Now public: I wrote to the Government of #China about the detention & prosecution of HRDs Chow Hang-Tung & Lee Cheuk-Yan in #HongKong. A reply from the Government was received & is being translated.
srdefenders.org/china-arrest...
My new book
Defiant: Profiles of Resistance
is out in October.
Across Europe, as rising repression reshapes daily life, local people helping others are targeted and criminalized for exposing corruption, helping refugees and acting out of kindness.
www.simonandschuster.com/books/Defian...
Thanks to @derryjournal.com for covering my presentation at the @museumfreederry.bsky.social
on how UK state institutions covered up the truth of British soldiers killing two teenagers in Derry in 1981
www.derrynow.com/news/local-n...
⚠️ “Ahmed Shihab-Eldin’s arrest comes as part of a wider crackdown on online speech in Kuwait and other Gulf countries during the Iran war.”
Known as @ASE on Twitter, his account on that platform has been disappeared as well. He and I had been mutuals for 15 years.
Afghan migrants in Poland fear forced deportations as asylum applications remain suspended
abcnews.com/Internationa...
Marking the 45th anniversary of Gary English’s killing alongside Jim Brown, this event recalls their deaths by British Army vehicles on Creggan Road in 1981 in Derry and the failure of justice that followed. Join the English family and @finucanecentre.bsky.social with @dooleydooley.bsky.social
💥🇭🇺🗳️ BREAKING: Péter Magyar says Viktor Orbán called to concede and congratulate him.
Magyar will be Hungary’s next prime minister and, as it stands, is set to secure a 2/3 supermajority – enough to fully dismantle Orbán’s system.
A 16-year chapter is over.
WHRDs in Ukraine evacuate civilians, deliver aid, and sustain communities on the frontlines, at daily risk.
In a new report for @humanrightsfirst.org, @dooleydooley.bsky.social and I call for greater protection, support and recognition for their work.
Read: humanrightsfirst.org/library/risk...
#MENA 🌍 @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social’s latest annual report documents continued crackdowns on journalists, activists, and civil society, alongside the growing use of laws to restrict free expression.
Human Rights First's @dooleydooley.bsky.social spent the night outside the #Bahrain embassy in London to mark the 15th anniversary of the arrest of Danish-Bahraini Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, who remains wrongfully imprisoned. @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social
The flag of Indonesia flying in the wind against a blue sky background.
I am hearing disturbing news that Indigenous leader & HRD Apolos Sroyer has been subjected to surveillance, intimidation & threats related to his peaceful opposition to land grabbing in Biak, #Indonesia. The State must investigate & implement measures to ensure his safety.
Spanish PM Pedro calls for the IMMEDIATE ARREST of Netanyahu
He said: "Netanyahu launched the worst possible unjustified attack against Lebanon. His contempt for life and international law is intolerable. He is a criminal that must be arrested immediately.” #cdnpoli
Spending the night on the pavement outside the Bahraini embassy in London, marking the 15th anniversary of arrest of Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. He & others unjustly jailed in 2011 for peaceful protests remain in prison @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social @nickkristof.bsky.social
Beirut doctor reports 'massive influx of casualties' - www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-upda...
The flag of Egypt flying in the wind against a blue sky background
I've received news that a review of the pre-trial detention of the writer & human rights defender Ahmed Douma will take place in #Egypt tomorrow. He is baselessly accused of publishing false news & should be released, with the case against him withdrawn. [1/2]
Screenshot of a tweet by Defense for Children International - Palestine, reading: "Defense for Children International - Palestine has ceased operations. After 35 years of defending Palestinian children's rights, we are not able to overcome operational challenges resulting from Israel's targeted criminalization of Palestinian human rights organizations. Palestinian children are living through genocide, apartheid, military occupation, and the rapid expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. They are imprisoned in Israel's torture dungeons, buried under the rubble, and adapting to lifelong disabilities. They deserve protection and the fulfillment of all their human rights. For decades, DCIP has worked relentlessly to protect Palestinian children against all odds. Now, we look to others to take up the charge and fight for the future that Palestinian Defense for Children children deserve."
It is appalling that an organisation with a 35 year record of protecting the rights of Palestinian children, and trying to ensure that they are afforded the same human rights as everyone else, is being forced to stop its work because of a political campaign against it.
Today is the 65th birthday of our dear friend & colleague Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, co-founder of @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social & Bahrain Centre for Human Rights who's spent 15 years in prison for his activism. We call on #Bahrain authorities to #FreeAlKhawaja #Not15Years @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social
Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country, with over 20% of its land contaminated, and children at greatest risk. In @justsecurity.org, @dooleydooley.bsky.social & @suchitauppal.bsky.social examine how the crisis is deepening, why global norms are weakening, & what it means after the war ends.
April 4th is the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Brian Dooley (@dooleydooley.bsky.social) and Suchita Uppal (@suchitauppal.bsky.social) of @humanrightsfirst.org write that it is a sad reminder of the devastating effects of mines in Ukraine.
Cover page of a UN Special Rapporteur scoping paper titled “From visibility to vulnerability: when social media fails human rights defenders.” The background features abstract overlapping wave patterns in blue, purple and teal tones. At the bottom, the date March 2026 appears alongside the logo of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
NOW PUBLIC: New research examining how social media platforms contribute, intentionally or otherwise, to silencing & endangering HRDs.
srdefenders.org/hrds-and-dig...
👉 Join the discussion in @tcddublin.bsky.social today from 4pm (Dublin time) & live at: www.youtube.com/@MaryLawlorH...
Credible reports are emerging from #Bahrain that detainee Mohamed al-Mosawi was tortured to death in custody a week after being arrested. We previously submitted evidence to the US gov't recommending that Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al Khalifa face sanctions for his role in torture.
At least you’re still young enough to need haircuts
The flag of Armenia flying from a flagpole against a blue sky background.
I'm hearing disturbing news that WHRD Lilit Martirosyan, founder of Right Side NGO, and her organisation are targeted by disinformation and discreditation posts on social media in #Armenia. [1/2]
Despite the lethal dangers, local volunteer activists in #Ukraine continue to evacuate civilians from the front line. Human Rights First's @dooleydooley.bsky.social reports from Kramatorsk👇
More than 1 million people in Lebanon are displaced following the Israeli military’s evacuation orders.
The Israeli Defense Minister said hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents of southern Lebanon will not return to their homes until the "safety of [Israel's] northern residents is guaranteed.”
Today, 17 March, marks 15 years since human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested during pro-democracy protests in #Bahrain & sentenced to life in prison. @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social & 17 NGOs call on authorities to #FreeAlSingace englishpen.org/posts/campai...
The flag of Türkiye flying in the wind against a grey sky background.
I will be closely following the trial of Turkish WHRD Dr. Ayşe Uğurlu on Wednesday. She is being prosecuted in connection with her advocacy on women’s rights in #Türkiye. All charges against her must be dropped, and her dismissal from public service immediately revoked.
