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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)

@niaolainf.bsky.social

3.4K followers 100 following 480 posts

Regents Law Professor, Minnesota Law + Professor QUB Law School (Belfast)+ Director Human Rights Centre. ICJ Commissioner. RIA. FBA. Former UN SR Counter-Terrorism & Human Rights (2017-23). Irish, Gaeilgeoir, Mom, Loves Yoga & Hiking. .. more

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Fionnuala Ní Aoláin is an Irish academic lawyer specialising in human rights law. She was the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for the United Nations Human Rights Council from August 1, 2017 - November 2023. .. more

Political science 67%

Sociology 15%

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 2d

I don’t know how this war appears to others. Living in Gaza, it’s a war of details. I think back to my first creative writing class, when the instructor told us: “Show, don’t tell. ‘God is in the details.’”

The Gaza I Once Knew Is Gone www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Opinion | The Gaza I Once Knew Is Gone

After two years of war, one Gazan tells of what was lost.

www.nytimes.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 2d

18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead.

www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

Young lives cut short on an unimaginable scale: the 18,457 children on Gaza’s list of war dead

Every name on a list compiled by health authorities in Gaza of the child victims of Israel’s offensive

www.theguardian.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 2d

Cyber and ICL.

Excellent piece

www.justsecurity.org/118463/rome-...

The Rome Statute in the Digital Age: Confronting Emerging Cyber Threats

For the Rome Statute to remain relevant, practitioners must understand how governments can deploy spyware to commit international crimes.

www.justsecurity.org

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 3d

Today thinking about the families of the hostages held in Gaza, the fragile hope of the return, the fears of loss, and the grief that accompanies great loss.

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 4d

Slow but steady progress …

npasyria.com/en/130615/

AANES hands over 5 women, 12 children linked to ISIS to South Africa

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) announced on Monday that it handed over five women and 12

npasyria.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 5d

Those of us who have heard the word “emergency” and exceptionalism always know how dangerous they are “lawintimesofcrisis” @universitypress.cambridge.org

Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 5d

One of the lessons I discuss in "On Tyranny":
Listen for dangerous words.

Text card: Listen for dangerous words.
Be alert to the use of the words extremism and terrorism. Be alive to the fatal notions of emergency and exception. Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.
#OnTyranny

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Charles W. Smith, Alan Richardson , and 1 more Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Charles W. Smith, Alan Richardson, Mark Priestley

Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 5d

One of the lessons I discuss in "On Tyranny":
Listen for dangerous words.

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 5d

Really interesting analysis and points to the now major beneficiaries of counter terrorism at the UN (Russia and China). Thanks @saferworld.bsky.social for acknowledging my work along the way.

www.saferworld-global.org/resources/pu...

Publications

www.saferworld-global.org

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Ryan Goodman

Tess Bridgeman @tessbridgeman.bsky.social · 7d

Mary McCord, former Acting Assistant AG for National Security, and I teamed up on Qs Senators should ask #Bondi at her Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, on strikes that have killed 17 people to date.

The implications are serious. Consider a few of the Qs:

www.justsecurity.org/121862/ask-b...

What the Senate Judiciary Committee Should Ask A.G. Bondi on Drug Cartel Strikes

Annotated questions the Senate Judiciary Committee could ask Attorney General Pam Bondi on lethal strikes against drug cartels.

www.justsecurity.org

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 7d

Citizen Lab does it again …

citizenlab.ca/2025/10/ai-e...

We Say You Want a Revolution: PRISONBREAK - An AI-Enabled Influence Operation Aimed at Overthrowing the Iranian Regime - The Citizen Lab

We investigate a coordinated network of inauthentic X accounts that is spreading AI-generated content to induce revolt in Iran. The network has been active since 2023, but increased activity during th...

citizenlab.ca

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 7d

At dheis dé go raibh a anam uasal. Fear álainn séimh.

www.rte.ie/news/2025/10...

Tributes to broadcaster and scríbhneoir Manchán Magan

The writer, broadcaster and documentary maker Manchán Magan has died at the age of 55, his family has confirmed.

www.rte.ie

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 8d

Coming to the end of this solemn day for Jews around the world … this terrible news. May their memories be for a blessing —

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Manchester attack: two killed and three injured after terrorist drives into grounds of synagogue and stabs worshippers

Police say Jihad Al-Shamie, a British citizen of Syrian descent, was behind car and knife attack that left three people seriously injured

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jennifer A. Richeson, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Ann Bartow

Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 8d

Federal law doesn't recognize the concept of a "domestic terrorist organization." That hasn't stopped President Trump from trying to use the concept to authorize investigations of (and necessarily suppress) lots of constitutionally protected speech, protest, and advocacy.

