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We are continuing with our series of contributions on new human rights challenges and new developments affecting political, economic, social and environmental changes in the 21st Century and what these mean for human rights and capacity building. We invite our readers and alumni to contribute.

In 2014, the U.N. Human Rights Council established an open-ended working group to develop “an international legally binding instrument to regulate, in international human rights law, the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises.” We re-publish a commentary on the threats and opportunities facing the proposal: The Proposed Business and Human Rights Treaty: Four Challenges and an Opportunity

DTP’s 25th Anniversary Exhibition of Posters featuring DTP alumni and work

For DTP’s 25th Anniversary, UNSW Faculty of Law prepared an exhibition of posters featuring DTP alumni from the region, highlighting their work for Indigenous Peoples, Migrant Workers, Human Rights and Sustainable Development and on the human rights responsibilities of business.

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. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible. Please send your donation to DTP now online, or by credit card or EFT with this donation form

DTP Programs: 2016 Draft Schedule

2016 Program Location/

February Oxfam – 3rd Module: Rights and Advocacy - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Program

Sydney

Feb 18 – March 5, 2016

25th Annual Regional Human Rights Defenders Program Colombo/Kandy

DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM E-NEWSLETTER July No 61 Email: dtp@unsw.edu.au | Website: www.dtp.unsw.edu.au | Phone: +61 2 9385 3549 | Fax: +61 2 9385 1778

Recipient of the Sir Ron Wilson Human Rights Award 2015

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March 1-4, 2016 The Human Rights of Migrant Workers –Bangladesh – 2nd Module

Dhaka

April 11- 15, 2016 Oxfam – 4th Module: Rights and Advocacy - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Program

Sydney

April 27-29, 2016 2nd Regional GCC Program on Human Rights, Migrant Workers and the Private Sector

Dubai

May 3-6 The Human Rights of Migrant Workers –Bangladesh – 3rd Module

Dhaka

May 1 DTP’s Alumni in Bangladesh – Review, Reflection and Planning

Dhaka

May 28 – June 4th Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, the Private Sector and Development

Indonesia

June 1 DTP’s Alumni in Indonesia – Review, Reflection and Planning

Indonesia

August 2-5 DTP Workshop at ASEAN APF/ASCSC DTP Alumni Session and Program on UPR and Timor Leste

Timor Leste

August 22-25 The Human Rights of Migrant Workers –Bangladesh – 4th Module

Dhaka

August 26 DTP Alumni and Friends – One Day Program on Human Rights in Bangladesh and the UPR

Dhaka

August DTP’s Alumni in Bangladesh – 2nd Meeting

Dhaka

September Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples Rights and Advocacy Darwin / TBC

October 20-24 The Human Rights of Migrant Workers – MENA Region Doha (TBC)

November The Human Rights of Migrant Workers –Bangladesh – 5th Module

Dhaka

November 3rd Regional GCC Program on Human Rights, Migrant Workers and the Private Sector

Dubai

December 5-16 (TBC) DTP’s 26th Annual Regional Human Rights and Peoples Diplomacy Training Program

Timor Leste (TBC)

February 2017 DTP Australian Awards Fellowship Program Sydney/Canberra Melbourne (TBC)

Please check the DTP website for details, program information and application forms. Please send enquiries to dtp@unsw.edu.au

Reports The 2015 DTP Annual Report

From May 28 – June 04 2016, DTP held a regional capacity building program on Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, the Private Sector and Development in Indonesia. The program built the knowledge and skills of 33 human rights defenders and community advocates from 11 countries in promoting and protecting their

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human rights in the context of rapid economic development and the impact of the private sector on the lands and livelihoods of Indigenous peoples and others. The 8-day program encouraged participants to learn from each other, share knowledge and build practical solidarity networks.

