Ben Ward
@bpward.bsky.social
The Harder They Come
YouTube video by Jimmy Cliff - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Bad politics as well as bad policy…
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Bad politics as well as bad policy…
Oped by @yasmineahmed.bsky.social on UK govt's immigration plans:
"We've seen the injustices caused by a hostile environment with the Windrush generation. Instead of learning from that shameful chapter, these proposals risk recreating the same architecture of precarity"
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
"We've seen the injustices caused by a hostile environment with the Windrush generation. Instead of learning from that shameful chapter, these proposals risk recreating the same architecture of precarity"
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Mahmood’s Immigration Plan Breaks Labour’s Promises
Shabana Mahmood’s newly unveiled asylum and returns policy is being sold as a moment of ‘restoring order’. In truth, it marks a profound retreat from the humane, pragmatic approach Labour promised vot...
www.hrw.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Oped by @yasmineahmed.bsky.social on UK govt's immigration plans:
"We've seen the injustices caused by a hostile environment with the Windrush generation. Instead of learning from that shameful chapter, these proposals risk recreating the same architecture of precarity"
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
"We've seen the injustices caused by a hostile environment with the Windrush generation. Instead of learning from that shameful chapter, these proposals risk recreating the same architecture of precarity"
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Ben Ward
We’re thrilled to share that Human Rights Watch’s #WithHumanity campaign has been selected as a Gold award winner at the Anthem Awards. 🙌
www.anthemawards.com/winners/list...
www.anthemawards.com/winners/list...
November 18, 2025 at 9:21 PM
We’re thrilled to share that Human Rights Watch’s #WithHumanity campaign has been selected as a Gold award winner at the Anthem Awards. 🙌
www.anthemawards.com/winners/list...
www.anthemawards.com/winners/list...
France is failing to provide education to all children in the French overseas department of Mayotte ,
@hrw.org research finds. The French government’s neglect of Mayotte is an ongoing legacy of colonialism that has left the island persistently underdeveloped
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
@hrw.org research finds. The French government’s neglect of Mayotte is an ongoing legacy of colonialism that has left the island persistently underdeveloped
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
France: Overseas Territory’s Education Barriers
The French overseas department of Mayotte, an island territory in the Indian Ocean and a former French colony, is failing to provide education to all children.
www.hrw.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
France is failing to provide education to all children in the French overseas department of Mayotte ,
@hrw.org research finds. The French government’s neglect of Mayotte is an ongoing legacy of colonialism that has left the island persistently underdeveloped
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
@hrw.org research finds. The French government’s neglect of Mayotte is an ongoing legacy of colonialism that has left the island persistently underdeveloped
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Ben Ward
This is now a familiar rubric for ideas that are hard to sell on merits.
2019: Boris Johnson’s agenda is the only way to stop Nigel Farage’s.
2024: Nigel Farage’s agenda is the only way to stop Tommy Robinson.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
2019: Boris Johnson’s agenda is the only way to stop Nigel Farage’s.
2024: Nigel Farage’s agenda is the only way to stop Tommy Robinson.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are stirring up anger in the UK. My asylum reforms are our chance to stop them | Shabana Mahmood
I know some of these measures will face opposition. But a country without secure borders is less safe for those who look like me, says Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:56 AM
This is now a familiar rubric for ideas that are hard to sell on merits.
2019: Boris Johnson’s agenda is the only way to stop Nigel Farage’s.
2024: Nigel Farage’s agenda is the only way to stop Tommy Robinson.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
2019: Boris Johnson’s agenda is the only way to stop Nigel Farage’s.
2024: Nigel Farage’s agenda is the only way to stop Tommy Robinson.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Ben Ward
Among the many things wrong with Labour’s immigration strategy, this stands out: to “fight” a few thousand so-called illegal migrants, Shabana Mahmood is willing to make life hell for hundreds of thousands of people who are legally in the UK.
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
Labour’s plan for migrants to ‘earn’ permanent residency turns belonging into an endless exam
In this hierarchical system, migrants are kept on extended probation and judged by standards never applied to British nationals.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Among the many things wrong with Labour’s immigration strategy, this stands out: to “fight” a few thousand so-called illegal migrants, Shabana Mahmood is willing to make life hell for hundreds of thousands of people who are legally in the UK.
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
🔗 theconversation.com/labours-plan...
Reposted by Ben Ward
REMINDER:
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
November 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM
REMINDER:
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
Happening Now!
Together with the GLOBAL REPARATIONS HUB , we are thrilled to invite you to the REPARATIONS NOW Conference on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 — in person in Berlin or online!
