An institution moves. genevasolutions.news/human-rights...

Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office has been abolished The SPO was a nasty entity that went after independent journalists, academic and NGOs. A short piece for @hrw.org on this important step in restoring the rule of law and human rights in post-Fidesz Hungary. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...

Just published for @hrw.org in @mercehu.bsky.social, an op-ed on the important first steps that the new Tisza government has taken on improving pensions and old age poverty, and the hard work that lies ahead for a fundamental overhaul of pensions. merce.hu/2026/07/01/n...

Hungary: Rushed Constitutional Changes Undermine Rule of Law “The progress the government makes on restoring the rule of law after years of damage is precious & fragile. It can be undone with hasty legislation that rides roughshod over due process & fairness.” www.hrw.org/news/2026/06... @hrw.org

As a bearded person, I value such input, from my partner, my family, my friends, people working in establishments that serve food, and frankly any polite interlocutor confronted by the presence of such stray morsels.

Just seeing @stephenburgen.bsky.social's update on the @theguardian.com live blog that 212 deaths reported in Spain as heatwave breaks June temperature records - www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

Sometimes I wonder why people even get paid to write columns.

Britain, 2026. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

A quarter. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Lots of things that could stand as a political epitaph for Keir Starmer, but for me it's this story from a long read I wrote last year on what happened to the heroic human rights lawyer we used to hear so much about.

Great to see @notzachcampbell.bsky.social's investigation for @hrw.org covered in such detail by @politico.eu. Bulgaria approved the sale of intrusive surveillance technology to rights abusing countries. Worth asking the broader question: is the EU's dual-use export control regime fit for purpose?

🔥🔥🔥 Strongly recommended reading for anyone interested in the Palestine Action proscription case in the UK. And probably essential weekend reading for counterterrorism and constitutional law boffins.

Bulgaria Licensed Surveillance Exports to Rights Violators Latest from @hrw.org - investigation by @notzachcampbell.bsky.social www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

Nouvel rapport* sur le système discriminatoire des amendes policières en France, qui piège les jeunes noirs, arabes et nord-africains dans le surendettement. Ces amendes sont utilisées comme outil de profilage racial. (*rédigé par @hrw-fr.hrw.org, Re-Claim et MCDS) www.hrw.org/fr/news/2026...

New research on France's discriminatory system of police fines, that traps youth (especially Black, Arab & North African boys and young men) in debt with long-lasting impact. The fines are also used as a tool of racial profiling. Report by @hrw.org, Re-Claim and MCDS www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

Human rights change can -- and perhaps should? -- be a thing of joy. Read @hrw.org colleagues Elizabeth Kamundia and Samer Muscati's piece from Malawi. www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

"Introducing a law that could further criminalize LGBT people and arbitrarily restrict gender-affirming healthcare would further enshrine systematic discrimination and violate Türkiye’s international human rights obligations."

Tom Bell, acting UK Director @hrw.org, on yesterday's Court of Appeal decision on Palestine Action: www.hrw.org/news/2026/06... "Defining a protest group as terrorists has created an absurd situation where thousands of people peacefully holding up signs are being charged with supporting terrorism."

Hungary's decision to stay in the ICC is a key moment in restoring rule of law in the country. It should also serve as a catalyst for consistent, unwavering support for international justice and the ICC in EU Council conclusions. @aliceautin.bsky.social for @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

Tom Bell, acting UK Director @hrw.org, reacts to today's Court of Appeal's ruling on the proscription of Palestine Action.

Human rights are for everyone. Not just those the state deems to be compliant.

🍴 More than 60 individuals & orgs from the UK Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network have come together to call for the right to food to be incorporated into UK law. Our joint statement to the Right to Food Commission sets out a roadmap for change. justfair.org.uk/wp-c...

1/n Response below from @hrw.org to today's Court of Appeal judgment that the UK Home Secretary's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was lawful: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... The thread also has links to the judgment, @hrw.org research, and some legal commentary.

🧵5/5 Tech companies must urgently take concrete steps to prevent the spread of #misinformation and incitement to violence and racial hatred on their platforms, and protect users from abuse.

🧵4/5 The authorities should be allowed to carry out their investigation unobstructed, and political leaders should make it clear that racist violence and inciting such violence are unacceptable. Those responsible for violence and incitement to violence should be held to account.

