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Andrew Cutting

@andrewcutting.coe.int
4.6K followers 7.8K following 452 posts

Media and comms advisor @ the 46-nation Council of Europe @coe.int + #ECHR = "The most effective human rights protection mechanism in world history" (Shami Chakrabarti) 🔎 www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cutting-… ⚠️ CoE/ECHR ≠ EU

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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 7h
❗“The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations,” write 3 former Independent Reviewers of Terrorism Legislation👇 🔗 www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a... via @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social “Walking away would not make Britain freer. It would make Britain weaker.”
lawgazette.co.uk
The ECHR is not a constraint on British security. It is one of its foundations
Britain should not be abandoning one of its greatest post-war achievements.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 29/09/2026
Interesting: 3 international bodies have lodged a complaint against Belgium at the Council of Europe, claiming that "digital exclusion" (e.g. not being able to do things without a phone) is a violation of people's social rights👇 🔗 www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/2336... via @brusselstimes.com
brusselstimes.com
Complaint filed against the Belgian government over digital exclusion
More than 300 testimonies were gathered from 50 civil society organisations on both sides of the language border, as well as in Brussels.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 23/09/2026
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected a request for "interim measures" from 25 French nationals who are facing trial in Iraq after leaving France to join ISIS. Full press release via go.coe.int/ueDSL
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 22/09/2026
❗MUST READ: “The national interest requires the UK to remain a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and a leading member of the Council of Europe,” write three former Independent Reviewers of Terrorism Legislation👇 🔗 www.justice.org.uk/reports/soft... via @justicehq.bsky.social
Foreword to the JUSTICE paper entitled "Soft Power and Hard Law: why the ECHR is in the UK’s National Interest" by Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE KC, Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC and Sir Max Hill KCB KC
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 22/09/2026
Interesting: “Whenever a case concerning immigration or linked to Islam arrives at the European Court of Human Rights, ‘engineers of chaos’ appear who distort the reality of the decisions taken”👇 🔗 www.nouvelobs.com/opinions/202... via @nouvelobs.com (FR) Not exclusively a British thing, then.
nouvelobs.com
La Cour européenne des Droits de l’Homme et la polygamie, itinéraire d’une nouvelle fake news
Dès qu’une affaire concernant l’immigration ou une pratique religieuse en lien avec l’islam arrive à la Cour européenne des Droits de l’Homme, apparaissent des « ingénieurs du chaos » qui déforment la...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 21/09/2026
The European Court of Human Rights will hold a hearing tomorrow in a case concerning 10 Ukrainian children who were living in care when Russia took over Crimea👇 🔗 go.coe.int/55JT6 The ECHR is the only international court examining allegations of serious human rights abuses by Russia in Ukraine.
go.coe.int
European Court to hear case of ten Ukrainian children in care in Crimea in 2014
<p>Children were allegedly forced to become Russian and put up for adoption</p>
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 21/09/2026
Interesting: Churchill’s speech in Zürich 80 years ago and the emergence of two different visions of “Europe”👇 🔗 www.swissinfo.ch/eng/history/... via @swissinfo.bsky.social They may share the same flag (and anthem), but the EU and the Council of Europe are very different things.
swissinfo.ch
When Winston Churchill called for European unity in neutral Zurich
In September 1946, Winston Churchill delivered a famous speech in Zurich, calling for a “United States of Europe”. What became of his idea?
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 18/09/2026
A landmark survey shows that many UK-based lawyers are concerned about backsliding on the rule of law – including tensions over compliance with international law and the European Convention on Human Rights👇 🔗 www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/lawyers... via @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social
lawgazette.co.uk
Lawyers lament UK’s ‘backsliding’ on rule of law
A lengthy list of concerns flagged in global bar survey includes government attacks on immigration solicitors.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 17/09/2026
Read this👇 🔗 rozenberg.substack.com/p/security-t... by @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social Speaking in Zurich, 80 years after Churchill, Alain Berset warned of growing militarisation at at time of weakening democracy. He called for a legal and democratic framework that lasting security can depend on.
rozenberg.substack.com
Security through democracy
Council of Europe leader calls for unity at a time of rupture and war
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 16/09/2026
So how does the European Convention on Human Rights benefit me and my loved ones? Great new guide from students at @tcddublin.bsky.social and the Ballymun Community Law Centre👇 🔗 www.tcd.ie/law/news--ev...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 16/09/2026
Timely reminder that the European Convention on Human Rights protects us all👇 🔗 www.politico.eu/article/nige... via @politico.eu It’s a safety net for the people.
