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Elaine Pearson

@elainepearson.bsky.social
2.2K followers 502 following 396 posts

Asia Director, Human Rights Watch Author of Chasing Wrongs and Rights

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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 16h
Excessive force. Beatings. Arbitrary detentions. Harassment of journalists. Indian authorities have not let up their assault on peaceful protesters, who are denouncing a voter list revision process that deleted over 130 million names.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The Vietnamese authorities should immediately release 3 activists associated with the overseas Viet Tan organization who went missing in Cambodia & drop charges against them. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Vietnam: Free Abducted Democracy Group Activists
The Vietnamese authorities should immediately release three activists associated with the overseas Viet Tan organization who went missing in Cambodia, and drop all charges against them, Human Rights W...
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 13/10/2026
Indian authorities are using abusive methods to crack down on thousands of peaceful protesters in New Delhi and other Indian cities. The protests have demanded the resignation of India's top election official over alleged wrongdoing and the scrapping of a contentious voter list revision process.
hrw.org
India: End Crackdown on Protesters, Arbitrary Detentions
Indian authorities are using abusive methods to crack down on thousands of peaceful protesters in New Delhi and other Indian cities.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Police in Delhi are responding to peaceful protests with seemingly unnecessary or excessive force & have wrongfully detained thousands of people. The Modi government should stop throwing protesters in jail & instead engage with them on the right to vote & fair elections. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
India: End Crackdown on Protesters, Arbitrary Detentions
Indian authorities are using abusive methods to crack down on thousands of peaceful protesters in New Delhi and other Indian cities.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Philippine authorities relocated 90 families from Pulo island in Pampanga to a low-lying area that was a former fish pond as part of a flood control project. At the new site, they face chronic flooding & few livelihood opportunities. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Philippines: Flood Control Project Disregards Rights
Philippine authorities disregarded the rights of residents who were removed from a small island in Pampanga province for a flood control project and relocated to a site with chronic flooding and few l...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
As protests in India escalate, so too have reports of detentions and abuses against peaceful protesters. Indian authorities should exercise restraint & stop beating peaceful protesters. They should stop harassing journalists & allow them to do their jobs. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
CJP at Jantar Mantar: Delhi sees more protests as freed 'cockroach' group's leaders vow to continue fight
Hundreds of people who came out on the streets despite the police's restrictions were detained on Sunday.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s invitation to Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to coordinate the forced return of people who fled military atrocities in Myanmar is an invitation for further abuse. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Malaysia: Press Myanmar Junta Leader to End Abuses
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should press Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, to end human rights abuses during his visit to Kuala Lumpur on October 7, 2026, Human Rights Watch said tod...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Amid protests over large-scale changes to voter rolls, Indian authorities should release those detained solely for peacefully expressing their views. Authorities should order police to exercise restraint, stop suspending internet services to stifle protests. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
reuters.com
Protests intensify in India over demands for election chief to quit
Thousands of youth protesters and opposition supporters rallied in Delhi and Mumbai ‌on Sunday to demand the resignation of India's election commission chief over changes to voter rolls, as police det...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The mass arrest of around 290 attendees at an opposition political gathering in Dhaka on September 26 is the latest incident in the Bangladesh authorities’ ongoing assault on civil and political rights. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Bangladeshi Police Round Up Opposition Supporters
The mass arrest of attendees at a small left-wing party’s meeting in Dhaka on September 26 is the latest incident in the Bangladesh authorities’ ongoing assault on civil and political rights.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This week marks 25 years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. The US & coalition countries have yet to provide genuine justice or redress for war crimes and other grave abuses in Afghanistan in the 25 years. See @hrw.org's timeline of our reporting on the conflict: www.hrw.org/feature/2026...
hrw.org
Afghans Await Justice 25 Years After War Began
The United States and coalition countries have yet to provide genuine justice or redress for war crimes and other grave abuses in Afghanistan in the 25 years since the war began on October 7, 2001.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Naoero’s decision to leave the ICC amid extreme pressure on the court from the US, betrays victims of serious international crimes around the world. ICC member countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, should speak out in support of the ICC & urge Naoero to reconsider its decision.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Responding to Xi and Trump’s Illiberal World Order www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Responding to Xi and Trump’s Illiberal World Order
As US President Donald Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington in this week, tariffs, artificial intelligence, and Taiwan may all be on the table. One subject almost certainly will not ...
