns harassment by the Chittagong University of academic activist and human rights defender Maidul Islam for expressing criticism of the government READ MORE

Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights: New Sanctions Research Platform on sanctions, and/or their human rights impact READ MORE

RESOURCES

OHCHR video research guide on UN Special Procedures WATCH THE VIDEO

EVENTS

Geneva for Human Rights: Course on the Human Rights Council, international human rights and humanitarian law, international procedures and diplomacy, deadline 14 September READ MORE, SEE THE PROGRAM and APPLY HERE