Rory O'Connell
@rjjoconnell.bsky.social
Professor of Human Rights & Constitutional Law, Posts on human rights, equality & constitutional law. Posting in personal capacity.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Rule of law says what now (Ireland edition)?
The Government's new stated aim is to make it so unattractive for lawyers to take good cases against the State that they will stop. Not bad cases. Good ones. Successful ones. This new rule only applies if you *win* your case. Doesn't that worry anyone slightly?
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
m.independent.ie/irish-news/o...
Objectors will be on the hook to pay six-figure legal costs under judicial reviews clampdown
Objectors will have to foot six-figure legal bills for successful judicial review cases in a new move being brought to the Cabinet to speed up the supply of infrastructure and housing.
m.independent.ie
November 9, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Rule of law says what now (Ireland edition)?
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
"The European Convention on Human Rights: 75 years on": a Human Rights Lawyers Association event, with @womaninhavana.bsky.social, @dzehtsiarou.bsky.social, Parosha Chandran and @katywatts.bsky.social.
11 November at Hogan Lovells and online.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-europe...
11 November at Hogan Lovells and online.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-europe...
The European Convention on Human Rights: 75 years on
Join the Human Rights Lawyers' Association for a panel discussion to mark the 75th anniversary of the ECHR
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
"The European Convention on Human Rights: 75 years on": a Human Rights Lawyers Association event, with @womaninhavana.bsky.social, @dzehtsiarou.bsky.social, Parosha Chandran and @katywatts.bsky.social.
11 November at Hogan Lovells and online.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-europe...
11 November at Hogan Lovells and online.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-europe...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Nearly 300 organisations have issued a rallying cry for a “full-throated defence” of the European Convention on Human Rights – accusing politicians of using it as a scapegoat with devastating effects.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Leaving the ECHR won’t stop the boats, 300 organisations warn in rallying cry
Prime minister Keir Starmer urged to make positive case for ECHR after Kemi Badenoch pledged a Tory government would leave the treaty
www.independent.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Nearly 300 organisations have issued a rallying cry for a “full-throated defence” of the European Convention on Human Rights – accusing politicians of using it as a scapegoat with devastating effects.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
The European human rights system is coming under sustained political pressure with relentless misinformation and scapegoating.
We have established the AGORA Group as a pan-European platform committed to dialogue & inquiry on key issues concerning the ECHR.
Please join us!
lnkd.in/e3HhescZ
We have established the AGORA Group as a pan-European platform committed to dialogue & inquiry on key issues concerning the ECHR.
Please join us!
lnkd.in/e3HhescZ
September 25, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The European human rights system is coming under sustained political pressure with relentless misinformation and scapegoating.
We have established the AGORA Group as a pan-European platform committed to dialogue & inquiry on key issues concerning the ECHR.
Please join us!
lnkd.in/e3HhescZ
We have established the AGORA Group as a pan-European platform committed to dialogue & inquiry on key issues concerning the ECHR.
Please join us!
lnkd.in/e3HhescZ
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Reinforce, Reform or Rupture? The Future of the European Convention on Human Rights | by Alice Donald and Andrew Forde
Reinforce, Reform or Rupture? The Future of the European Convention on Human Rights
Introduction If a week is a long time in politics, then two years is an eternity for the Council of Europe. At the Reykjavik summit in May 2023, European leaders across the political spectrum reaffir...
www.ejiltalk.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reinforce, Reform or Rupture? The Future of the European Convention on Human Rights | by Alice Donald and Andrew Forde
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
The select committee report on the asylum hotel shambles highlights a point I made repeatedly - the absurd gimicks pursued by the last govt like Rwanda took resources away from running the actual system properly.
October 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
The select committee report on the asylum hotel shambles highlights a point I made repeatedly - the absurd gimicks pursued by the last govt like Rwanda took resources away from running the actual system properly.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Right, I have read the three published witness statements closely, and...
...well.
I have spotted some rather interesting points.
I may also have worked out how the CPS thought the evidential test was somehow met at charging stage but not on the eve of prosecution.
Post will be up about 10am.
...well.
I have spotted some rather interesting points.
I may also have worked out how the CPS thought the evidential test was somehow met at charging stage but not on the eve of prosecution.
Post will be up about 10am.
October 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Right, I have read the three published witness statements closely, and...
...well.
I have spotted some rather interesting points.
I may also have worked out how the CPS thought the evidential test was somehow met at charging stage but not on the eve of prosecution.
Post will be up about 10am.
...well.
I have spotted some rather interesting points.
I may also have worked out how the CPS thought the evidential test was somehow met at charging stage but not on the eve of prosecution.
Post will be up about 10am.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
We're at the Supreme Court to defend Black voters’ power at the polls.
Follow along for live updates.
Follow along for live updates.