🧵3/5 Political leaders should reflect on how adopting virulent xenophobic rhetoric has contributed to a climate of hatred and division that sees families being burned out of their homes, and others being forced to close businesses due to fear and intimidation.

2/5 In Northern Ireland, targeted violence against minorities has become frighteningly regular. Since 2024, each summer has seen an outbreak of violence that targets minority businesses & homes as entire communities are scapegoated over issues & events they have no relation to or responsibility for.

🧵1/5 The appalling scenes of xenophobic violence that broke out on June 9 in #Belfast are a frightening reminder of how normalized racism & organized racist violence have become in the UK. A devastating knife attack should never be used to justify more violence. HRW's thoughts are with all victims.

Hungarian Prosecutors Drop Pride-Related Charges posted for @hrw.org Positive Move for Civic Space, LGBT Rights, and Rule of Law www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

More good news from Hungary as prosecutors announced on June 4 that they dropped charges against a mayor and a civic activist for their roles in organizing 2025 Pride events in Budapest and Pécs, citing an EU Court of Justice ruling on a Fidesz-era anti-LGBT law www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

Colleagues @amnesty.org are looking for someone to lead their team working on economic and social justice and rights. Deadline: June 21 Looks like some flexibility regarding location: £78,733 (if in London, pay might vary elsewhere) Full-time, permanent careers.amnesty.org/jobs/vacancy...

Keema* peas is better than mince and tatties. Immigration has improved national cuisine. I'm not accepting any other opinions. www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... *Kheema, not keema. قیمہ क़ीमा

RIP

Glad to have been able to contribute to this important discussion.

If English-speaking journalists following these developments are looking for a response from @hrw.org, please get in touch here, or feel free to quote this below:

We @hrw.org are seeking a new UK Director to lead our advocacy and communications work in the country. Also office leader for a pretty sizeable London-based staff. London-based. In office 2/3 days per week. Salary range: £87,000- 110,000 Deadline: 21 June job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw...

1/4 Good news from Hungary. Prosecutorial authorities have dropped charges against people linked to organizing Pride 2025 events in Budapest and Pécs, who were facing prosecution including on evidently spurious "child protection" grounds. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷🩵🤍🤎 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Britain, 2026. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

EU to release €16bn to Hungary previously frozen under Orbán Decision comes as police announce policy U-turn to allow Pride parade to take place in Budapest www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

This is an absolutely fantastic new resource on the European Social Charter, and (although I'm yet to read it) looks like it will become a repeated, key reference point for those of us working on social rights in Europe: www.racse-anesc.org/en/commentary/ (HT via @koldocasla.bsky.social)

Dataviz for the digital age.

One to watch, following swift legislative action by the new government and parliament. Will this aspect of returning to the normality of the rule of law happen? Will the sitting President work as an obstacle/brake? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

A présent que la Déclaration politique de Chisinau a été adoptée, nos gouvernements mesurent-ils vraiment ce qui est en jeu ? Dans @lemonde.fr, je réaffirme quelques principes fondamentaux. #ECHR #migration @coe.int #droitshumains 👉 www.lemonde.fr/idees/articl...

Now that the Chisinau Political Declaration has been adopted, we find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. But do our governments truly grasp what is at stake? In an @lemonde.fr oped, I restate some fundamentals. Read my oped in English👉 go.coe.int/zdxHh #ECHR #migration @coe.int #humanrights

Changes afoot. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Super interesting initiative in Germany @fian-international.bsky.social -- people and farmers with experience of poverty working together: www.fian.de/aktuelles/pr... (learned about it from @why-not.eurosky.social, who you should follow if you're interested in Germany poverty/social security things)

Job opportunity: campaigner on "everyday rights" at @amnestyuk.bsky.social -- or economic, social, and cultural rights. Part-time (21 h/w), fixed-term (until May 2027) Deadline June 15. See amnestyuk.ciphr-irecruit.com/applicants/v...

We @hrw.org support this initiative led by friends at @justfairuk.bsky.social and the UK ESCR Network to draw attention to unfulfilled economic, social, and cultural rights promises in the UK. The UK government ratified the ICESCR 50 years ago. It is still not incorporated in domestic law.

Trust the process.

🫏