Author | Lightnews

Raphael Viana David

@vdraphael.bsky.social

260 followers 580 following 20 posts

🇧🇷🇫🇷 in Geneva. Programme Manager at the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) @ishr.ch Supporting human rights defenders at the UN, tracking China's influence. I write about China/中国人权, Global South diplomacy, Latinoamérica. 🏳️‍🌈 Views my own.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 28

Really pleased to launch this new report: based on extensive data, we expose Beijing's strategy to silence, deter and block NGOs at the UN.

The report was widely covered in today's investigation on China's transnational repression by @icij.org, @theguardian.com, @lemonde.fr, @elpais.com and others.

ISHR @ishr.ch · Apr 28

📢 ISHR launches a key report uncovering #China's tactics to block civil society’s access to the #UnitedNations.

Deferrals of NGO accreditation applications, reprisals against activists, growing number of 'government-organised NGOs' - read the full story here: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

New ISHR report uncovers China’s tactics to block civil society access to the United Nations

The Chinese government has made extensive use of its membership of UN human rights bodies and soared the presence of Chinese GONGOs to deter and prevent independent NGOs and human rights defenders…

ishr.ch

1 7 9

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · 15d

BREAKING: new @ishr.ch report uncovers how China and Russia hijack budget negotiations in New York to defund the UN's human rights work and investigations, while the US has gutted the UN's budget at a time of financial crisis and #UN80 reform.

Read more: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

New ISHR report reveals how governments work behind the scenes to defund the UN’s human rights work

A groundbreaking report published by ISHR today, reveals for the first time how a small group of States led by China and Russia are obstructing and hijacking budget negotiations at the United Nations…

ishr.ch

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Sep 18

@ishr.ch analysed the Secretary-General's revised UN budget proposal for 2026 released this week, the data is clear: human rights, chronically underfunded, are disproportionately targeted.

States must reverse cuts, adequately fund human rights.

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

UN80 Initiative: proposed budget cuts disproportionately hit the human rights pillar

Geneva / New York, 18 September 2025 – On 16 September 2025, the UN Secretary-General published its report revising its earlier proposal for the UN’s 2026 budget (known as ‘Revised estimates’ report).

ishr.ch

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

Sophie Richardson @sophiedrich.bsky.social · Sep 6

@chrdnet.bsky.social proud 2 team up w @rizwangvl.bsky.social @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social @vdraphael.bsky.social @yalkun.bsky.social to talk about #China govt’s widespread, systematic #humanrights abuses, esp scourge of #arbitrarydetention. Goal: ending impunity. Watch online: youtube.com/@CHRDnet

2 1

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · May 13

@ishr.ch l joins 22 human rights organisations in strongly condemning the #HongKong government’s escalating transnational repression against activists in exile and the targeting of relatives of prominent activist Anna Kwok.

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

NGOs call out Hong Kong’s escalation of transnational repression against human rights defenders

Read the joint letter below: We, the undersigned civil society and human rights organizations, strongly condemn the Hong Kong government’s escalating repression of activists in exile and their family…

ishr.ch

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · May 6

@ishr.ch strongly condemns the targeting of relatives of Hong Kong exiled activist Anna Kwok, in severe escalation of repression by Hong Kong authorities.

We urge governments to provide robust public responses.

We stand in full solidarity with Anna Kwok and all victims of transnational repression.

mayawang.bsky.social @mayawang.bsky.social · May 5

In significant escalation, #HongKong govt charges the father of US-based exiled activist, Anna Kwok, with national security crime that can lead up to 7 years in prison. The intention is to intimidate the pro-democratic Hong Kong diaspora into silence www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...

1 3

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 28

At a time when multilateralism is challenged, we provide recommendations to make the UN safer for activists and NGOs, free from undue State interference.

