THAILAND Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) is one of 28 organisations promoting Indigenous food sovereignty. AIPP highlights how the Karen Indigenous peoples take care of and gather food from the forest to sustain the community during the Covid-19 lock down in Thailand. READ HERE

CAMBODIA AIPP joined 30 civil society organisations from around the world calling on key governments to pressure the Cambodian government on the deteriorating human rights situation there. READ THE STATEMENT

SRI LANKA FORUM-ASIA joined international human rights organisations, including fellow DTP partner Front Line Defenders, calling on the Sri Lankan government to stop arresting, threatening, and intimidating critics and human rights defenders. READ THE STATEMENT

GLOBAL Migrant Forum in Asia, the Cross Regional Center for Refugees and Migrants and others are organising a series of 23 weekly review discussions on progress on the Global Compact for Migration objectives.Series starts 1 September. FIND OUT MORE

Indigenous peoples with disabilities face even greater challenges than others in the Covid-19 pandemic. Pratima Gurung describes how difficult it is to abide by the lock down regulations. She insists that Indigenous peoples must be included in the response to Covid-19.

Every time that migrant workers have protested against their treatment in Singapore in the past, the public expressed support but this did not stop migrants being penalized. Jolovan Wham describes the current controversy over the plight of migrants in the context of Covid-19 and sees some signs of change.

Nukila Evanty, Executive Director, Women Working Group, Indonesia, helped to launch and lead discussion on the launch of new report Hate Speech in Southeast Asia: New Forms, Old Rules from the Asia Centre, calling for new definitions of hate speech and for technology companies to regulate their platforms.

John Tripura advises that Shashank Dhamai, the father of Binota Moy Dhamai - also a DTP trainer and alumnus and member of EMRIP and AIPP - was abducted by an army-backed Reformist group and his family threatened.

National Human Rights Institutions have a key role in advising governments and exposing abuses during the Covid-19 pandemic notes Surya Deuja. However, they need necessary resources and technical support from governments and international institutions in order to fulfil their mission. .

Rut, an anthropology graduate, was a volunteer at Yayasan Anak Dusun Papua (YADUPA) working with Indigenous Papuan youth. After participating in the DTP training she was employed in lobbying and advocacy, using debating, writing, public speaking and storytelling to preserve and promote Papuan culture.

"I learned how we as human rights defenders could help people and governments to find solutions…"

Thingreiphi is working with the Mountain Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Ukhrul, India.She describes the challenges facing rural communities as they attempt to accommodate returning workers and curb the spread of COVID-19.

On the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August UN agencies and DTP partners have highlighted the ways Indigenous peoples at great risk during the pandemic are contributing to overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19. 

• UN Secretary-General READ HERE
  
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights READ HERE
  
• UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) READ MORE
  
• Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Secretary General Gam A. Shimray READ HERE
  

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One of DTP's strengths is you, our alumni and networks. As we see the Covid-19 pandemic spreading and the different responses of government, business and communities, you have never been more important in communicating impacts, and enabling/driving solidarity, action and accountability. If you have news, opinion pieces, resources or examples of best practice to share, or have questions on human rights and Covid-19, please send them to us at [email protected]. Please stay safe.

Issue #108 August 2020

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