Live Coverage: Louisiana v. Callais SCOTUS arguments
The ACLU is at the Supreme Court for oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais. Follow live coverage of the fight to defend voting rights.
www.aclu.org
October 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
We're at the Supreme Court to defend Black voters’ power at the polls.
Follow along for live updates.
Follow along for live updates.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Oral arguments in the SCOTUS case challenging the VRA - and whether it’s unconstitutional racial discrimination to prohibit legislatures from redistricting away minority voters’ political power - start shortly.
Here’s my preview - on the case & term: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Here’s my preview - on the case & term: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
A 160-year-old campaign against civil rights heads to the supreme court
Louisiana v Callais could roll back what remains of the Voting Rights Act, putting the future of America’s multiracial democracy at stake
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Oral arguments in the SCOTUS case challenging the VRA - and whether it’s unconstitutional racial discrimination to prohibit legislatures from redistricting away minority voters’ political power - start shortly.
Here’s my preview - on the case & term: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Here’s my preview - on the case & term: www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
New HoL committee report on NI post Brexit. A surprising amount of agreement across a broad spectrum of witnesses that much more could be done to smooth the process of applying EU law in NI. Key recommendations for UKMis (FCDO in Brussels) & the UK Govt:
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
October 15, 2025 at 8:31 AM
New HoL committee report on NI post Brexit. A surprising amount of agreement across a broad spectrum of witnesses that much more could be done to smooth the process of applying EU law in NI. Key recommendations for UKMis (FCDO in Brussels) & the UK Govt:
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ld...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Congratulations to Dr Georgia Stanley on passing her PhD viva this morning! Georgia’s title was ‘The Second Rape: An Investigative Analysis of Rape Myth Narratives in Courtroom and Media Discourses’. Examiners congratulated Georgia on her excellent, well-researched and well-presented thesis!
October 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Congratulations to Dr Georgia Stanley on passing her PhD viva this morning! Georgia’s title was ‘The Second Rape: An Investigative Analysis of Rape Myth Narratives in Courtroom and Media Discourses’. Examiners congratulated Georgia on her excellent, well-researched and well-presented thesis!
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
'States have a shared responsibility to protect those fleeing for their lives. Sovereignty and the right to seek asylum are not incompatible. They are complementary.' Read the full speech by UN High Commissioner for Refugees here @unhcr.org www.unhcr.org/news/speeche...
High Commissioner’s Opening Statement to the 76th plenary session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme | UNHCR
(As delivered)Mr. Chairman, Señor Presidente, Distinguished Delegates, Dear colleagues,
www.unhcr.org
October 8, 2025 at 2:42 AM
'States have a shared responsibility to protect those fleeing for their lives. Sovereignty and the right to seek asylum are not incompatible. They are complementary.' Read the full speech by UN High Commissioner for Refugees here @unhcr.org www.unhcr.org/news/speeche...
My week finished with a trip to Vancouver and the opportunity to visit, and meet students and staff, at Brentwood College School and St. Michaels University School in Victoria and Stratford High School and Mulgrave High School in Vancouver. @ulsteruni.bsky.social @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
My week finished with a trip to Vancouver and the opportunity to visit, and meet students and staff, at Brentwood College School and St. Michaels University School in Victoria and Stratford High School and Mulgrave High School in Vancouver. @ulsteruni.bsky.social @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social
A highlight of my visit to Toronto last week was the chance to visit (HTS) Holy Trinity School on Orange T-Shirt Day, part of National Truth and Reconciliation Week. @ulsteruni.bsky.social @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 12:51 PM
A highlight of my visit to Toronto last week was the chance to visit (HTS) Holy Trinity School on Orange T-Shirt Day, part of National Truth and Reconciliation Week. @ulsteruni.bsky.social @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social
It was a pleasure to go to Toronto on behalf of @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social to visit Lakefield College School, Lauremont School, and Upper Canada College.
October 6, 2025 at 12:42 PM
It was a pleasure to go to Toronto on behalf of @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social to visit Lakefield College School, Lauremont School, and Upper Canada College.
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Like most apologias, the Wolfson report isn't supposed to be read, it's just supposed to exist to provide cover. But this is really pretty limited cover. If anyone is bothered, note the utter lack of any references re the GFA.
It's all just vibes:
www.conservatives.com/wolfson-fina...
It's all just vibes:
www.conservatives.com/wolfson-fina...
Wolfson Final Report | Conservatives
Wolfson Final Report
www.conservatives.com
October 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Like most apologias, the Wolfson report isn't supposed to be read, it's just supposed to exist to provide cover. But this is really pretty limited cover. If anyone is bothered, note the utter lack of any references re the GFA.
It's all just vibes:
www.conservatives.com/wolfson-fina...
