@szarifi.bsky.social
Executive Director, Physicians for Human Rights. Former Int'l Commission of Jurists, Amnesty Int'l, Human Rights Watch. Fighting for justice.
Reposts don't necessarily represent views of PHR or suggest endorsement.
Reposts don't necessarily represent views of PHR or suggest endorsement.
Reposted
Couldn’t agree more with my colleague @madhupai.bsky.social. And thanks for shout out to @defendpublichealth.bsky.social! @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @jonshaffer.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social
Scientists must learn to join larger pro-democracy and people's movements, coalitions. Our science training may not have prepared us for such work, but we can no longer sit in the safety of our labs and expect the world to get better
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
My book review @thelancet.com
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
From doing science to saving science
Science and scientists are under assault. From denial of vaccines to climate change,
political leaders are increasingly sacrificing democracy as well as science on the
altar of populism and authoritar...
www.thelancet.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Couldn’t agree more with my colleague @madhupai.bsky.social. And thanks for shout out to @defendpublichealth.bsky.social! @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social @brucemirken.mas.to.ap.brid.gy @jonshaffer.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social
Misuse of crowd control weapons like rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray, can lead to significant harm. The US government must stop abusing such ‘less than lethal, weapons, says @p4hr.bsky.social ‘s Dr Rohini Haar.
NEW: A @propublica.org & @frontlinepbs.bsky.social analysis found dozens of cases in recent months which officers deployed "less lethal" weapons in ways that flout the government’s own rules — like aiming at someone’s head, spine or groin and deploying chemical agents near children.
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Misuse of crowd control weapons like rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray, can lead to significant harm. The US government must stop abusing such ‘less than lethal, weapons, says @p4hr.bsky.social ‘s Dr Rohini Haar.
Reposted
NEW: A @propublica.org & @frontlinepbs.bsky.social analysis found dozens of cases in recent months which officers deployed "less lethal" weapons in ways that flout the government’s own rules — like aiming at someone’s head, spine or groin and deploying chemical agents near children.
Trump’s Immigration Forces Deploy “Less Lethal” Weapons in Dangerous Ways, Skirting Rules and Maiming Protesters
Civil rights and weapons experts cite the consequences of federal agents’ use of crowd control weapons: religious leaders shot with pepper balls and noxious chemicals. A nurse nearly blinded by tear g...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:45 PM
NEW: A @propublica.org & @frontlinepbs.bsky.social analysis found dozens of cases in recent months which officers deployed "less lethal" weapons in ways that flout the government’s own rules — like aiming at someone’s head, spine or groin and deploying chemical agents near children.
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If her order is carried out, she will literally be sending them back to prisons, brutal torture, and death in Myanmar. This is some of the worst of the worst foreign policy ever seen from the Trump Administration in Southeast Asia.”
November 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM
If her order is carried out, she will literally be sending them back to prisons, brutal torture, and death in Myanmar. This is some of the worst of the worst foreign policy ever seen from the Trump Administration in Southeast Asia.”
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By revoking temporary protected status for Burmese residing in the US without US citizenship & asserting that it is safe for them to return to military controlled #Myanmar in the middle of a civil war, Homeland Secretary Kirsti Noem is treating those people just like her family’s dog that she shot.
November 25, 2025 at 9:16 AM
By revoking temporary protected status for Burmese residing in the US without US citizenship & asserting that it is safe for them to return to military controlled #Myanmar in the middle of a civil war, Homeland Secretary Kirsti Noem is treating those people just like her family’s dog that she shot.
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Do join us for this online 2 hour workshop on the new #crimesagainsthumanity treaty on 24 September - the new phase of the journey starts next year, and it's time to get up to speed!
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
September 22, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Do join us for this online 2 hour workshop on the new #crimesagainsthumanity treaty on 24 September - the new phase of the journey starts next year, and it's time to get up to speed!
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted
In remembrance of September 11th, we honor the strength, resilience, and unity of our nation. #NeverForget
September 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
In remembrance of September 11th, we honor the strength, resilience, and unity of our nation. #NeverForget
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“Young people who took to the streets to protest corruption and poor job prospects could face decades in maximum-security prison under a set of laws set up to combat al Qaeda”
www.wsj.com/world/africa...
www.wsj.com/world/africa...