Read the full story here: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

New ISHR report uncovers China’s tactics to block civil society access to the United Nations

The Chinese government has made extensive use of its membership of UN human rights bodies and soared the presence of Chinese GONGOs to deter and prevent independent NGOs and human rights defenders…

ishr.ch

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 28

"The Chinese government does not want independent voices at the UN and has been trying hard to kick them out from Geneva and New York. This stands in direct contradiction to its self-portrayal as a reliable multilateral leader."

1 1 1

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 28

ISHR @ishr.ch · Apr 28

New ISHR report uncovers China’s tactics to block civil society access to the United Nations

The Chinese government has made extensive use of its membership of UN human rights bodies and soared the presence of Chinese GONGOs to deter and prevent independent NGOs and human rights defenders…

ishr.ch

1 7 9

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 3

Participo de la conferencia de prensa del Colectivo 46/2, incl @ishr.ch, tras victoria aplastante del voto por la renovación de la resolución del Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU sobre Nicaragua hace algunos instantes.

Empezando ahora: www.youtube.com/live/aZZyhIU...

El Colectivo 46/2 analiza la renovación del mandato del GHREN en la ONU y su impacto en #Nicaragua.

YouTube video by Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Más

www.youtube.com

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 3

BREAKING - 'Authorities in Managua can try and hide, but sooner or later, whether it’s in New York or in Geneva, they will have to explain themselves before the international community.' @ishr.ch

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Human Rights Council renews investigation on Nicaragua as it turns back on UN

Member States of the UN Human Rights Council approved a second two-year renewal of the investigative and accountability mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN)…

ishr.ch

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Apr 3

BREAKING: Landslide victory for Human Rights Council vote to renew for 2 years mandates of UN Human Rights Office
and Group of Experts (GHREN) investigating Nicaragua's crimes agst humanity.

With Nicaragua leaving HRC, the text crucially mandates GHREN now to also present to UNGA in NYC. @ishr.ch

2 2

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Mar 20

Earlier today, the UK called at the UN Human Rights Council for the release of #HuangXueqin, #JimmyLai and other arbitrarily detained activists, lawyers, journalists in China and Hong Kong.

@ishr.ch echoes the call for their immediate release, as repeatedly urged by many UN experts over past years.

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

国际人权服务社(ISHR) @chinese.ishr.ch · Mar 17

我们在 @fifdh.bsky.social 与 #青年活动家峰会共同举办活动的精彩瞬间！

@ishr.ch @vdraphael.bsky.social 分享道：本届电影节正值全球格局迅速变化的关键转折点。作为人权领航员，我们正在经受一场公海上的风暴，看不到尽头。我们必须发挥集体的力量以渡过难关：一起扬帆起航，组织起来，开辟通往正义和变革的新道路。

1 1

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

Sophie Richardson @sophiedrich.bsky.social · Mar 11

Between January 1, 2019 & December 31, 2024, authorities sentenced 1,422 PoCs to prison in mainland #China and 123 individuals in #HongKong in violation of their #humanrights. Read the details here in new @chrdnet.bsky.social research: www.nchrd.org/2025/03/in-a...

“In a Prison Cell Waiting for Daybreak”：Arbitrary Detention in China may Constitute Crimes Against Humanity | Chinese Human Rights Defenders

www.nchrd.org

7 5

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

CHRD人权捍卫者 @chrdnet.bsky.social · Mar 6

Two separate #UN bodies have now warned that #China ’s arbitrary detention practices may constitute #CrimesAgainstHumanity. This alarming pattern calls for independent investigations into #Beijing ’s atrocities, says @sophiedrich.bsky.social
Read our full report: www.nchrd.org/2025/03/chin...

4 1

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Mar 7

Ahead of Intl Women's Day #IWD2025, @ishr.ch partnered with Chinese feminist activists in a statement to the UN Human Rights Council to pay tribute to their work, 30 years after the Beijing Conference on Women and 10 years after China's crackdown on the 'Feminist Five.'

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Chinese feminists continue to resist amidst repression 30 years after Beijing Conference on Women

The statement was delivered in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark framework for achieving gender equality adopted at the Fourth World…

ishr.ch

3 3

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Mar 6

In 2022, the UN committee on racial discrimination issued a key decision on the plight of Uyghurs, referring for the first time ever the situation to the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and R2P (UNOSAPG).

