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Afghanistan: Internet Shutdowns Imperil Rights

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 7d

Completely cut off in #Afghanistan.

The latest #Taliban internet shutdown blocks education, healthcare & information, deepening struggles for already affected groups, like women and girls only able to take online lessons.

Baseless shutdowns should end.

The Taliban’s internet shutdowns are inflicting serious harm on people’s rights and livelihoods throughout Afghanistan.

As Israel Escalates Assault, Germany Should Support EU Action on Gaza

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 9d

#Germany’s continued obstruction of EU action on #Gaza risks complicity, further EU isolation, and reputational damage.

Bilateral diplomacy is not enough. Berlin’s vote to suspend the EU’s preferential tariffs for Israel and to adopt sanctions is crucial.

The German government has so far claimed that only bilateral diplomacy, without concrete action by the European Union, is enough to press Israel to halt its atrocities. It hasn’t worked.

Hundreds of Belarusians in Prison for Exercising Their Rights

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 10d

Since July 2024, #Belarus has issued presidential pardons to hundreds jailed for exercising fundamental rights

Yet, they have not scaled back on repression & at least 1,184 remain behind bars

They should be unconditionally released

China: Free Student Advocate for Tibetan Rights

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 15d

#China is threatening to imprison Zhang Yadi for promoting Tibetan rights&interethnic dialogue

After studying in France, Yadi obtained a scholarship to @soasuni.bsky.social. She should be in London classrooms, not behind bars

France & the UK should press for her release

Chinese authorities should immediately and unconditionally release Zhang Yadi, an advocate for Tibetan rights who had been an international student in France.

Rights Should Guide Welfare ‘Reform’ Debate in Germany

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 17d

Germany’s welfare “‘reform”‘ debate risks worsening poverty

Planned cuts and tougher penalties would most severely affect low-income families, women, and older people

Human rights – not austerity logic – should guide the debate on social protection

The partners in Germany’s governing Christian Democrat-Social Democrat coalition have been sparring over the contents of a planned replacement of the Citizen’s Income social security benefit, with a “...

Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and grim humanitarian situation – UN report

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Reposted by HRW Brussels

Philippe Dam @philippedam.bsky.social · 20d

#Sudan: UN Human Rights office paints grim reality for civilians facing brutal attacks during & outside of hostilities.

#EU's upcoming conclusions should prioritize efforts to protect civilians & seriously address arms embargo violations.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel... @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

GENEVA – The conflict-driven crisis in Sudan intensified in the first half of the year, a report by the UN Human Rights Office shows, citing a significant rise in civilian killings, including summary ...

www.ohchr.org

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · 27d

🔴 NEW: Journalists in #Yemen are under assault.

At #HRC60, the EU & @UN member states should end inaction and:
🔹Raise concerns of violations of human rights in Yemen
🔹Hold warring parties to account
🔹Demand release of all arbitrarily detained

🔗 Our report:

Yemen: Journalists Under Assault

Yemen’s warring parties, including the Houthis, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and the Yemeni government have committed serious human rights violations against journalists and media institut...

Reposted by HRW Brussels

Philippe Dam @philippedam.bsky.social · Sep 5

Migration cooperation comes with great risk for the rights of people on the move.

@ec.europa.eu should follow solid recs of CoE's @commissionerhr.coe.int on much-needed precautions, clear principles, pre-conditions & sound monitoring when engaging with third countries.

www.coe.int/en/web/commi...

DR Congo: M23 Mass Killings Near Virunga National Park

Reposted by HRW Brussels

Philippe Dam @philippedam.bsky.social · Aug 20

New @hrw.org report confirms killing of 100s civilians by #Rwanda-backed #M23 in eastern #DRCongo in July 2025 - raising concerns of ethnic cleansing.

#EU & its members should publicly condemn those crimes, call for end of all violations & sanction those responsible.

www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

The Rwandan-controlled M23 armed group summarily executed over 140 civilians, in at least 14 villages and farming areas in July 2025 near Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Joint statement: EU 'safe country' and return proposals would seriously undermine protection and human dignity | The IRC in the EU

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jul 2

🔴Ease deportations to countries people have never been to✈️🌍
🔴Create ‘return hubs’ outside the EU where rights abuses could occur 🚫⚖️

Read our joint statement:
rescue.org/eu/resource/...

