PROGRAM REPORT

7th DTP Human Rights and Migrant Workers:A Capacity Building for Advocates in the Asia

Pacific

Organized in partnership with the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP),

Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), Asia Pacific Forum on National Human Rights Institutions (APF), and Serikat Buruh Migran

Indonesia (SBMI)

September 22-26, 2010Lombok, Indonesia

Executive Summary

The DTP held its 7th Human Rights and Migrant Workers training program from September 22-26, 2010 on the Island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. Holding the program in Indonesia this year was significant in several ways. Indonesia is one of the major

sending countries for migrant workers – it has vibrant civil society organizations advocating for migrant workers, and both civil society and government are helping to shape human rights discourse in the Asia Pacific region.There were 28 participants in the program from 12 countries – Burma, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste. They were of diverse age and background - from NGOs, labour unions, NHRIs, government, private law offices, and migrant workers’ organizations.

The program was organized in partnership with Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), Asia Pacific Forum on NHRIs (APF), and Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI). This partnership reflects shared commitment to building the capacity of civil society and National Human Rights Institutions to effectively advocate for migrant workers’ rights.

The program was organized along three main objectives: to build greater understanding among participants of international standards and mechanisms on migrant workers’ human rights and their capacity to engage with

human rights mechanisms and institutions; to develop strategic advocacy skills; and to forge networks and collaboration between NHRIs and civil society groups. The program also highlighted the growing importance of promoting regional cooperation on migrant workers’ rights in line with regional developments particularly in ASEAN with the establishment of the AICHR and other regional mechanisms focused on the rights of migrants and on the rights of women and children.

The program engaged participants in exploring the various challenges that migrant workers, and advocates for their rights, face across the region and enabled a rich sharing of experience and knowledge among participants and the expert trainers and facilitators who provided input. Participants were encouraged to establish their own action plans based on the content of the program and their objectives for participating. The program was positively evaluated by participants through evaluation surveys completed anonymously at the end of the program. Since the program ended there has been continuing contact and sharing among the participants.

Based on the evaluations of participants the program met its objectives. This report provides an

‘Knowledge of human rights and the UN System largely affect our work as they are the standards and guidelines in advocating and in addressing migrant worker’s issues in relation to human rights.’

‘The program is very useful. I will ask others to attend DTP training program in future if organized.’

Quotes from participants

Some of Challenges and Issues of migrant workers identified by participants:

Attitude of the government and civil society towards migrant workers and their families (fear of security threat from migrants)

Rights based approach is not popular

Migrants have a lack of knowledge of their own rights

overview of the program, what was learnt and achieved by the participants in the program, issues and challenges identified, and opportunities for further work on migrant issues at the local, regional, and international levels. Background to the Program

It is estimated that over 200 million migrant workers have left their countries and communities in search of work - around or 3% of the global population. Migration moved high on the agenda of governments and policy-makers. There is significant evidence that migrant workers are increasingly looked at as a ‘problem’, despite the economic and social contributions they make to society. This in turn contributes to the existing protection gap for migrant workers’ human rights. ‘Irregular’ or “undocumented” migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to abuse – along with women and child migrants who are more vulnerable to trafficking, forced labor, and other abusive treatment. While traditional factors such as poverty and unemployment have been identified as causes of migration, there is now recognition of the role that globalization has played in generating the ‘push and pull’ factors for migrant workers, including through widening the gaps between rich and poor. The global relocation and restructuring of production processes, shortages of skilled and unskilled labor, ageing populations and the demand for cheap labor, including domestic labour have fuelled the movement of migrant workers. Studies have confirmed a trend in the feminization of labor migration and predominance of young workers. Approximately 3 million female migrant workers remitted US$3 billion from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore in 2005 alone. Yet, there is a large disparity in wages and other benefits received by migrant domestic workers compared to national workers, and many abuses are reported and documented. There is now a growing campaign to recognize domestic work as decent work and to provide greater protection to domestic workers.

The Asia Pacific region is one of the major sources of, and destinations for, migrant workers. Malaysia is a major destination country for workers from Indonesia, Myanmar and South Asia. Some countries like Thailand have become both sending and receiving countries. The region is also the biggest recipient of remittances among developing countries. A 2010 World Bank report on the global financial crisis argues that remittances from migrant workers helped foil the crisis in Asia - citing the case of the Philippines, Vietnam and Mongolia as examples.

Remittances play an important function in securing the financial well-being of migrant workers when they return home or in providing much-needed support for the sustenance, health, and education of members of their families. The financial value of remittances from migrant workers is far greater than international aid flows and has led to a greater focus on the relationships

between labour migration and development – including how to maximize the benefits of labour migration in national development strategies. There is concern among migrant workers and their advocates that the rights of migrant workers and their families often become lost in these considerations. In a recent study by the ILO on remittances to the Mekong area from Thailand, it was found that migrant workers are unable to access cheaper and more convenient methods to send money to their families.

Labour migration involves a range of actors and stakeholders, public and private, legal and illegal. Migrant workers’ human rights usually remain at the margins of priorities. Migrant workers find themselves discriminated against in their host countries and through this discrimination more vulnerable to other abuses. Usually they do the dangerous, dirty and degrading jobs shunned by locals and for low pay, and without the usual protection of health and safety laws. Usually denied the full range of citizen rights, they can find themselves denied access to healthcare and the protection of the law.

The rights of migrant workers are recognized in international legal standards adopted by the United Nations (UN) and International Labor Organization (ILO). This year marks the 20 th

Anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families (CMW), which came into force as a core human rights standard in 2003. A continuing challenge for advocates is the low level of ratification of CMW, with only 42 ratifications to date. Indonesia has signed, but not yet ratified CMW.

Whether through lack of political will or lack of knowledge or awareness these standards do not generally guide government policy and practice. There is a yawning gap between the rights detailed in these standards and the harsh realities of life for most migrant workers. At the same time there are significant differences in the approaches of different governments – and these differences impact very directly on the lives and rights of migrant workers.

There are now a range of avenues for advocates to push migrant workers’ rights into the forefront of government priorities. Migrant worker’s NGOs and their allies in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Indonesia have pressed for changes in national law and policy, they have lobbied in relation to bilateral labour agreements between sending and receiving countries, and in intergovernmental forums such as ASEAN, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). In ASEAN, one of the most important developments is a consensus to develop a regional framework instrument on migrant workers and the formation of a migrant workers’ committee. Effective civil society advocacy has ensured that the GFMD has the rights of migrant workers on the agenda.

The UN system provides opportunities for advocates to press for consideration and action for the rights of migrant workers. The High Commissioner for Human Rights has made the rights of migrant workers a priority. The UN human rights treaty bodies have been urged to give attention to the rights of migrant workers – particularly women and children. The UN has established Special Procedures that can act on information received from NGOs. The UN’s new Universal Periodic Review also provides a process for bringing attention to the situation facing migrant workers in different countries. The ILO has developed a rights-based approach to migration, based on core labour standards, with a recent focus on developing greater labour protection for migrant domestic workers.

At the national level there is a greater appreciation of the role that National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) can play in promoting and protecting the rights of migrant workers – including through their engagement with governments – and in holding governments accountable.It is clear that there is much to gain in enabling collaboration among NHRIs and civil society organizations working for migrant workers’ rights based on their different roles, specific capacities and strengths.

Since 2004 the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) and Migrant Forum Asia (MFA) have worked to build the capacity of civil society advocates and NHRI staff to be more effective in their advocacy for migrant workers’ rights. Since 2009 there has been a formal partnership between the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), DTP and MFA to provide practical training to staff of NHRIs and NGOs, and to encourage the development of networks and working relationships between NHRIs and NGOs.

This year’s training program was a modest contribution to a dynamic movement in the region that is seeking recognition, respect, and protection of migrant workers’ human rights. The Diplomacy Training Program worked with its alumni to implement this program.

The local partner for this program was SBMI, a grassroots migrant workers’ organization that has been recognized by the ILO. Many among the leadership of SBMI are alumni of previous DTP programs.

The partnerships for this program are anchored on a shared commitment that migrant workers, regardless of their status, nationality, and location, are entitled to the realisation and protection of their human rights.

Program Location and Venue

The island of Lombok, Indonesia was chosen as the location for the program on the recommendation DTP’s local Indonesian partners and MFA. Indonesia ranks next to the Philippines as the highest sending country for migrant workers in the region. Most Indonesian migrant workers go to the Middle East and Malaysia to work in construction or plantations, or as domestic workers. A vibrant civil society advocacy for Indonesian migrant workers has emerged, galvanized by stories of abuses, exploitation, and discrimination suffered by its migrant workers in many parts of the world.

‘The migrant worker movement in Indonesia has put a lot of energy into encouraging the government to adopt laws and policies for the protection of migrant workers’ , says Hadi, Executive Director of SBMI.