Register now: decolonize-berlin.de/de/events/bu...
Register now: decolonize-berlin.de/de/events/bu...
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Happening Now!
Reposted by Ben Ward
Today & tmrw, European Parliament will adopt its 1st report calling on EU & members to step up response to attacks & harassment by autocratic Govts against their nationals beyond their borders.
#TransnationalRepression is a major threat to freedoms in the EU.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agen...
#TransnationalRepression is a major threat to freedoms in the EU.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agen...
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Today & tmrw, European Parliament will adopt its 1st report calling on EU & members to step up response to attacks & harassment by autocratic Govts against their nationals beyond their borders.
#TransnationalRepression is a major threat to freedoms in the EU.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agen...
#TransnationalRepression is a major threat to freedoms in the EU.
www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/agen...
!!!
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has floated the idea of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Five Polish human rights law scholars explain why this would be a dangerous move – and why the Convention remains vital for Poland:
verfassungsblog.de/what-is-the-...
Five Polish human rights law scholars explain why this would be a dangerous move – and why the Convention remains vital for Poland:
verfassungsblog.de/what-is-the-...
November 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
!!!
Reposted by Ben Ward
In Hungary, Pastor Gábor Iványi, whose church supports people in poverty, faces absurd charges. The pastor and his church are human rights defenders providing shelter, food, education to people left behind by the state. The move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Hungary: Pastor Supporting People in Poverty Faces Charges
Instead of supporting those who fill the gaps left by Hungary’s crumbling public services and social security system, the government is prosecuting them. On November 3, prosecutors charged Pastor Gábo...
www.hrw.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
In Hungary, Pastor Gábor Iványi, whose church supports people in poverty, faces absurd charges. The pastor and his church are human rights defenders providing shelter, food, education to people left behind by the state. The move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
As we celebrate 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights, some politicians want to weaken the court that enforces its protections and water down the convention itself. We should resist these efforts which would undermine rights for everyone #ECHR75
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
When Politicians Undermine Europe’s Rights Court, We All Lose
The European Court of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights are under attack again.
www.hrw.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
As we celebrate 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights, some politicians want to weaken the court that enforces its protections and water down the convention itself. We should resist these efforts which would undermine rights for everyone #ECHR75
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Reposted by Ben Ward
We @hrw.org are glad to be able to support this initiative led by @bigissue.com calling on the UK government to set child poverty reduction targets. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
October 31, 2025 at 8:29 AM
We @hrw.org are glad to be able to support this initiative led by @bigissue.com calling on the UK government to set child poverty reduction targets. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"It’s a question of humanity": How a small Spanish town led by a conservative mayor voted unanimously to regularise undocumented migrant workers
A different way is possible...
H/T @picumofficial.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
A different way is possible...
H/T @picumofficial.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘It’s a question of humanity’: how a small Spanish town made headlines over its immigration stance
Mayor explains why Villamalea unanimously backed call to regularise undocumented migrants – across party lines
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"It’s a question of humanity": How a small Spanish town led by a conservative mayor voted unanimously to regularise undocumented migrant workers
A different way is possible...
H/T @picumofficial.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
A different way is possible...
H/T @picumofficial.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
A draft law in Türkiye would pave the way for criminal charges against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in one of the most alarming rollbacks of rights in decades, @hrw.org says. The proposal should be immediately withdrawn www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Türkiye: Draft Law Threatens LGBT People with Prison
A government proposal would pave the way to bring criminal charges against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Türkiye, one of the most alarming rollbacks of rights in decades, Hu...
www.hrw.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A draft law in Türkiye would pave the way for criminal charges against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in one of the most alarming rollbacks of rights in decades, @hrw.org says. The proposal should be immediately withdrawn www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
This photo by Don McCullin of a protestor - taken in 1962 at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis - resonates strongly today...
October 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This photo by Don McCullin of a protestor - taken in 1962 at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis - resonates strongly today...
Reposted by Ben Ward
A win for Windrush campaigners:
Private pension losses will now be compensated under the #Windrush Compensation Scheme--important considering the age of claimants.
BUT without free legal representation, access to compensation is hampered.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10... @hrw.org
Private pension losses will now be compensated under the #Windrush Compensation Scheme--important considering the age of claimants.
BUT without free legal representation, access to compensation is hampered.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10... @hrw.org
October 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A win for Windrush campaigners:
Private pension losses will now be compensated under the #Windrush Compensation Scheme--important considering the age of claimants.
BUT without free legal representation, access to compensation is hampered.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10... @hrw.org
Private pension losses will now be compensated under the #Windrush Compensation Scheme--important considering the age of claimants.
