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Bassam Khawaja

@khawaja.bsky.social
2.5K followers 412 following 864 posts

Deputy Director, Middle East and North Africa, @HRW.org Senior Fellow, Human Rights Institute, Columbia Law School Counsel to Human Rights & Privatization Project, NYU Law

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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Israeli forces continue to kill and wound civilians and deny sufficient food, aid, and water to Palestinians in Gaza one year after a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025 www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Gaza: Ceasefire Anniversary Marks Year of Failed Promises
Israeli forces continue to kill and wound civilians and deny sufficient food, aid, and water to Palestinians in Gaza one year after a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
The Libyan Arab Armed Forces has executed at least 31 people since late August 2026 following grossly unfair military trials. These are the first known executions in Libya since 2010, with at least 50 more people at imminent risk of execution: www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Libya: Eastern Authorities Carry Out Wave of Executions
The Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), which controls eastern and southern Libya, has executed at least 31 people since late August 2026 following grossly unfair military trials.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
The Trump administration has made clear its aim to destroy the ICC to shield US and Israeli officials from facing charges before the court. The ICC was created to ensure that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
US Sanctions International Criminal Court
The United States government on October 9, 2026, sanctioned the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing jurisdiction over crimes by US nationals abroad.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Come work with us: Human Rights Watch is hiring a Washington DC director job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
The Trump administration is sending hundreds of people who can’t be deported to their own countries—because of the danger they would face there—to African countries where they have no connections: www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
US: Deportations to African Countries Not Their Own
The Trump administration is sending hundreds of people who can’t be deported to their own countries, because of the danger they would face, to African countries where they have no connections.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Guardian video explains how investigations by HRW, Amnesty, and Legal Agenda show that Israel deliberately and directly attacked the journalist Amal Khalil and her colleague Zeinab Faraj, with apparent knowledge that they were journalists: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
NGOs say Israel bombed a journalist and appeared to attack ambulances trying to aid her – explainer
Beirut-based Guardian correspondent Will Christou explains how NGO investigations show Israel killed the journalist after a sustained attack by Israeli forces
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Did the UN FAO fire a senior official for his work highlighting hunger in Gaza? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/o...
theguardian.com
Former UN food agency official claims he was fired for highlighting hunger in Gaza
Benjamin Davis appealing against dismissal from FAO, after being accused by director general of playing ‘political games’
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen have sent at least eight people involved in human rights and humanitarian work for criminal prosecution, on espionage-related charges punishable by death, since August 18 www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Yemen: Houthis Prosecute UN, Civil Society Staff
– The Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen have sent at least eight people involved in human rights and humanitarian work for criminal prosecution, on espionage-related charges punishable by death, si...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Human Rights Watch finds that Tunisian authorities failed to ensure an adequate supply of electricity and water during two months of extreme summer heat, undermining the right to health and endangering lives: www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Tunisia: Power, Water Shortages Endanger Rights
Tunisian authorities failed to ensure an adequate supply of electricity and water during two months of extreme summer heat, undermining the right to health and endangering lives.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Egyptian authorities have still not released any information about the fate of the six arrested @matsda2sh journalists, raising concerns that they have been disappeared. Authorities should immediately disclose their whereabouts and grant access to lawyers www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...
hrw.org
Egypt: Authorities Arrest Entire Investigative Newsroom
Egyptian security forces arrested six journalists working for the independent investigative journalism platform Matsda2sh on September 28 and 29 and appear to have forcibly disappeared them.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Human Rights Watch joins 80 organizations in demanding the release of six journalists at the investigative platform @matsda2sh—the entire newsroom— detained by Egyptian authorities timep.org/2026/09/30/g...
timep.org
Global Call for the Release of Entire Newsroom at Egyptian Investigative Journalism Platform Matsadaash
Civil society organizations and independent media outlets join together to condemn the escalating crackdown on independent Egyptian investigative journalism platform Matsadaash.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Terrible news from Egypt with the crackdown on the news platform Matsaddash. Six journalists have now been arrested, comprising the platform’s entire team: eipr.org/en/press/202...
eipr.org
EIPR condemns arrest of all 6 Matsaddash journalists in less than 24 hours | Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Joint @ACLU and @Amnesty report finds that higher education institutions, the federal government, and policymakers censored and suppressed speech in support of Palestinian rights and critical of the Israeli government: www.aclu.org/press-releas...