Since the fall of the Soeharto regime, the Indonesian government has taken steps to improve its human rights situation such as incorporating a section on human rights principles in its Constitution and drawing up a National Human Rights Action Plan. In 2005 Indonesia signed CMW and in 2009 it announced it would ratify the convention. More recently, Indonesia has taken the lead in ASEAN in advancing human rights on the regional agenda. It has advocated for a stronger mandate for the newly established ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and nominated a representative from the civil society, Rafendi Djamin, to serve as its representative Commissioner. Indonesia is also one of the key members of the Working Group tasked to draft an ASEAN framework instrument on migrant workers and it supports the adoption of a binding instrument. Furthermore, as Indonesia holds the rotating Chair of ASEAN

in 2011, it has committed to making a meaningful contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights for the peoples in Southeast Asia. The training program was held in Sengigi, Lombok. With a population of about 3 million people, Lombok has the highest proportion of its population of migrant workers leaving to work overseas. In 2009 alone, from one part of Lombok there were 53,731 individuals who left to work overseas – many of them going to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Many of the migrant workers from Lombok take the ‘irregular’ route and are facilitated by middlemen. This has led to many forms of abuses and violations

experienced by migrant workers, making migration an experience of hardship and suffering.

Looking at the physical beauty of the island once can see how hard it would be to leave, but the evident poverty and lack of employment opportunities provide the reasons why so many take that path.

‘I will tell the beauty of the island to my people’

Quote from participant

The opportunity for participants to visit and interact with a community of migrant workers in Selong, Central Lombok gave the program a real connection to the plight and aspirations of migrant workers. This was one of key considerations for holding the program in Lombok, Indonesia. Lombok provided an ideal setting for this year’s migrant workers’ program.

Program Partners

Migrant Forum Asia (MFA) is the broadest and most representative membership-based network of migrant organizations in Asia and supports groups committed to protect and promote the rights and well-being of all migrant workers and their families. It has been involved in policy advocacy at the national and regional levels (including ASEAN), building opportunities for NGOs and civil society to contribute to change. It has enabled them to actively engage at the international level through avenues such as the UN Treaty Body Reporting processes, UN Special Procedures and the GFMD. It has also assisted them to participate in the development, adoption and implementation of international standards in their own national jurisdictions.

The Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), is the leading regional human rights organization in the Asia-Pacific supporting the establishment and strengthening of National Human Rights Institutions in accordance with the United Nations Paris Principles. Founded in 1996, the APF has 14 full members and three associate member institutions. The APF provides a framework through which NHRIs cooperate and work together on a range of regional issues as well as provide for services for building the capacity, skills, and networks of their personnel. It has also provided support for governments and civil society organizations. The APF has given particular attention to the issue of migrant workers in response to calls from its member institutions to do so. It has recently established a focal point officers’ network that will discuss strategies for migrant workers rights.

Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) is an Indonesian migrant worker trade union that is concerned with policy and practice relevant to Indonesian migrant workers at the local, national, regional and international levels. SBMI advocates for the rights of migrants and works to promote the prosperity and dignity of Indonesian migrant workers around the world. SBMI successfully gained recognition from the ILO as a trade union enabling it to participate in ILO processes.

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) is an NGO founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta. It is the oldest established training program for human rights defenders and community advocates in the Asia-Pacific Region. Over the past 20 years, it has successfully delivered regional and in-country capacity building programs throughout the region, focusing on building the knowledge and skills of civil society advocates and the practical application of international human rights standards. It has also trained the staff of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) The DTP has introduced thematic capacity building programs to address some of the human rights challenges arising from globalisation, including: The Rights of Migrant Workers; The Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights Advocacy and Business and Human Rights and Trade.

“Understand complaint procedure mechanisms relating to migrant

workers”

“Gain conceptual clarity”

“Develop skills to monitor violations of women migrant

workers’ rights”

“Get guidance on strategic planning”

“Share my knowledge with other friends, implement this training

program in our institutions (NHRIs) and share it with other institutions

like NGOs, INGOs, civil society”

Program Participants

“I really have more enthusiastic aspiration to engage more the international human rights mechanisms into my working areas; especially the NHRI and the Special Rapporteur to focus on issues of children & dependents of migrant workers. Since they’re also hidden labour in the overall production lines.” – quote from participant

There were 28 participants from 12 countries in the Asia Pacific – Burma, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor Leste. It was the first time that a participant from Qatar has attended a DTP course. The participants were of diverse age groups and backgrounds – including 11 from NHRIs, 11 from NGOs, with the others from government, labor unions, government, and a law practice. A complete list of participants and brief biographies is attached to the Report.

The program aimed to have a pairing of NGO and NHRI participants from each country as a way to foster longer term networking and cooperation. However, this was not possible in all cases for various reasons.

During the introductory session participants had the opportunity to express their expectations of the program. These included increasing their knowledge of human rights principles and mechanisms, learning practical skills on advocacy and campaigning, sharing and learning from each other’s experiences and perspectives on protecting and promoting migrant workers, and implementing their learning from the program to the organizations and communities they work with.

Program Schedule

The final program schedule is attached to this report. The following provides a highlight of each session in the program. Welcome Ceremony

An enthusiastic welcome from the organizers greeted the 28 participants to the program in the morning of September 22. Muhammad Chairul Hadi of SBMI welcomed participants and trainers to Indonesia and Lombok. As an NGO engaged with advocacy for migrant workers at the grassroots level, SBMI has attained a unique status as a recognized labor union representing migrant workers in Indonesia. Hadi explained the birth of the now widespread migrant workers’ movement in Indonesia as a response to the problem of migrant workers being treated as ‘commodities’. He emphasized the value of engaging with governments to adopt better laws and measures for migrant workers.

Terence Osorio from MFA and Suraina Pasha from APF highlighted the importance of networking and collaboration among various organizations involved in migrant workers’ advocacy. Suraina Pasha further talked about the important role of NHRIs in the region in the promotion and protection of migrant workers’ human rights. She thanked the DTP, MFA, and SBMI for the opportunity to collaborate and play a role in strengthening the capacity of NHRIs to advocate for migrant workers.

Patrick Earle, Executive Director of the DTP, welcomed the participants to the program and introduced them to the principle of ‘peoples’ diplomacy’, a phrase coined by DTP’s founder, President Jose Ramos Horta of Timor Leste, to describe a diplomacy skill based on people-to-people relationships ‘The DTP philosophy is based on a strong belief in the capacity of people to make change, but recognizes that to be effective people need to have the knowledge, skills, and capacity to work together – including with others across borders,’

Dr. Clarence Dias delivered the keynote address. It was a fitting introduction to the program from a leading figure involved in the negotiation of the Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers. Dr Dias clearly outlined the situation and status of migrant workers in 2010. Dr. Dias described the paradox that is inherent in the characterization of migrant workers as ‘vulnerable’, a disempowering concept that also breeds commonality, identity and a call for action. As migrant workers are increasingly treated as nameless, faceless, and even a statistical concept, Dr. Dias argued for their ‘rehumanization’ and the rediscovery of who they are. This would entail looking at all avenues to ensure serious, meaningful, and sustained respect, protection, promotion, and realization of the rights of migrant workers and their families.

Human Rights, Migrant Workers and the CMW

The first two sessions of the program were devoted to introducing participants to core human rights principles and concepts and to the specific human rights of migrant workers. The session, ‘What are human rights?’, clarified the key values of human rights – universality, indivisibility, interdependence - as well as the fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination, and the rule of law that relate more specifically to the status and condition of discrimination that many migrant workers experience. While they are commonly understood as legal rights being embodied in legal instruments such as in laws, constitutions, and treaties, human rights are more than simply legal rights because they are

‘The Principle that ‘those who have less in life should have more in law’, should guide strategies on what could and what should be done for migrant workers’

Dr. Clarence Dias, quoting the Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal

inherent in, and define, the nature of the human person. It was explained that a broader understanding of human rights is necessary for human rights to be realized for every person and that governments have the principal responsibility to respect, protect, promote, and fulfill human rights.

“The start of the training program was best as the human rights concept was delivered in a clear and easy way.” – quote from participant

The Convention on Migrant Workers is ‘the best kept secret in the United Nations’, remarked Mariette Grange as she started the session and gave a comprehensive discussion of the instrument using her own extensive experience in working for its ratification and implementation. Despite the low rate of ratification, the CMW was in fact the initiative of governments that were aiming to address the problems associated with growing international migration, the need to give specific protection to migrant workers, and to prevent clandestine movements of people. With the active participation of NGOs and migrant workers’ organizations, the negotiation for the draft CMW was sensitive to the need not to treat migrant workers as commodities and hence the need to anchor migrant workers’ issues from a human rights perspective, and not solely as a labor or economic issue. There was also an acknowledgement of the need to extend protection, beyond that provided by existing ILO standards.

The CMW recognizes the human rights of all migrant workers, regular or irregular, documented or undocumented, and the centrality of the principles of equality and non-discrimination in addressing the situation of migrant workers. The treaty does provide for different levels of government responsibility in respect to migrant workers with formal legal status (regular or documented) and to those who may be without documents or legal status. It establishes a minimum standard of rights, such as the right to life, the right to liberty and security, prohibition against torture, prohibition against slavery, right to receive urgent medical care, protection from destruction of IDs and other documents, and the right to transfer earnings. Documented workers however enjoy other rights such as the right to be temporarily absent from the country of employment, protection of the unity of family, and protection in case of a change of family status. The CMW also provides a set of specific duties for sending, transit and employment countries.