Final report of2014/15 Sri Lanka Capacity Building for Advocacy for Migrant Workers and Safe Migration and Summary Report of Module 5 (November 2015)

Report of 2015 Myanmar Regional Program on Human Rights, Business and Development

Building Civil Society Capacity for Advocacy for Migrant Workers and Safe Migration: The Diplomacy Training Program in partnership with Migrant Forum Asia with WARBE, RMMRU – Draft Report Bangladesh Module 1 and Module 2

Regional Workshop on Ethical Business and Recruitment Practices in Labour Migration, Dubai, UAE April 26-29

3rd Module of Bangladesh – Capacity Building Program for Advocacy for Migrant Workers and Safe Migration May 3-6, 2016

Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, the Private Sector and Development Regional Capacity Building Program Bandung, Indonesia , May 28 – June 4, 2016

Petition to the UN: Protect the human rights of women and girls everywhere

Take action, Philippines: Assassination of Ms. Gloria Capitan

From Francis Solomantine in Dubai: Training to educate labourers of their rights

From Subash Mohapatra in India: The Orissa High Court has directed the Registrar to initiate proceedings against Sundargarh district collector for filing a false affidavit in connection with a land acquisition case

Abrar Chowdhury from Bangladesh, a trainer on multiple DTP Programs has written two articles on the occasion of a Day of Solidarity with the Victims of Torture

From Dilshan Weerasinghe in Sri Lanka: Kuwait sets minimum wage for maids in first for Gulf

We have received this statement from Lita Sarmento, DTP alumna and trainer, on behalf of civil society organizations in preparation for the Peoples’ Forum in Timor Leste in August.

From Yuyun Wahyuningrum: Thailand - Detention and prosecution of 13 activists for campaigning to vote ‘No’ in constitution referendum

UN Volunteers to Launch New Service Allowing People to Volunteer Online

Actionaid: Privatisation in Education and Human Rights Consortium Coordinator (applications close 29 July)

Article 19: Law Programme Internships

Myanmar Quaker International Affairs Representative (applications close 27 July)

DTP Advisory Council member Pat Walsh, former Secretary of CAVR, East Timor and former Human Rights Director, Australian Council for Overseas Aid, has a new book out, Stormy With a Chance of Fried Rice: Twelve Months in Jakarta an account of his experiences while editing an Indonesian edition of Chega.

New data resource on Cambodia’s Indigenous Communities

UN System Chart

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The Human Rights Defender is a human rights magazine published by the AHR Centre featuring articles, commentary, art and photographs across a broad range of contemporary human rights issues

Philip Alston and Sarah Knuckey (eds): The Transformation of Human Rights Fact-Finding

Patrick Lombaia from Papua New Guinea is an alumnus from the DTP 2016 Indigenous Rights Program. Patrick works for Papua New Guinea Mining Watch which aims to protect the rights of Indigenous people in the context of extractive industries operating in Papua New Guinea.

Yulia Sri Sukapti from Indonesia is an alumna from the DTP 2014 Program in Myanmar. She participated in the DTP 2016 Indigenous Rights Program as a trainer.

Leonare Biau Nainoka from Fiji is an alumnus of DTP programs in 2010 and 2016. Leonare is with the Social Empowerment and Education Program in Fiji which works on behalf of communities affected by mining companies.

Thura from Myanmar is an alumnus of a DTP Program in Myanmar and was selected as a DTP Fellow for 2015. He works for the Football for Social Cohesion and Grassroots Peace and Reconciliation project.

Human Rights and Business Report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business

enterprises on the Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights

Cambodia: Kampong Speu families offered redress in Phnom Penh Sugar dispute

75 signatures endorse Sustainable Garment and Textile Sector agreement to include such countries as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Turkey

Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Improving accountability and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuse

Report highlights new prospects for holding corporations accountable for human rights impacts of climate change

Philippines: Supreme Court suspends operations of 5 mining firms in Zambales pending resolution of environmental and livelihood complaints brought by residents

OECD Watch: Dutch NCP has accepted for further examination an OECD Guidelines complaint filed against Heineken and Japanese NCP accepts complaint against ITOCHU and J-Power

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights UN overrides Indigenous peoples’ internal process for nomination of Expert from Asia to the Permanent

Forum. Letter to ECOSOC President urging the President to give due respect to the consultation processes of the Indigenous peoples in Asia

