billvanesveld.bsky.social
@billvanesveld.bsky.social
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Children living near Ethiopia's largest gold mine have been exposed to toxic pollution. Next week, the UN Child Rights Committee, at its Ethiopia session, should push for the mine's suspension and an independent assessment.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Children Affected by Ethiopia Mine Pollution Need Justice
People living near Lega Dembi gold mine in Ethiopia’s Oromia region have for years complained about serious health impacts, including children born with long-term health conditions, miscarriages, and ...
www.hrw.org
January 22, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Children living near Ethiopia's largest gold mine have been exposed to toxic pollution. Next week, the UN Child Rights Committee, at its Ethiopia session, should push for the mine's suspension and an independent assessment.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Saving lives is not a crime!
"The courtroom erupted in cheers, shouts, and tears as the verdict was read."
Time for Greece, and other EU member states, to end abusive migration and border policies.
And to focus on protecting human lives, and human rights.
"The courtroom erupted in cheers, shouts, and tears as the verdict was read."
Time for Greece, and other EU member states, to end abusive migration and border policies.
And to focus on protecting human lives, and human rights.
Humanitarians Cleared of Bogus Charges in Greece
After a seven-year legal ordeal, humanitarian workers wept with relief today when a court on the Greek island of Lesbos acquitted all 24 defendants who had been baselessly charged with felonies for sa...
www.hrw.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Saving lives is not a crime!
"The courtroom erupted in cheers, shouts, and tears as the verdict was read."
Time for Greece, and other EU member states, to end abusive migration and border policies.
And to focus on protecting human lives, and human rights.
"The courtroom erupted in cheers, shouts, and tears as the verdict was read."
Time for Greece, and other EU member states, to end abusive migration and border policies.
And to focus on protecting human lives, and human rights.
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
One defendant's testimony today cut through the "empty" legal arguments:
"If you have ever taken a child out of a small boat so cold you don’t know if it’s alive or not, you don’t want the boat to be on the water any longer than necessary."
Saving lives is a human reflex.
#FreeHumanitarians
"If you have ever taken a child out of a small boat so cold you don’t know if it’s alive or not, you don’t want the boat to be on the water any longer than necessary."
Saving lives is a human reflex.
#FreeHumanitarians
January 15, 2026 at 12:58 PM
One defendant's testimony today cut through the "empty" legal arguments:
"If you have ever taken a child out of a small boat so cold you don’t know if it’s alive or not, you don’t want the boat to be on the water any longer than necessary."
Saving lives is a human reflex.
#FreeHumanitarians
"If you have ever taken a child out of a small boat so cold you don’t know if it’s alive or not, you don’t want the boat to be on the water any longer than necessary."
Saving lives is a human reflex.
#FreeHumanitarians
Several defendants have testified, including a German sign-language translator who was also a lifeguard, and a retired Dutch investment banker who was a sailor and radio operator. They volunteered on Lesbos from 2015-18 to save lives.
They could face 20 yrs in prison.
They could face 20 yrs in prison.
🚨 Update from Greece: The trial of 24 humanitarians resumes today on Lesbos, #Greece ⚖️
The @europarl.europa.eu has branded this the “largest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe.”
My colleague @billvanesveld.bsky.social is there to monitor for @hrw.org
Saving lives is not a crime
The @europarl.europa.eu has branded this the “largest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe.”
My colleague @billvanesveld.bsky.social is there to monitor for @hrw.org
Saving lives is not a crime
January 15, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Several defendants have testified, including a German sign-language translator who was also a lifeguard, and a retired Dutch investment banker who was a sailor and radio operator. They volunteered on Lesbos from 2015-18 to save lives.
They could face 20 yrs in prison.
They could face 20 yrs in prison.
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
While many face abysmal public services + tax hikes, huge companies & the uber-rich game a tax system designed 100 yrs ago. My new oped in @opiniojuris.bsky.social on why the first-ever UN tax treaty is a historic chance for public budgets that can fund human rights opiniojuris.org/2026/01/13/a...
A Fairer Tax System is a Global Human Rights Imperative
[Sarah Saadoun is a senior advisor on economic inequality at Human Rights Watch] Diplomats from dozens of countries gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, in November for a new round of negotiations on a Unit…
opiniojuris.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:51 PM
While many face abysmal public services + tax hikes, huge companies & the uber-rich game a tax system designed 100 yrs ago. My new oped in @opiniojuris.bsky.social on why the first-ever UN tax treaty is a historic chance for public budgets that can fund human rights opiniojuris.org/2026/01/13/a...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Tunisian authorities recently arrested three prominent activists convicted on unjust charges of conspiracy and terrorism.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Tunisian authorities recently arrested three prominent activists convicted on unjust charges of conspiracy and terrorism.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
The arrests are the latest step in President Kais Saied’s scheme to eliminate any alternative to his one-man rule.