It's all just vibes:
www.conservatives.com/wolfson-fina...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Scholars at Risk is now active on Bluesky! SAR is an international network of institutions and individuals working to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. Keep an eye out for our upcoming #Free2Think2025 report, documenting global attacks on #highered! Learn more: scholarsatrisk.org
Scholars at Risk | Protecting scholars and the freedom to think, question, and share ideas
scholarsatrisk.org
September 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Scholars at Risk is now active on Bluesky! SAR is an international network of institutions and individuals working to protect scholars and promote academic freedom. Keep an eye out for our upcoming #Free2Think2025 report, documenting global attacks on #highered! Learn more: scholarsatrisk.org
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
SAR’s #Free2Think2025 report is here! As violent threats to #highered in authoritarian contexts persist, recent years have seen increases in attacks on historically liberal contexts—incl. in the #UnitedStates. Read the report’s pressing findings now: www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/fr...
Free to Think 2025 | Scholars at Risk
Free to Think 2025 is the eleventh installment of an annual report by SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project, and analyzes 395 attacks on higher education communities around the world.
www.scholarsatrisk.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:20 PM
SAR’s #Free2Think2025 report is here! As violent threats to #highered in authoritarian contexts persist, recent years have seen increases in attacks on historically liberal contexts—incl. in the #UnitedStates. Read the report’s pressing findings now: www.scholarsatrisk.org/resources/fr...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
Apart from the unnecessary hardship this will inflict on individuals, this will be bad for integration and social cohesion, bad for the economy, and will increase irregular migration.
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
Mahmood says she will introduce new conditions for indefinite leave to remain:
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
Lived here 10 years not 5
Being in work
Not taking a penny in benefits
No criminal record
Giving back to community eg volunteering
September 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Apart from the unnecessary hardship this will inflict on individuals, this will be bad for integration and social cohesion, bad for the economy, and will increase irregular migration.
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
[And, as @robfordmancs.bsky.social has shown, it's hugely unpopular and out of step with the British public]
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
"Megaphone diplomacy via open letters, and speeches talking loosely of “reform”, seek to exculpate national political actors and scapegoat the ECtHR for domestic discontent around immigration, often inflamed by the very national actors that now seek to externalise responsibility to Strasbourg" 🎯
Starting this Sunday, the UK Conservatives will hold their annual party conference and possibly adopt a new flagship policy: withdrawal from the ECHR.
That would legitimise the playbook of the far-right, warns ALICE DONALD (@alicedonald.bsky.social).
verfassungsblog.de/badge-of-dishonour/
That would legitimise the playbook of the far-right, warns ALICE DONALD (@alicedonald.bsky.social).
verfassungsblog.de/badge-of-dishonour/
September 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
"Megaphone diplomacy via open letters, and speeches talking loosely of “reform”, seek to exculpate national political actors and scapegoat the ECtHR for domestic discontent around immigration, often inflamed by the very national actors that now seek to externalise responsibility to Strasbourg" 🎯
Pop along at the Study In Fair in Toronto to meet Isabella Salem and myself and learn about Northern Ireland, Ulster University and our Ulster University School of Law! www.ulster.ac.uk
September 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Pop along at the Study In Fair in Toronto to meet Isabella Salem and myself and learn about Northern Ireland, Ulster University and our Ulster University School of Law! www.ulster.ac.uk
Arrived in Toronto yesterday (a pleasant 24 degrees) and looking forward to the Study in the UK Fair today in the Hyatt Regency! Come along to the @ulsteruni.bsky.social stand and learn more about the University and @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social! gostudyin.com/canada/study...
September 27, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Arrived in Toronto yesterday (a pleasant 24 degrees) and looking forward to the Study in the UK Fair today in the Hyatt Regency! Come along to the @ulsteruni.bsky.social stand and learn more about the University and @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social! gostudyin.com/canada/study...
Reposted by Rory O'Connell
(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis:
• U.S. strikes / Venezuela
• Israel-Hamas War
• Trump executive actions
• U.S. military
• United States / Immigration
• Nuclear weapons testing
• Extremism
www.justsecurity.org/121135/diges...
• U.S. strikes / Venezuela
• Israel-Hamas War
• Trump executive actions
• U.S. military
• United States / Immigration
• Nuclear weapons testing
• Extremism
www.justsecurity.org/121135/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Sept. 22-26, 2025)
U.S. strikes / Venezuela • Israel-Hamas War • Trump executive actions • U.S. military • United States / Immigration • Nuclear weapons testing • Extremism
www.justsecurity.org
September 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis:
• U.S. strikes / Venezuela
• Israel-Hamas War
• Trump executive actions
• U.S. military
• United States / Immigration
• Nuclear weapons testing
• Extremism
www.justsecurity.org/121135/diges...
• U.S. strikes / Venezuela
• Israel-Hamas War
• Trump executive actions
• U.S. military
• United States / Immigration
• Nuclear weapons testing
• Extremism
www.justsecurity.org/121135/diges...