Lou Charbonneau
@loucharb.bsky.social
UN director at @hrw.org. Native Detroiter, now in Queens, NYC. Recovering journalist, ex @reuters.com UN bureau chief. Formerly based in Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Hong Kong, UN HQ. @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social PhD. And more…
🚨 New from @hrw.org: UN leadership & member states should preserve the UN's long underfunded human rights pillar
Independent mechanisms responding to grave crises need to be saved. Cutting or merging them won't solve the UN's funding crisis caused by US, #China & others not paying their dues.
Independent mechanisms responding to grave crises need to be saved. Cutting or merging them won't solve the UN's funding crisis caused by US, #China & others not paying their dues.
UN Should Protect its Long Underfunded Human Rights Pillar
The United Nations leadership has launched a major reform plan to make the cash-strapped world body more efficient and cost-effective. Unfortunately, it has offered little on how this will impact the ...
www.hrw.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
🤔 This week the US Dept of Homeland Security announced termination of Temporary Protective Status for people fleeing #Myanmar. Why? They claim it's safe to return.
Yet last week the US cited atrocities by the junta as it supported a UN resolution that declared it's unsafe for returns. @hrw.org 👇
Yet last week the US cited atrocities by the junta as it supported a UN resolution that declared it's unsafe for returns. @hrw.org 👇
Myanmar is Safe?
Is it safe to return to a country wracked by an abusive armed conflict, widespread atrocities, and targeted ethnic violence, including war crimes and crimes against humanity?
www.hrw.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
On Nov 20 the executive director of Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, Yuli Novak, and field research chief Kareem Jubran held a UN press conference to discuss their #Gaza report "Our Genocide" & their US visit. The press conf is here for all those who missed it. youtu.be/32v4H1x43OI
UNCA Press Conference with Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem.
YouTube video by UNCAJournalists
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On Nov 20 the executive director of Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, Yuli Novak, and field research chief Kareem Jubran held a UN press conference to discuss their #Gaza report "Our Genocide" & their US visit. The press conf is here for all those who missed it. youtu.be/32v4H1x43OI
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
In Feb 26, it will be 80 years since the UN selected its first secretary-general, a man. Since then, eight others have had that job, all men. Surely it’s long past time a woman held the post. In these perilous times we cannot afford an all-men’s club at the top of the UN.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Seventy-Nine Years Without a Woman Leader at the UN
In February 2026, it will be 80 years since the United Nations selected its first secretary-general, a man. Since then, eight other people have had that job, all men.
www.hrw.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:59 AM
In Feb 26, it will be 80 years since the UN selected its first secretary-general, a man. Since then, eight others have had that job, all men. Surely it’s long past time a woman held the post. In these perilous times we cannot afford an all-men’s club at the top of the UN.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
"[These Palestinian refugees] are the refugees that were forcibly displaced and expelled in 1948, and their descendants [...] And now they've been forced to move once again and been denied return."
HRW's Nadia Hardman on our report on Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank:
HRW's Nadia Hardman on our report on Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank:
November 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
"[These Palestinian refugees] are the refugees that were forcibly displaced and expelled in 1948, and their descendants [...] And now they've been forced to move once again and been denied return."
HRW's Nadia Hardman on our report on Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank:
HRW's Nadia Hardman on our report on Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank:
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Learn more about Philippe:
Philippe Bolopion to Lead Human Rights Watch
Philippe Bolopion, a 13-year veteran of Human Rights Watch and a former journalist who has extensively advocated on atrocities in conflict zones, has been named the executive director of Human Rights ...
www.hrw.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Learn more about Philippe:
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Human Rights Watch is honored to announce Philippe Bolopion as its new Executive Director. Philippe is a 13-year HRW veteran and former journalist who has advocated on atrocities globally.
We are proud to have his expertise guiding us as HRW rises to meet the challenges ahead.
We are proud to have his expertise guiding us as HRW rises to meet the challenges ahead.