Contrary to some misconceptions, the CMW does not strip governments of their capacity to enact laws and policies establishing criteria or requirements for migrant workers, or for tackling problems of clandestine migration. NHRIs and civil society organizations have an important role to play in the implementation of the CMW at the national level in terms of monitoring government actions and state reporting, and in providing feedback and support to responsible government ministries. There remains a big challenge however for NHRIs, NGOs, and labor unions to encourage governments to ratify the

Myths and misconceptions about the CMW:

It implies state parties must accept all migrants coming to their countries

It contains many new rights

It requires state parties must regularize all undocumented migrants

It is not necessary to ratify as all rights are contained in existing human rights treaties

Convention or remove obstacles to its ratification.

An exercise at the beginning of the session asked participants to answer questions about aspects of CMW that gauge their familiarity and understanding of the Convention. Having to identify the challenges and issues faced by migrant workers and their families at the end of the session helped participants to connect or relate their knowledge of the human rights of migrant workers to the specific rights of migrant workers and the corresponding responsibilities of governments.

“This will help me in improving my advocacy skills. I will be able to prepare a working paper for advocating with govt of India for the ratification of the CMW.”

Migrant Workers, the Role of NHRIs, NHRI-NGO Collaboration, and ASEAN

Karen Dumpit Gomez from the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and DTP alumna led this session. In discussing the critical role that can be played by NHRIs in the promotion and protection of migrant workers’ rights, Karen started with the mandate and core functions of

NHRIs. She observed that NHRIs may differ in each country and their forms or mandate could vary – but all had to comply with what are known as the Paris Principles, which guarantee a level of independence and autonomy.

Suraina Pasha provided a brief introduction of the APF and its functions in providing technical support and coordination for its member institutions in Asia and the Pacific. Having recently agreed to make migrant workers a priority, NHRIs in the Asia Pacific are increasingly developing national, bilateral and multilateral initiatives to address migrant workers’ rights. She also mentioned that APF’s members reformulated the idea of a working group into a proposal to the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) to establish an international

level ICC Working Group on Migration. This is a promising development as NHRIs cooperation and action may encourage greater cooperation among governments including adoption of more coherent policies and measures to protect the rights of migrant workers.

Recently, the NHRI sub-regional grouping, Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF) composed of Malaysia’s SUHAKAM, Indonesia’s KOMNAS HAM, Philippine CHR, and Thailand’s NHRCT, adopted a Position Paper on the Human Rights of Migrant Workers that it hoped to be considered in the drafting of the ASEAN Framework Instrument on Migrant Workers.

‘I totally change. Because early I thought NHRC don’t have more duties about migrant worker. But I learn more duties that we have on migrant worker.’

Quote from participant

Participants’ suggestions of areas of collaboration between NHRIs, NGOs, labor unions:Gathering data and cases on migrant workers then submitting them to NHRISharing data, especially on violations, coordinating training for migrant workers on safe migration, including duty bearers and rights holders.Training on human rights and sharing information on procedures for safe migration.Giving orientation on pre-departure phase on safe migrationConducting campaign on rights protection, addressing violations and safe migration.Handling problems related to migrant workers.Lobbying to ratify the CMW and ILO No. 143Making bilateral agreements and consultation with NGOsDeveloping and establishing special task force / desk / commission on migrant workers’ protectionConducting support services in sending areas and receiving areasMonitoring of compliance with the CMW and ILO No. 143Making standards on migrant workers’ protectionEvaluating workings on migrant workers’ protectionMaking legislation related to migrant workers in both receiving and sending countries.

Fostering cooperation between NHRIs, NGOs and labor unions is a vital objective of the training program. Karen pointed out that there is more scope for cooperation in many aspects – from collaboration in treaty body reporting at the international level, to working with ASEAN at the regional level, and case handling and joint activities at the national level. Through a well-designed group exercise, participants were able to generate a list of activities where NHRIs and civil society organizations could work together. The list also contained specific suggestions on areas that NHRIs could work for in sending and receiving countries, reflecting a thoughtful understanding of the opportunities and challenges they face as human rights advocates. It is hoped that participants could utilize this list when they return to their organizations and start their advocacy work for migrant workers.

Participants also developed specific recommendations for NHRIs in different categories of countries – either sending or receiving migrants, and finally, in collaboration: Receiving Country NHRI Sending Country NHRI Both NHRIs

Conduct research and assessment on the laws and the loopholes in existing laws on migrant workers

Seek NHRIs’ assistance on issue statements to governments with regards to migrant workers

Develop a collaboration program together with government agencies to create legal awareness on migrant workers’ rights.

NHRI to monitor the drafting of the legal documents for migrant workers

Ensure that national laws are in accordance with international standards through research and study

A collaboration program between the embassies concerned to open a desk for human rights diplomats to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers.

Both NGOs and NHRIs in receiving and sending countries to provide a platform for an agreement (bilateral agreement) to mirror the rights guaranteed by the ILO convention, even if one of the countries has yet to ratify the convention, as well as follow up mechanisms.

NHRIs and NGOs to collaborate in making proposals to international bodies, e.g. UN and ASEAN (include reporting and steering community to monitor the implementation of migrant workers’ law).

Make strong recommendations to the government with regards to legal process of migrant rights – monitoring and follow-up.

Human rights mechanisms in ASEAN are evolving and migrant workers’ issues have been identified as a priority area. There is recognition that as a region with major sending and destination countries, ASEAN needs to address migrant workers’ issues – but reaching agreement is complicated by perceptions of having very different interests. There has been a consensus among ASEAN governments to address migrant workers’ issues as an agenda for regional cooperation with the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers in 2007. Additionally, there has been a consensus to adopt a framework instrument on migrant workers and establish an ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers. Dr Imelda Deinla from DTP gave an overview of the nature of ASEAN, the AICHR, ACWC, and other organs that could potentially be engaged with to advance recognition and protection for migrant workers’ rights.

Terence Osorio of MFA Secretariat (and DTP alumna) then gave a presentation on NGO engagement with ASEAN on migrant workers. She acknowledged the opportunities in engaging with ASEAN as governments themselves have expressed interest in taking up the issues of migrant workers. This is one of few areas in ASEAN, and particularly on human rights matters, where a legally-binding instrument is in fact being pushed by some member states. Since 2008, ASEAN has organized an ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labor - a multi-sectoral dialogue among ASEAN governments, NHRIs, NGOs, labor unions, and the private sector that encourages exchange of views and ideas with a focus on enhancing awareness and access to information on the rights of migrant workers. Indonesia, as the 2011 Chair of ASEAN, is expected to push for more concrete commitments by ASEAN governments on migrant workers’ rights.

With very limited time, it was not however possible to explore in detail both the NGO and NHRI engagement with ASEAN. Many participants have expressed their enthusiasm to learn more about ASEAN and perhaps the next program could provide more scope for discussion in this area. There was some feedback that suggested that the organizers had tried to fit too much into

this session – with the result that not enough time was given either to NHRIs or to ASEAN and NGO advocacy.

The UN System, Treaty Bodies, and OHCHR

There were three sessions in the program that allowed participants to explore the use of UN human rights system as mechanisms for government accountability of their human rights obligations and commitments. There are eight core human rights treaties, each with a monitoring mechanism, know as a treaty body, comprised of independent experts. So although relatively few governments have ratified the treaty on migrant workers, most governments have ratified (agreed to be bound by) treaties to end discrimination against women and to protect and promote the rights of children. With many migrants being women, and the children of migrant workers being affected by issues of discrimination or denial of access to education or healthcare it is possible to use these treaties to seek change.

Mariette Grange guided participants in exploring the nature of these complex mechanisms, how they work, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each category of mechanisms, both Charter-based and treaty-based. The treaty-based bodies, as treaty monitoring bodies, receive reports of a state’s compliance with their human rights responsibilities, issue Concluding Observations on the state reports that can recommend specific changes to law and practice, and formulate General Comments (soft law, authorative guidance) on specific issues. They may also have special mechanisms that allow for the hearing of individual complaints.

Charter-based human rights bodies rely for their authority on the UN Charter rather than specific treaties. The Human Rights Council, composed of 47 states, is entrusted with ‘strengthening of the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.’ Over the years Special Procedures, thematic or country specific human rights mandates, such as the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrant workers, the Special Rapporteur on the trafficking of persons, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, have been established enabling individual complaints to be received and acted on. These Special Procedures can also carry out expert studies, country visits and public consultations and make reports. A more recent innovation is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The UPR is an evolving process of examining the human rights records of all UN member states resulting in recommendations to states for improving the realization of human rights.

‘I will feed into the program & advocacy of the organization in my country. Civil society can make use/ maximize mechanisms of the UN System in promoting & protecting HR of the migrant workers especially in addressing HR violations.’

‘I have a lot of knowledge about UN System, especially about how to develop strategies for the promotion and protection of migrant worker’s rights.’

