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Reposted by Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her)

Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies @sdg16.plus · Jul 31

“It reminds me that even if you're not a lawyer, you can be doing highly technical, professional human rights & justice work.”

—Meg Satterthwaite on her formative experience working on Haiti's Truth & Justice Commission in 1995. 🇭🇹

Episode #2 is out now! 🎧
www.sdg16.plus/resources/ep...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Jul 14

#Tunisie: Je suis très inquiète quant à la situation des avocats en Tunisie, particulièrement l’arrestation de l'avocat Ahmed Souab et l'emprisonnement de l'avocate Sonia Dahmani, pour avoir fait des commentaires sur les questions des affaires publiques. www.ohchr.org/fr/press-rel...

Reposted by Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her)

UN-SPexperts @un-spexperts.bsky.social · Jun 25

UN expert @unsr-judges.bsky.social urges States to formally recognise the right of #Indigenous Peoples to maintain, strengthen, promote & develop their own legal systems & customary law institutions. #HRC59

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Jun 25

Today, I presented my report, “The Right of Indigenous Peoples to Maintain and Develop Justice Systems,” to the 59th session of the Human Rights Council. www.ohchr.org/sites/defaul...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Jun 20

“legal empowerment can address the root causes of authoritarianism…When we use law to tackle problems we face, we reduce the distance between our institutions and ourselves.” Vivek Maru
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...

Contributor: What does Juneteenth have in common with today's immigration raids?

History shows us that the law is important but reaches its full potential only when the people are informed and use it to defend their rights.

www.latimes.com

Reposted by Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her)

UN-SPexperts @un-spexperts.bsky.social · Jun 4

#USA: UN expert @unsr-judges.bsky.social alarmed at the targeting of judges, lawyers and law firms in an apparent organised effort to interfere in the independence of the U.S. legal and judicial system.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Jun 10

Margaret Satterthwaite: “En Guatemala hay una sensación de que se está desmantelando el estado de derecho” elpais.com/america/2025...

Margaret Satterthwaite: “En Guatemala hay una sensación de que se está desmantelando el estado de derecho”

El informe de la relatora especial de Naciones Unidas registra que más de 600 fiscales fueron sancionados, lo que a su criterio refleja un patrón preocupante de persecución selectiva

elpais.com

Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Jun 2

#Mexico: While judicial corruption already exists, elections may be more easily infiltrated by organized crime than other methods of judicial selection. From @afp: Mexicans elect their judges under shadow of crime, corruption www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Mexicans elect their judges under shadow of crime, corruption

Mexicans chose their judges Sunday in unprecedented elections that sharply divided opinion in a country plagued by rampant crime, corruption and impunity.

www.france24.com

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 30

#Türkiye: Alarmed at the criminalisation of Istanbul Bar Association and dismissal of executive board, in retaliation for the Bar Association’s statement calling for an effective investigation into deaths of two journalists in a conflict zone. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 25

Guatemala legal system stands at pivotal juncture: My preliminary observations after official visit, concerning criminalization, improper influence in judicial appointments, voter trading & flawed evaluation processes rewarding political loyalty over professional merits www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

Guatemala must uphold the integrity of the justice system, end criminalisation: UN expert

GUATEMALA – Guatemala’s legal system stands at a pivotal juncture, a UN expert* warned today, stressing that the country’s democratic future hinges on how judicial appointments and criminal law are wi...

www.ohchr.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 9

I will conduct an official visit to Guatemala from 12 to 23 May 2025. www.ohchr.org/en/media-adv...

UN expert on independence of judges and lawyers to visit Guatemala

GENEVA – The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, will conduct an official visit to Guatemala from 12 to 23 May 2025.During her visit, Satterthwaite...

www.ohchr.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 7

#Türkiye: Now public--my letter to the Government concerning actions taken against the Istanbul Bar Association and arrest of a Board member, after it called for an investigation into deaths of two journalists. Govt response also available online. spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBas...

spcommreports.ohchr.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 3

On #WorldPressFreedomDay, I recall that action is needed to ensure powerful economic actors cannot misuse justice systems by bringing #SLAPP suits against journalists. Recommendations in my report here: www.ohchr.org/en/documents...