November 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Human Rights Watch is honored to announce Philippe Bolopion as its new Executive Director. Philippe is a 13-year HRW veteran and former journalist who has advocated on atrocities globally.
We are proud to have his expertise guiding us as HRW rises to meet the challenges ahead.
We are proud to have his expertise guiding us as HRW rises to meet the challenges ahead.
🚨 Regarding #JamalKhashoggi’s 2018 murder, US President Trump claimed today in front of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the Saudi leader “knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest.”
@hrw.org’s @joeyshea.bsky.social reacts here 👇🏼
@hrw.org’s @joeyshea.bsky.social reacts here 👇🏼
November 19, 2025 at 12:13 AM
🚨 Regarding #JamalKhashoggi’s 2018 murder, US President Trump claimed today in front of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the Saudi leader “knew nothing about it and we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guest.”
@hrw.org’s @joeyshea.bsky.social reacts here 👇🏼
@hrw.org’s @joeyshea.bsky.social reacts here 👇🏼
One of those headlines that unfortunately says it all -- "US and European aid cuts could result in 22.6 million deaths worldwide, study finds" - @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
November 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
One of those headlines that unfortunately says it all -- "US and European aid cuts could result in 22.6 million deaths worldwide, study finds" - @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
🚨 The Venezuelans the United States government sent to #ElSalvador were tortured and subjected to other abuses, including sexual violence.
Read this new report by @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social. 👇
Read this new report by @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social. 👇
US/El Salvador: Torture of Venezuelan Deportees
The Venezuelan nationals the US government sent to El Salvador in March and April were tortured and subjected to other abuses, including sexual violence.
www.hrw.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
🚨 The Venezuelans the United States government sent to #ElSalvador were tortured and subjected to other abuses, including sexual violence.
Read this new report by @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social. 👇
Read this new report by @hrw.org and @cristosal.bsky.social. 👇
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
The Chinese government reached around the globe to shut down a film festival in New York City. This latest act of transnational repression demonstrates the Chinese government’s aim to control what the world sees and learns about China. www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
China: Authorities Shut Down Film Festival in New York
Chinese authorities harassed several dozen Chinese film directors and producers, as well as their families in China, causing them to pull films from the inaugural IndieChina Film Festival in New York ...
www.hrw.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The Chinese government reached around the globe to shut down a film festival in New York City. This latest act of transnational repression demonstrates the Chinese government’s aim to control what the world sees and learns about China. www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Trump’s travel ban inspired Ghazala Hashmi to first run for office. Today, its fighting bigotry and the “chaos” of Trump’s second term. Virginia makes history electing the state's first woman governor and the first Muslim woman ever to statewide office in U.S. history.
19thnews.org/2025/11/virg...
19thnews.org/2025/11/virg...
Virginia makes history with first Muslim woman elected to statewide office
Trump’s travel ban inspired state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi to first run for office. Years later, she said fighting bigotry and the “chaos” of Trump’s second term is top of mind.
19thnews.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Trump’s travel ban inspired Ghazala Hashmi to first run for office. Today, its fighting bigotry and the “chaos” of Trump’s second term. Virginia makes history electing the state's first woman governor and the first Muslim woman ever to statewide office in U.S. history.
19thnews.org/2025/11/virg...
19thnews.org/2025/11/virg...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Schockierend: Deutschland hat möglicherweise eine uigurische Asylbewerberin nach China abgeschoben, wo Peking Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit an der uigurischen Bevölkerung begeht.
Die zuständigen deutschen Behörden sollten umgehend ihren Aufenthaltsort mitteilen: uyghurtimes.com/uyghur-woman...
Die zuständigen deutschen Behörden sollten umgehend ihren Aufenthaltsort mitteilen: uyghurtimes.com/uyghur-woman...