Quotes from participants

A session on the OHCHR, ‘3 Pillar Strategy - Focus on Implementing recommendations of Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and, UPR’ was led by Homayoun Alizadeh, Asia-Pacific Regional Representative of OHCHR. It enhanced participants’ understanding of international human rights standards and introduced them to the OHCHR’s work in providing expert advice and substantive and secretariat support to UN human rights bodies. The HCHR and OHCHR consider migrant workers’ issues a priority focus in its new strategic plan. In Asia, the OHCHR is building its database, and increasing the

capacity of NGOs to collect, monitor, and evaluate information, and engaging in dialogue and follow-up with governments on the implementation of recommendations. A practical group exercise followed the presentation that enabled participants to present migrant workers’ issues from their countries to Homayoun Alizadeh. There was useful feedback from the OHCHR head at the end of the presentations, suggesting to participants possible ways to engage with the OHCHR and their respective governments, and how to identify key actors or relevant decision-making authorities.

Migrant Workers, the International Labor Organization, and Practical Exercise

“I learnt a lot on ILO and learnt what to do and what not in advocacy.”

“This was the first time I attended a session on ILO and this was very helpful. And Mr. Albert was very clear and made his point clear to all. The best presentation of the course.”

Participants found the ILO session an eye opener, since many were unfamiliar with the ILO, its nature and processes, and relevance to the rights of migrant workers. Albert Bonasahat from the ILO Indonesia office explained the tripartite nature of the ILO system – comprising government, employers, and trade unions - and the adoption of ILO Conventions in 1949 and 1975 that have been considered milestones in developing an international framework for protection of migrant

‘The process of human rights system is a growing system, not fixed in the present: the system has already progressed a long way and pressure can gradually effect important change.’

Albert Bonasahat, ILO trainer

“I love the presentation about the UN mechanism that represent by Homayoun Alizadeh. He was clear in giving some information and very interest me to learn more about migrant worker & UN role” – participant quote

workers’. The ILO has advocated for a rights-based approach to labour migration – based on core labour standards already adopted by governments. The ILO does not have direct enforcement capacity but seeks to resolve complaints by engaging with employers and governments, including through technical cooperation and advice. Trade unions can and do take up complaints of labor rights violations of migrant workers, and NGOs can collaborate with labor unions through case reports and other such communication. NHRIs can coordinate with trade unions in their countries and provide them with data to strengthen the position of labor unions in the process.

There was a discussion on the progress of ILO standard setting on migrant domestic workers since 2008. If adopted by member states, the Convention will be an important development for migrant domestic workers. Hadi from SBMI and Azhar Habib, a participant working with an Indonesian trade union shared their experience of working with NGOs and KomnasHam in lobbying to gain support from the public and urging the Indonesian government to support the new ILO conventions. The trade unions, NGOs and KomnasHam are now in the process of developing a campaign work-plan and strategy toward adoption of the Convention in 2011. A group work exercise asked participants to share stories of migrant workers they have encountered and to present these to Albert Bonasahat for his feedback as to how ILO Conventions or processes might apply.

Practical Skills – Strategic Advocacy and Lobbying, Media Skills

DTP’s training programs have always put emphasis on integrating knowledge and practice. How do advocates use their knowledge of human rights concepts, principles, and mechanisms and develop effective strategies to realize the rights of migrant workers? Patrick Earle led the participants in identifying tools that can be used in developing effective advocacy strategies. Advocacy aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions while a campaign is an organized form of action to achieve specific change over a specific period of time. There are various campaigning techniques and methods that participants can use in their advocacy work – protests and lobbying, litigation, symbolic action, alliance building, fact finding missions, pushing legislation, raising public awareness through publicity, community and public events, media and the arts, the internet and social networking.

The decision to adopt a particular campaign technique over another will be largely influenced by the context in a particular country around a specific issue, and issues of timing. There are key elements that are essential in devising effective advocacy strategy. Lobbying is a form of campaigning that aims to influence the decision or action of a decision-maker or authority. The practical session on lobbying highlighted the importance of having a good analysis and knowledge base around the issue, clear objectives, an appreciation of timing, flexibility and the ability to build relationships. This session was well-received by the participants as it drew from their own advocacy experiences, through practical exercise, identifying the strategies that succeeded and those that

‘There are two best parts of the program, campaigning/ advocacy and the media skills. Both are relevant in our works and we need skills and techniques to these. So the program provided relevant techniques that we can adapt to pursue our advocacy.’

Quote from participant

did not. There was a wealth of advocacy expertise from the participants, who raised such examples as a campaign on the prevention of child abuse in the Maldives, influencing employment agencies’ policies in Hong Kong, improving ways of legal recruitment in Qatar, and the cancellation of Thailand’s reservation of Art. 7 of CRC.

The use of the media as a campaign tool for migrant workers’ rights was the last session of the program and was led by Roby Alampay, a journalist from the Philippines and former Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA). The focus of the session was on mainstream media, understanding how it works, and the importance of building relationships within media networks. Migrant workers are often susceptible to negative stereotyping which reinforces attitudes of discrimination towards them. Integrating

media in the advocacy strategy would ideally raise awareness and public support of migrant workers’ issues and rights as well as influence government policy on migrant workers.

It is not easy to get media attention on a particular event or issue and that is a challenge for advocates. There are certain criteria by which the media values a news item – impact, timeliness and currency, prominence, proximity, bizarreness, and conflict - that advocates need to be conscious of in framing news stories and articles about migrant workers. Media is a complex entity which is not only composed of publishers, editors, and columnists but a range of other actors too. Advocates should know and engage with other personalities involved in generating the news such as reporters, photographers, cartoonists, bloggers, radio hosts, and beat workers. According to Roby, the aim of the advocate is not necessarily to get the media on their side but to have the media always seeking their side. There are several practical tips and insights that Roby shared with participants on how to achieve this and how to improve their relationship with the media.

The Field Trip

SBMI organized a field visit to Selong, Central Lombok, home to many migrant workers working abroad in Malaysia and the Middle East. One group of the participants went to the migrant workers’ community while the other half visited the local government unit - the office of the bupati and members of local legislature. Having recognized the necessity of providing protection for Selong migrant workers, the local government has enacted legislation that sets out measures to provide

assistance to migrant workers.

“Role play, examples, individual presentation, group presentation, and yes, concept of field trip was the best part of the program for me.”

One of the considerations for holding the program in Lombok was to provide participants with an opportunity to interact with Indonesian migrant workers and to understand their problems in working abroad. Migrant workers freely shared their stories with the participants and pointed out the problems most of them experience in common, including unpaid or underpaid work, contract violations, 12-hour working days, a lack of assistance and monitoring from government, insufficient training, overcharging recruitment agencies, and the inability to practice religion. They were themselves curious about remedies and the possible protection mechanisms available to them as migrant workers. Given the time limitation and difficulty in language translation, only a few participants were able to exchange their ideas with migrant workers. Nevertheless, it was a good opportunity for Indonesian participants from the KomnasHam and NGOs to share some advice with migrant workers. From the perspective of the migrant worker, fulfilling their aspirations as migrant workers meant fulfilling their basic necessities such as the right to decent accommodation with electricity and water and the freedom to exercise their belief and religion. Training Methodology and Materials

DTP’s training methodology is based on respect and acknowledgement of the skills, knowledge and perspectives that participants bring to each program. The program aims to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and skills through participant presentations, small group work, exercises, scenarios and role plays. The participatory and interactive approach is reflected in seeking participants’ active involvement in organizing and managing the program. Participants were divided into groups and each group was given responsibilities for assisting with the organization of each day – including feedback, energizers, time-management and technical assistance.

Individual presentations aim to develop participants’ speaking and communication skills and confidence and are an effective way of sharing the issues faced by migrant workers in their respective countries. They are a part of the process of learning from the work that each participant carries out in advocating for migrant workers’ rights. As a practical illustration of collaboration participants from NHRIs and NGOs coming from the same country such as Malaysia made a joint

presentation. Some presentations from Thailand and Indonesia, either coming from NHRI or NGO participants, clearly demonstrated the need for collaboration between NHRIs and civil society groups.

In this program DTP also introduced Action Planning, where participants were mentored by trainers to develop a plan in integrating the learning from the sessions at the end of each session. A few participants were able to finish a draft action plan that they would take to their organizations, while others were able to identify some to the things that they would be doing on their return from the training – a small outcome but a good beginning. There is obviously a need for follow-up and further encouragement from organizers as well as further improvement of the process. However this proved a useful addition to the program.

To accompany the sessions, DTP provided participants with a training manual which consists of a number of short chapters on the issues discussed written in plain English by experts in the field. The manual is designed to be used as a practical tool during the training and participants were encouraged to read relevant chapters prior to particular sessions. It is also designed to be a reference tool following the training.

“I really enjoy to join in every session but the best part of the program is the system & material that DTP has been arrange, is connected and completed on into another.”

Great experience –a lot of experience especially about the UN System

Everything is good except the food

DTP is promoting human rights in Asia and Pacific Region very well.

