Making A Difference

Participant Feedback

CARD OF CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSE ON HIS ELECTION

RECENT DTP ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

Here are some words from some DTP alumni who are making a difference…

1. “LONG LIVE JOSE RAMOS-HORTA!! LONG LIVE DTP!!
Thank you so much to the team at the DTP. For me personally, DTP is always the best place to be for those who are looking for getting more skills and knowledge, more experiences to learn from others, to help themselves in their work to create justice and peace, and better life for people or nations who need it. I did experience that with DTP!! I hope the work of DTP will never stop as injustice is still happening all around this world today. We still need you, DTP!!"

Warmest regards,
Paula Makabory
Australia

2. “After joining your training in Malaysia, it strongly developed my eagerness to learn more about International Human Rights Law. Therefore, since September 2006 I became a student of Hong Kong University, LLM Human Rights in Law program. I was so lucky to get a scholarship from the university - otherwise it would have been too expensive for me to enter HKU at that time.

I am glad to meet you and all the people from DTP program, which gave me the inspiration to learn more about International Human Rights Law. Thank you very much!”

Warm regards,
Nurul Qoiriah
Program Coordinator
Migrants Grassroots Organizing and Capacity Building
Asian Migrant Centre
Hong Kong

3. “Greetings from Chiang Mai, Thailand. My name is Aung Naing Oo and I am the first Burmese DTP trainee at the University of NSW in 1991. Myself and also a few other colleagues of mine who attended DTP benefited hugely from the program. Our thanks go to DTP and Mr. Horta. I know that he will make a great presidency for East Timor.”

Sincerely,
Aung Naing Oo
Burma/ Thailand
  

4. “I have had great opportunities to implement the knowledge and skills from my DTP training.  I have already made a presentation in Canada on the human rights situation in Burma (particularly in Karen state) for healthcare professionals, teachers, and resettlement service workers. I also have another presentation lined up at University of Western Ontario.”

Anonymous
Burmese Advocate

5. “I receive a lot of information from the DTP. It is very good news for me that the DTP Human Rights Activist Network is becoming more active than before.”

Patrick Joseph Ty,
Philippines

Alumni News

DTP ALUMNI – PROGRESS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND NEWS…

DTP often receives emails from its alumni, (both participants from recent courses and those from many years ago), updating us on where they are currently working and telling us about the issues they are working on and struggles they are facing.

If you are a past DTP participant we would love to hear what you are up to – drop us a line at dtp@unsw.edu.au.

Here is a snapshot of some updates we have received recently.

• Naw Ta Mla Saw, Alumna, Indigenous Peoples Program 2004: Coordinator for the Karen Young Women Leadership School (Karen Refugee Camp). Education for female refugees in the areas of capacity building, office administration, Women and Leadership, Gender Awareness, Human Rights, Women’s rights and Politics. Meets with various NGOs visiting Burma to help raise awareness of the Burmese situation. DTP has contributed to Ta Mla’s knowledge of international human rights documents, particularly UN material. Ta Mla has said that this has positively affected not just her own work but the work of her entire organisation.
• Reinford Mwangonde, Alumnus Human Rights Advocacy and Business, 2006: Raising concerns and campaigning against the development of uranium mines in Malawi. His story was recently featured on Australia’s national broadcaster, ABC. http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s1891379.htm.
  DTP was able to arrange meetings for Reinford during his time in Australia with government, media and private sector representatives involved in mining in Malawi.
• Soe Minn, Alumnus 15th Annual, 2005: Currently TV and Radio Reporter for DVB -Democratic Voice of Burma. Soe Minn is based in New Delhi, India uses media advocacy techniques to raise public awareness of human rights violations in Burma and Indo-Burmese relations.
• Wasim Wagha, Alumnus, Indigenous Program, 2007: Centre for Indigenous Peoples of Indus (CIPI), DAMAAN Development Organization; advocating tirelessly for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Pakistan.
• Cissy Lui, Alumna, Human Rights Advocacy and Business, 2006: Set up an organisation with other youth campaigners in Hong Kong to promote fair trade. Have received Oxfam Hong Kong funding to launch youth awareness campaign (www.fairpartnershk.org)
• Patrick Joseph Ty, Alumnus, Indigenous Youth 2004: Researching and raising awareness of issues surrounding sex work and human rights in the Asia Pacific. Also working to promote participatory governance with the local government in rural communities in the Philippines. DTP has been able to assist Patrick since his completion of the program with suggestions of research resources in the area of the human rights of sex workers.
• Ayesha Noor (from Bangladesh), Alumna 15th Annual, 2005: Civil Affairs Expert, UN Mission in Liberia. Ayesha works with the Governance and Local Governance team and is responsible for anti-corruption issues. She liaises and works closely with other UNMIL sections, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and government ministries on national campaigns. Ayesha supports participation of youth and women by organizing training workshops on development issues, encouraging women's participation in the decision-making process, and coordinating development activities with the Superintendents of the County.
•  Shafat N Ahmad, Alumnus 16th Annual, 2006: Advocacy work in Kashmir, campaigning against the destruction of Chinar Trees (a huge tree with great cultural significance) and the degradation of the Historical Garden NASEEM BAGH (Garden of Breezes).
• Cathy Bolinga, Alumna, Human Rights Advocacy and Business, 2006: Currently working for Caritas PNG, focusing on good governance. Cathy encourages elected members to serve the needs of communities and not get caught in the corrupt practices of bribery and manipulating systems to benefit the minority. Cathy is also working on a Children’s Rights Social Justice Program held in November to pave the way for the Universal Children’s Day celebrations.

Useful Weblinks

In recognition of the vital role of human rights defenders, and the difficult and sometimes dangerous environment in which they operate, the United Nations adopted the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in 1998.

UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

Adopted in 1998 by the United Nations, the document sets out the rights and protections necessary to support the work of human rights defenders.

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders

The Special Representative is mandated to report on the situation of human rights defenders in all parts of the world and on possible means to enhance their protection. Ms Hina Jilani, a highly respected human rights lawyer from Pakistan, has occupied the position since its creation in 2000. The Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders conducts country visits, takes up individual cases and reports to the UN Human Rights Council.

European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

Adopted in 2004, the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders recognise the role of human rights defenders and support the principles contained in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The guidelines provide for a set of "ways and means" to "effectively work towards the promotion and protection of human rights defenders in third countries, within the context of the Common Foreign and Security Policy."

Non-Governmental Organisations

Amnesty International: Human Rights Defenders

Frontline: Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Human Rights First: Human Rights Defenders

Human Rights Watch: Human Rights Defenders

International Service for Human Rights:Human Rights Defenders Office

Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders

The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), created in 1993, is granted annually to someone who has demonstrated an exceptional record of combating human rights violations by courageous and innovative means.

UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders: Human Rights First Analysis

An analysis by Human Rights First of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders are individuals, groups of people or organisations who promote and protect human rights through peaceful and non-violent means. They uncover violations, subject them to public scrutiny and press for those responsible to be accountable. They empower individuals and communities to claim their basic entitlements as human beings.

Somchai Neelaphaijit

Munir Said Thalib

Acknowledgements

The Diplomacy Training Program acknowledges with gratitude its individual financial supporters, its funding agencies,  and the trainers who donate their time and expertise to strengthening the work of human rights defenders in the region.