Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

HRC60: Statement on Crimea

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 2d

#HRC60: Over a decade of occupation has produced a total eradication of civic space, what our partner, the Crimean Human Rights Group, rightly calls a “prison” for the peninsula’s residents.

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 6d

"On 4 October, #Georgia heads to the polls for local elections. Int'l community must ensure maximum pressure, accountability, and coherence of strategy in responding to 🇬🇪 #humanrights crisis." @delseroad.bsky.social

neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/02/there-is-still-time-to-pressure-georgian-authorities

HRC60: Statement on human rights in Armenia

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 6d

This month marks five years since Belarusian authorities imprisoned Andrei Chapiuk—and six months since his release & exile. In a new HRHF interview, he reflects on life after prison, the #humanrights crisis in Belarus & colleagues still behind bars. @freeviasna.org

Full interview: bit.ly/4nOFNfv

2

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 7d

“The narrative from government officials over the last few years has shifted. “Human rights” and “democracy” are gone from the conversation.”

Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 9d

#HRC60: HRHF and Human Rights House Yerevan urge the Armenian authorities to investigate attacks against civil society and tackle disproportionate use of force at assemblies, and to address the growing threat of SLAPPs (Strategic lawsuits against public participation).

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 9d

"This year’s Václav Havel Prize must serve as a call to @coe.int to move from recognition to responsibility, from applause to accountability. Otherwise, the risk is that it becomes a monument to abandoned heroes rather than a call to action."
www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democ...

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 9d

Congratulations to our colleague, Ukrainian #humanrights defender Maksym Butkevych, for this well-deserved recognition.

PACE @pace.coe.int · 9d

Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender Maksym Butkevych has been awarded the 2025 Václav Havel Prize.

Two other journalists, from Georgia and Azerbaijan, were runners-up for the Prize, which honours action to defend human rights worldwide.

#TheirCourageOurRights

HRC60 statement on Reprisals

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 12d

Strasbourg visit of the 2025 Advocacy Training Programme is coming to an end but the work of HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses equipped with new perspectives continues.

#HRHsInStrasbourg with support from @coe.int
@norwaycoe.norway.no & Swiss FDFA

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 13d

#HRC60: HRHF condemned reprisals against civil society, spotlighting the detention of Azerbaijani defender Anar Mammadli and the Russian Federation's designation of HRHF as "undesirable" last year.

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 13d

Today, our colleague and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski turns 63. Instead of celebrating with his loved ones, friends, and colleagues, he is behind bars in #Belarus as a political prisoner. We continue to call for his immediate freedom. @freeviasna.org

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 13d

Happy birthday, Ales!

Next week, @pace.coe.int will award its Vaclav Havel Prize. Six laureates remain behind bars, incl. our colleagues Ales Bialiatski & Anar Mammadli. Thank you to PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou for joining our call for the release of all political prisoners.

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 13d

Thank you @norwaycoe.norway.no for hosting a reception, the 1st in the context of the new Group of Friends of Civil Society.

HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses connected with diplomats & @coe.int stakeholders on strengthening human rights across the region. #HRHsInStrasbourg

Submit Information to an Annual Report

Reposted by Human Rights House Foundation

Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs @marylawlorhrds.bsky.social · 14d

🔔 REMINDER: Human rights defenders, you have until 30 September to contribute to my next report to the UN. I want to bring your voices directly to the Human Rights Council: what would you like me to tell States on your behalf?

⬇️ All practical details here ⬇️
srdefenders.org/submit-infor...

The Special Rapporteur submits two thematic reports each year on the situation of human rights defenders. HRDs, civil society, States, businesses, intergovernmental organisations and others are invite...

srdefenders.org

2 3

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 14d

Continued reporting from the High Commissioner is essential, alongside robust engagement with authorities to repeal repressive laws, end politically-motivated prosecutions, and ensure accountability for violations in #Georgia.

Full #HRC60 statement: bit.ly/4pEpwe4

UN advocacy marks culmination of nine-month capacity-building programme for Belarusian civil society

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 14d

In November 2025, UN member states will examine Belarus’ #humanrights record at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Since December 2024, HRHF has worked with Belarusian civil society to build capacity, assist with formal submissions, and to participate in the pre-UPR process.

ℹ️ bit.ly/4gE16NG

HRC60 Statement on human rights in Russia

1 1

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 15d

Thank you Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjørn Berge for discussions on key human rights trends today with the HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses. #HRHsInStrasbourg with support from @coe.int @norwaymfa.government.no & Swiss FDFA

3

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 15d

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the #humanrights situation in the Russian Federation remains indispensable, and we strongly support its renewal.

youtu.be/klYd5uuL-rA

HRC60 Statement on human rights in Ukraine

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 15d

#HRC60: HRHF highlighted documentation from Ukrainian partners ZMINA detailing the suppression of civilians and the extension of Russia's legal system into the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as reports of atrocities by Russia's armed forces.

youtu.be/opPi0Alb-Kg

HRC60 Statement on Belarus

2

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 16d

#HRC60: Despite recent releases, 1000+ political prisoners still remain behind bars in #Belarus, incl. Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Marfa Rabkova and Nasta Loika.

Full statement: youtu.be/iFGk3UN9DBo?si=EOHnzhT1mOiYCUiO

1 1

Human Rights House Foundation @humanrightshouse.bsky.social · 19d

“The mission [is] to create a society like Turkmenistan, North Korea, so that the power is very safely and comfortably transmitted within [Aliyev’s] family.”

Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40

@abzasmedia.bsky.social @neweasterneurope.eu