politico.eu
Farage readies for anti-establishment court battle over £72 million crypto haul
Labour frets about an opportunity for Reform to blame the system if they can’t keep the cash.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 15/09/2026
Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick says Reform UK is prepared to take the government to the European Court of Human Rights, reports the Daily Mail👇 🔗 www.dailymail.com/news/article... The European Convention on Human Rights protects us all.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 10/09/2026
Interesting new FAQ: Is there a free speech crisis in the UK? 🔗 www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/advice_infor... via @libertyhq.bsky.social
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 09/09/2026
Remember when various “non-traditional media” claimed that the European Court of Human Rights/the EU/Europe/whatever was about to legalise polygamy? Not true👇 🔗 www.courthousenews.com/polygamy-spl... via @courthousenews.bsky.social More ECHR-BS
courthousenews.com
Polygamy splits a family reunion as European court sides with the Netherlands
Europe’s human rights court backed the Netherlands’ refusal to admit five children from a Yemeni refugee’s polygamous marriages, giving national authorities broad discretion over family reunification.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 09/09/2026
Not including a link, but when influential people refer to international courts as “foreign courts” it seems like they are using the word “foreign” in a pejorative sense, as if being foreign is a bad thing.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 08/09/2026
"Cultural suicide!" Remember that story, in various “non-traditional media”, that Europe/the EU/anything sounding vaguely European was about to "legalise polygamy"? Turns out it was ECHR-BS👇 🔗 hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng-press?i=...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 08/09/2026
Interesting wording: “The authorities are hemmed in…by the European Convention on Human Rights”👇 🔗 www.thetimes.com/world/europe... via @thetimes.com Possible alternative: “State power is limited by a binding commitment dozens of countries made, after WWII, to treat people like human beings.”
thetimes.com
How Gen Z voters are driving the rise of the AfD in Germany
Exit poll data shows not only a remarkable voting trend among under-25s but a transformation in the way general voters view the hard-right party
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 07/09/2026
Interesting: A silent majority yearns to return to multilateral engagement and international cooperation, writes former UK prime minister Gordon Brown👇 🔗 www.arabnews.com/opinion/the-... via www.arabnews.com The Council of Europe's special tribunal for Ukraine is one notable success.
arabnews.com
The world’s silent majority for international cooperation
The world’s silent majority for international cooperation
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 03/09/2026
The European Convention on Human Rights entered into force on this day in 1953. Since then, the ECHR has helped countless people across Europe seek justice, at home and in Strasbourg. Here are more than 200 examples👇 🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR There are thousands more.
The European Convention on Human Rights
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 03/09/2026
A British woman who was drugged and raped from the age of 15 has used the European Convention on Human Rights to help win compensation from the Metropolitan Police after her abuser evaded justice for more than 30 years👇 🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article... The ECHR is on the side of the people.
bbc.com
Police failed me for decades, says survivor of abuse
A woman who was drugged and raped from the age of 15 speaks publicly for the first time about how the police failed her.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 01/09/2026
Interesting: Cruelty Free International says it has successfully used the European Convention on Human Rights to fight for more transparency around the use of animals in science in the UK👇 🔗 www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/upper-tribun... via www.crueltyfreeinternational.org
crueltyfreeinternational.org
Upper Tribunal says secrecy around UK animal experiments is unlawful - Cruelty Free International
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 01/09/2026
READ THIS: Had the European Convention on Human Rights not been part of British law, there would STILL be no justice for the 97 Hillsborough victims and their families, writes Oxford University's Murray Hunt👇 🔗 www.modernslaverypec.org/latest/hills... Human rights law is on the side of the people
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 28/08/2026
Wow. If anyone asks what the European Convention on Human Rights has ever done for anyone, show them this👇 🔗 www.modernslaverypec.org/informing-th... Brilliant new explainer on how Hillsborough families have used the ECHR, through the Human Rights Act, to fight for truth and state accountability
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 20/08/2026
A British man suffering from dementia faces an ‘inhumane’ deportation after his residency came under threat following Brexit, reports GB News👇 🔗 www.gbnews.com/news/dementi... His family are now turning to the European Court of Human Rights.