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Two dozen humanitarian workers face trial on the Greek island of Lesbos this week on baseless felony charges.
This case sends a dangerous message that helping people on the move is a legal offense.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Mj4FOr
This case sends a dangerous message that helping people on the move is a legal offense.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Mj4FOr
December 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Two dozen humanitarian workers face trial on the Greek island of Lesbos this week on baseless felony charges.
This case sends a dangerous message that helping people on the move is a legal offense.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Mj4FOr
This case sends a dangerous message that helping people on the move is a legal offense.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Mj4FOr
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
🚨 The trial of 24 humanitarian workers starts TODAY. My colleague, @billvanesveld.bsky.social, and I are on Lesbos, Greece, to monitor and report on this critical moment for solidarity.
Follow us for updates and read our full analysis here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Follow us for updates and read our full analysis here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
December 4, 2025 at 7:15 AM
🚨 The trial of 24 humanitarian workers starts TODAY. My colleague, @billvanesveld.bsky.social, and I are on Lesbos, Greece, to monitor and report on this critical moment for solidarity.
Follow us for updates and read our full analysis here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Follow us for updates and read our full analysis here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Human rights defenders rally to support UN expert on Palestinian rights @franceskalbs.bsky.social, after US imposed sanctions on her for criticizing #Israel. - @emmafarge.bsky.social @reuters.com
Among those urging US to reverse course: @hrw.org, UN rights chief Volker Turk, @kenroth.bsky.social
Among those urging US to reverse course: @hrw.org, UN rights chief Volker Turk, @kenroth.bsky.social
Rights defenders denounce US sanctions on UN expert on Palestinians
Human rights defenders rallied on Thursday to support the top U.N. expert on Palestinian rights, after the United States imposed sanctions on her over what it said was unfair criticism of Israel.
www.reuters.com
July 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Human rights defenders rally to support UN expert on Palestinian rights @franceskalbs.bsky.social, after US imposed sanctions on her for criticizing #Israel. - @emmafarge.bsky.social @reuters.com
Among those urging US to reverse course: @hrw.org, UN rights chief Volker Turk, @kenroth.bsky.social
Among those urging US to reverse course: @hrw.org, UN rights chief Volker Turk, @kenroth.bsky.social
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
🚨 @hrw.org's International Justice Program director Liz Evenson reacts to US sanctions against UN expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social.
July 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
🚨 @hrw.org's International Justice Program director Liz Evenson reacts to US sanctions against UN expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social.
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Germany’s interior minister wants to negotiate directly with the Taliban to send Afghan migrants deported from Germany back to Afghanistan.
Deporting anyone to a place where they face risk of abuse shows a blatant disregard for basic human decency.
Deporting anyone to a place where they face risk of abuse shows a blatant disregard for basic human decency.
July 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Germany’s interior minister wants to negotiate directly with the Taliban to send Afghan migrants deported from Germany back to Afghanistan.
Deporting anyone to a place where they face risk of abuse shows a blatant disregard for basic human decency.
Deporting anyone to a place where they face risk of abuse shows a blatant disregard for basic human decency.
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
History in the making! 🚀
Just before #FFD4Sevilla, where 10,000 minds will unite to forge economic policies, we at @hrw unveil a database of UN statements on taxation. Check out the findings, and look for what it says about your country. 🌍
www.hrw.org/news/2025/0...
Just before #FFD4Sevilla, where 10,000 minds will unite to forge economic policies, we at @hrw unveil a database of UN statements on taxation. Check out the findings, and look for what it says about your country. 🌍
www.hrw.org/news/2025/0...
Human Rights Treaty Bodies and Tax
This brief is based on an extensive analysis of how human rights treaty bodies have engaged with individual states’ approaches to tax policy issues.
www.hrw.org
June 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
History in the making! 🚀
Just before #FFD4Sevilla, where 10,000 minds will unite to forge economic policies, we at @hrw unveil a database of UN statements on taxation. Check out the findings, and look for what it says about your country. 🌍
www.hrw.org/news/2025/0...
Just before #FFD4Sevilla, where 10,000 minds will unite to forge economic policies, we at @hrw unveil a database of UN statements on taxation. Check out the findings, and look for what it says about your country. 🌍
www.hrw.org/news/2025/0...
US aid cuts have closed schools for #Rohingya kids in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
www.hrw.org
June 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
US aid cuts have closed schools for #Rohingya kids in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
New editorial from @jtodres.bsky.social explains the need for, and implications of, the proposed new optional protocol to the CRC on the right to education. He also poses important questions for #ChildRights scholars & researchers. In the Int'l Journal of Children's Rights: brill.com/view/journal...