Two+ years after, we need substantive action by UNOSAPG. @ishr.ch

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

HRC58: UN Genocide Prevention Office urged to act upon UN committee ruling on Uyghurs

The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) held yesterday a panel discussion with UN and civil society panelists on the role of early warning in preventing genocide and other atrocity crimes. Virginia Gamba…

ishr.ch

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Mar 4

It is ludicrous that on the heels of taking its seat as a Human Rights Council member, Thailand chose to ignore compelling UN evidence and instead pointed to Beijing ‘reassurances’ that no harm would be done to the deported Uyghurs. @ishr.ch

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

UN bodies slam incoming Human Rights Council member Thailand for Uyghur deportations to China

On 27 February 2025, Thai authorities forcibly deported 40 Uyghur individuals – who had attempted to transit through then seek asylum in Thailand – to China in a secretive overnight operation.

ishr.ch

1 1

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Feb 10

@ishr.ch &30+ human rights groups from Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, stand in solidarity with human rights defenders in China five years after the 'Xiamen Gathering' crackdown.

Full statement in English, Chinese, Spanish.

#FreeXuZhiyong #FreeDingJiaxi

ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Joint civil society statement on the fifth anniversary of the ‘Xiamen gathering’ crackdown

Read the full statement in English, Chinese and Spanish. Thursday 26 December 2024 marked the fifth anniversary of the crackdown on the 'Xiamen gathering', a private gathering attended by some 20…

ishr.ch

6 7

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Jan 21

The UN experts state that:
- 'treatment of the Uyghur minority in China is well-documented,
- they're 'concerned they are at risk of suffering irreparable harm, in violation of the international prohibition on refoulement to torture.'

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Jan 21

The UN experts are clear: “It is our view that these 48 Uyghur individuals should not be returned to China. Instead, they must be provided with access to asylum procedures and other humanitarian assistance, including medical and psycho-social support in Thailand.”

1 1

Raphael Viana David @vdraphael.bsky.social · Jan 21

URGENT: UN experts urge Thailand to immediately stop deporation of 48 Uyghurs to China, warning that the group was at real risk of torture or ill-treatment if they are returned.

@ishr.ch @uyghurcongress.bsky.social @uyghurproject.bsky.social

1 3

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

Hannah Theaker @htheaker.bsky.social · Jan 19

This is a horrifying prospect. The deportation of Uyghurs in Thailand to the PRC is such a flagrant breach of the principle of non-refoulement.

Darren Byler @dbyler.bsky.social · Jan 19

More details here: www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/w...

Fearing Deportation, Uyghurs Held in Thailand Go on Hunger Strike (Gift Article)

Dozens of men from the ethnic minority sought escape from repression in China a decade ago, but have been detained in Thailand ever since.

www.nytimes.com

15 27

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

国际人权服务社(ISHR) @chinese.ishr.ch · Jan 7

今天是 #彭立发 51岁生日，祝他生日快乐。

彭立发在让全社会噤声的重压中挺身而出，于2022年10月13日在 #北京四通桥上悬挂横幅，要求结束 #动态清零，反对独裁统治并要求政治体制改革，而遭 #强迫失踪至今。

此事是自 #八九六四以来北京街头重现少见的抗议运动：

👉1个月后 #白纸运动席卷中国
👉2个月后中国放弃清零政策

🔔呼吁国际社会持续发声 #寻找彭立发，敦促 #中国释放 #彭立发。

1 2

Reposted by Raphael Viana David

ISHR @ishr.ch · Jan 14

🇻🇪 Carlos Correa, a human rights defender in Venezuela, was arbitrarily detained on Jan 7, 2025. His whereabouts are unknown.

✊ Take action: Write an appeal for his release!
amnesty.org/en/documents...

#WhereIsCarlosCorrea #FreeCarlosCorrea #HumanRights #Venezuela