Bahrain’s authorities are brutally cracking down on the Shia majority, reviving 2011 repression methods: mass arrests, enforced disappearances, citizenship revocations, & custodial torture. @suchitauppal.bsky.social @dooleydooley.bsky.social

Bahrain is using 2011 crackdown tools against its Shia majority: arrests, disappearances, citizenship revocations and custodial torture. Our @humanrightsfirst.org report covers the repression and Sayed Mohamed Almosawi’s custodial death. humanrightsfirst.org/library/bahr... @dooleydooley.bsky.social

A Ukraine Supreme Court decision recognized a same-sex couple as a family under the law. A draft Civil Code could now make such recognition impossible. I write for @justsecurity.org on these developments and Ukraine’s EU accession path. www.justsecurity.org/139346/ukrai... @dooleydooley.bsky.social

After many years, Ukraine’s Supreme Court did what its Parliament failed to do: recognize a same-sex couple as a family. A draft Civil Code may now close that path. Our @suchitauppal.bsky.social writes for @justsecurity.org on these developments. www.justsecurity.org/139346/ukrai...

Thanks Irish America magazine for this on 1972 Belfast Springhill/Westrock killings. A coroner has ruled British soldiers shot dead 3 children, a priest & a local man. We @humanrightsfirst.org supported the families in their long campaign for truth #speirgorm www.irishamerica.com/2026/05/belf...

We welcome the U.S. court's decision to temporarily block sanctions against UN expert Francesca Albanese and protect the right to free speech. The power to sanction should never be used to punish efforts to report on war crimes and seek accountability.

Full coroner’s court verdict now available on Springhill Westrock killings when British soldiers shot dead five civilians one evening in Belfast in 1972; 640-page ruling here share.google/hUe8AKl5k2l3... #speirgorm

On #WorldPressFreedomDay we remember the 8 journalists killed by #Israeli strikes in #Lebanon in 2026 with total impunity @ifex.org @ifjglobal.bsky.social @dawnmenaorg.bsky.social @civicusalliance.bsky.social @rsf.org gc4hr.org/8-journalist... @ifex.org

Over 50 years later, a coroner confirmed that the 5 people British soldiers shot dead in West #Belfast in 1972 should not have been killed. We've supported the Springhill/Westrock families for years; today's findings are a vindication of their long fight.

Prof. @dooleydooley.bsky.social of @humanrightsfirst.org spoke @museumfreederry.bsky.social to mark the anniversary of the 1981 killing of Gary English and Jim Brown by British soldiers. His presentation, Anatomy of a Cover Up 👇https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LD2efRwy6g @finucanecentre.bsky.social

Now public: I wrote to the Government of #China about the detention & prosecution of HRDs Chow Hang-Tung & Lee Cheuk-Yan in #HongKong. A reply from the Government was received & is being translated. srdefenders.org/china-arrest...

My new book Defiant: Profiles of Resistance is out in October. Across Europe, as rising repression reshapes daily life, local people helping others are targeted and criminalized for exposing corruption, helping refugees and acting out of kindness. www.simonandschuster.com/books/Defian...

Thanks to @derryjournal.com for covering my presentation at the @museumfreederry.bsky.social on how UK state institutions covered up the truth of British soldiers killing two teenagers in Derry in 1981 www.derrynow.com/news/local-n...

⚠️ “Ahmed Shihab-Eldin’s arrest comes as part of a wider crackdown on online speech in Kuwait and other Gulf countries during the Iran war.” Known as @ASE on Twitter, his account on that platform has been disappeared as well. He and I had been mutuals for 15 years.

Afghan migrants in Poland fear forced deportations as asylum applications remain suspended abcnews.com/Internationa...

Marking the 45th anniversary of Gary English’s killing alongside Jim Brown, this event recalls their deaths by British Army vehicles on Creggan Road in 1981 in Derry and the failure of justice that followed. Join the English family and @finucanecentre.bsky.social with @dooleydooley.bsky.social

💥🇭🇺🗳️ BREAKING: Péter Magyar says Viktor Orbán called to concede and congratulate him. Magyar will be Hungary’s next prime minister and, as it stands, is set to secure a 2/3 supermajority – enough to fully dismantle Orbán’s system. A 16-year chapter is over.

WHRDs in Ukraine evacuate civilians, deliver aid, and sustain communities on the frontlines, at daily risk. In a new report for @humanrightsfirst.org, @dooleydooley.bsky.social and I call for greater protection, support and recognition for their work. Read: humanrightsfirst.org/library/risk...

#MENA 🌍 @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social’s latest annual report documents continued crackdowns on journalists, activists, and civil society, alongside the growing use of laws to restrict free expression.

Human Rights First's @dooleydooley.bsky.social spent the night outside the #Bahrain embassy in London to mark the 15th anniversary of the arrest of Danish-Bahraini Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, who remains wrongfully imprisoned. @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social

I am hearing disturbing news that Indigenous leader & HRD Apolos Sroyer has been subjected to surveillance, intimidation & threats related to his peaceful opposition to land grabbing in Biak, #Indonesia. The State must investigate & implement measures to ensure his safety.