Joint statement from 52 NGOs warning that the EU’s recent proposals in the area of migration and asylum risk seriously undermining people’s access to fair and full asylum procedures in Europe.

rescue.org

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jul 2

‼️HRW & 52 human rights groups warn: EU 'safe country' & return proposals would undermine protection & human dignity.

They are part of a broader move to externalize #migration, & risk eroding further refugee protection globally by:
🔴Limiting asylum for some nationalities⚠️
⤵️

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jul 2

This lets companies ignore where most supply chain risks occur, for ex at the raw material level or in manufacturing level.

The @europarl.europa.eu should stop this & fight for a law that truly holds corporations accountable: victims of corporate abuse & 🇪🇺 consumers deserve better✊

EU Council Turning Supply Chain Law into Window Dressing

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jul 2

🚨EU member states are now backtracking on their commitment to protect human rights & the environment in global supply chains 🌍⚖️

At the EU Council, they agreed to narrow the scope of the #CSDDD by limiting due diligence mostly to direct suppliers

hrw.org/news/2025/07...

European Union member states led by France and Germany are walking back on their commitment to protect human rights and the environment in global supply chains.

What is behind EU's lack of action against Israel over Gaza? | Inside Story

Reposted by HRW Brussels

Claudio Francavilla @claudiofrancavilla.bsky.social · Jun 28

As Israeli atrocities pile up, a #EU report found #Israel in (obvious) breach of its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel trade deal. Then why is the bloc not taking action?

We discussed it on @al-jazeera-english.bsky.social, with MEP @lnbdublin.bsky.social & @bdsmovement.bsky.social ⤵️

Al Jazeera English @al-jazeera-english.bsky.social · Jun 28

youtu.be/NtEUNcwBee4?...

YouTube video by Al Jazeera English

youtu.be

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 16

The EU and its members should press Hungary to reconsider its decision, making clear that leaving the ICC puts Hungary at odds with the EU’s collective commitment to fight impunity for serious crimes & further isolates it from the rest of the EU

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 16

Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC is an insult to victims and survivors of the world’s worst crimes

⚠️If 🇭🇺withdrawal takes effect, it will be the only non-ICC member state in the EU contradicting common EU values & objectives to support for justice

hrw.org/news/2025/06...

Hungary: Orbán Government Withdraws from ICC

Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an insult to victims and survivors of the world’s worst crimes.

EU’s Rights Dialogue with China Still Going Nowhere

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 13

This year marks key EU-China anniversaries - but nothing to celebrate on human rights. The EU's rights dialogue has long been a box-ticking exercise, while Beijing’s repression deepens.

Read HRW's take on what’s at stake at the summit: hrw.org/news/2025/06...

This year marks some big numbers for the European Union-China relationship: it is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations and the 40th iteration of the annual human rights dia...

Germany-Sri Lanka Summit Should Address Rights, Accountability

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HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 11

At 🇩🇪/🇱🇰 Summit, Chancellor Merz & President Dissanayake should ensure their partnership is human rights-based

Sri Lanka still benefits from the EU's preferential tariffs despite still needing to address ongoing abuses & deliver justice for civil war atrocities
hrw.org/news/2025/06...

Both Sri Lanka and Germany have newly elected leaders, but key human rights concerns that Chancellor Friedrich Merz should raise with visiting President Anura Kumar Dissanayake in Berlin on June 11 ha...

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 10

3⃣She called on the 🇪🇺 to:

⚠️Press Israel to follow ICJ orders: ensure access to meds, devices & nutrition
⚠️Make sure EU aid includes all children with disabilities
⚠️Coordinate evacuations with Palestinian & Egyptian authorities—ensure care & right to return

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 10

2⃣ She focused on the mental health toll on people with disabilities in Gaza -- simply devastating.

Many feel they are the reason their families can't survive, lost parents or caregivers, or face the trauma of displacement, isolation & lack of access to essential care & support.

HRW Brussels @hrw-brussels.bsky.social · Jun 10

Last week, HRW's expert Milena Ansari delivered a powerful speech at ‪@europarl.europa.eu‬

1⃣She highlighted that attacks on healthcare facilities, hospitals & aid restriction inflicted specific harm on children & adults with disabilities in the OTP.

WATCH:

Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · Jun 9

The Israeli government’s actions in Gaza are having a devastating toll on Palestinian civilians with disabilities.

HRW's Milena Ansari spoke about these conditions at the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Palestine Ordinary meeting. Learn more ⤵️