Challis Chair of International Law, The University of Sydney | United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism
Sydney/Geneva/New York
Joined February 2014
- Tweets12K
- Following6.1K
- Followers26.1K
- Likes5.1K
With the UN facing a financial crisis, my mandate as Special Rapporteur welcomes donations & philanthropic partnerships to support our independent expert work in defence of human rights worldwide
The proposal to impeach @SecWar includes concerns about the illegal killings at sea of alleged drug traffickers - my Briefing Note here on why those killings are grossly illegal ohchr.org/sites/default/file…
I’ve seen some of my colleagues say @SecWar Hegseth has been effective and they agree with the war, so they’ll vote not to impeach.
That’s not the question though. The question is whether he committed impeachable acts, and the answer is yes, eight times:
massie.house.gov/UploadedFil…
I join UN experts in calling on Sri Lanka to revise its proposed counter-terrorism law to comply with human rights law, including on definition of terrorism and offences, powers of detention, investigation and proscription, the role of the military, and accountability
#SriLanka’s proposed terrorism law must respect #humanrights: UN experts. "Definition of terrorism must be limited to acts intentionally causing death or serious injury & exclude mere property damage."
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
I urge the Somali authorities to respect the judicial independence of the Supreme Court, constitutional procedure, and limits on presidential terms bbc.com/news/articles/c977pp…
My earlier official visit report on human rights in Somalia here: ohchr.org/en/documents/count…
I join UN experts in condemning Egypt's crack-down on the independent media platform Matsadaash, including the arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and torture of six journalists and the abuse of terrorism charges
#Egypt: UN experts condemn arrest, disappearance and detention of entire newsroom crew which signals yet another setback for civic space that is already shrinking. “An egregious example of a severe and relentless crackdown on independent voices.”
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
Independent UN investigation calls on South Africa, UK and US in particular to cooperate in providing any information on the plane crash killing then then UN Secretary-General
We welcome the latest report of the Dag Hammarskjöld investigation.
Read it here: docs.un.org/A/80/815
I urge the newly elected US Congress to exercise robust oversight of US Government abuses of military force in the name of countering terrorism, from Latin America to Iran and the Middle East
I join UN experts in condemning attacks on journalists and impunity for perpetrators, which also undermines the public’s right to information and accountability and transparency of governments and other actors
Impunity for crimes against journalists fuels further violence and silences entire societies, UN experts warn. Call for strengthening of investigations, prosecutions and remedies for attacks against journalists.
ohchr.org/en/statements-and-…
I join UN experts in expressing concern about Papua New Guinea's new terrorism law, including definitions, offences, penalties, powers of arrest/search/surveillance/prohibited areas, terrorist listings, immunities from accountability, & military operations spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMRe…
I join UN experts in raising human rights concerns about new Nicaraguan laws defining terrorism, listing terrorist organizations, asset freezing, restricting civil society, and enabling surveillance and transnational repression spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMRe…
As Special Rapporteur I am pleased to assist the UK Supreme Court this week to reconsider the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, particularly whether it disproportionately affected freedoms of association, assembly and expression doughtystreet.co.uk/news/un-…
Congratulations @DapoAkandeLaw - thrilled that States have elected such a fine international lawyer to the ICJ
I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice.
I am grateful for the support and faith states have put in me to serve the @CIJ_ICJ. I look forward to serving the Court with independence and integrity alongside colleagues elected today.
My thanks to the IIJ for hosting us in Nairobi for a productive and inspiring start to this initiative to promote women’s participation and leadership in counter-terrorism. My keynote address will be available soon
📍Nairobi, 🇰🇪 – The IIJ Initiative to Strengthen Women’s Participation and Leadership in Counter-Terrorism convened its first in-person, three-day High-Level Reference Group meeting bringing together experts and practitioners from across regions to advance inclusive approaches to counter-terrorism. Supported by the European Union @FPI and developed within the framework of the @GCTF, the meeting focused on identifying good practices to strengthen women’s meaningful participation and leadership in CT efforts. 1/4
This proven ability to intercept vessels trafficking drugs is also further proof that it is unnecessary and illegal for the US military to extrajudicially kill boat crews at sea
I join UN experts in calling for justice for victims of human rights violations after Tanzania’s election one year ago, including misuse of terrorism charges
#Tanzania: UN experts concerned that 1-year after post-election violence, victims still await publication of findings from Commission of Inquiry. “We condemn patterns of repression against civil society organisations, journalists & #humanrights defenders.”
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
The US response to my UN report fails to refute any of my legal findings that the US has murdered 244 civilians at sea. Instead it resorts to childish name-calling. I’m obviously not a terrorist sympathizer - but the US is committing extrajudicial killings ohchr.org/sites/default/file…
A small minority of States has lately mounted aggressive personal attacks on multiple UN experts presenting reports in New York. I urge States to engage on the substance of reports and refrain from unprofessional smears, bullying and harassment, which only discredits governments
I condemn the latest US murders of five civilians at sea, taking the total to 244 deaths in 72 military strikes since Sept 2025. These extrajudicial killings appear to be crimes against humanity. The perpetrators must be investigated and prosecuted ohchr.org/sites/default/file…
On October 27, under the direction of #SOUTHCOM, Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere executed a lethal, kinetic strike on a go-fast vessel operating along established narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific. Confirmed intelligence revealed the vessel's active involvement in narco-trafficking. The operation killed five narco-terrorists. @DeptofWar @SecWar
I urge the next Israeli government to commit to respecting international law, including humanitarian law, human rights law, self-determination, the end of occupation, justice for international crimes, reform of military culture, and an end to hate speech and discrimination