aclu.org
New ACLU and Amnesty International USA Report Uncovers Widespread Suppression of Pro-Palestine Speech Across College Campuses | American Civil Liberties Union
Findings Show Concerted Efforts to Censor and Retaliate Against Speech in support of Palestinian Rights in Colleges and Universities
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Syrian transitional government is signing billions of dollars in reconstruction deals without a human rights framework that would ensure that rebuilding respects, protects, and fulfills the rights of affected people www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Syria: Reconstruction Deals Lack Critical Rights Framework
The Syrian transitional government is signing billions of dollars in reconstruction deals without a human rights framework that would ensure that rebuilding respects, protects, and fulfills the rights...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The American Bar Association will present its 2026 International Human Rights Award to Tunisian human rights lawyer Ayachi Hammami for his decades-long commitment to advancing democracy, protecting freedoms and defending victims of human rights violations www.americanbar.org/news/abanews...
americanbar.org
Ayachi Hammami to receive 2026 ABA International Human Rights Award
CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 2026 — The American Bar Association will present its 2026 International Human Rights Award to Tunisian human rights lawyer and defender Ayachi Hammami in recognition of his decades-...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Houthis’ latest attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden most likely amount to war crimes in at least three cases: www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Recent use of white phosphorus munitions by Israeli forces in Lebanon underscores the need for new international law to regulate these devastating weapons. Countries should take up the issue at the UN General Assembly in October: www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
White Phosphorus: Recent Use, Inhumane Effects Require New Law
Recent use of white phosphorus munitions by Israeli forces in Lebanon underscores the need for new international law to regulate these devastating weapons.
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Reposted by Bassam Khawaja
Philippe Dam @philippedam.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
#HRC63: it took years for @euatun.bsky.social to include reference to #Tunisia situation. @eudiplomacy.bsky.social: years of silence came at a price for human rights. @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu: Review EU-Tunisia relations, call for release of arbitrarily detained www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Two fellowships at Human Rights Watch are now open for application until October 12: job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw... job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK considering or adopting restrictions on trade in goods with Israeli settlements which are illegal under international law: www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Joint Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Two-State Solution
Statement of the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK on the Two-State Solution
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Tunisia’s Court of Cassation today upheld the convictions and heavy sentences of 34 people in the notorious Conspiracy Case, sentenced to between 5 and 45 years in prison. This was their last avenue of appeal. www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
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 urgently held to account for these killings 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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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In a new report today, HRW finds that Tunisian government has systematically cracked down on civil society groups and their members since 2024, all but shutting down the vibrant civic space that emerged after the 2011 revolution www.hrw.org/news/2026/09...
hrw.org
Tunisia: Civil Society Under Siege
The Tunisian government has systematically cracked down on civil society groups and their members since 2024, all but shutting down the vibrant civic space that emerged after the 2011 revolution.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Our call to action on the human rights crisis in Tunisia ahead of the UN Human Rights Council: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Call for Action on the Human Rights Crisis in Tunisia at the Human Rights Council
Ahead of the Human Rights Council’s (HRC) 63rd session (7 September-9 October 2026), we, the undersigned non-governmental organizations (NGOs), write to underscore our collective alarm at the intensif...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A new Turkish law that went into effect on August 18 allows courts to impose prison sentences up to 27 years for children age 12 and up, and life in prison for those 15 and older: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Türkiye: Long Prison Terms for Children Accused of Crime
A new Turkish law that imposes heavy prison sentences on children found guilty of committing crimes is likely to cause harm and moves Turkish policy further away from international norms.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A third Assad-era verdict landed today in Syria: life in prison for former grand mufti Ahmad Hassoun. Our Q&A lays out what's working, what isn't, and what Syria needs to build a justice system that can actually deliver: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Syria: First Assad-Era Verdicts a Test for Justice
A Syrian court’s first verdicts for crimes committed during the Assad era raise important legal issues the government should urgently address.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
With fears about the economic fallout of artificial intelligence, governments could find themselves desperate for more revenue to support laid off workers at exactly the same time that they are losing the taxes those vanished jobs would have generated. www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Taxing Tech in Age of AI Could Fund Human Rights
Fears about the economic fallout of artificial intelligence have brought tax policy into the spotlight. Governments could find themselves desperate for more revenue to support millions of potentially ...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
The Spanish government and local authorities in its North African enclave Ceuta should act urgently to provide adequate shelter to all migrants and asylum seekers living unsheltered since entering Ceuta from Morocco at the end of July: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Spain: Humanitarian and Rights Crisis in Ceuta
The Spanish government and local authorities in its North African enclave Ceuta should act urgently to provide adequate shelter to all migrants and asylum seekers living unsheltered since entering Ceu...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Attacks by settlers in the occupied West Bank are increasingly driving the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, with dozens at risk of erasure. Israeli authorities are arming, funding, and granting impunity to the violent settlers www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
