banner
LightNews
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs
@marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
1K followers 180 following 590 posts
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders | Adjunct Professor at Centre for Social Innovation, Trinity College Business School | Founder of Front Line Defenders. 🌐 srdefenders.org 🔗 https://linktr.ee/marylawlorhrds
linktr.ee
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 1h
People who are peacefully protesting, organising and advocating for action from their governments to address the effects of climate change, as well as their root causes, are human rights defenders.

✍️ My latest op-ed in @thewire.in:
thewire.in/environment/...
The Right to Defend Human Rights in the Face of Climate Change
Many governments around the world claim to support human rights defenders. Whether that is true is up for debate. But when it comes to climate activism, there is little evidence to support their claim...
thewire.in
1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 1h
Je suivrai de près l'audience demain au Tribunal de 1ère instance de Tunis des défenseurs des droits des migrants tunisiens Mustapha Djemali & Abderrazek Krimi, détenus depuis 17 mois dans des conditions déplorables, sans accès suffisant aux soins médicaux. Ils devraient être libérés.
Le drapeau de la Tunisie flottant au vent sous un ciel bleu.
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 2h
I recently spoke with a group of young HRDs from across #Serbia, who shared their experiences of human rights activism, including peaceful protests and school blockades in recent months.
srdefenders.org/information/...
Hearing with young human rights defenders from Serbia
I recently spoke with a group of young human rights defenders from across Serbia, who shared their experiences of human rights activism, including peaceful protests and school blockades in recent mont...
srdefenders.org
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 4h
J'apprends avec inquiétude l'arrestation & la condamnation à 6 mois de prison du défenseur des droits humains Jedidia Mabela pour avoir dénoncé une mauvaise gestion des fonds publics à Kisangani en #RDC & réclamé davantage de transparence. J'appelle à sa libération immédiate.
Le drapeau de la République Démocratique du Congo flottant au vent sous un ciel bleu.
1 1
Reposted by Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs
mongabaylatam.bsky.social
Mongabay Latam @mongabaylatam.bsky.social · 16h
#Opinión A pocas horas de presentar un informe sobre la situación de defensores climáticos, @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social, Relatora Especial de la ONU, adelanta algunas de las conclusiones. La creciente criminalización de los líderes ambientales es una de ellas. 👇🏼 es.mongabay.com/2025/10/defe...
Puntos de inflexión: el derecho a defender los derechos humanos ante el cambio climático | OPINIÓN
Puntos de inflexión: el derecho a defender los derechos humanos ante el cambio climático, columna de opinión de Mary Lawlor.
es.mongabay.com
1 1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 16h
El cambio climático es una crisis de derechos humanos. Las personas que están protestando y abogando por la acción de sus gobiernos para abordar sus efectos, además de sus causas fundamentales, son personas defensoras de los derechos humanos.

es.mongabay.com/2025/10/defe...
Puntos de inflexión: el derecho a defender los derechos humanos ante el cambio climático | OPINIÓN
Puntos de inflexión: el derecho a defender los derechos humanos ante el cambio climático, columna de opinión de Mary Lawlor.
es.mongabay.com
1 3
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 22h
Ya pública: carta al Gobierno de #Honduras sobre la detención arbitraria, amenazas y uso de fuerza por los agentes policiales en contra de la defensora de los derechos humanos e integrante de OFRANEH Mabel Robledo. Lamento no haber recibido una respuesta.
srdefenders.org/honduras-ate...
Honduras: atentado armado y detención arbitraria de la defensora de los derechos humanos Mabel Robledo (comunicación conjunta)
Lo que sigue se basa en una comunicación conjunta enviada al Gobierno de Honduras sobre el presunto atentado armado y detención arbitraria de la defensora de los derechos humanos Sra. Mabel Robledo.
srdefenders.org
1 1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 1d
On 16 October, I'll present my report on HRDs working on climate change at #UNGA80. In the lead up, I'm sharing this guest blog from a human rights defender raising awareness about climate-triggered displacement in the marshlands of Southern #Iraq.
srdefenders.org/information/...
HRDs, Climate Change and a Just Transition – Guest Blog from an Iraqi human rights defender
[EN/AR] A guest blog by an Iraqi human rights defender working on the climate-triggered displacement that affected the Marshes of Southern Iraq.
srdefenders.org
1 3
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 1d
Day 1 of my visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. Very happy to meet Ambassador Beth Delaney of #Australia & her colleagues to discuss the work human rights defenders are doing on climate change & a just transition #GA80
1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 2d
People around the world are working for action on climate change & a just transition - one that respects the human rights of all. They are human rights defenders, yet instead of working with them, States have gone on the attack. I am calling for change.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It’s a road to destruction’: climate defenders facing surge in reprisals, says UN expert
Mary Lawlor, UN special rapporteur for human rights defenders, accuses US, UK and other governments of paying lip service to climate goals while criminalizing activists
www.theguardian.com
1 7 7
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 4d
Ya pública: carta al gobierno de #ElSalvador sobre la detención arbitraria, el enjuiciamiento y el allanamiento de personas defensoras de los derechos humanos de la UNIDEHC. Lamento no haber recibido una respuesta.
srdefenders.org/el-salvador-...
El Salvador: detención arbitraria, enjuiciamiento y allanamiento de personas defensoras de los derechos humanos de la UNIDEHC (comunicación conjunta)
Lo que sigue se basa en una comunicación conjunta enviada al Gobierno de El Salvador sobre la detención arbitraria, el enjuiciamiento y el allanamiento de miembros de la organización no gubernamental ...
srdefenders.org
1 2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 5d
Hearing disturbing news that #Israel still detains scores of global human rights defenders arrested at sea between 1-8 October from 2 flotillas carrying aid to Gaza; those released reported poor treatment in Israeli prisons. All must be freed immediately @israelmfa.bsky.social
The flag of Israel flying in the wind against a cloudy sky background.
3 3
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 5d
Very disturbed by the reported continued disappearance of Kenyan HRDs Bob Njagi & Nicholas Oyoo in #Uganda. The two defenders were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed men in Kampala on 1 October. Ugandan authorities must investigate & secure the safe release of Bob & Nicholas.
The flag of Uganda
1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 5d
Now public: I wrote to the Government of #India about the arrest & ongoing detention of Adivasi human rights defenders Raghu Midiyami & Suneeta Pottam. I regret not having received a response from the authorities.
srdefenders.org/india-arrest...
India: arrest and ongoing detention of Adivasi human rights defenders Raghu Midiyami and Suneeta Pottam (joint communication)
This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of India about the arrest of Raghu Midiyami in February 2025 and the re-arrest of Suneeta Pottam in April 2025 as well as their ongo...
srdefenders.org
2 1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 5d
Negotiations are continuing in the @europarl.europa.eu on reform of EU law on people smuggling. It's essential that the Parliament explicitly exclude acts of solidarity aimed at upholding the human rights of migrants & asylum seekers from what's being criminalised under the proposal.
Close-up of the European Parliament building in Brussels, showing the institution’s logo and the European Union flag with a circle of twelve yellow stars on a blue background, displayed on the building’s glass façade.
1 1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 6d
Next Wednesday 15th, I'll be holding a side-event co-sponsored by the Missions of Ireland & the Marshall Islands to the UN in New York, with the participation of three amazing human rights defenders.

