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DTP - BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENTS 1990 - 2020

Recognising International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August this issue focuses on actions and activities by Indigenous human rights defenders in addressing the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. We also forward an appeal for support and solidarity by DTP’s partners in Lebanon, Insan Association and Caritas Lebanon who are addressing the humanitarian crisis in Beirut following the terrible explosion there. DTP’s thoughts are with them.

For updated news, advice and human rights related action on COVID-19 pandemic please see the dedicated DTP web page. Please follow DTP’s socials and visit our website.

Best wishes and good luck,

Patrick Earle
Executive Director

A variety of vegetables Ae Thoo and her friends gathered from rotational farm and community forest; Photo Credit: Phnom Thano, Indigenous Media Network (IMN)
NEWS FROM DTP PARTNER ORGANISATIONS

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

SOLIDARITY IN ACTION FROM DTP ALUMNI

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 Indigenous women sitting talking
Nepal

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.

READ MORE
Photo of migrant constructions workers in Singapore
Singapore

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.

READ MORE
Screenshot of presenters from the report launch of Hate Speech in Sotuheast Asia: New Forms, Old Rules
Southeast Asia

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.

READ MORE
Bangladesh

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.

READ MORE
NHRIs

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. .

READ MORE
Photo of Rut M. Ohoiwutun
Alumni Profile: Rut M. Ohoiwutun

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…"

READ MORE
Photo of Thingreiphi Lungharwo
Solidarity Selfie: Thingreiphi Lungharwo

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.

WATCH HERE
NEWS FROM THE REGION

CAMBODIA Chhorn Phalla a member of the Tampuan Indigenous group has been summoned to a court hearing after a complaint was filed against him following his attempt to expose forest destruction condoned by local authorities. READ MORE

AUSTRALIA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including children as young as 10, are the most disproportionately imprisoned peoples in the world, David Dungay Jr died in custody in 2015 saying to the prison guards holding him, “I can’t breathe”. The Black Lives Matter Movement has resulted in street protests and renewed calls for meaningful change. READ MORE

GLOBAL An new global Indigenous Peoples organisation has been launched, Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI). DTP trainer and former partner Joan Carling is one of the founding leaders. READ MORE

UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples logo
STATEMENTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD'S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

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
NEWS FROM THE UN

PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY The UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights has published General Comment No. 37 on Article 21 of the ICCPR, the right of peaceful assembly. READ THE COMMENT

TREATY BODIES REVIEW The NGO submission to the review recommends increased funding and the provision of sufficIent staff to enable the Treaty Bodies to fulfil their missions, better coordination, and General Assembly condemnation of governments interfering with the work of the Treaty Bodies. READ THE SUBMISSION

LEBANON APPEALS

DTP would like to express solidarity with the people of Lebanon and sympathy for the tragic loss of life from the explosion. Two of DTP’s partners in Lebanon have opened appeals to provides shelter and services to migrants and refugees.

  • Appeal from INSAN
  • Appeal from Caritas Lebanon
DTP's 2019 Annual Report cover

DTP's 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Report is out now.

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.

Participants on DTP's 2019 Regional Workshop on Ethical Business and Recruitment Practices, Dubai
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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

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