gbnews.com
Briton suffering with dementia faces 'inhumane' deportation after being ordered to leave care home in just days
Mr Mason originally relocated to Sweden after his son Carl had moved there nearly 30 years ago to marry his partner
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Reposted by Andrew Cutting
Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 19/08/2026
I have the greatest respect for photography. A photograph captures a fraction of a second. Then time gives it another purpose. 🧵1/3
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 01/07/2026
Very interesting: How have the European Convention on Human Rights and the court in Strasbourg changed the fight for justice in Northern Ireland - and far beyond?👇 🔗 www.thedetail.tv/articles/sou... via www.thedetail.tv
thedetail.tv
From South Armagh to Strasbourg: the long fight for justice after the Troubles
Across Northern Ireland, families have spent decades challenging flawed investigations
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 19/06/2026
A British team called Quorom has won the Council of Europe’s “Hack the Hate, Renew Democracy 2026” prize for their MOSAIC system to improve the reporting of online abuse👇 🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta... @coe.int
coe.int
Britain’s Quorum wins Council of Europe’s democracy hackathon - Portal - www.coe.int
<p><strong>Prizes – sponsored by Microsoft and the Council of Europe – recognise civic tech excellence and real-world impact</strong></p>
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 16/06/2026
Interesting: The Isle of Man has approved changes to its assisted dying bill to make sure it complies with the European Convention on Human Rights👇 🔗 www.bbc.com/news/article... via www.bbcnews.com
bbc.com
Amendments to Isle of Man's Assisted Dying Bill backed by Tynwald
The Isle of Man's bill can now be sent back to the UK's Ministry of Justice for its consideration.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 02/06/2026
The rule of law made clear. Check out our new explainer 👉 go.coe.int/IW09C
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 02/06/2026
What is the "rule of law" and why does it matter? Check out this new explainer from the Council of Europe and several other international organisations and networks working on human rights in Europe👇 go.coe.int/IW09C
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 29/05/2026
40 years ago today, the Council of Europe shared the European flag with what has since become the European Union. I think it’s fair to say the EU took it and ran with it👇 🔗 commission.europa.eu/about/europe...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 29/05/2026
Interesting case in progress: The European Court of Human Rights can help countries address blind spots in their justice systems and hold states to account for abuses of power that domestic actors can't see, writes LSE professor Kai Möller👇 🔗 www.ft.com/content/a77a... via @financialtimes.com
ft.com
Markus Braun’s six-year detention violates his human rights
The former Wirecard CEO has been detained since 2020 without a verdict — a length almost without precedent
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 26/05/2026
Interesting: Is Crystal Palace’s “**** UEFA” chant covered by free speech guarantees under the European Convention on Human Rights? 🔗 sports.yahoo.com/articles/cry... via @apnews.com and @yahoosports.bsky.social
sports.yahoo.com
Crystal Palace fans take their feud with UEFA all the way to Conference League final
Two little words Crystal Palace fans have vented on their season-long journey in the Conference League ahead of finally sharing a stadium with an unamused UEFA leadership. The chant is often heard at...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 26/05/2026
❗Leaving the ECHR would jeopardise the UK’s national security and hinder its efforts to tackle irregular migration, say a group of former justice secretaries and attorneys-general👇 🔗 www.ft.com/content/b3e4... via @financialtimes.com
ft.com
Leaving ECHR would jeopardise UK national security, say centrist Tories
Former ministers claim withdrawal from human rights agreement is a ‘false solution’ to combat irregular migration
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 22/05/2026
Interesting: figures show that net migration to the UK was the lowest since 2012 last year, but half the country thinks it is rising👇 🔗 www.ft.com/content/d015... via @financialtimes.com
ft.com
The impact of falling net migration on Britain and its prime minister
Politicians face a problem of public perception after a survey found that half of Britons still believe immigration is rising
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 20/05/2026
14 European countries – including Scotland – have more prisoners than spaces available. The Council of Europe’s annual penal statistics for 2025 are now online👇 🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta... @coe.int
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 19/05/2026
The Council of Europe has just published its latest annual prison figures. This graphic shows which countries have most inmates across Europe👇 More details: www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 08/05/2026
It’s great we all have somewhere to turn to when we think the state has failed to uphold our basic rights eh, GB News? 🔗 www.gbnews.com/news/world/f...
gbnews.com
Finnish politician found guilty of 'hate speech' over 22-year-old church pamphlet appeals to ECHR
At the time of the verdict, she said: 'This is not about my free speech alone, but that of every person in Finland'
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Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 06/05/2026
The European Convention on Human Rights protects us all.   When our members have important concerns, we must discuss them together. We are working on a common declaration on migration and the ECHR in Chişinău next week.   My interview with @POLITICOEurope:   www.politico.eu/article/uk-e...
politico.eu
Quitting ECHR would group Britain with Russia, rights chief warns
Speaking to POLITICO, the secretary general of the Council of Europe said it was the U.K.’s choice whether it wanted to stay in the treaty or not.
