New @hrw.org report shows how Cambodian Indigenous families take on microcredit debt to pay for public services like education, and documents kids dropping out of school to help parents pay this debt, or because parents’ indebtedness made school unaffordable. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09... #ChildRights

Big step at the UN: 90+ countries participated in discussing processes that could strengthen the right to education in international law Children spoke. Now the governments must act. Now it’s time to draft. 📘 Read the blog: buff.ly/cY1lJot #RightToEducation #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EduSky

What just happened at the UN on a right to free education? @norrag.bsky.social let me try and summarize the latest progress on a new treaty to strengthen the right to free education, from pre-primary through secondary: www.norrageducation.org/un-progress-... #ChildRights #OPFRED #ECCE

The new rush on minerals carries massive human rights risks and has already caused harm to people and planet. Colombia’s initiative at #UNEA7 is a chance to change course. With 50+ partners, we @hrw.org encourage Colombia to pursue its goal for a global binding agreement on mineral supply chains.

"The UN session was a breakthrough. Governments began a process that could strengthen the right to education in international law. Now they should accelerate. Children have been clear: they cannot wait. The promise of free education for all should be written into law, and delivered without delay."

What just happened at the UN on a right to free education? @norrag.bsky.social let me try and summarize the latest progress on a new treaty to strengthen the right to free education, from pre-primary through secondary: www.norrageducation.org/un-progress-... #ChildRights #OPFRED #ECCE

In the 1950s, the false “refrigerator mother” theory fueled stigma & denied children with autism support. Today, Trump & Kennedy repeat unfounded claims linking vaccines or Tylenol to autism—risking more fear, blame & discrimination. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

Just created my first Feed on the global south: bsky.app/profile/did:... Matches any post with #GlobalSouth hashtag, or the phrase "global south", or from my also recently created Global South list: bsky.app/profile/did:... Please follow/share. Also let me know of people/orgs to add to the List.

Illicit gold trade funds abusive armed groups in Venezuela & other conflicts. A new gold industry requirement by the London Bullion Market Assiciation for global gold refiners could help shed light on these illicit trade routes, a first step towards ending them. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

Germany’s government is set to make major social security cuts, and replace the only recently-created “Citizen’s Income” with a more punitive “New Income for Jobseekers”. These plans will increase poverty. Human rights can help guide the debate back to what matters. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

Did you know that the Taliban still deny Afghan girls’ their education and future? After 4 devastating years, where is the global outrage? Must-read by my colleague Sahar Fetrat⤵️ www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

It's now 4 years since the Taliban banned secondary education for girls in Afghanistan. The ban is cruel, harmful & unlawful as @hrw.org's @saharfetrat.bsky.social explains here👇https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/09/17/taliban-deny-afghan-girls-their-education-and-future

🌟 It's here! Today, Brazil’s President Lula signed a landmark law to protect children's rights online. Brazil is now the first country in Latin America to pass such a dedicated law for kids. 🇧🇷 (En): www.hrw.org/news/2025/09... (Pt): www.hrw.org/pt/news/2025...

#UK's @phsombudsman.bsky.social finds: 1/ deep flaws in management of Home Office's #Windrush Compensation Scheme 2/ compensation offers should account for private pension losses. #WindrushScandal @hrw.org will say it again: Windrush claimants need access to legal aid. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

When politicians undermine the European Court of Human Rights, we all lose. With Europe facing some of the gravest threats since the end of WW2, European governments should be bolstering regional institutions, not undermining them. Read my new analysis for @HRW www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

From Scotland to Geneva! Our Young Advisor Robert took children’s voices to the UN on the #RightToEducation, speaking as 1 of only 5 children invited globally 🌎 — a first for UN treaty-drafting. What was it like? Read his blog: bit.ly/3IdsYvB

In new report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities recommends States "𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐑𝐂": lnkd.in/dyX6hKEK #ChildRights #OPFRED

In new report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities recommends States "𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞-𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐑𝐂": lnkd.in/dyX6hKEK #ChildRights #OPFRED

Attacks on #schools surge by ‘staggering’ 44 per cent over the past year #Education #AttacksOnSchools #SchoolsInConflictZones #RightToEducation #ChildRights

Police in Nepal have used lethal force to suppress youth protests, killing at least 19 people and injuring over 300. The “Gen Z”-led protests were organized following a widespread social media ban, with many also expressing anger about pervasive political corruption and nepotism in government.

"I missed my school and my village, and was very anxious to go back to school."- Zaida, 16, Mozambique. This International Day to Protection Education from Attack, we're lifting up the stories of students like Zaida, who deserve access to the education they need to thrive. #NotATarget

For the past four years, the Taliban have intensified attacks on women and girls' rights in Afghanistan, amounting to what UN experts have labeled “gender apartheid.” The UN Human Rights Council should urgently establish an accountability mechanism to address impunity and advance justice.

On the occasion on the International Day to Protect Education from Attacks, we publish a police brief on 'Monitoring the right to education in conflict-affected contexts': bit.ly/42mClzE #RightToEducation #UniteToProtect #SafeSchool #ChildrenInWar #ChildrenRights

Police in Nepal fire on ‘Gen Z’ Protest, including on many in school uniforms. At least 19 dead, 300 injured. The Nepali police have a history of using unnecessary lethal force against protesters. Genuine accountability needed immediately. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09... #ChildRights

@hrw.org published a Q&A on #reparations for historical & ongoing colonial atrocities ahead of a AU-CARICOM summit. A unified African-Caribbean rights-based position on reparations shaped w civil society & communities would be a gamechanger for the reparations movement. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

New @hrw.org findings: A South African firm has moved large amounts of toxic lead waste from a former mine dump in Zambia, putting the health of residents, esp. children, at risk. The Zambian govt suspend these operations & protect residents' rights. www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...