Kenya Uses U.S.-Funded Antiterrorism Courts for Political Crackdown
Young people who took to the streets to protest corruption and poor job prospects could face decades in maximum-security prison under a set of laws set up to combat al Qaeda.
www.wsj.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:41 AM
“Young people who took to the streets to protest corruption and poor job prospects could face decades in maximum-security prison under a set of laws set up to combat al Qaeda”
www.wsj.com/world/africa...
www.wsj.com/world/africa...
Reposted
CDC employees standing up and walking out in light of the mass shootings, firings, and *waves hands in the air* everything else.
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
August 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
CDC employees standing up and walking out in light of the mass shootings, firings, and *waves hands in the air* everything else.
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
#USAnotRFK
Lets gooooo
Reposted
Four more top #CDC officials have submitted their resignation in the past few hours - Debra Houry (chief medical officer), Demere Daskalakis (director of NCIRD), Daniel Jernigan (director of NCEZID) + Jen Layden (director of OPHDST) www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is horrifying
It is horrifying
August 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Four more top #CDC officials have submitted their resignation in the past few hours - Debra Houry (chief medical officer), Demere Daskalakis (director of NCIRD), Daniel Jernigan (director of NCEZID) + Jen Layden (director of OPHDST) www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
It is horrifying
It is horrifying
I spoke with CBC about Israel’s double-tap strike on Nasser hospital in #Gaza, which seems to be part of a widespread and systematic campaign to deny healthcare to civilians by attacking facilities, restricting supplies, and now blocking access by foreign clinicians.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
CBC News Network's Hillary Johnstone speaks with Sam Zarifi of Physicians for Human Rights
Get the latest on CBCNews.ca, the CBC News App, and CBC News Network for breaking news and analysis.
www.cbc.ca
August 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
I spoke with CBC about Israel’s double-tap strike on Nasser hospital in #Gaza, which seems to be part of a widespread and systematic campaign to deny healthcare to civilians by attacking facilities, restricting supplies, and now blocking access by foreign clinicians.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Reposted
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of states.
www.wired.com/story/senate...
www.wired.com/story/senate...
Senate Probe Uncovers Allegations of Widespread Abuse in ICE Custody
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of state...
www.wired.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of states.
www.wired.com/story/senate...
www.wired.com/story/senate...
Reposted
Any outbreak if you do absolutely nothing eventually burns itself out. The caveat here is if we use prevention measures that are highly effective the outbreak ends quickly and deaths and hospital admissions are avoided. Two children died needlessly in Texas.
www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
Measles outbreak is over in Texas, state health officials declare
The Texas Department of State Health Services declared the end of this year's measles outbreak, which has seen 762 confirmed cases and two deaths in the state.
www.cbsnews.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Any outbreak if you do absolutely nothing eventually burns itself out. The caveat here is if we use prevention measures that are highly effective the outbreak ends quickly and deaths and hospital admissions are avoided. Two children died needlessly in Texas.
www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
Reposted
Reposted
Exactly a year since the second declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, the disease has steadily continued to spread undeterred in several African countries. The resources to help control it have not really matched the emergency.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
This virus seems like it's no longer a problem. It's still a threat
A year ago, on Aug. 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Why are health experts so frustrated by the world's response?
www.npr.org
August 15, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Exactly a year since the second declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, the disease has steadily continued to spread undeterred in several African countries. The resources to help control it have not really matched the emergency.
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
www.npr.org/sections/goa...
Reposted
💯
“Researchers should not have to endure death threats or public attacks when they engage publicly and try to combat misinformation”
@michaelemann.bsky.social & @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
www.americanscientist.org/article/supp...
“Researchers should not have to endure death threats or public attacks when they engage publicly and try to combat misinformation”
@michaelemann.bsky.social & @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
www.americanscientist.org/article/supp...
Support Scientists Who Stand Up
Researchers should not have to endure death threats or public attacks when they engage publicly and try to combat misinformation.
www.americanscientist.org
August 16, 2025 at 12:09 PM
💯
“Researchers should not have to endure death threats or public attacks when they engage publicly and try to combat misinformation”
@michaelemann.bsky.social & @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
www.americanscientist.org/article/supp...
“Researchers should not have to endure death threats or public attacks when they engage publicly and try to combat misinformation”
@michaelemann.bsky.social & @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
www.americanscientist.org/article/supp...