Uyghur Woman Says Her Mother Was Deported by Germany - Uyghur Times
By Tahir Imin | Uyghur Times | November 4, 2025 Updated: 3:05 PM Et A Uyghur woman in Germany says her mother has been deported to China, where she fears she may face persecution by Chinese authoritie...
uyghurtimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Schockierend: Deutschland hat möglicherweise eine uigurische Asylbewerberin nach China abgeschoben, wo Peking Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit an der uigurischen Bevölkerung begeht.
Die zuständigen deutschen Behörden sollten umgehend ihren Aufenthaltsort mitteilen: uyghurtimes.com/uyghur-woman...
Die zuständigen deutschen Behörden sollten umgehend ihren Aufenthaltsort mitteilen: uyghurtimes.com/uyghur-woman...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Beijing's blatant intimidations pushed Sheffield Hallam to violate academic freedom of Prof.
@lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose work has been foundational for #UyghurForcedLabor research. The university and relevant authorities should ensure her rights are protected. theguardian.com/education/20...
@lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose work has been foundational for #UyghurForcedLabor research. The university and relevant authorities should ensure her rights are protected. theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Beijing's blatant intimidations pushed Sheffield Hallam to violate academic freedom of Prof.
@lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose work has been foundational for #UyghurForcedLabor research. The university and relevant authorities should ensure her rights are protected. theguardian.com/education/20...
@lauratmurphy.bsky.social, whose work has been foundational for #UyghurForcedLabor research. The university and relevant authorities should ensure her rights are protected. theguardian.com/education/20...
🚨 New from @hrw.org: #ICE Abuses in Los Angeles Set Stage for Other Cities
@jraphling.bsky.social says ICE targets Latinos & blatantly violates rights: “They tear apart families, cause people to live in fear & showcase the cruelty of the #Trump administration’s immigration policies.”
@jraphling.bsky.social says ICE targets Latinos & blatantly violates rights: “They tear apart families, cause people to live in fear & showcase the cruelty of the #Trump administration’s immigration policies.”
US: ICE Abuses in Los Angeles Set Stage for Other Cities
The US federal government’s violent campaign of raids and detentions during the summer of 2025 in Los Angeles set the stage for similar and subsequent abuses in cities around the country.
www.hrw.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
🚨 New from @hrw.org: #ICE Abuses in Los Angeles Set Stage for Other Cities
@jraphling.bsky.social says ICE targets Latinos & blatantly violates rights: “They tear apart families, cause people to live in fear & showcase the cruelty of the #Trump administration’s immigration policies.”
@jraphling.bsky.social says ICE targets Latinos & blatantly violates rights: “They tear apart families, cause people to live in fear & showcase the cruelty of the #Trump administration’s immigration policies.”
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
🔴 Today: EU Parliament hearing on EU–Gulf trade & investment relations, with HRW’s @joeyshea.bsky.social
Our recs to the EU: link closer ties to concrete labor rights & human rights progress & reforms: hrw.org/news/2024/09...
📷 Livestream from 2h30 👉🏽 multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
Our recs to the EU: link closer ties to concrete labor rights & human rights progress & reforms: hrw.org/news/2024/09...
📷 Livestream from 2h30 👉🏽 multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
November 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
🔴 Today: EU Parliament hearing on EU–Gulf trade & investment relations, with HRW’s @joeyshea.bsky.social
Our recs to the EU: link closer ties to concrete labor rights & human rights progress & reforms: hrw.org/news/2024/09...
📷 Livestream from 2h30 👉🏽 multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
Our recs to the EU: link closer ties to concrete labor rights & human rights progress & reforms: hrw.org/news/2024/09...
📷 Livestream from 2h30 👉🏽 multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Police have failed to take crucial steps to investigate 121 killings during a raid in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Police didn´t preserve crime scenes and the chain of custody of evidence.
Authorities should ensure a thorough, independent investigation.
New from @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Authorities should ensure a thorough, independent investigation.