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Jan Kooy @kooyjan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Russian government’s escalating attacks on censorship circumvention services is part of its broader assault on access to information, privacy, and freedom of expression. These repressive tactics affect millions of people in Russia seeking to connect to the internet without state censorship.
hrw.org
Russia Crackdown on Bypassing Online Censorship
Russian authorities are doubling down on their efforts to quash freedom of expression, including access to information, by increasingly suppressing tools to circumvent draconian censorship laws, Human...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Myanmar military junta subjects women political prisoners to torture, sexual violence & life-threatening denial of medical care. Among30,000+ political prisoners detained since the junta’s February 2021 coup are about 6,600 women and 640 children. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Myanmar: Women Political Prisoners Tortured, Ill-treated
The Myanmar military junta subjects women political prisoners to torture, sexual violence, and life-threatening denial of medical care.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
When Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay meets world leaders at the United Nations general assembly in New York this week, they should urge him to release the at least 28 political prisoners who are still held in dreadful conditions in his country’s jails. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Bhutan Should Release All Remaining Political Prisoners
When Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay meets world leaders at the United Nations general assembly in New York this week, they should urge him to release the at least 28 political prisoners who a...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The Chinese government is tightening its rules to decide arbitrarily who can and cannot leave China, violating the internationally protected right to leave one’s country. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
China: New Border Decree Curtails Right to Leave
A new Chinese government decree expands the discretion of administrative authorities to arbitrarily bar people from leaving China, violating the internationally protected right to leave a country.
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 16/09/2026
"I was not counted as a human being. I was counted, like a number, like ‘ah 16!’. They never called me by my name." Since 2001, Australia has forcibly transferred more than 5,000 asylum seekers to offshore detention, causing profound harm to those seeking refuge. Learn more: bit.ly/4ixAWzu
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
hderengerve.bsky.social @hderengerve.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
See hrw.org/news/2026/03... & thediplomat.com/2026/07/euro...
hrw.org
Integration of Beijing’s Human Rights abuses into EU strategy on China
We write to urge you to integrate human rights concerns in your discussions on EU-China relations during the upcoming security college meeting on April 13.
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
hderengerve.bsky.social @hderengerve.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
#SOTEU @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu says trade inbalance with #China is unsustainable & that EU will use all tools at its disposal to rebalance our relationship. Indeed, EU need to takes into account the cost of China Human Rights violations.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Diplomatic events like these cast a dark shadow on ASEAN & highlight the need for its members to stop undermining the Association’s positions. As an ICC member, Cambodia has an important role to play in holding the line. kiripost.com/stories/min-...
kiripost.com
Min Aung Hlaing’s Cambodia Visit Draws Human Rights Criticism
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s two-day visit to Cambodia has drawn strong criticism from Human Rights Watch, which urged Phnom Penh not to legitimise the military-backed leader or Myanmar’s dispu...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Cambodian government shouldn’t be welcoming Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing. He has been implicated in many abuses, and the ICC prosecutor has requested an arrest warrant for his alleged crimes against humanity. english.dvb.no/cambodia-hos...
english.dvb.no
Cambodia hosts Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing, drawing sharp rebuke from Human Rights Watch - DVB
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet hosts Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing for a two-day official state visit in Phnom Penh on Sept. 11-12. The visit marks Min Aung Hlaing’s fourth diplomatic miss...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
By severely punishing the activists for conducting ordinary democratic activities, the Hong Kong High Court has violated their rights to freedom of expression & peaceful assembly. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Hong Kong High Court today sentenced Tiananmen vigil organizers Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan & Albert Ho to prison terms ranging from 5 years 2 months to 7 years 3 months for “inciting subversion” under the National Security Law. See @hrw.org for background here👇 www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Singapore should drop a wave of charges against activists under the Public Order Act & other overly broad & restrictive laws said @amnesty.org @hrw.org @civicusalliance.bsky.social The charges relate to protests, vigils & other public advocacy on Gaza & the death penalty. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Singapore: Drop Wave of Charges Against Activists
The Singapore government should drop a wave of charges against seven activists and human rights defenders under the Public Order Act and other overly broad and restrictive laws, Amnesty International,...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
China wants citizens to report ‘illegal’ religious practices. In the first half of 2026 alone, more than a dozen cities across the country introduced measures encouraging or rewarding people to report religious activities the government labels “illegal.” www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
China Wants Citizens to Report ‘Illegal’ Religious Practice
Chinese lawyer Ruth Wang fled to Taiwan on September 2 after authorities threatened to shut down her law firm. Her offense? Representing members of China’s Zion Church, a prominent underground Protest...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This September marks 25 years since Australia first sent asylum seekers offshore for processing. After 25 years & billions spent, Australia’s offshore detention system has caused untold suffering to thousands & undermined Australia’s global reputation on human rights. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Australia: 25 Years of Abusive Offshore Detention
The Australian government has caused thousands of people seeking asylum to suffer grave abuses under its offshore detention system, which began in September 2001.