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Reposted by Andrew Cutting
Chalkwitch Tiff @chalkwitch.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Send children use element of the echr all the time when they have to fight for the right to an education suitable for them
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 06/05/2026
What has the European Convention on Human Rights ever done for anyone? A new ITV drama shows how survivors of serial rapist John Worboys used the ECHR to hold the authorities to account for failing to protect women from violence. Find out more👇 🔗 www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk/news/2026/5/...
centreforwomensjustice.org.uk
ITV Drama, ‘Believe Me’ tells the story of the legal battle by two survivors to hold the police and parole board to account — Centre for Women's Justice
ITV’s four‑part drama Believe Me , which airs from 10 May, is the true crime story of the legal battle fought by two survivors of serial rapist taxi driver, John Worboys to hold the police accountabl...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 05/05/2026
❗Harriet Wistrich, CEO of the Centre for Women’s Justice, on the John Worboys case: The European Convention on Human Rights is often the only legal tool we have to challenge state institutions who fail to protect women and girls from violence👇 🔗 www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk/news/2026/5/...
centreforwomensjustice.org.uk
ITV Drama, ‘Believe Me’ tells the story of the legal battle by two survivors to hold the police and parole board to account — Centre for Women's Justice
ITV’s four‑part drama Believe Me , which airs from 10 May, is the true crime story of the legal battle fought by two survivors of serial rapist taxi driver, John Worboys to hold the police accountabl...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 05/05/2026
Fun(ish) fact: There are actually two “Europe Days”. Today, 5 May, marks the signing of the Treaty of London in 1949 setting up the Council of Europe, which now has 46 members – including the UK. 9 May marks the Schuman Declaration of 1950, which led to the modern-day European Union (27 members).
Two Europes, one flag
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 24/04/2026
The ECHR is Europe’s democratic compass, says Council of Europe chief Alain Berset at the end of his first official trip to the UK👇 🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta... @coe.int @bonavero.bsky.social
coe.int
Secretary General in the UK: “The ECHR is Europe’s democratic compass” - Portal - www.coe.int
<p><em>Alain Berset praises London’s commitment to the rule of law and to Ukraine</em></p>
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Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 24/04/2026
Good morning, Ireland. Starting my mission to Dublin with @rte.ie radio to talk democracy, the Council of Europe and what it means in today’s world. Tune in at 8:15 AM: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 23/04/2026
READ THIS: 7 stories showing how the European Convention on Human Rights has protected every single person in the UK👇 🔗 www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/seven-... via www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk There are many, many more👇 🔗 www.coe.int/ECHR
libertyhumanrights.org.uk
Seven stories that prove we need the European Convention on Human Rights - Liberty
Seven legal case studies that show how the European Convention on Human Rights has protected every single person in the UK.
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Reposted by Andrew Cutting
Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 22/04/2026
We had an excellent discussion with Deputy PM David Lammy on the challenges facing Europe. Thank you for your commitment to the rule of law and for the UK’s strong support for accountability for Ukraine.
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Alain Berset @alain-berset.coe.int · 19/04/2026
Looking forward to this conversation at Bonavero Institute of Human Rights on democratic security and Europe’s next order, together with Attorney General Richard Hermer KC. Join us in Oxford or online: www.law.ox.ac.uk/content/even...
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 15/04/2026
How should online platforms be regulated? By putting human rights first and focusing on empowering users, the @coe.int is showing the way, writes Ofcom’s former head of international online safety @owbennett.bsky.social👇 🔗 www.techpolicy.press/the-council-... via @techpolicypress.bsky.social
techpolicy.press
The Council of Europe Shows What Good Platform Regulation Looks Like in 2026
A new Council of Europe recommendation offers a framework for platform regulation that places human rights and user empowerment first, writes Owen Bennett.
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Andrew Cutting @andrewcutting.coe.int · 14/04/2026
Interesting: Contrary to rumours, international law is alive and kicking 🔗 euobserver.com/211170/contr... via @euobserver.com
euobserver.com
Contrary to rumours, international law is alive and kicking
Autocrats and 'strongmen' want us to feel defeated on international law. But 'the fact that certain laws are being violated does not, of course, mean those laws no longer exist', writes Caroline de Gr...
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