West Bank: Israel-Backed Settler Violence Drives Displacement
Attacks by settlers in the occupied West Bank are increasingly driving the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, with dozens at risk of erasure.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The Israeli government yesterday opened a new tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the illegal E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank. The government set a deadline for bids just days before October elections: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
West Bank: Illegal E1 Settlement Tender Opens for Bids
The Israeli government on August 18, 2026, opened a new tender for the construction of 1,234 housing units in the illegal E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, about a third of the 3,401 ho...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
The UN Security Council should ensure that an international force remains in southern Lebanon to protect civilians and deter human rights abuses by the Israeli military and Hezbollah: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
UN: Keep International Force in Lebanon to Protect Civilians
The United Nations Security Council should ensure that an international force remains in southern Lebanon to protect civilians and deter human rights abuses by the Israeli military and Hezbollah, Huma...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Four human rights groups including HRW filed a lawsuit today alleging that the Trump administration is illegally sanctioning individuals and organizations affiliated with or assisting the work of the ICC and is criminalizing those who associate with them www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The arrival of an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people in Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in North Africa, on July 30-31 was not only unprecedented but also tragic. At least 72 people died www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Rapid Returns Follow Migrant Crossings to Ceuta
The arrival of an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people in Ceuta, Spain’s enclave in North Africa, on July 30-31 was not only unprecedented but also tragic. At least 72 people died, including many who dro...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The Israeli military’s April 22 attacks in Lebanon that killed one journalist and severely injured another included apparently deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, which would make them war crimes: www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
Lebanon: Israel’s Killing of Journalist an Apparent War Crime
The Israeli military’s April 22, 2026, attacks in Lebanon that killed one journalist and severely injured another included apparently deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, which would ...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Israeli road closures in the West Bank on July 27 badly delayed an ambulance transporting a pregnant Palestinian woman in critical condition, with dire consequences. The woman’s fetus did not survive an emergency delivery www.hrw.org/news/2026/08...
hrw.org
West Bank: Israel Delaying Palestinian Ambulances Risks Lives
Israeli road closures in the West Bank on July 27, 2026, badly delayed an ambulance transporting a pregnant Palestinian woman in critical condition, with dire consequences.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Morocco has in recent weeks continued its crackdown on dissent with the arrests of rap star Mehdi Lyoubi, known as Mehdi Black Wind, and Ali Lmrabet, a prominent Moroccan journalist living abroad: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Free Outspoken Moroccan Rap Star
Moroccan rap star Mehdi Lyoubi was held for interrogation on Monday, July 13 before appearing before a prosecutor later that week.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The International Criminal Court confirms war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against Libyan suspect Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, the first after 15 years of investigation—a milestone for justice in Libya: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Libya: ICC Greenlights First Case to Move to Trial
The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s confirmation of war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against the Libyan suspect Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, the first after 15 years of investigati...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
UN experts expressed serious concern over reports that more than 7,400 people are victims of a systematic pattern of arbitrary detention, collective expulsion and trafficking at the Tunisia-Libya border and in Libya, since at least June 2023: www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
ohchr.org
Tunisia-Libya border: UN experts alarmed by alleged system of mass detention, expulsion and trafficking
GENEVA – UN experts* today expressed serious concern over reports that more than 7,400 people, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, are victims of a systematic pattern of arbitrary detention, collective ex...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Congressman Ro Khanna got a taste of Palestinians’ daily life under occupation: While visiting the occupied West Bank, he and his team were stopped by armed Israeli settlers soon joined by Israeli soldiers who proceeded to hold the group for over an hour: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Ro Khanna, Settler Violence, and What Netanyahu Got Wrong
While visiting the occupied West Bank, Democratic Congressman of California Ro Khanna said he and his team were stopped by armed Israeli settlers who were soon joined by four Israeli soldiers that pro...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Members of three parliamentary committees in Lebanon jointly approved a draft law abolishing the death penalty on July 9, putting Lebanon on the precipice of becoming the first country in the Middle East to formally end capital punishment: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Lebanon: Abolishing Death Penalty Within Reach
Members of three parliamentary committees in Lebanon jointly approved a draft law abolishing the death penalty on July 9, 2026, putting Lebanon on the precipice of becoming the first country in the Mi...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
“My problems began when the National Guard intercepted us on the water." The EU continues to outsource its border control to Tunisia, while remaining silent on the grave and widespread abuses committed by security forces against people like Christine: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Account of Abuse and Rape in Tunisia, the Story of a Cameroonian Migrant Woman
“My problems began when the [Tunisian] National Guard intercepted us on the water; that's when I was struck by the reality of the journey.”