A/79/362: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite Justice is not for sale: the improper influence of economic actors on the judiciary

In a climate of increasing economic inequality, corporations and wealthy individuals in many places use their financial clout to infringe on the independence of the judiciary by attempting to interven...

www.ohchr.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · May 2

#USA: Proud to have joined thousands of lawyers today as we reaffirmed our professional oath to uphold the rule of law. This non-partisan effort of bar associations and lawyers across the country aims to protect judicial independence and the autonomy of the legal profession.

A woman holds a sign reading "Obey Judges -- Don't Jail Judges" in the midst of a crowd in front of a courthouse

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 28

🚨 Dozens of UN human rights experts express alarm at the United States’ escalating attacks on the international architecture of human rights, the rule of law, multilateralism, the principles of sovereign equality and self-determination & vital international agreements. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

The new US administration must recommit to human rights at home and abroad: UN experts

GENEVA – UN human rights experts* today expressed concerns about the new US administration’s recent actions that undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms at both domestic and international leve...

www.ohchr.org

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Reposted by Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her)

Special Rapporteur FoAA @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social · Feb 26

Discover how U.S. foreign policy is impacting freedoms and human rights on a global scale. Don’t miss out on understanding this critical issue. Read more at the following link and join the conversation! freeassemblyandassociation.net/u-s-foreign-...

Funding Freeze and stop work orders Threatens Freedoms and Human Rights Worldwide – Freedom of peaceful assembly and association

Press Release For Immediate Release Date: February 26, 2025 U.S. Foreign Aid and Funding Freeze Threatens Freedoms and Human Rights Worldwide Washington, D.C. — In response to recent executive actions...

freeassemblyandassociation.net

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 25

With SR Iran and SR EJEs, I call on Iran to halt the execution of Behrouz Ehsani & Mehdi Hassani, whose death sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court, following trials reportedly marred by torture and forced confessions.

@UN_SPExperts are in contact with Iranian authorities on this matter.

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 24

#Russia / #Ukraine: Without guarantees for #HumanRights and justice, there can be no peace, warn UN experts as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine enters its 4th year & discussions intensify about settling the war without Ukraine’s participation.

lnkd.in/ei5YwPCK

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 23

#USA: Very concerned by news suggesting a broad attack on independent justice. Purge of DOJ attys; impeachment articles against a judge solely for his decision; Sec of Defense fired service TJAGs--top lawyers for Army, Navy, USAF. Independent justice is required for rule of law.

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 21

On Capitol Hill this week to discuss the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary. #USA

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Reposted by Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her)

Brian Dooley @dooleydooley.bsky.social · Feb 12

On the anniversary of 1989 murder of Belfast human rights lawyer Pat Finucane, my latest for @humanrightsfirst.bsky.social in today’s New York Law Journal (paywall but one article free)
@finucanecentre.bsky.social @unsr-judges.bsky.social
@cjharvey1.bsky.social
www.law.com/newyorklawjo...

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 12

#US "proposal" to "take over" #Gaza would shatter fundamental rules of international order & embolden other predatory countries to seize foreign territories, with devastating consequences for peace & #HumanRights globally.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

US proposal to ‘take over’ Gaza would shatter fundamental rules of international order, warn UN experts

GENEVA – UN experts* today condemned shocking threats by US President Donald Trump to “take over” and “own” Gaza and move the Palestinian population elsewhere, using military force if necessary.“Such ...

www.ohchr.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 7

Solidarity Needed Amid Stranglehold on Belarusian Lawyers--my new post w/SR Belarus Nils Muiznieks and Aloysia Sonnet on @justsecurity.org.web.brid.gy www.justsecurity.org/107571/solid...

Solidarity Needed Amid Stranglehold on Belarusian Lawyers

Belarus's interference and severe restrictions placed on the country's legal profession risks spilling over to impact the entire legal system.

www.justsecurity.org

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 6

#USA: Gravely concerned to see that the President has signed an order to sanction the ICC and its personnel, asserting that the ICC "has engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel." This is wrong under international law and a huge blow to int'l justice.

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Margaret Satterthwaite (she/her) @unsr-judges.bsky.social · Feb 1

#USA: Very disturbing news -- DOJ fires dozens of prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 cases www.politico.com/news/2025/01...

DOJ fires dozens of prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 cases

It’s the latest extraordinary purge of officials Donald Trump has deemed adversarial to his interests.

www.politico.com