Register interest to attend in person at the email below ⬇️
#UNGA80 #HRDs #ClimateChange
Flyer for a side event at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly titled “Tipping points: human rights defenders, climate change and a just transition.” The event is scheduled for 15 October 2025, from 13:30 to 14:45 EDT, at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, 885 2nd Avenue, 21st Floor, New York. The event will be conducted in English only. Panelists are Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders; Isatis Cintrón-Rodríguez, Director of the ACE Observatory and Scientist at Columbia Climate School; Alec Connon, Director of the Stop the Money Pipeline Coalition, USA; & Helena Gualinga, Environmental human rights defender from Ecuador. Moderator: Ambassador Fergal Mythen, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN. To attend in person, participants are asked to register by emailing infohrd@protonmail.com. The event co-organised by the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders and the permanent missions of Ireland & the Marshall Islands.
2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 6d
Alarmingly, her personal data was leaked after filing a confidential complaint with the World Bank. (2/2)
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 6d
Hearing disturbing reports about threats & smear campaigns against the Ulinzi Africa Foundation & its founder Raabia Hawa, an environmental defender targeted for protecting nature reserves & human rights in #Kenya’s Tana Delta & Lamu West. (1/2)
The flag of Kenya flying in the wind against a blue sky background.
1 2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 6d
I look forward to this @uofmhumanrights.bsky.social event where I will discuss human rights defenders and their place in the USA and the world.

🗓️ Mon 20 October
🕓 4-6pm
📍 Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Minneapolis

ℹ️ Registration & details:
cla.umn.edu/human-rights...
United Nations Special Rapporteur Mary Lawlor
Join us for a keynote lecture with Mary Lawlor, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
cla.umn.edu
2 2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 7d
Hearing disturbing news that Iranian HRD Masoud Farhikhteh, serving a prison sentence for his peaceful defence of teachers rights, was recently put in solitary confinement; I urge the Iranian authorities to immediately meet his medical needs & to cease targeting HRDs.
Iranian human rights defender Masoud Farhikhteh standing in front of a wooden slatted wall, wearing a dark blazer over a green shirt and smiling softly at the camera.
1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 7d
Hearing disturbing news that HRD Sonam Wangchuk, a long-time advocate for environmental protection, education reform & youth empowerment in #Ladakh, has been detained since 26 September under #India's National Security Act. I call for his immediate release.
The flag of India flying in the wind
2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 7d
Ya pública: carta al gobierno de #México sobre amenazas contra la defensora Virginia Garay Cazares. Agradezco la respuesta del gobierno, pero sigo preocupada por su seguridad.
srdefenders.org/mexico-hecho...
México: hechos de intimidación y amenazas en contra de la defensora de los derechos humanos Virginia Garay Cazares (comunicación conjunta)
Lo que sigue se basa en una comunicación conjunta enviada al Gobierno de México sobre las amenazas en contra de la defensora de los derechos humanos Virginia Garay Cazares.
srdefenders.org
2
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 8d
I'm deeply alarmed by the death sentence issued against Sudanese lawyer & HRD Abubakr Mansour and the arrest of defense counsel Abubakr Al-Mahi. These actions reflect systemic intimidation of defenders in #Sudan. I call for immediate redress.
The flag of Sudan
1
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 8d
On 16 October, I'll present my report on HRDs working on climate change at #UNGA80. In the lead up, I'm sharing a guest blog by Vitaly Servetnik, a climate activist from #Russia, on his work, the #RussianClimateCase at @echr.coe.int & a campaign he invites you to join
srdefenders.org/information/...
HRDs, Climate Change and a Just Transition – Guest Blog from Vitaly Servetnik
A guest blog by Vitaly Servetnik, a climate activist from Russia who is part of the group challenging the Russian government's climate inaction before the European Court of Human Rights.
srdefenders.org
2 4
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 11d
Hearing disturbing news about continued harassment of Western Saharan (WS) HRD Sidi Mohamed Daddach by Moroccan security forces who recently surrounded his house preventing a WS HRD meeting. I repeat my call to the Moroccan authorities to end this repression
spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBas...
Three flags of Morocco flying from flagpoles against a bright blue sky.
1