BUT without free legal representation, access to compensation is hampered.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10... @hrw.org
Reposted by Ben Ward
They are PEOPLE before anything else.
October 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
They are PEOPLE before anything else.
Reposted by Ben Ward
Returning colonial-era cultural belongings & ancestral remains is an international human rights & reparations issue. Communities' rights should be at the core. Yet Germany's new guidelines distance themselves from international law.
Returns aren't goodwill gestures.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Returns aren't goodwill gestures.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
New German Guidelines on Colonial Returns Fail Rights Test
Last week, German federal, state, and local authorities adopted Common Guidelines on the handling of cultural assets and human remains from colonial contexts. Despite the welcome efforts to regulate t...
www.hrw.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Returning colonial-era cultural belongings & ancestral remains is an international human rights & reparations issue. Communities' rights should be at the core. Yet Germany's new guidelines distance themselves from international law.
Returns aren't goodwill gestures.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Returns aren't goodwill gestures.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Ben Ward
EU Parliament lawmakers from four political groups wrote a letter to the Commission urging an end to funding for all Libyan security forces.
They condemn what they call the violent actions of the Libyan Coast Guard against humanitarian vessels in the Mediterranean.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/kQ2V
They condemn what they call the violent actions of the Libyan Coast Guard against humanitarian vessels in the Mediterranean.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/kQ2V
October 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
EU Parliament lawmakers from four political groups wrote a letter to the Commission urging an end to funding for all Libyan security forces.
They condemn what they call the violent actions of the Libyan Coast Guard against humanitarian vessels in the Mediterranean.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/kQ2V
They condemn what they call the violent actions of the Libyan Coast Guard against humanitarian vessels in the Mediterranean.
➡️ https://l.euronews.com/kQ2V
Reposted by Ben Ward
Glad to see this report by @deschuttero.bsky.social is out. The links between states scaling back programs that protect social rights, people’s disillusionment with the establishment, and the draw of the far right, are all too evident in many European countries. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Welfare cuts have fuelled rise of far right and populism, top UN expert says
Exclusive: Poverty rapporteur says governments must rethink welfare state as essential to fabric of society
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Glad to see this report by @deschuttero.bsky.social is out. The links between states scaling back programs that protect social rights, people’s disillusionment with the establishment, and the draw of the far right, are all too evident in many European countries. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Ben Ward
Our #WithHumanity campaign calling on the EU to save lives of people seeking safety or a better life is a finalist at the
Anthem Awards!
🤝🙌
You can amplify the call with a vote for #WithHumanity for the Community Voice Award before Oct 30!
🗳️ https://wbby.co/HCAWNP
Anthem Awards!
🤝🙌
You can amplify the call with a vote for #WithHumanity for the Community Voice Award before Oct 30!
🗳️ https://wbby.co/HCAWNP
October 20, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Our #WithHumanity campaign calling on the EU to save lives of people seeking safety or a better life is a finalist at the
Anthem Awards!
🤝🙌
You can amplify the call with a vote for #WithHumanity for the Community Voice Award before Oct 30!
🗳️ https://wbby.co/HCAWNP
Anthem Awards!
🤝🙌
You can amplify the call with a vote for #WithHumanity for the Community Voice Award before Oct 30!
🗳️ https://wbby.co/HCAWNP
Reposted by Ben Ward
When govts convene this week in Paris to discuss feminist foreign policy, there will be a lot to talk about. The French govt’s description of the event says progress toward gender equality “is not being made fast enough.” That is an epic understatement. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Feminist Foreign Policy During a Global Backlash
When governments convene this week in Paris for a conference on feminist foreign policy, there will be a lot to talk about.
www.hrw.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:46 AM
When govts convene this week in Paris to discuss feminist foreign policy, there will be a lot to talk about. The French govt’s description of the event says progress toward gender equality “is not being made fast enough.” That is an epic understatement. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Ben Ward
The EU’s LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 reaffirms that equality and democracy are inseparable.
The EU and its member states should now back their words with concrete action—political, legal, and financial—both at home and abroad.
📄 @hrw.org : www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
The EU and its member states should now back their words with concrete action—political, legal, and financial—both at home and abroad.
📄 @hrw.org : www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
October 20, 2025 at 4:11 AM
The EU’s LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030 reaffirms that equality and democracy are inseparable.
The EU and its member states should now back their words with concrete action—political, legal, and financial—both at home and abroad.
📄 @hrw.org : www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
The EU and its member states should now back their words with concrete action—political, legal, and financial—both at home and abroad.
📄 @hrw.org : www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...