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Jan Kooy @kooyjan.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"Organizing a group to help people in distress used to be something Hong Kong people could do without fear. Not anymore.' - @elainepearson.bsky.social, Asia Director @hrw.org, in new dispatch ⤵️
hrw.org
Hong Kong Misuses Colonial-era Law to Violate Rights
Organizing a group to help people in distress used to be something Hong Kong people could do without fear. Not anymore.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Without warning, Pakistan has directed all medical & dental institutions to expel Afghan students & arrange to send them back to Afghanistan. It is the latest move by Pakistani authorities to summarily deport Afghans from the country. @hrw.org @fereshtaabbasi.bsky.social www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Pakistan Moves to Expel Afghan Medical Students
Without warning, Pakistan has directed all medical and dental institutions to expel Afghan students and arrange to send them back to Afghanistan. It is the latest move by Pakistani authorities to summ...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Sri Lanka's President Dissanayake took office in September 2024, promising justice for past rights violations. Yet as a UN report concludes, beyond progress in a few cases, there has been no accountability for gross human rights violations committed during the civil war. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
UN Finds Little Progress on Justice in Sri Lanka
Seventeen years after the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, the latest report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, updates the current human rights situation in the count...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Cambodian government should withdraw proposed legal amendments that would drastically reduce opposition party representation in top positions on local councils. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Cambodia: Legal Revisions Reinforce One-Party Rule
The Cambodian government should withdraw proposed legal amendments that would drastically reduce opposition party representation in top positions on local councils, Human Rights Watch said today.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
September 2 marks one year since the United States began an unlawful campaign of lethal military strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, claiming 227 lives. US officials should be urgently held to account for these killings. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
United States: Year of Extrajudicial Killings at Sea
Today marks one year since the United States began an unlawful campaign of lethal military strikes targeting vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, claiming 227 lives. US officials should be ...
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Jan Kooy @kooyjan.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“The UN Human Rights Council should urge the Sri Lankan government to take credible steps toward accountability for past crimes and end reprisals against victims, their families, and human rights defenders.” - Lucy McKernan, UN Human Rights Council director at HRW www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The Sri Lankan government’s prosecution of past grave abuses has lagged, raising concerns for future progress. Many cases of grave abuses remain stalled, while intimidation of families & activists continues. New @hrw report www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Sri Lanka: Tepid Progress on Justice for Past Abuses
The Sri Lankan government’s prosecution of past grave abuses has lagged, raising concerns for future progress, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. United Nations officials and UN membe...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
It's been 9 years since the Myanmar military's widespread campaign of atrocity crimes against the Rohingya population in Rakhine state. Since the 2017 atrocities, no one has been held accountable, although there has been some progress in international justice efforts. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Bangladeshi authorities should end the prolonged pretrial detention of politicians & others linked to the deposed Awami League government. Police have detained thousands of party officials, activists & supporters since Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down in August 2024 www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Bangladesh: End Indefinite Pretrial Detention of Political Opponents
Bangladeshi authorities should immediately take steps to end the prolonged pretrial detention of politicians and others linked to the deposed Awami League government.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
For decades, tens of thousands of Hong Kongers stood up for those who lost their lives demonstrating for liberty in China. Governments around the world now need to stand up for those Hong Kongers being punished for holding Beijing to account. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Hong Kong's Tiananmen activists convicted in national security trial
Three activists were accused of inciting others to subvert state power under the China-introduced law.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Reaction to today's conviction of activists Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan of “inciting subversion” under the National Security Law at the Hong Kong High Court. A third, Albert Ho, pled guilty earlier this year. More to follow from @hrw.org later...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
"The Chinese government wants to whitewash its atrocities and wants to create at atmosphere when activists are afraid to speak out even in Australia." @hrw's @YalkunUluyol speaks to @abcnews The World www.youtube.com/watch?v=XidL...