Important week next week as the UN will start work exploring new int’l law on the right to education. It’s time: every country must commit to ensuring every child can access education Thks to @bedeonkidrights.bsky.social for sharing my essay & for his leadership on the issue #ChildRights #Education

On Monday, governments will debate a possible new UN treaty to make education free from preprimary through secondary. More than 8,000 children from 40 countries have weighed in. My colleague @bedeonkidrights.bsky.social shares their views: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

Children from across the globe have expressed support for expanding a human rights treaty to require countries to provide free pre-primary & secondary education. Their message: education should be free, inclusive, and available for everyone throughout childhood: www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

#Afghanistan: 107 rights groups reiterate call to set up an accountability mechanism at UN #HRC60 As "penholder", and amid growing criticism, the #EU has a concrete opportunity to halt impunity for decades of egregious crimes in the country. It shouldn’t miss it: hrw.org/news/2025/08...

"Breaking up with Big Tech" - is in the world today, thanks to the brilliant @hannahstorey.bsky.social Human rights and anti-competition law need to work together to address the harms that tech monopolies cause: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...

🌟 Breaking good news! Brazil’s Senate just passed a bill to protect children’s rights online… for the second time. The bill now awaits President Lula’s signature. 🇧🇷 (En): www.hrw.org/news/2025/08... (Pt): www.hrw.org/pt/news/2025...

🚨 New @hrw.org report documents years of serious abuses by security forces in #Mauritania against West & Central African migrants, while those same authorities received equipment/support 💰 from the EU & #Spain to bolster border control & prevent irregular migration 🧵👇 www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

The UN Secretary-General’s report on conflict-related violence highlights a rise in conflict-related sexual violence — used as a weapon of war, torture, and repression. 92% of victims are women and girls, but the true scale is likely greater. Read more 👉 bit.ly/45FNPzg #EndViolence #ChildRights

📚🌍 Great to see that the UN released a child-friendly report capturing the views of **8,100+** children on a new treaty to strengthen the right to FREE education, from pre-primary through secondary! (Short version, they say YES!) Full report here: www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul... #ChildRights #OPFRED

Kids in Lebanese public schools will have for the third consecutive year a four-day school week as the government can’t afford a five-day week. #RightToEducation today.lorientlejour.com/article/1474...

The UN just heard from 8,100 kids (ages 3+) in 40 countries who reported on barriers to their right to education—especially fees and hidden costs—and called on governments to guarantee free education, from early childhood through secondary: www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul... #ChildRights #OPFRED

in #LatinAmerica - adolescent girls spend on average seven more hours per week than their male peers on unpaid domestic and care work 👧 😮‍💨 👦 buff.ly/zn1m7IG "The evidence gathered by UNICEF also reveals a clear link between schooling and unpaid domestic and care work"

I love this. If adults thought more like children, the world would be a much better place.

Feel like the world is on fire🔥? Well, in New Zealand, there's a campaign to find a mate for a snail. Only 1 in 40,000 snails has a spiral on its left (not the right) side. They can't mate with anyone but a similarly super-rare, flipped snail. Will Ned find a companion? www.nzgeo.com/stories/lets...

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I've never seen an OpEd quite like this before: What would pre-school children across the world do to improve access to early years education? Erini Gkouskou shares their views with ‪@nurseryworld.bsky.social‬: www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/opin... #ChildRights

New @hrw.org report documents summary executions of 140+ civilians--including children as young as 9 months--by the #Rwanda‑backed #M23 in eastern #DRCongo in July. Those responsible should be brought to justice. www.hrw.org/news/2025/08... #childrights

Burkina Faso's junta expelled top UN official for her report on children recruited, killed, and abused in the jihadist conflict (www.bbc.com/news/article...). It blamed insurgents, government forces, & civilian defence forces. Here's the #childrights report she got PNG'd for: docs.un.org/S/2025/101

JOIN our conversation on the ev' of International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Register here: tinyurl.com/4rfnmak5 #RightToEducation #ProtectEducationfromAttack #9September with @unsr-education.bsky.social @gcpea.bsky.social @unesco.org @kobotoolbox.bsky.social @ids.ac.uk

A decade-long study on alleviating poverty found that giving $1,000 to poor families lowered infant mortality rates by nearly half, and deaths in children under 5 by 45 percent: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/h...

🧒 4.5 million children in England are living in “almost Dickensian levels of poverty” with rats, mouldy food, and no space to study. This isn’t just a crisis, it’s a violation of rights. Every child deserves legally protected safe housing, food, and dignity.

I just read all 108 submissions made by academics, NGOs, & unions to the UN’s Human Rights office, in preparation for the upcoming UN meeting to consider a new optional protocol to the #ChildRights Convention to strengthen the right to education. 🧵Here are some takeaway stats on the submissions:

🚨New from @hrw.org: When Israeli forces invaded south Lebanon in 2024, they occupied schools & used some of them as barracks. In at least 2 schools, they apparently pillaged & intentionally destroyed school material & property, which amount to war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2025/08... #ChildRights

🔔 GCPEA Q2 2025 Highlights are live! ⚠️ Grave violations against children rose 25% in the past year (UN report). 🎓 GCPEA is responding—with advocacy, data, and global action to protect education from attack.