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Today—three years after the EU and Tunisia signed an MoU to prevent boats carrying migrants and asylum seekers departing for Europe—46 organizations call on the EU to denounce human rights violations in Tunisia and stop funding abusive migration control: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
EU: Tunisia Migration Deal Worsening Human Rights Violations
The European Union (EU) and its member states should publicly denounce human rights violations in Tunisia and stop funding abusive migration control activities.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
People held in immigration detention at Fort Bliss have experienced serious abuses: indiscriminate beatings, life-threatening medical neglect, coercive removals to unfamiliar third countries, and conditions that may amount to enforced disappearance: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
US: Deaths, Neglect in Fort Bliss Immigration Detention
People held in the immigration detention camp at the US Army’s Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas have experienced serious abuse.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Governments should disregard the statement from the Trump-chaired Board of Peace that "UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza," the latest salvo in the US and Israeli government’s long-running campaign to destroy UNRWA www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
UNRWA is Irreplaceable in Gaza
Governments should disregard the statement from the US President Donald Trump-chaired Board of Peace that “UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza,” the latest salvo in the US and Israeli government’s long...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
UN experts and civil society expressed deep concern about Tunisia’s intensifying human rights crises at the Human Rights Council. But the continued silence from member states all but signaled a free pass for authorities to continue their crackdown: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Sounding the Alarm over Tunisia’s Crackdown
At the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which closed on July 8, UN experts and civil society expressed deep concern about Tunisia’s intensifying human rights crises.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Egyptian authorities are denying medical care to Ahmed al-Waleed al-Shal, a death row prisoner with an apparent brain tumor, following a forced disappearance and an unfair trial: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Egypt: Prisoner with Apparent Brain Tumor Denied Care
Egyptian authorities are denying medical care to a death row prisoner with an apparent brain tumor, following a forced disappearance and an unfair trial.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Tunisian courts sentenced eight human rights defenders to prison terms and fines in recent days for charges connected to their human rights work, including two prominent women, Sihem Bensedrine and Saadia Mosbah, who were handed harsh sentences: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Tunisia: Harsh Sentences for Rights Defenders
Tunisian courts sentenced eight human rights defenders to prison terms and fines in recent days, for charges connected to their human rights work, including two prominent women who were handed harsh s...
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in DC on June 26 threatens to betray war crimes victims in Lebanon, Parts of the text appear to be aimed at preventing victims of serious international crimes from seeking justice before international forums: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Lebanon/Israel: Framework Agreement Betrays Victims of War Crimes in Lebanon
The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement signed in Washington on June 26, 2026, threatens to betray war crimes victims in Lebanon.
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
HRW found many refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt have faced a months-long campaign of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, and deportation. Authorities are arresting those whose residency permits have expired due to the government’s own delays: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Egypt: Refugees, Asylum Seekers Arrested, Deported
Many refugees and asylum seekers in Egypt, mostly from Sudan and South Sudan, have faced a months-long campaign of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, and deportation, Human Rights Watch said today....
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Bassam Khawaja @khawaja.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
HRW: Libyan authorities have used incendiary rhetoric and pursued a campaign of mass detention and expulsions of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, sparking anti-migrant protests: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
hrw.org
Libya: Anti-Migrant Rhetoric Fuels Abuses
Libyan authorities have used incendiary rhetoric and pursued a campaign of mass detention and expulsions of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, sparking anti-migrant protests.
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