Reposted
The elimination of an infectious disease is always a cause for celebration. Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem. This the direct result of the years of work and the dedicated efforts of real life public health heroes.
www.who.int/news/item/08...
www.who.int/news/item/08...
Kenya achieves elimination of human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness as a public health problem
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to reach t...
www.who.int
August 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The elimination of an infectious disease is always a cause for celebration. Kenya has eliminated sleeping sickness as a public health problem. This the direct result of the years of work and the dedicated efforts of real life public health heroes.
www.who.int/news/item/08...
www.who.int/news/item/08...
Horrific sexual violence has been a feature of conflicts in #Ethiopia, especially in #Tigray. Now, with escalating risk of war with #Eritrea, it's crucial for Ethiopia and the African Union to provide justice and remedies for the victims and prevent more atrocities.
phr.org/our-work/res...
phr.org/our-work/res...
“You Will Never Be Able to Give Birth”: Conflict-Related Sexual and Reproductive Violence in Ethiopia - PHR
The conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia started in November 2020 between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), with involvement from Eritrean military forces who were ca...
phr.org
August 7, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Horrific sexual violence has been a feature of conflicts in #Ethiopia, especially in #Tigray. Now, with escalating risk of war with #Eritrea, it's crucial for Ethiopia and the African Union to provide justice and remedies for the victims and prevent more atrocities.
phr.org/our-work/res...
phr.org/our-work/res...
Reposted
A Russian missile killed a pregnant woman in the Ukrainian hospital where she was being treated.
“We were waiting for a son and then in one minute, the ... Russians,” her husband Oleksandr said.
“We were waiting for a son and then in one minute, the ... Russians,” her husband Oleksandr said.
In a Ukrainian maternity ward, a Russian missile delivered death
A missile killed Diana Koshyk and her unborn son in the hospital where she was being treated, near a building Ukrainian soldiers used as a warehouse.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A Russian missile killed a pregnant woman in the Ukrainian hospital where she was being treated.
“We were waiting for a son and then in one minute, the ... Russians,” her husband Oleksandr said.
“We were waiting for a son and then in one minute, the ... Russians,” her husband Oleksandr said.
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The indescribable cruelty of this administration. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/h...
U.S. Quietly Drafts Plan to End Program That Saved Millions From AIDS
www.nytimes.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The indescribable cruelty of this administration. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/h...
Reposted
"The International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy for climate harm, including through compensation”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧪
Top UN court says countries can sue each other over climate change
The decision from the world's highest court has been welcomed by developing nations at most risk from climate change.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 23, 2025 at 4:07 PM
"The International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy for climate harm, including through compensation”
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
🧪
Reposted
The world’s highest court declares that countries are legally obligated to act against climate change and that failing to do so is a "wrongful act" that could lead to reparations. www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
www.icj-cij.org
July 23, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The world’s highest court declares that countries are legally obligated to act against climate change and that failing to do so is a "wrongful act" that could lead to reparations. www.icj-cij.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted
Already worse than 2019…&it’s July. “Falling childhood vaccine coverage and a large, smoldering outbreak…have driven the United States to a troubling new milestone: There have been more measles cases in the US this year than any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago.”
Measles cases surge to record high since disease was declared eliminated in the US | CNN
There have been more measles cases in the US this year than any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago.
www.cnn.com
July 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Already worse than 2019…&it’s July. “Falling childhood vaccine coverage and a large, smoldering outbreak…have driven the United States to a troubling new milestone: There have been more measles cases in the US this year than any other since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago.”
Reposted
From the American Medical Association & other medical societies:
"We know strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations, and death... We come together as physicians from every corner of medicine to reaffirm our commitment to these lifesaving vaccines."
"We know strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations, and death... We come together as physicians from every corner of medicine to reaffirm our commitment to these lifesaving vaccines."
An open letter to the American public on respiratory virus vaccines
Read an open letter to the general public from the AMA and medical societies backing vaccination to protect against respiratory viruses.
www.ama-assn.org
June 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
From the American Medical Association & other medical societies:
"We know strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations, and death... We come together as physicians from every corner of medicine to reaffirm our commitment to these lifesaving vaccines."
"We know strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations, and death... We come together as physicians from every corner of medicine to reaffirm our commitment to these lifesaving vaccines."