June 26, 2025 at 7:46 AM
New editorial from @jtodres.bsky.social explains the need for, and implications of, the proposed new optional protocol to the CRC on the right to education. He also poses important questions for #ChildRights scholars & researchers. In the Int'l Journal of Children's Rights: brill.com/view/journal...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
US aid cuts have closed schools for #Rohingya kids in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
June 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM
US aid cuts have closed schools for #Rohingya kids in refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Who could help?
Rohingya teachers, who set up their own schools with $0 international funding.
If #Bangladesh recognized these schools, they could grow.
New from @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06... #ChildRights
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Journalist @antoinettelattouf.bsky.social won her case for unlawful termination against the ABC over the posting of a @hrw.org report on Gaza.
Journalists should be encouraged to post factual information about human rights violations not penalized for doing so. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/w...
Journalists should be encouraged to post factual information about human rights violations not penalized for doing so. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/w...
Australian Court Says Journalist Critical of Israel Was Wrongfully Fired
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Journalist @antoinettelattouf.bsky.social won her case for unlawful termination against the ABC over the posting of a @hrw.org report on Gaza.
Journalists should be encouraged to post factual information about human rights violations not penalized for doing so. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/w...
Journalists should be encouraged to post factual information about human rights violations not penalized for doing so. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/w...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
L’éducation n’est pas seulement un droit pour tous les enfants, elle est obligatoire en France de 3 à 16 ans.
Pourtant à Mayotte des milliers d’enfants sont privés d'accès à l'éducation et à d'autres services sociaux essentiels.
www.hrw.org/fr/news/2025...
Pourtant à Mayotte des milliers d’enfants sont privés d'accès à l'éducation et à d'autres services sociaux essentiels.
www.hrw.org/fr/news/2025...
France : De nombreux enfants à Mayotte privés d’éducation
Un projet de loi examiné à l’Assemblée nationale portant sur la reconstruction du département d’Outre-mer de Mayotte devrait inclure l’accès à l’éducation et aux autres droits économiques et sociaux f...
www.hrw.org
June 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
L’éducation n’est pas seulement un droit pour tous les enfants, elle est obligatoire en France de 3 à 16 ans.
Pourtant à Mayotte des milliers d’enfants sont privés d'accès à l'éducation et à d'autres services sociaux essentiels.
www.hrw.org/fr/news/2025...
Pourtant à Mayotte des milliers d’enfants sont privés d'accès à l'éducation et à d'autres services sociaux essentiels.
www.hrw.org/fr/news/2025...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
🔹 WE’RE HIRING – ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT
🌍 Remote | Apply by June 19 | Start: July 1
Join @gcpea.bsky.social as a ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT on a new initiative to strengthen accountability and support justice processes globally.
More details - protectingeducation.org/job/accounta...
🌍 Remote | Apply by June 19 | Start: July 1
Join @gcpea.bsky.social as a ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT on a new initiative to strengthen accountability and support justice processes globally.
More details - protectingeducation.org/job/accounta...
June 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🔹 WE’RE HIRING – ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT
🌍 Remote | Apply by June 19 | Start: July 1
Join @gcpea.bsky.social as a ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT on a new initiative to strengthen accountability and support justice processes globally.
More details - protectingeducation.org/job/accounta...
🌍 Remote | Apply by June 19 | Start: July 1
Join @gcpea.bsky.social as a ACCOUNTABILITY CONSULTANT on a new initiative to strengthen accountability and support justice processes globally.
More details - protectingeducation.org/job/accounta...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
It’s time to climate-proof education.
📖 Read GCPEA’s latest report:
“Protecting Education from Attack in the Context of Climate Change”
🔗 protectingeducation.org/publication/...
#EducationUnderAttack #ProtectEducation #SafeSchools #ClimateSecurity #GCPEA #WorldEnvironmentDay
📖 Read GCPEA’s latest report:
“Protecting Education from Attack in the Context of Climate Change”
🔗 protectingeducation.org/publication/...
#EducationUnderAttack #ProtectEducation #SafeSchools #ClimateSecurity #GCPEA #WorldEnvironmentDay
protectingeducation.org
June 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
It’s time to climate-proof education.
📖 Read GCPEA’s latest report:
“Protecting Education from Attack in the Context of Climate Change”
🔗 protectingeducation.org/publication/...
#EducationUnderAttack #ProtectEducation #SafeSchools #ClimateSecurity #GCPEA #WorldEnvironmentDay
📖 Read GCPEA’s latest report:
“Protecting Education from Attack in the Context of Climate Change”
🔗 protectingeducation.org/publication/...
