Is Ireland playing political football with the European Court of Human Rights just to gain anti-migrant votes? In an opinion piece for @irishexaminer.bsky.social, DCU’s @drandrewforde.bsky.social warns the government is playing politics with ECHR to appease loud minority. Read: launch.dcu.ie/4dL7YIa

Yesterday evening was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and longstanding supporters of ICCL, and to hear from excellent speakers including Dr Andrew Forde, Daniel Holder, Director of @cajni.bsky.social, and @ailbhes.bsky.social.

Panel discussion next Wednesday (18th Feb) at 14.00 in @dublincityuni.bsky.social looking at US intervention in Venezuela and Greenland. Room CG04. Speakers include Dr Eleanor Williams, @drandrewforde.bsky.social, @kenmcdonagh.bsky.social, Prof Gary Murphy, and @waltkilroy.bsky.social

Ireland is set to hold EU Presidency - what should we expect? My interview with Seán Moncreiff on Newstalk this afternoon: www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

On the show today: @drandrewforde.bsky.social on Ireland's EU presidency; @henrymckean.bsky.social on losing things; @rjpartington.bsky.social on Venezuela's gold; @barbarascully.bsky.social & @declanbuckley.bsky.social think you've learned nothing; @stephenlucek.bsky.social is grand; 'Smart' Lego?

Which European values will Ireland defend in 2026 EU presidency? 'When it comes to reconciling lofty ideals with gritty public policy, consistency is challenging. But the rules-based world order demands it' - DCU's @drandrewforde.bsky.social. Read in @irishexaminer.bsky.social: launch.dcu.ie/4poCxr7

Which European values will Ireland defend in 2026? My new Opinion piece in the Irish Examiner @irishexaminer.bsky.social today. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Who really protects #humanrights in Europe? Conflict and populism pose a growing threat to fundamental rights and freedoms. But are the institutions put in place to protect them still up to the job? It was great discussing all this with @drandrewforde.bsky.social youtu.be/Z6MaOMzJ-e8 #ECHR #CoE

My interview with the wonderful James Ker Lindsay has just dropped on YouTube. I discuss the origins, benefits and the many challenges facing Europe's human rights system, and why it's in all of our interests to safeguard the progress made over 75 years 🇪🇺 youtu.be/Z6MaOMzJ-e8?...

Countdown to Chișinău: The Risk of Politicising the ECHR over Migration | by Andrew Forde and Alice Donald

Essential reading for those interested in the process of reform of the European Convention on Human Rights and the risks involved, by @drandrewforde.bsky.social and @alicedonald.bsky.social on @ejiltalk.bsky.social www.ejiltalk.org/countdown-to...

Dr Andrew Forde @drandrewforde.bsky.social, Assistant Professor of European Human Rights Law, has been awarded the 2025 Kevin Boyle Book Prize for Outstanding Legal Scholarship at the Irish Association of Law Teachers (IALT) Conference in Derry. www.dcu.ie/deli/news/20...

Still cant quite believe I won the Kevin Boyle Book Prize 2025 An enormous honour, especially because I know there were so many superb books in the mix 🙏🏻 Thanks to you all for your kind wishes.

It is an incredible honour to be awarded the 2025 Kevin Boyle Book Prize here at IALT Conference in Derry.

AGORA Group open letter to Council of Europe Leadership still open for signature for another little while... please consider signing docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Reinforce, Reform or Rupture? The Future of the European Convention on Human Rights | by Alice Donald and Andrew Forde

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

If there isnt meaningful accountability for Israel's genocide in Gaza, serious questions need to be asked of the future of the United Nations and the system of international criminal accountability. The evidence of egregious breaches of international law by Israel continues to mount...

🚨Over the past week, EJIL: Talk! hosted a 5 article symposium on our new book 'Russia, the Council of Europe & the European Convention on Human Rights - Troubled Membership and its Legacy' (Bristol University Press and Policy Press, 2025) 1/7 @coe.int

Russia, the Council of Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights: A Troubled Membership and Its Legacy | by Ed Bates, Kanstantsin Dzehtsiarou and Andrew Forde

My interview with @forbes.com on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine to be established within the framework of the @coe.int Council of Europe has just been published... www.forbes.com/sites/kevinh...