youtube.com
Human Rights Watch says Uyghur Australians interrogated by Chinese government | The World | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Thai authorities should halt the imminent deportation of 26 ethnic Karen villagers from Phetchaburi province to Myanmar and release them from immigration detention. Deporting ethnic Karen villagers to Myanmar would put them at risk of grave danger. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Thailand: Ethnic Karen Face Deportation to Myanmar
Thai authorities should halt the imminent deportation of 26 ethnic Karen villagers from Phetchaburi province to Myanmar and release them from immigration detention.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
A Uyghur Australian said Chinese authorities interrogated him 12+ times, once for 7+ hours:“They asked for addresses & phone numbers of prominent Uyghur activists in Australia.” When he said he didn't have that info, police pressed him to monitor activists’ activities upon return to Australia.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
The Chinese government is interrogating Uyghur Australians visiting Xinjiang & pressuring them to collect information on Uyghurs in Australia - new research from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Australia: Chinese Government Menaces Uyghur Diaspora
The Chinese government is interrogating Uyghur Australians visiting Xinjiang, pressing them to collect information on Uyghurs in Australia.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Indonesia’s Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of Imis, an Indigenous farmer who pprotested against coal mining & was wrongfully charged with a serious crime. Imis was ultimately exonerated. But the case highlights the risks faced by those who oppose the coal industry. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Indigenous Farmer in Indonesia Acquitted in Coal Mining Case
Indonesia’s Supreme Court on August 5 upheld the acquittal of Misran Toni, an Indigenous Dayak farmer known as Imis, who was participating in a coal mining protest and charged with stabbing other prot...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have forcibly disappeared 6 staff members of the nongovernmental group Women & Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) for nearly a month. New from @hrw www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Pakistani authorities should ensure a prompt, independent, & transparent criminal investigation into the deaths of a woman and a 17-year-old girl in police custody in Lahore, Punjab province August 5. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Pakistan: Investigate Deaths of Woman, Girl in Police Custody
Pakistani authorities should ensure a prompt, independent, and transparent criminal investigation into the deaths on August 5, 2026, of a woman and a 17-year-old girl in police custody in Lahore, Punj...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The Malaysian government should show regional leadership in responding to the crisis in Myanmar rather than threatening to forcibly return people who are the targets of the junta’s brutality. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Malaysia: Forcibly Returning Myanmar Refugees Risks Lives
The Malaysian government should reverse plans that would permit the forced return of refugees to Myanmar, where they face persecution and other rights abuses.
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Fereshta Abbasi @fereshtaabbasi.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Taliban have entrenched one of the worst human rights crises and systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since taking power five years ago. Afghanistan is also facing a humanitarian crisis with 40% of the population in need of assistance. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Afghanistan: Taliban Assault on Rights Deepens 5 Years on
Afghanistan’s Taliban have entrenched one of the world’s worst human rights crises and systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since taking power five years ago.
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Reposted by Elaine Pearson
César Muñoz @cesarmunoz.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
In August 2020, police committed dreadful abuses during a weeks-long operation in Brazil's Amazon. This was not the work of a few “bad apples.” A community leader said that a military police commander watched as officers tortured him. No one has been held accountable. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Terror in the Amazon
A nightmare for Indigenous people and other communities on the Abacaxis riverbanks in the Brazilian Amazon began on August 3, 2020. That day, three private boats arrived in the town of Nova Olinda do ...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The Thai authorities should immediately take effective measures to protect prominent members of parliament Angkhana Neelapaijit and Romadon Panjor and the human rights defender Anchana Heemmina, all of whom have been facing online death threats and attacks. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Thailand: Investigate Online Attacks Against Rights Defenders
The Thai authorities should immediately take effective measures to protect the prominent members of parliament Angkhana Neelapaijit and Romadon Panjor and the human rights defender Anchana Heemmina, a...
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
On July 29, 2026, a court in Hanoi convicted Hoang Thi Hong Thai & sentenced her to 6 years in prison for comments she made on social media criticizing the Vietnamese government. She was charged with "anti-state propaganda" under article 117 of the Penal Code. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Vietnam: Quash Conviction of Social Media Commentator
The Vietnamese authorities should immediately quash the criminal conviction of a prominent commentator on social media and release her.
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Elaine Pearson @elainepearson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
New @hrw report documents how Indonesian authorities are persecuting Indigenous leaders & environmental activists through the misuse of criminal laws to intimidate critics youtu.be/6chTE3aRE5k?...
youtu.be
HRW accuses Indonesia of persecuting Indigenous leaders, environmental activists
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
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