#EducationUnderAttack #ProtectEducation #SafeSchools #ClimateSecurity #GCPEA #WorldEnvironmentDay
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
🌍 121 countries have endorsed the #SafeSchoolsDeclaration - that’s 121 reasons to believe in collective protection for students and teachers in conflict zones.
Read the updated @gcpea.bsky.social fact sheet to learn how education is being safeguarded in conflict contexts. #ProtectEducation
Read the updated @gcpea.bsky.social fact sheet to learn how education is being safeguarded in conflict contexts. #ProtectEducation
May 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
🌍 121 countries have endorsed the #SafeSchoolsDeclaration - that’s 121 reasons to believe in collective protection for students and teachers in conflict zones.
Read the updated @gcpea.bsky.social fact sheet to learn how education is being safeguarded in conflict contexts. #ProtectEducation
Read the updated @gcpea.bsky.social fact sheet to learn how education is being safeguarded in conflict contexts. #ProtectEducation
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
To mark World Day Against Child Labor, read @hrw.org's latest dispatch on the steps FIFA needs to take to uphold its human rights obligations and minimize risks that migrant workers’ children will be driven into child labor: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
FIFA’s World Cup Ignores a Child Labor Nightmare
In March 2025, Muhammad Arshad, a Pakistani migrant worker in Saudi Arabia, fell to his death while working on the construction of Al Khobar’s Aramco Stadium, a 2034 FIFA World Cup and 2027 Asian Foot...
www.hrw.org
June 12, 2025 at 5:57 PM
To mark World Day Against Child Labor, read @hrw.org's latest dispatch on the steps FIFA needs to take to uphold its human rights obligations and minimize risks that migrant workers’ children will be driven into child labor: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
🚨 My latest for @hrw.org in the @thenewarab.bsky.social
If the UK is serious about exerting pressure on 🇮🇱, there is a glaringly obvious ‘concrete action’ it can take:
A COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL NOW
⬇️
www.newarab.com/opinion/with...
If the UK is serious about exerting pressure on 🇮🇱, there is a glaringly obvious ‘concrete action’ it can take:
A COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL NOW
⬇️
www.newarab.com/opinion/with...
Without stopping arms to Israel, UK Gaza ‘concern’ is empty talk
If the UK has any spine on Gaza, it must at least use its political leverage and impose a total arms embargo on Israel, writes Yasmine Ahmed.
www.newarab.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:37 AM
🚨 My latest for @hrw.org in the @thenewarab.bsky.social
If the UK is serious about exerting pressure on 🇮🇱, there is a glaringly obvious ‘concrete action’ it can take:
A COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL NOW
⬇️
www.newarab.com/opinion/with...
If the UK is serious about exerting pressure on 🇮🇱, there is a glaringly obvious ‘concrete action’ it can take:
A COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL NOW
⬇️
www.newarab.com/opinion/with...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Today the US again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on #Gaza that called for a ceasefire, releasing hostages & unfettered humanitarian aid. All others voted in favor. The US isn't just providing cover for #Israel's atrocities & war crimes, incl. starvation as a weapon of war, it's complicit.
June 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
School-related sexual violence (SRSV) is a reality faced by children and young people everywhere. Online forms of SRSV are increasing.
It's high time governments adopt commitments to tackle SRSV. A recent global ministerial taskforce set up in May should prioritize it:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
It's high time governments adopt commitments to tackle SRSV. A recent global ministerial taskforce set up in May should prioritize it:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Ministerial Taskforce Should Speak Up on School-Related Sexual Violence
Every day, children are subjected to various forms of violence, including humiliating, degrading and deeply harmful acts, in and around schools, often by the very teachers and education personnel who ...
www.hrw.org
May 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
School-related sexual violence (SRSV) is a reality faced by children and young people everywhere. Online forms of SRSV are increasing.
It's high time governments adopt commitments to tackle SRSV. A recent global ministerial taskforce set up in May should prioritize it:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
It's high time governments adopt commitments to tackle SRSV. A recent global ministerial taskforce set up in May should prioritize it:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Reposted by billvanesveld.bsky.social
Tomorrow, the German city of Aachen honors EU Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu w/ Charlemagne award for her "impetus" for the EU Green Deal.
‼️But @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu has made a U-turn & is dismantling the Green Deal, incl EU supply chains law #CSDDD.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
‼️But @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu has made a U-turn & is dismantling the Green Deal, incl EU supply chains law #CSDDD.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
May 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Tomorrow, the German city of Aachen honors EU Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu w/ Charlemagne award for her "impetus" for the EU Green Deal.
‼️But @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu has made a U-turn & is dismantling the Green Deal, incl EU supply chains law #CSDDD.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
‼️But @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu has made a U-turn & is dismantling the Green Deal, incl EU supply chains law #CSDDD.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...