AI can be a game-changer for human rights: it can predict crises, transform healthcare and education, tackle food insecurity, and more. But to achieve this, we need to embed human rights in #AI by design, and invest in AI that puts rights first. ➡️ ohchr.org/en/statements-…

Online child exploitation & abuse have surged, driven by misuse of emerging technology, Mama Fatima Singhateh told the United Nations Human Rights Council. "These 'new frontiers' require investment in technological solutions that match the sophistication of those who seek to harm children." #HRC61

🔴 NOW at #HRC61 Interactive dialogue with Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Watch LIVE⤵️ webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1x/k…

"The world has been plunged into a new dark age of abuses," Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror told the United Nations Human Rights Council. "The international norms and institutions that protect human rights are under relentless attack," he said. #HRC61

“For decades, vague & overbroad definitions of #terrorism have led to countless human rights violations,” warns independent expert Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror.“These include unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, unfair trials, privacy breaches, refoulement.”

"Abuse of counter-terrorism laws has become a tool of choice to suppress critics & civil society." UN expert Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror urges States to adopt int'l definition of terrorism to ensure counter terrorism measures are effective & legitimate. UN Human Rights Council ohchr.org/en/press-relea… #HRC61

A decade after the #UNGASS2016, many promises remain far from fulfilled. At #CND69, IDPC calls for urgent reforms to align global drug policy with human rights, public health, and the meaningful participation of affected communities. idpc.net/news/2026/03/a…

20 years ago on 15 March 2006, the United Nations General Assembly decided to establish the Human Rights Council in Geneva. 20 years after its creation, the Council remains faithful to its core objective: the promotion and protection of all human rights everywhere ➔ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/h…

Civil society calls to strengthen Human Rights Council at 2026 review. More than 50 organisations call on governments to reaffirm the importance of the Human Rights Council and resist changes that could weaken its mandate or limit civil society participation.

I am deeply concerned by the continued detention of the five environmental rights defenders from Mother Nature in #Cambodia. A date for their appeal trial should be scheduled immediately & kept to. Repeated delays compound my concerns that their detention is arbitrary, brought

Next week, I'll be launching a scoping paper examining how social media platforms contribute, intentionally or otherwise, to silencing & endangering human rights defenders. 🗓️ Tuesday 31 March 🕓 16:00-17:00 📍 Trinity College Dublin 🔴 Live streamed on: youtube.com/@MaryLawlorHRDs

Good news. In a landmark class action lawsuit in Thailand, a court held a multinational corporation accountable for contamination from a gold mine and recognized the right of villagers in affected areas to effective remedies. hrw.org/news/2026/03/2…

“Counter-terrorism law should promote & protect #humanrights, not infringe on them.” UN expert Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror stresses freedom of expression, association & assembly must not be criminalised as terrorism - urges intl. definition of terrorism. UN Human Rights Council #HRC61 ohchr.org/en/press-relea…

Pleased to share my remarks at events at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on: - Transnational repression: ohchr.org/sites/default/… - Artificial intelligence: ohchr.org/sites/default/… - Definition of terrorism ohchr.org/sites/default/… - "Narco-terrorism" ohchr.org/sites/default/…

NEW REPORT: Authoritarian collaboration fueled #transnationalrepression in 2025, with at least 30 governments reaching beyond their borders—using tactics from assassinations to detentions—to intimidate or otherwise silence their critics. Read the full report:

Authoritarian collaboration fueled transnational repression in 2025, as dictators worked together to hunt dissenters abroad. Read more in today’s The Washington Post Washington Post Opinions washingtonpost.com/opinions/inter…

I am inviting youth from all world regions to engage with my mandate to promote the right to development globally. Apply or nominate a youth by 27 April. Further details below & here: ohchr.org/en/special-pro…

Now public: I wrote to the Government of #Vietnam about the arrest of human rights defender Ho Sy Quyet in August 2025 & the extension of his arbitrary detention since then. Unfortunately, the Government did not reply. Viet Nam Diplomacy srdefenders.org/viet-nam-prolo…

#Singapore: Volker Türk says continuing spike in executions for drug-related offences is extremely alarming. The death penalty is fundamentally incompatible with human dignity and the right to life. We urge all States still carrying out executions to impose a moratorium, as a

Now public: I wrote to the Government of #Vietnam about the detention, prosecution, repeated sentencing & ill-treatment of WHRD Cấn Thị Thêu & her sons, & the sustained repression against her family for their peaceful land rights activism. Viet Nam Diplomacy srdefenders.org/viet-nam-deten…