Migrant Workers’ Rights Non-aligned movement (NAM) taking up the cause of Migrant women workers

Malaysia becoming death camp for migrant workers

A new ILO report reviews the scale and causes of deaths among migrant Nepali workers over the last seven years

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Sri Lanka to use specialized companies for recruitment of migrant workers to Saudi Arabia

Agreement for social security for migrant workers from Nepal in Oman

South Asia 'shares blame' for Gulf migrant abuses

Despite a promised change in the law, migrant workers in Qatar are still being ruthlessly exploited

Nepal – Labour Minister Says Recruitment Agencies Are Ripping Off Workers

Nepali Ambassador to Malaysia accused of shielding illegally operating visa processing companies

Women’s rights Taking global gender commitments forward: making humanitarian action work for women and girls

UN Women Asia-Pacific - Interactive Annual Report 2015

Historic UN vote: Human Rights Council creates a Special Expert to help protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people around the world

UN experts call for a New Urban Agenda based on human rights for every one

UPR

FIDH: “Singapore Government’s response to UN periodic review a major setback for human rights”

Reminder: Deadline for stakeholder submissions on India, Indonesia and Philippines, 22 September 2016

ISHR Recommendations: Towards a UPR which is accessible, strong, effective and protective

Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living report

on her visit to India

ESCR Committee statement: Public debt, austerity measures and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Development 2030 Development Goals: “No one should be left behind, and no human right ignored” (Statement by Ms.

Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing; Mr. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty; Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on food; Mr. Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights; Mr. Dainius Puras, Special Rapporteur on health; Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples; Mr. Léo Heller, Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation; Ms. Virginia Dandan, Independent Expert on international solidarity; and Ms. Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on violence against women; Mr. Pavel Sulyandziga, Working Group on Business and Human Rights)

Joint NGO statement: World Bank Group and other banks' responsibility to ensure meaningful and effective participation

The World Bank should champion human rights

Rejecting the World Bank’s false choice between rights and development

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) First report card maps out scope of undertaking to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

ASEAN Youth Forum 2016, Cambodia: “Advancing Youth Roles in leading ASEAN” (applications open)

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Australia Tim Soutphommasane, Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner: “Pauline Hanson might be back, but

Australia has moved on”

Radioactive Waste and the Nuclear War on Australia's Aboriginal People

Human Rights Awards nominations open

A report on 25 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Australia

Burma/Myanmar NGO Statement: Myanmar Must Investigate Destruction of Religious Buildings

Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Organizations submit concern letter to World Bank on Bangladesh Regional Connectivity

Project (Chittagong Hill Tracts)

Odhikar: Six-Month Human Rights Monitoring Report

Government to acquire 9,145 acres of land in Modhupur

Cambodia Cambodian activist Kem Ley shot dead in Phnom Penh

UN Human Rights Council Puts Cambodia on Notice

China Front Line Defenders: Ongoing arbitrary detention of 78 year old human rights defender and wife for three

years

India From Ravi Nair (DTP International Advisory Council member) in India: Citizens’ statement on Kashmir

Indonesia The Practice of Torture: Business As Usual in Papua

ELSAM Press Statement: International Justice Day 2016: Indonesia Should Immediately Implement A Comprehensive Justice For Victims

Papua rights abuses under the spotlight

Nepal South Asians for Human Rights Press Statement: South Asian Peace Mission in Nepal, 11 – 13 July 2016

Philippines

Change of course needed for President Duterte’s first 100 days in office

The CHR has emphasized its commitment to investigate human rights violations against any individual, including suspected criminals

Thailand Acting Regional Representative of the UN Human Rights for South-East Asia, Laurent Meillan, meets with

prominent Thai human rights defenders Somchai Homlaor and Pornpen Khongkachonkiet of the Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)

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Vietnam Violent Wave against Vietnamese Activists Continues, One Retired Teacher Suffers Heavy Injuries

July 2016 E Newsletter compiled, edited and designed by André Frankovits and Patrick Earle

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