Last January I warned States of the risk of genocide in Gaza. Countless others have issued the same warning. Nothing has been done. Israel has brought about mass starvation, killing indiscriminately, armed by western governments. It must end now.

None of this horror in Gaza was unpredictable. It is effectively and observably state policy of Israel to starve Palestinian children to death.

Utterly reprehensible.

New special tribunal for Ukraine will pave the way for holding Russian leaders to account for the invasion. Piece by DCU's Dr Andrew Forde @drandrewforde.bsky.social for @uk.theconversation.com. Read more here: launch.dcu.ie/4lyWwSn

But don’t expect to see Vladimir Putin facing a court any time soon.

My new article in @uk.theconversation.com has just been published: New special tribunal for Ukraine will pave the way for holding Russian leaders to account for the invasion theconversation.com/new-special-...

I look forward to welcoming President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Council of Europe tomorrow. As strikes continue, we are closing the accountability gap — and bringing the crime of aggression under the rule of law. Europe and the world need the Special Tribunal. @coe.int

Unambiguous message from Council of Europe Secretary General that the ECHR is the bedrock of Europe's human rights system and the "Letter of Nine" is problematic and misguided.

We desperately need more women in politics, law and international relations. The scourge of small "powerful" men with big egos, no values and thin skins will ultimately be our undoing.

60 more Palestinians murdered by Israel, which is illegally occupying Gaza, deliberately starving an entire population and weaponising humanitarian aid. This genocide is heading towards an extermination. www.rte.ie/news/middle-...

Activists in Gaza flotilla are ‘acting where states have failed’: My comments just published in @IrishLegal News on the legality of the Freedom Flotilla seeking to deliver aid to Gaza, and the importance of focussing on bringing an end to this appalling genocide. www.irishlegal.com/articles/act...

Trinity College Dublin board votes to cut ties with Israeli universities and companies www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...

Wishing all Leaving Cert students the very best of luck! Remember, these exams won't define you, and the best is yet to come. 🙂

Israel's genocide of Palestinians requires a total overhaul of our understanding of the Right to Food. Weaponisung food is illegal and indicative of moral bankruptcy. We must move away from concepts of 'charity' and 'assistance' towards a practical, effective and justiciable right to food.

Israel has embraced international lawlessness. In July last year the International Court of Justice found that Israel's occupation is unlawful and should be ended, it should cease new settlements and pay reparations. Today, Israel announced 22 new settlements in West Bank... Shameless land grab.

Intimidation of diplomats is unacceptable and threatens the basis of international relations.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) firing ‘warning shots’ near diplomats sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations. Piece by DCU's Dr Andrew Forde @drandrewforde.bsky.social for @uk.theconversation.com. Read more here: launch.dcu.ie/4kX2o7N

🚨IDF firing 'warning shots' near diplomats is a violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations. My new piece in @theconversation.com theconversation.com/idf-firing-w...

"There is a fine line between individual perceptions of powerlessness, and complicity." My OpEd in today's edition of the @irishexaminer.bsky.social on the need for decisive action to stop the genocide in Gaza. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Full text of letter to Irish government from 420 barristers, solicitors and academics is available here: ichrgalway.org

Horrendous act of antisemitism... www.rte.ie/news/2025/05...

The appeasement of Israel must stop now. This is outrageous. www.rte.ie/news/middle-...

When we discuss the genocide in Gaza, we must choose our words carefully. My letter in today's edition of the @irishtimes.com

Im delighted to share that my first book, 'European Human Rights Grey Zones - The Council of Europe and Areas of Conflict' (Cambridge University Press, 2024) will soon be available in paperback format, making it much more affordable and accessible. Available here: www.cambridge.org/al/universit...

Sublime... @tcddublin.bsky.social

If there was any argument about the value of something like the ECHR, the Trump admin’s contempt of its own courts is reminder of the value of a higher body. And no, I don’t think there’s anything special about the British that means we’re immune from fascism.

My new piece in @opiniojuris.bsky.social today focusses on the possible establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine under the auspices of the Council of Europe @coe.int The blueprint now exists, but does the political will? opiniojuris.org/2025/04/16/t...