Me in today's "One First":

Bonus 180: "Domestic Terrorism" and NSPM-7

The Trump administration is hoping no one notices that, although federal law *defines* "domestic terrorism," it provides no special authorities against anyone whose behavior *meets* that definition.

www.stevevladeck.com

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 11d

WPS — can this agenda make any difference to women’s lives?

Unclear at this time -

www.womenpeacesecurity.org/resource/ope...

2025 Open Letter to Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in advance of the annual Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security - NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security

Dear Ambassadors, We, the undersigned organizations working across the globe on gender justice, human rights, and peace and security, write to you ahead of the 25th anniversary of Security Council Res...

www.womenpeacesecurity.org

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 12d

Regret that speaks of responsibility…

www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Some Biden Aides are Shifting Their Tune on Israel

Some are changing positions because of Trump’s approach to Israel, and a few are wrestling with whether they could have done more when in charge.

www.politico.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 13d

Brava to these sports women (and to watch such brilliant rugby) — brilliant -

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/s...

England outclass Canada to capture glorious Women’s Rugby World Cup triumph

England are Women’s Rugby World Cup winners for a third time after beating Canada 33-13 before a world-record crowd at Twickenham

www.theguardian.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 13d

Glad to be @asilorg.bsky.social mid-year meeting this weekend in Cleveland, Ohio and with two of my @umnlawschool.bsky.social students who were presenting a paper to the research forum.
Bonus: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 13d

That this is where the U.S. military is — beyond belief really —

www.justsecurity.org/121421/hegse...

FAQ for Senior Military Officers at Hegseth's Quantico Meeting

Military justice expert Eugene Fidell answers crucial questions ahead of next week's senior military meeting with Secretary Hegseth.

www.justsecurity.org

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 14d

“Speaking to a nearly empty hall after the walkout …”

A metaphor on Israel’s isolation …
turns out that generally most diplomats don’t want to listen to leaders indicted for war crimes …

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...

Netanyahu Delivers Defiant Address to U.N. After Walkout by Dozens of Nations

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

Minnesota Law @umnlawschool.bsky.social · 14d

@niaolainf.bsky.social, and Alyssa Yamamoto, visiting fellow with MN Law’s Human Rights Center, co-authored an article for OpinioJuris discussing the importance of respecting the privileges and immunities of internationally appointed experts.
z.umn.edu/aqmy

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d

Ben Saul gets it exactly right …

www.justsecurity.org/121115/unite...

The United States’ Dirty War on “Narco Terrorism”

United Nations Special Rapporteur Ben Saul writes about the U.S. military strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats.

www.justsecurity.org

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d

In a deeply ironical move …

www.state.gov/releases/off...

United States Champions Free Expression, Ceases Censorship Frameworks - United States Department of State

The United States has ceased all Frameworks to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation and any associated instruments implemented by the former administration. On April 16, Secretary of State M...

www.state.gov

Reposted by Ann Bartow

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d

Riveting …

www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Wiretapping scandal goes to court in Greece

A trial linked to the illegal wiretapping of politicians and journalists using the spy software Predator opened on Wednesday in Greece, three years after a scandal that rocked the country.

www.france24.com

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 16d

Finding cyber surveillance tools in a country near you …

www.sipri.org/visualizatio...

Mapping the location of manufacturers of spyware and other cyber-surveillance tools

!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for...

www.sipri.org

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 18d

So hopeful on seeing this news.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

Egypt's President Sisi pardons high-profile Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, al Qahera news says

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned high-profile Egyptian-British activist, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, after a lengthy imprisonment and repeated hunger strikes that prompted international pleas for his release, Al Qahera news said on Monday.

www.reuters.com

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 19d

Article 1 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: The right to self-determination…

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/21/w...

Britain, Australia and Canada Recognize a Palestinian State

www.nytimes.com

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 19d

“Do we need a president who wraps the green flag around them so tightly that the orange part is hidden from view? Or should we welcome one who will unfurl it in all its glory, understanding and respecting the orange?”

www.truthrecoveryprocess.ie/newsupdates/...

Some people think Protestants are less Irish — Truth Recovery Process

MÁIRÍA CAHILL, Sunday Independent , September 21st, 2025 In the late 1990s, I was beaten off a road by the RUC while protesting about an Apprentice Boys march and ended up in hospital. During the s...

www.truthrecoveryprocess.ie

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 20d

Teanga agus cearta.

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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 20d

“multilateralism can still function without the US.”

passblue.com/2025/09/18/t...

The UN Can Survive Without the US - PassBlue

passblue.com

Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 21d

Light relief. Brown bread making competition at the national ploughing championships.

www.instagram.com/reel/DOv0Vqh...

rtelifestyle on Instagram: "And the winner is…! Pj Kirby Galang reports live from the final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition 🍞 Read all about th…"

And the winner is…! Pj Kirby Galang reports live from the final of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition 🍞 Read all about the winner on RTÉ.ie/Lifestyle