Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna

DTP alumna and trainer Sumitha Shaanthinnni Kishna is the Founding Director of Our Journey, a civil society organisation advocating for an internationally compliant migration system and migrant rights in Malaysia. Sumitha is also the Chairperson of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), DTP’s key partner in Asia driving migrant rights advocacy initiatives globally with memberships across 22 countries in Asia

A lawyer and human rights defender, Sumitha first participated in a DTP migrant workers’ rights program in 2014 in Dubai, while she was employed with Bar Council Malaysia.

“The DTP training was an eye opener for me as it introduced me to the intricacies of the UN system and alternative legal mechanisms to champion migrant rights beyond the traditional court system.”

Sumitha said that DTP played a pivotal role in expanding her professional networks along different migration corridors and with migrant rights advocates in many different countries.

“In 2014, I met many participants in the DTP training from the countries which send migrant workers in Malaysia. Since that training many of us have kept in touch and advanced our network to lodge cross border strategic litigations to protect migrant workers’ rights.”

DTP’s program included content on how to use the UN in advocacy strategies – and the way that processes could like the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Treaty Body Reporting could be used collaboratively by advocates working together across borders.

“The training was instrumental in disseminating knowledge and advocacy techniques on using the UPR, UN Special Procedures and cross border litigations among others.”

Following the DTP training, Sumitha contributed to Malaysia’s UPR and attended Human Rights Council meetings in Geneva during the review of Malaysia’s record.

“After recognizing the importance of UPR process in DTP training, I proactively sought opportunities for engagement, requesting support from MFA to participate in these critical discussions. As a result, I gained valuable insights into the UN process, and enhanced my ability to advocate effectively for migrant workers’ rights.”

Since that first DTP training Sumitha has returned to DTP as a valued trainer – and also as an organiser and facilitator of key DTP courses.

“I enjoy being part of DTP training. DTP trainings are interactive where participants too play an active role. These training are oriented towards solving real problems.”

Sumitha’s commitment and passion includes totally free pro bono legal support to migrant workers needing assistance in Malaysia, motivating others to take up cases of injustice as well.

Sumitha’s roots are from Sri Lanka where her ancestors migrated to Malaysia in the early 20th century. Sumitha is the 3rd generation Malaysian wherein her grandparents were also born in Malaysia.

Sumitha’s own journey of working for equality and justice was inspired by the legacy of her grandmother (mother’s mother), who defied societal norms to ensure equal education for all children especially women, in her family. Her grandmother, who herself was uneducated and married off at the age of 16, broke the long tradition in the family that girl children were not to be educated and instead married off young. Her grandmother educated all three of her girls to become professionals along with her son, while also providing accommodation to countless relatives’ girl children to stay with her and be educated.

That early influence laid the foundation for Sumitha’s commitment to championing the rights of others. Growing up in Malaysia, she saw discrimination and treatment of migrant workers as one of the most urgent and pressing human rights challenges for Malaysian society.

Through her work in Malaysia and with MFA, Sumitha is committed to building networks and collaborations to make and sustain change, and leads by example.