Over load; Magnificent training

Job well done DTP; GOOD

Fruitful learning experience

Excellent; Enhanced my knowledge and skills

Sophisticated

Interesting program for me and helped me to build my confidence. Food?????

Good program; Lifelong HR defender

Practical

Participant’s Evaluation

The training program successfully delivered a knowledge-based and practical experience to the 28 participants from NHRIs, NGOs and labor unions. Both the oral and written evaluations from the participants indicate that the objectives of the program were successfully met. Participants even volunteered to facilitate the oral evaluation themselves, wherein each one came forward with a word or a phrase to

describe their experience in the program.

The following table shows how participants have evaluated the program, at the end of the training.

Objectives Very Poor

Poor Average Good Very good

Build the capacity of NGOs, NHRIs, and advocates to integrate understanding of human rights standards and ILO Conventions into work for migrant workers

17% 43% 39%

To enhance the capacity of NGOs, Trade Unions and NHRIs in the region to work together on the promotion of migrant workers’ rights

22% 56% 22%

To provide an opportunity for participants to share perspectives and experiences and to identify challenges in relation to migrant workers rights and ratification of international standards relevant to migrant workers’ rights

13% 56% 30%

To contribute to the capacity of advocates to promote in their own country ratification of the ICRMW and other relevant standards for promoting and protecting the rights of migrants.

8% 61% 30%

Provide an opportunity and a forum for participants to share perspectives and experiences, and identify key issues for further work in this area.

22% 39% 39%

Enhance the capacity of NGOs and advocates within the Asia-Pacific region to contribute effectively to international processes and dialogue on the issues of human rights and migrant workers

26% 39% 34%

Conclusion:

Based on the evaluations this training program has provided participants with additional knowledge and skills to assist them in their work advocating for migrant workers’ rights. The participants will have left the training reinvigorated and strengthened by learning from the experiences of others.

However capacity building does not stop with the training and the participants’ interest and

enthusiasm should be sustained to keep their work going and realize concrete outcomes for migrant workers – and knowledge and skills building are an ongoing process. Given resource constraints, it is a challenge to keep track of the activities of participants after the program, although the DTP is introducing post-training surveys that should provide some valuable information about the impact of the training. This year’s pilot testing of Action Planning during the program is meant to provide a mechanism through which participants can make concrete plans for migrant workers’ advocacy based on the learning from the program – and which can be practically implemented in their organizations or institutions on their return. Further refinement on the planning session is needed that may require inputs from program partners and trainers.

There is a need to maintain effective links with the participants, to provide them with an accessible platform for sharing, discussion and collaboration, as well as be the source of feedback for future programs or become resource persons themselves in the training. DTP encourages the program participants to stay in touch with each other as ongoing support network – and this is made more possible than ever through the internet and social networking software. DTP’s E-Newsletter also offers a way to stay in touch and to provide participants with relevant updates in relation to migrant workers’ rights in the region. An initiative by the MFA to form an e-group of all DTP alumni on migrant workers’ training program should be able to complement other DTP post-training tools to address this need and to encourage the alumni to be proactive discussants on migrant workers’ issues in the region using new technologies and the social networks. Among APF members there is a network of NHRI focal points on migrant workers being established that will enable the sharing of experience and best practice and ongoing capacity building for NHRI staff. One outcome of this will be the development of a special training manual on migrant workers’ rights for NHRI staff.

As the DTP and its regional partners look forward, it is also necessary to explore whether more focus needs to be given to developing particular advocacy sessions on specific issues affecting migrant workers – such as domestic workers, undocumented migrants, human trafficking, forced labor, gender/ children dimensions of labor migration, and migrant workers’ remittances, perhaps by using concrete case studies and advocacy strategies at various levels. This will enable participants to learn from good practices and enable them to be able to think strategically of their own advocacies in their own organizations.

This program was an important initiative in building greater understanding and collaboration between NHRIs and civil society in the region. Such collaboration offers real potential for more effective advocacy and action for vulnerable migrant workers. DTP and its regional partners are committed to exploring how they might work together in the future to realize this potential and to build effective working relationships among those working to defend and promote the rights of this very vulnerable group.

DTP is seeking to organize an ‘experts’ meeting with its partners, trainers, academics and migrant workers’ organization to plan effective training strategies for migrant workers advocates and to identify priority areas.

DTP would like to acknowledge its program partners, the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Migrant Forum Asia, Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia and the funders who contributed to this program – including the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the

Commonwealth Foundation (UK).

Appendix 1: Program Participants

Moch Cholily – Indonesia; Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI) Jawa Timur

Cholily is the Chief of SBMI Jawa Timur, the Union of Indonesian Migrant Workers in East Java. SBMI Jawa Timur advocates for a protection policy for migrant workers at national, provincial and district levels, and the provision for training and assistance to migrant workers. An important aspect of SBMI’s work is to advocate for the development and enforcement of government policies to respect and protect migrant workers. Cholily hopes to enhance his knowledge and skills about the human rights of migrant workers, improve the capacity of SBMI Jawa Timur, and sharpen the movement for migrant workers’ rights in the region.

Dian Noeswantari – Indonesia; Centre for Human Rights Studies – University of Surabaya

Dian is a researcher at the Centre for Human Rights Studies (CHRS) and currently works on a project to develop a provincial commission on migrant workers’ protection through a network of civil society organisations and academics. East Java Province is the third biggest sending area of migrants in Indonesia. Dian also conducts research relating to gender and human rights issues and manages workshops and training programs. She has previously assisted the CHRS in successfully establishing the East Java Province Commission on Children Protection. Dian hopes to deepen her knowledge of migrant workers’ issues in the global context and in the Asia-Pacific region, to share experiences and learning with other participants, and enhance the capacity of the CHRS to work for migrant workers.

Azhar Habib – Indonesia; Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI)

Azhar is on the Education and Migrant Committee of the Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions and is the Plant Level Representative of his local union. Azhar lobbies the Indonesian government for ratification of ILO conventions on migrant workers and for effective implementation of ratified conventions. Azhar sees the trade union’s formidable challenge in achieving the worker’s right to bargain in manufacturing multinational companies and that they need to continue to work closely with NGOs in advocacy. Azhar hopes to gain practical skills that he can apply to plan for the Confederation’s strategic approaches toward advocating for migrant workers’ rights.

Ario Adityo – Indonesia; Asian Migrant Centre

Ario is on the program staff of the Asian Migrant Centre’s Migrant Domestic Workers Program. The program conducts international campaigns for the rights and recognition of domestic workers. Ario engages with migrant domestic workers unions in the region to carry out capacity building programs and advocacy work for migrant and domestic workers rights in Hong Kong. Successful campaigns include the ending of extortionate policies regarding employment agencies for Indonesian workers in Hong Kong through pickets, training, media campaigns and lobbying. Ario is looking to increase his understanding of human rights issues to build his capacity for empowerment work for migrant workers in Hong Kong and assist his diplomacy capacity. He also hopes to gain further negotiating skills to increase the success of negotiations between government agencies and migrant workers.

Naw Htee Mu Phaw – Myanmar; Living Water Centre

Tu Lu is of the Karen people and is the Director of the Living Water Centre in Bangkok. The Centre provides support to Burmese migrant workers through HIV/AIDS awareness training, family planning, and labour rights education. The Centre also responds to individual cases of abuse and exploitation by conducting home, workplace and hospital visits and arranging for referral to related organisations. Tu Lu visits the community to provide health education and collect cases to refer to relevant organisations for legal assistance. To assist the Burmese workers in Thailand, the Living Water Centre wishes to learn new knowledge and skills to improve the capacity of the Centre. Tu Lu works closely with NGOs and GOs and will pass on new skills from the program throughout her network to collectively advance the rights of Burmese migrant workers.

Parag Siwakoti – Nepal; Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC)

As Program Coordinator of WOREC, Parag leads the planning and implementation of programs. WOREC works with grassroots people to work towards the attainment of social justice and sustainable livelihood at the community level. This includes a strong focus on the prevention of and support for trafficked persons. WOREC works for community empowerment and advocacy for policy change. Parag works on the Safe Migration Program through advocacy for migrant rights and empowering potential migrants to prevent exploitation and abuse. The advocacy and networking aspects of the training program are the biggest drawcards for Parag who is looking to strengthen the coordination between NGOs and INGOs in the field and learn from the experiences of organisations in different countries.

Charisse Jordan – Philippines; Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB)

The WLB looks at different spheres and spaces in the discourse and advocacy of women’s rights. As a Program Officer, Chang works across a range of programs promoting women’s human rights and enhancing women’s access to justice. These include the Engendering the Barangay Justice System, a community-based research and capacity-building program, and Mapping of Domestic Legal Remedies and Access to Justice in Violence Against Women which covers experiences of migrant workers. Chang also runs training programs, represents WLB in advocacy work, and coordinates research programs. Chang has joined the training program to further the WLB’s capacity for protection of the rights of migrant women

by expanding her knowledge of complaint mechanisms of treaties relevant to migrant workers and by sharing strategies with other participants in pushing for state compliance with treaties.