Spanish PM Pedro calls for the IMMEDIATE ARREST of Netanyahu He said: "Netanyahu launched the worst possible unjustified attack against Lebanon. His contempt for life and international law is intolerable. He is a criminal that must be arrested immediately.” #cdnpoli

Spending the night on the pavement outside the Bahraini embassy in London, marking the 15th anniversary of arrest of Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. He & others unjustly jailed in 2011 for peaceful protests remain in prison @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social @nickkristof.bsky.social

Beirut doctor reports 'massive influx of casualties' - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/beirut-doctor-reports-massive-influx-casualties

I've received news that a review of the pre-trial detention of the writer & human rights defender Ahmed Douma will take place in #Egypt tomorrow. He is baselessly accused of publishing false news & should be released, with the case against him withdrawn. [1/2]

It is appalling that an organisation with a 35 year record of protecting the rights of Palestinian children, and trying to ensure that they are afforded the same human rights as everyone else, is being forced to stop its work because of a political campaign against it.

Today is the 65th birthday of our dear friend & colleague Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, co-founder of @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social & Bahrain Centre for Human Rights who's spent 15 years in prison for his activism. We call on #Bahrain authorities to #FreeAlKhawaja #Not15Years @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social

Ukraine is now the most heavily mined country, with over 20% of its land contaminated, and children at greatest risk. In @justsecurity.org, @dooleydooley.bsky.social & @suchitauppal.bsky.social examine how the crisis is deepening, why global norms are weakening, & what it means after the war ends.

April 4th is the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Brian Dooley (@dooleydooley.bsky.social) and Suchita Uppal (@suchitauppal.bsky.social) of @humanrightsfirst.org write that it is a sad reminder of the devastating effects of mines in Ukraine.

NOW PUBLIC: New research examining how social media platforms contribute, intentionally or otherwise, to silencing & endangering HRDs. srdefenders.org/hrds-and-dig... 👉 Join the discussion in @tcddublin.bsky.social today from 4pm (Dublin time) & live at: www.youtube.com/@MaryLawlorH...

Credible reports are emerging from #Bahrain that detainee Mohamed al-Mosawi was tortured to death in custody a week after being arrested. We previously submitted evidence to the US gov't recommending that Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al Khalifa face sanctions for his role in torture.

I'm hearing disturbing news that WHRD Lilit Martirosyan, founder of Right Side NGO, and her organisation are targeted by disinformation and discreditation posts on social media in #Armenia. [1/2]

“…systemic use of double tap strikes…” www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Despite the lethal dangers, local volunteer activists in #Ukraine continue to evacuate civilians from the front line. Human Rights First's @dooleydooley.bsky.social reports from Kramatorsk👇

More than 1 million people in Lebanon are displaced following the Israeli military’s evacuation orders. The Israeli Defense Minister said hundreds of thousands of Shiite residents of southern Lebanon will not return to their homes until the "safety of [Israel's] northern residents is guaranteed.”

Today, 17 March, marks 15 years since human rights activist Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace was arrested during pro-democracy protests in #Bahrain & sentenced to life in prison. @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social & 17 NGOs call on authorities to #FreeAlSingace englishpen.org/posts/campai...

I will be closely following the trial of Turkish WHRD Dr. Ayşe Uğurlu on Wednesday. She is being prosecuted in connection with her advocacy on women’s rights in #Türkiye. All charges against her must be dropped, and her dismissal from public service immediately revoked.

Israel kills more medics in Lebanon www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

#Indonesia I’m hearing extremely concerning news that Andrie Yunus, the Deputy Coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared & Victims of Violence (KontraS) suffered an acid attack carried out by unidentified individuals, resulting in serious injuries across his body. [1/2]

Listening to some States speak about protecting HRDs at the Human Rights Council this week, I thought I was in wonderland. I've seen some genuine efforts, yes. But also plenty of smokescreening. States know what's needed: laws, policies, procedures & the spine to implement them. #HRC61

In “Constant Crisis,” a report on Lebanon for @gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social at the end of 2025, local Human Rights Defenders told me how they would respond when Israeli attacks resumed: “Every organisation has to become a frontline provider…” @kstockwood.bsky.social www.gc4hr.org/new-report-e...

On 3 March, I will present my final report to the UN Human Rights Council, bringing forward the voices of human rights defenders at a time of growing attacks on human rights & the international system meant to protect them. In the days ahead, I am sharing some of their words. #HRC61

Big win at Belfast Court of Appeal today as Laurence O’Neill had his 1972 convictions overturned. We supported the @finucanecentre.bsky.social & local human rights lawyers to have the convictions quashed. #speirgorm Learn more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...

On the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine, local activists warn that even if fighting stops, serious human rights issues will remain. Our new report outlines 7 urgent issues that demand sustained int'l attention beyond a ceasefire. humanrightsfirst.org/library/ukra...

On 3 March, I will present my final report to the UN Human Rights Council, bringing forward the voices of human rights defenders at a time of growing attacks on human rights & the international system meant to protect them. In the days ahead, I’ll be sharing some of their words. #HRC61

Piece by @suchitauppal.bsky.social & myself for Activist Lawyer on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We asked local activists in Ukraine about long-term human rights challenges. More here @humanrightsfirst.org www.activistlawyer.com/post/on-anni...

‘St Patricks Day parades may be targetted’ www.irishtimes.com/abroad/2026/...