New from @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Brazil: Serious Investigative Failures in Deadly Rio Raid
Rio de Janeiro police have failed to take crucial investigative steps to determine the circumstances of the killing of at least 121 people, including four police officers, during a raid in low-income,...
www.hrw.org
November 1, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Police have failed to take crucial steps to investigate 121 killings during a raid in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Police didn´t preserve crime scenes and the chain of custody of evidence.
Authorities should ensure a thorough, independent investigation.
New from @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Authorities should ensure a thorough, independent investigation.
New from @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
As part of its 18-month siege of El Fasher, the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan dug a trench and built a sand berm around the city. Since RSF captured El Fasher, HRW documented and geolocated videos near the berm to the northwest — videos that could be used to prove crimes.
1/7🧵
1/7🧵
October 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
As part of its 18-month siege of El Fasher, the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan dug a trench and built a sand berm around the city. Since RSF captured El Fasher, HRW documented and geolocated videos near the berm to the northwest — videos that could be used to prove crimes.
1/7🧵
1/7🧵
🚨 New from @hrw.org: UN Security Council should urgently act to prevent further mass atrocities in captured #Darfur city in #Sudan. The council meets this morning in NY.
Time to hold UAE-backed #RSF accountable, including through targeted sanctions.
Time to hold UAE-backed #RSF accountable, including through targeted sanctions.
Sudan: Mass Atrocities in Captured Darfur City
Dozens of videos posted on social media in recent days show Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carrying out extrajudicial killings and other serious violations against people fleeing North Darfur’s capital, E...
www.hrw.org
October 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Suspending SNAP payments will put the rights of tens of millions of Americans in jeopardy. No one’s ability to eat should be vulnerable to political games.
New dispatch from @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
New dispatch from @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Tens of Millions at Risk of Hunger if US Food Assistance Lapses
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last Friday that it will stop distributing payments for essential food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) startin...
www.hrw.org
October 29, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Suspending SNAP payments will put the rights of tens of millions of Americans in jeopardy. No one’s ability to eat should be vulnerable to political games.
New dispatch from @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
New dispatch from @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Cutting aid has a human cost.
The US Department of Agriculture announced last Friday that it will stop distributing payments for essential food assistance through SNAP starting November 1 if the federal government is still shut down.
The US Department of Agriculture announced last Friday that it will stop distributing payments for essential food assistance through SNAP starting November 1 if the federal government is still shut down.
October 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Cutting aid has a human cost.
The US Department of Agriculture announced last Friday that it will stop distributing payments for essential food assistance through SNAP starting November 1 if the federal government is still shut down.
The US Department of Agriculture announced last Friday that it will stop distributing payments for essential food assistance through SNAP starting November 1 if the federal government is still shut down.
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
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
🚨 NEW: US federal law enforcement agents used excessive force against protesters, medics, legal observers & journalists at numerous protests outside ICE facility in Illinois. This isn’t crowd control—it’s intimidation. Congress must act. -- @belkiswille.bsky.social
📢Read the @hrw.org report.
📢Read the @hrw.org report.
United States: Federal Agents Use Excessive Force in Illinois
Federal law enforcement agents have since mid-September 2025 used excessive force against peaceful protesters, legal observers, volunteer street medics, and journalists during demonstrations outside a...
www.hrw.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM
🚨 NEW: US federal law enforcement agents used excessive force against protesters, medics, legal observers & journalists at numerous protests outside ICE facility in Illinois. This isn’t crowd control—it’s intimidation. Congress must act. -- @belkiswille.bsky.social
📢Read the @hrw.org report.
📢Read the @hrw.org report.
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Russia, using drones, attacked a UN Convoy in Ukraine. The very next day, they posted video evidence of the attack for the world to see, and not for the first time. Latest for @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Russian Forces Deliberately Attack UN Aid Convoy
On October 14, news broke that Russian forces, using drones, had attacked a United Nations interagency convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, southern Ukraine.
www.hrw.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Russia, using drones, attacked a UN Convoy in Ukraine. The very next day, they posted video evidence of the attack for the world to see, and not for the first time. Latest for @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...