Caetano Guterres – Timor Leste; Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Caetano is the Director for Legal Affairs and Treaties of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Timor Leste. He is responsible for drafting legislation including those governing accession to international treaties and is responsible for directing legal staff regarding the negotiation of international legal instruments, such as bilateral and multilateral agreements. He has joined the training program with the support of the government of Timor Leste to enhance his knowledge of human rights mechanisms and improve his advocacy work to defend human rights in his country. He would like to gain more understanding of international standards and mechanisms for migrant workers as Timor Leste is becoming involved with migration issues.

Jagdish Prasad Meena – India; National Human Rights Commission

As Joint Secretary of the NHRC-India, JP heads the Policy Research, Projects and Programmes Division (PRP&P Division) and the Training and Information & Public Relations Divisions. He coordinates research on human rights, organizes conferences and workshops, guides review of policies, laws and treaties relating to human rights, and coordinates with central and state governments in reviewing policies and practices. He also overseas implementation of programs which include trafficking in women and children and the rights of migrants and internally displaced persons. JP would like to gain conceptual clarity and a greater understanding of policy issues and the framework of human rights for migrant workers. He is also keen to learn of success stories from other participants.

Mutiara Simamora – Indonesia; Urban Community Mission (UCM-Jakarta)/Centre for Indonesian Migrant Workers

Muti is on the legal staff of UCM which works to empower migrant workers overseas, returnees and their families who were victimised to enable them to build critical awareness of their rights and obligations and empower them to achieve self-determination. UCM provides pre-departure training on migrant worker’s rights and responsibilities, the process of recruitment, and economic empowerment. She has joined the training program to gain practical skills and enhance her understanding of human rights and their implications for migrant workers. Muti sees the greatest challenge for her advocacy work is in addressing the low level of awareness of Indonesian migrant workers of their rights.

Mohd Hairul Fahmi Mohd Harris – Malaysia; Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

Fahmi is Junior Officer in the International Issues and Cooperation Committee (IICC) of SUHAKAM. The IICC’s duty is to assist SUHAKAM in building relationships with other NHRIs, networks and UN human rights mechanisms. Fahmi’s portfolio includes managing engagements with the APF, South East Asia NHRI Forum (SEANF) and the International Coordinating Committee for NHRIs (ICC). He also follows up with the government on the Universal Periodic Review recommendations. SUHAKAM is leading a project on migrant workers under the SEANF from which a reference paper will be distributed in the region. Fahmi hopes to gain further advocacy skills at the training program to ensure effective advocacy of SUHAKAM and SEANF positions and achieve better consideration by states of recommendations for the promotion of migrant workers’ rights.

Moomina Waheed – Maldives; Human Rights Commission of the Maldives

(HRCM)

Moomina is a Planning Officer at the HRCM responsible for co-ordinating the formulation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan and annual work plan, research, monitoring and reporting of implementation of Commission recommendations. Her responsibility includes researching complaints of migrant workers including employment and housing issues, researching design for the Rapid Assessment of the Housing Situation in the Maldives, and most recently was part of the research team which conducted the Rapid Assessment on the Situation of the Human Trafficking in the Maldives. Moomina has joined the training program to build her capacity on understanding human rights violations and issues related to migrant workers, particularly with regards to gender and human trafficking. She hopes to further her skills for effective lobbying to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers.

Khima Nanda Bashyal – Nepal; National Human Rights Commission, Nepal

Bashyal is Human Rights Associate in the Planning Division, International Relations Desk of the Commission. Bashyal advocates for extraterritorial application of the new Human Rights Commission Act. The rights of migrant workers have become a prominent issue within this advocacy and the strategic plan for the Commission for 2008-10. Bashyal has lobbied within the NHRC and with other organisations to save the life of a migrant worker sentenced to death in Kuwait. He has joined the training program to enhance his knowledge and skills and to contribute more effectively at the national level in addressing the human rights of migrant workers. He believes that existing laws and protection mechanisms are not effective in protecting the rights of Nepalese migrant workers and learning from the program will be useful in designing strategies and enhancing awareness, sensitization and capacity building of Nepalese NGOs.

Domingos Martins – Timor Leste; International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Domingos is Project Assistant in the Counter-Human Trafficking Project at the International Organization for Migration. He works in the Suai District at the border between Timor-Leste and Indonesia where human trafficking through illegal border crossings is a serious concern. As the manager of the field office in the Suai District, Domingos is involved in public awareness campaigns and facilitates training for journalists, border control officers, police officers and local governance bodies in an effort to increase knowledge and understanding of issues relating to human trafficking. He also oversees the provision of victim assistance to trafficked persons by liaising with local partners and NGOs. Domingos hopes to gain new skills, knowledge and understanding at the training program which he will use to ensure that the rights of trafficked victims to Timor-Leste are met.

Mohamed Foumi Jahangeer – Sri Lanka; Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

Foumi works as Investigating Officer at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. His work involves attending to complaints relating to human rights violations, in particular problems relating to migrant workers which are reported to the Commission by the workers and their families. The Human Rights Commission deals with heavy caseload of complaints in relation to migrant workers due to the large numbers of Sri Lankans who are migrant workers in many countries. Foumi investigates complaints, prepares reports about his findings and if any action is to be taken, liaises with all relevant parties to resolve problems as they arise. Foumi is looking to gain practical and theoretical training in the areas of

migrant workers’ rights and related issues to assist him in responding to the numerous complaints he deals with every day.

Enkhtur Ayurzana – Mongolia; National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM)

Enkhtur is the Human Rights Policy and Analysis Officer at the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia. Enkhtur is responsible for defining the human rights policies to be pursued by the NHRCM and monitoring their implementation, and raising public awareness about international migration law and migrants. His work also includes monitoring the enforcement of the Constitution and the laws of Mongolia concerning human rights and freedoms, supporting the adoption and implementation of international human rights treaties in Mongolia, conducting research on human rights issues, and reporting to the Chairman and members of the NHRCM about relevant issues. Enkhtur’s professional goals are to facilitate legal migration, reduce irregular migration and work towards preventing human rights violations of migrant workers and their families. To this end, Enkhtur is participating in the training program to build on his advocacy skills and to learn more about the problems faced by migrants and the measures that can be taken to assist them.

Peeyanuj Thitipatana – Thailand; Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

Peeyanuj is a Human Rights Officer in the Human Rights International Affairs Bureau at the Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. In her role, Peeyanuj is responsible for conducting research and preparing reports for her organisation and for the commissioners working as part of the secretariat team for the International Human Rights Commission Sub-Committee. Peeyanuj also translates texts of international human rights conventions and distributes them to government agencies, interested organisations and academic institutions. Over the years, Peeyanuj has been a focal point for cooperation between various organisations on numerous projects including the Southeast Asia National Human Rights Institutions Forum and the Asia Pacific Forum/Brookings Institute project concerning internally displaced persons and migrant workers. With her unit’s increasing focus on migrant worker issues, Peeyanuj seeks to broaden her perspective on these issues and gain the skills and knowledge she will need to handle her present and future responsibilities.

Jose Maria da Costa Guterres – Timor Leste; United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT)

Jose works as National Legal Officer at the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste. UNMIT has been mandated to support the government of Timor Leste in consolidating stability, enhancing a culture of democratic governance and facilitating dialogue among Timorese stakeholders. Jose’s work requires him to liaise with state institutions and administrative structures, civilian advisers of the UN and other organisations involved in strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring respect for human rights. Jose is involved in monitoring stages of law-making process, including assisting with the analysis of draft and proposed legislation and sub-legislative instruments, monitoring the courts and their decisions, and monitoring the official gazette of Timor-Leste to ensure that human rights and justice are upheld for everyone. Recently, Jose has been involved with analysing draft legislation on migration and asylum. Since the law regarding migration in Timor Leste is yet to be developed, Jose is hoping to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for him to analyse and contribute to the formulation of legislation, and to pass that knowledge on to law enforcement agencies and to the broader community.

Amna Al-Maadeed – Qatar; National Human Rights Committee

Amna is a Social Researcher in the Social Research Unit at the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.

The work of the Committee includes upholding and promoting Qatar’s human rights obligations under international treaties, providing advice to the Qatari government and other interested parties on human rights, investigating violations of human rights, working with regional and international human rights organizations and raising awareness of human rights in society and among the relevant government agencies. Amna works in the Social Research Unit which is responsible for studying developments in the field of human rights and producing an annual report on the human rights situation in Qatar. Amna is participating in the training program to broaden her understanding of human rights issues and to gain more experience and knowledge about how to advocate for migrant workers’ rights.

Dirce Maria Fernandez Xavier – Timor Leste; Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ)

Didi is Monitoring and Advocacy Officer in the Human Rights Division of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor Leste. Didi monitors the human rights situation in Timor Leste, especially regarding economic, social and cultural rights, and advocates for compliance with international human rights standards. Her work takes her to various districts of Timor Leste where she monitors and reports on community access to subsidized rice, children’s access to education and the conditions in schools, and the conditions and rights of detainees in police detention and in prison. Although Didi’s professional experience to date has not been in the field of migrant workers’ rights, she is looking to increase her knowledge and experience in this area to assist her and the PDHJ as the organisation expands into the field of migrant workers and labour issues.

Warangkana Mutumul – Thailand; Save the Children UK – Cross-Border Programme

Yui is the Thailand Advocacy and Training Officer in the Save the Children UK’s Cross-border Programme against Trafficking and Exploitation of Vulnerable and Migrant Children. The cross-border programme works to develop child protection systems and support youth leadership and child rights for some of the most vulnerable children in the Greater Mekong sub-region – namely migrants, those at risk of trafficking, those left behind, those at work, and the stateless. She coordinates and conducts campaigns and training with government agencies, community-based organisations and children to promote effective child protection systems and safer migration for vulnerable and migrant children in Thailand. Yui is concerned about the lack of attention given to migrant workers in the Greater Mekong sub-region by government agencies and officials, and the limited effectiveness of existing mechanisms to protect these workers and the children who accompany them. She hopes to refine and strengthen her advocacy skills in joining the program, to discover a range of different views on migration, and to learn concepts, tools and approaches to improve her advocacy goals and strategies.

Dino Wahyudy – Indonesia; Komnas Ham – Kalimantan Regional Office

Dino works in the Kalimantan Regional Office of the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komnas HAM). The Kalimantan region’s position near the border between Indonesia and Malaysia makes it a strategic area for migrant workers’ rights, in particular due to the serious issue of cross-border human trafficking. Dino’s work is wide-ranging, and involves the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights, combating problems associated with human trafficking, and providing assistance to migrant workers whose rights are violated. He specifically identifies the areas of social security, holiday and sick leave and a lack of access to legal aid as the key problems faced by migrant workers. He believes that the government has a critical role to play in addressing these problems and protecting the rights of migrant workers.

Nanda Meylani – Indonesia; Komnas Ham – Cooperation Section

Nanda works at the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komnas HAM). She is responsible

for overseeing cooperation with organisations, institutions and other parties at both the national and regional levels. The purpose of Nanda’s work is to build networks with these organisations to help ensure respect for and protection of human rights. Nanda is particularly concerned with the complex problems faced by migrant workers, especially the lack of social security for workers, the exorbitant processing and recruitment fees they are required to pay and their lack of access to justice. She sees the formation of good government policy as vital to ensuring effective protection of the rights and well-being of migrant workers. Nanda is participating in this program to gain further knowledge and skills and to provide her with clearer analysis of the situation of migrant workers.

Agustinus Supriyanto – Indonesia; Komnas Perempuan

Agus is Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Chairman of the Task Force for Migrant Workers within the Commission. His position involves leading and coordinating matters relating to the protection of human rights of women working as migrant workers, and preparing recommendations regarding migrant workers. Agus’ experience includes a range of academic and practical projects relating to the trafficking of women and the rights of women migrant workers. He hopes that this training will provide him with skills and knowledge to support his work at the Task Force for Migrant Workers and his role as a researcher and teacher in the field of human rights.

Shaminoden Sambitory – Philippines; Unlad Kabayan

Sam is a Project Area Manager in the Lanao area of the Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation. Sam’s work primarily involves working in rural communities to support and provide capacity-building to marginalised individuals and groups including migrant worker and their families. As the manager of the area office, Sam is responsible for planning, implementing and overseeing the various projects run by the organisation. These projects are based on the benefits of linking migration to community development, and include social entrepreneurship and enterprise development, disaster risk reduction and programs for migrant workers and their families such as the Migrant Savings for Alternative Investment (MSAI) strategy. The MSAI strategy provides entrepreneurial and financial literacy skills to Filipino migrant workers and encourages them to save and invest their earnings. He is also part of the Management Committee which oversees the affairs of the entire organisation. Sam is looking to further his understanding of the human rights issues and concerns of migrant workers abroad and improve his ability to support them through his work.

Farah Nadiah Zainudin – Malaysia; Messrs. Azmi & Associates

Farah is a lawyer with the law firm of Messrs. Azmi & Associates who is passionate about human rights and dedicates her professional expertise and personal time to protecting the rights of refugees and migrants. Her experience in the field of human rights includes positions in several NGOs, legal-aid work in the Outreach & Protection and Intervention Unit of the UNHCR in Malaysia and work on various cases on a pro-bono basis. In her role as a member of the Kuala Lumpur Bar Subcommittee on Migrants, Refuges and Immigration Affairs, Farah has attended programs educating refugees and migrants on their basic rights in Malaysia and lobbied members of parliament to attend discussions between the government, UNHCR and other NGOS regarding the situation of urban refugees. Farah hopes that this training will help her apply her knowledge and effectively advocate for migrant workers’ rights so that she can contribute in addressing the injustices of migrant workers in Malaysia.

Frank Jamandre – Philippines; Filipino Community Organizations Alliance Qatar

Frank is Secretary of the Filipino Organizations Alliance (FILCOA) and President of the Filipino Nurses

Association in Qatar. FILCOA seeks to establish harmonious relations among various Filipino organizations in Qatar and to assist members in their issues or concerns as migrants. The organization has established a Crisis Management Committee to provide assistance to Filipino migrants in need of immediate or critical assistance. It works with the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC) in giving seminars or forums on migrant worker’s rights and in seeking assistance for migrant’s labour cases. Through its active work for Filipino migrant workers, FILCOA has established linkage with the Philippine Embassy in Qatar in responding to their concerns and has formed networks with other migrant groups such as the Solidarity USA. FILCOA is in the process of drafting a ‘Guidelines for Filipino Workers in Qatar’ that will provide adequate information and guidance on many aspects of migrant worker’s working and living conditions in Qatar. By attending this training, Frank hopes to gain knowledge on international human rights standards, ILO Conventions and complaints mechanisms relevant to migrant workers, and to establish closer cooperation with the NHRC of Qatar in protecting and promoting migrant worker’s rights.

Appendix 2: Trainers

Homayoun AlizadehRegional Representative for South-East Asia, UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Homayoun Alizadeh is the Regional Representative for South-East Asia of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) based in Bangkok. He worked as an activist and board member of the Austrian Section of Amnesty International from 1976 to 1981. From 1982 to 1987, he was chairperson of the Austrian Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran, at which time he began working with the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior as Deputy Director of Department for Refugees and Migration. Since 1995 Homayoun has been working with the United Nations in various capacities, initially as Government Liaison Officer and Assistant to Chief of Mission with the United Nations Human Rights Field Operation in Rwanda (UNHRFOR) from 1995 to 1998, and then as a Member of the Identification Commission and was Coordinator of the Appeals Analysis Teams with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) from 1999 to 2001. From March 2001 to June 2005, Homayoun was Head of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Khartoum. Homayuon has a PhD in Law and Political Science at the University of Vienna.

Dr. Clarence DiasPresident, International Centre for Law in Development

Dr. Dias is President of the International Centre for Law and Development in New York, a Third World NGO concerned with human rights and the development process. Dr. Dias has extensive training experience, having conducted the human rights component for a number of UNDP workshops. He has consulted widely for various intergovernmental organisations such as the UNDP, UN Human Rights Centre, OECD and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In particular, Dr. Dias assisted the drafting group that produced the 1986 UN Declaration on the Right to Development and was a consultant at the Global Consultation on the Right to Development, convened by the UN Human Rights Centre in 1989. He was involved in the initial drafting of the Convention on Migrant Workers. He holds a PhD in Law from Bombay University and a Doctor of Juridical Science from Cornell Law School. Clarence has considerable public interest experience and has published extensively on the topics of law and human rights. He has also attended all DTP Annual Programs since its inception and has gained a vast knowledge of effective international work conducted by NGO for human rights protection.

Karen Gomez Dumpit Director, Govlink, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP)

Karen is the Director of the Government Linkages Office in the CHRP, a national human rights institution (NHRI). Karen oversees the Commission’s monitoring of her government’s compliance with international treaty obligations, promoting harmonization of domestic laws in accordance with core international human rights instruments and making recommendations to improve the government’s adherence to these commitments. The rights of migrant workers overseas are particularly relevant to her work, such as appealing to foreign governments for clemency in cases of Filipino migrants sentenced to death abroad, promoting legislation to safeguard migrant workers voting rights in Filipino elections and to preserve dual citizenship. Recently, Karen works on issues of vulnerable groups including migrant workers which resulted in policy changes in legislation and executive policies. She works with the EU and other countries’ NHRIs to enhance the role of NHRIs in the establishment of a Regional Human Rights Commission. Karen was a previous participant of the Migrants Workers Program in 2006 in Malaysia and in 2008 in the Philippines. Karen has a Master of Science in Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Mariette Grange

Mariette Grange is a human rights practitioner and an international advocate who co-founded the Amnesty International Office to the United Nations in Geneva in the late 1980s. She later joined the World Council of Churches and worked on migration and forced displacement, doing research on child labour and “child protagonism”, women rights, and the landmines campaign. In 2001, she joined the International Catholic Migration Commission and established a rights-based international advocacy programme for refugees, migrants and internally-displaced persons based on ICMC’s field operations. In 2006, she became the Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Watch Office in Geneva and provided leadership during the institution-building year of the Human Rights Council. Mariette was the External Relations Coordinator of the International Council on Human Rights Policy until the end of 2008. A board member of December 18, she regularly advises civil society organisations, academic projects and inter-governmental processes on issues of migration and human rights and shares expertise through capacity-building and training activities. She was External Relations Coordinator of the International Council on Human Rights Policy in Geneva, an advisor for the Global Commission for International Migration, and has participated in the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Global Consultations on International Protection and the Berne Initiative. She is the author of many publications and papers on migration and human rights.

Suraina PashaProject Manager for Regional Training, APF Secretariat

Since October 2006, Suraina Pasha has been working in Sydney, Australia, with the Secretariat of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF). Suraina is the APF's Project Manager for Regional Training. Her role focuses on the coordination, management and delivery of the APF's training and capacity building programmes for national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in the Asia Pacific region. The APF runs a variety of face-to-face and online training programmes for NHRIs, focusing on specific skills required by NHRIs to fulfil their core functions. The APF also collaborates with specialist NGOs and academic institutions, to jointly organise programmes focusing on thematic human rights issues. Before working with the APF Secretariat, Suraina worked for several years with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, initially in the position of Investigations (Detention Monitoring) Officer, and then later on as Head of Policy and Research Division. She also worked for the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kuala Lumpur, in the position of Assistant Regional Legal Adviser. Suraina graduated from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, with a Bachelors degree in Law (LLB), and a Masters degree (LLM) in International Human Rights Law.

Roby AlampayJournalist, Former Executive Director, Southeast Asian Press Alliance

Roby Alampay is an award-winning journalist in the Philippines. He served as Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA). A graduate of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, his articles and essays have appeared on the leading newspapers around the region, as well as in the New York Times, the Asian Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the Guardian, among others. SEAPA, a network of media independent journalists and advocacy groups from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, is the only regional organization with the specific mandate of promoting and protecting press freedom and freedom of expression in Southeast Asia.

Albert Y. BonasahatNational Coordinator of the ILO Migrant Workers Project, International Labour Organisation

Albert Bonasahat has been the National Coordinator in Indonesia of the ILO Migrant Workers Project at the International Labour Organisation since 2006. In this capacity, he has extensive experience working in

the areas of forced labor and trafficking in Indonesia. Before taking up his current post with the ILO Migrant Workers Project, Albert worked as a Program Office at the American Center for International Labor Solidarity from 2002 to 2005. Albert holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia and a Master of Laws in International Human Rights from the University of Utrecht.

Staff

Patrick Earle (M)Executive Director, Diplomacy Training Program (DTP)

Patrick Earle has been the Executive Director of DTP since 2003 and has over 20 years of experience working in the human rights movement, both in Australia and internationally. Since 2003 Patrick has organised and facilitated over 25 human rights courses for the Diplomacy Training Program across the Asia-Pacific Region. From 1996 until 2003, Patrick worked with the Human Rights Council of Australia on its groundbreaking project on the relationship between human rights and development and is co-author of “The Rights Way to Development – Policy and Practice”. Patrick previously worked for Amnesty International and produced Amnesty International’s first International Campaigning Manual. Patrick is on the Steering Committee of UNSW’s Initiative on Health and Human Rights, a Board Member of the Asia Pacific Regional Resource Centre on Human Rights Education, a member of the Human Rights Council of Australia, and a Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Law at UNSW.

Imelda DeinlaInternational Programs Coordinator, Diplomacy Training Program

Imelda Deinla is International Programs Coordinator at the DTP where she assists the Executive Director in the development, organization and delivery of capacity building programs on human rights in the Asia Pacific. Prior to her work at the DTP, Imelda worked as a lawyer in the Philippines mainly in the areas of family, property, agrarian, and corporate laws. She has been involved on advocacy and research work involving violence against women (VAW) in the Philippines with the Women's Legal Bureau where she provided trainings on legal remedies on VAW and assisted in the prosecution of test cases. She also collaborated with friends to develop a free web-based legal resource centre on Philippine business and trade. She completed her LLM and PhD in Law at the Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales in Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines. She also is a casual lecturer at the Faculty of Law of UNSW and has researched on transitional justice and the rule of law.

Muhammad Chairul HadiSecretary General, Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia

Hadi is the Secretary General of SBMI, an Indonesian migrant worker trade union that is concerned with migrant policies in Indonesia at the local, national, regional and international levels. SBMI advocates for the rights of migrants and works to promote the prosperity and dignity of Indonesian migrant workers all over the world. SBMI successfully gained recognition from the ILO as a trade union enabling it to participate in ILO processes. Hadi obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Al-Azhar Islamic University Mataram in 2003 and attended Summer School at the University Kassel in Germany in 2009. He is a DTP graduate of the Human Rights and Migrant Workers program in Jakarta in 2004.

Madeline GleesonIntern, Diplomacy Training Program

Madeline Gleeson is an intern at the DTP and about to complete a Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Laws at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her main areas of interest are international human rights and international humanitarian law. She is currently writing a thesis on

transitional justice and the use of various accountability mechanisms to achieve justice and reconciliation in countries with a history of gross human rights abuse. Madeline has also worked in the areas of Indigenous rights in Australia and refugee and children’s rights in South Africa.

Andrew KimProgram Assistant, Migrant Forum Asia

Andrew is Program Assistant to the Migrant Forum in Asia, interning through the Canadian International Development Agency’s Students for Development program. He is in his 3 rd and final year at the Faculty of Law, University of Victoria, Canada. Andrew has pursued his education in international relations and Asian area studies. He now hopes to broaden his perspectives on specific human rights issues, including migrant rights.

Terence OsorioMigrant Forum Asia

Terence Osorio is a Program Assistant at Migrant Forum in Asia, helping to coordinate the Task Force on Advocacy and Capacity Building, MFA’s engagement with ASEAN and the Solidarity for Asian Peoples’ Advocacies (SAPA), and the West Asia Task Force. This is only her second NGO engagement; the first one was coordinating the national campaign against mining of the Alyansa Tigil Mina (Alliance to Stop Mining) when she also attended the DTP program on Business and Human Rights. For many years before that however, Terence worked as a justice and peace worker in the Catholic Church. She maintains that peace-building remains a personal advocacy and continues to help the Church in setting up justice and peace desks. Terence has a master’s degree in Social Studies and Development from the Asian Social Institute in Manila.

Appendix 3:

Program Schedule

Tues 21 Wed 22 Thurs 23 Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26

Morning 18:30 to 10:30

8.30 – 9.00: Registration

9.30: Opening Ceremony - Hon Nur Kholis – Komnas HamDr Clarence Dias

Feedback Session / Country Presentations by participants Migrant Workers and the Role of NHRIs

Feedback session / Country Presentations by participants (cont’d)Migrant Workers, ILO Conventions and the Rights Based Approach to Migration

Field Trip Participant Presentations: The Media and Migrant Worker Advocacy – Media Skills

Facilitator(s) DTP/MFA/APF Karen Gomez-Dumpit

Albert Bonasahat, ILO

Roby Alampay

Tea 10:30-10:45

Morning 210:45-12:30

What are Human Rights? Introduction to the human rights framework

ASEAN, Building Collaboration bet NHRIs and NGOs - Practical Exercise

Migrant Workers, ILO Conventions and the Rights Based Approach – Practical Exercise

Field Trip The Media and Migrant Worker Advocacy – Media Skills

Facilitator(s) Clarence Dias Karen Gomez-Dumpit, Imelda Deinla & Terence Osorio

Albert Bonasahat , ILO

SBMI Roby Alampay

Lunch 12:30-1.30

Participant Presentations

Participant Presentations

Participant Presentations

Participant Presentations

Afternoon 12:00-3:30

An Introduction to Human Rights in the UN System

Using Standards - CMW, Treaty Bodies and the Special Rapporteur to Protect the Rights of Migrant Workers

Developing Strategies for the Protection and Promotion of Migrant Workers’ Rights

Field Trip Participant Action Planning

Facilitator(s) Clarence Dias Mariette Grange Mariette Grange/Patrick Earle

SBMI

Tea 3:30-3:45 Afternoon 23:45-5:00pm

Participants’ introductionTraining outline / identification of key issues

An Introduction to the Convention on Migrant Workers Rights – Key concepts

Using the Treaty Body Reporting Process to Promote the Rights of Migrant Workers – Practical Exercise

Lobbying – Practical Exercise

OHCHR – Implementing Government Commitments – TBs,SPs, UPR Presentations on MW Issues in the Asia-Pacific

Participant evaluations – Closing Ceremony

Facilitator(s) MFA/DTP/APF/SBMI

Mariette Grange Mariette Grange

Mariette Grange and Patrick Earle

Homayoun Alizadeh, OHCHR Regional Rep

MFA/DTP/APF

5.00 – 5.30pm Participant Action Planning

Participant Action Planning

Participant Action Planning

Evening Exercises

Welcome Dinner

Diary Exercise Diary Exercise Diary Exercise Diary Exercise

Evening Events

Dinner - Movie Dinner – Solidarity Night /Dinner

Dinner