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Thomas Probert

@thomasprobert.com
747 followers 1.1K following 84 posts

Documenting serious violations of international humanitarian law. Formerly @UNHumanRights. Writes slowly on the politics of human rights and development. Posts slower. London • Geneva • Cambridge • Pretoria

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Reposted by Thomas Probert
Sarah Kay @k-interarma.bsky.social · 15h
Meanwhile in France, a high school student protesting during the second week of strikes asking for better learning conditions lost his hand, after a police grenade ripped it off his arm.
franceinfo.fr
Un adolescent de 15 ans a eu "la main arrachée" par une grenade près d'un lycée de Lens, une enquête de l'IGPN ouverte
L'élève est scolarisé en seconde au lycée professionnel Auguste-Béhal de Lens, dans le Pas-de-Calais.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 04/10/2026
I directed Arnold Wesker’s great play ‘Chicken Soup With Barley’, the first Act of which turns around this counterprotest, as a sixth form play and really enjoyed doing the historical research beforehand. Glad to see this anniversary getting the attention it deserves!
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Anjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Truly, I think domestic opposition calling on other countries to sanction US officials for the commission or support of war crimes or crimes against humanity is important--not just in Netanyahu's case, but for crimes committed in the Americas, too internationalpolicy.org/publications...
internationalpolicy.org
El Salvador’s actions show Human Rights law matters - CIP
By claiming compliance with human rights law, even as leaders vocally flout them, El Salvador’s shows those laws matter.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 14/09/2026
theguardian.com
A spoonful of sugar: how South Africa’s weigh-and-pay shops are tackling ‘poverty tax’ head on
Run by a social enterprise, the six shops operate from shipping containers across Johannesburg’s Alexandra township and sell food and household goods by weight in small, affordable amounts
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Reposted by Thomas Probert
Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
One for the West Wing fans.
theguardian.com
UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
Togo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 01/09/2026
The California Legislature passed a bill on Monday night banning law enforcement officers from using electric shock gloves in an effort to prevent federal immigration agents from deploying them.
nyti.ms
California Lawmakers Pass Ban on Shock Gloves
The California Legislature moved quickly to approve the legislation in an attempt to stop ICE agents from using the gloves. Local law enforcement agencies have come out against the bill.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/08/2026
"This September will mark one year since the U.S. military began bombing boats and summarily executing people in the Western Hemisphere. Congress’s response has demonstrated an unfamiliarity with human rights law and how it governs military action in peacetime," writes @seharrison7.bsky.social.
lawfaremedia.org
The Boat Strikes Aren’t Part of a War. They’re Murder.
By debating war powers and war crimes, Congress is missing the simpler, graver truth: The president is directing summary executions.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 28/08/2026
cc @ifbookspod.bsky.social
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Federica Genovese @fgenovese.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
You‘d think from media and most ac presses that majority of US/Europe dont care about the rest of the world - either way, you should know what happened this week: S Africa‘s top court blocked (govt backed) MNC offshore oil exploration. Mobilization works💙 www.climatechangenews.com/2026/08/14/s...
climatechangenews.com
South Africa's top court blocks Shell's offshore oil exploration right
Constitutional Court rules that Shell and its partners failed to consult affected communities and did not properly consider environmental risks
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Paul Rosenberg @paulrosenberg.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
An nda for torture that no one has to sign!
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Ahmadou Atafa @ahmadouatafa.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Niger: le Mouvement patriotique du Niger (MPN) annonce rejoindre la Coordination des forces libres du Niger (CFLN), une coalition de groupes politico-militaires créée autour du Front patriotique de libération (FPL). Il dit vouloir renforcer la coordination de la lutte contre les autorités de Niamey.
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Parliamentarians for Global Action @pga-champions.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Following recent #RomeStatute withdrawals by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, and Chad's announcement of withdrawal, Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay emphasizes the need for African MPs to support the ICC. ➡️ Learn about our #InternationalJustice campaign: www.pgaction.org/ilhr/international…
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 29/07/2026
"The RSF utilized the N'Djamena-Nyala ‌air corridor to ⁠transport fighters, foreign mercenaries, and military equipment, including drones and weapons, into Darfur," finds UN report, with US, Emirati, and South African companies implicated
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 29/07/2026
"The RSF utilized the N'Djamena-Nyala ‌air corridor to ⁠transport fighters, foreign mercenaries, and military equipment, including drones and weapons, into Darfur," finds UN report, with US, Emirati, and South African companies implicated
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Ahmadou Atafa @ahmadouatafa.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
1/5 Niger: Dans un entretien diffusé ce 25 juillet, sur médias publics, le général Tiani accuse la France (& l'Occident) d'être à l'origine des attaques contre l'aéroport de Niamey des 28-29 janvier et 18 juin 2026. Il affirme disposer de « preuves », sans les rendre publiques.👇
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Joanna Bryson @j2bryson.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
No one should ever bomb drinking water — no excuses.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 14/07/2026
Any manufacturer supplying equipment to these agencies (and any foreign states permitting the transfer, in the minority of cases where the weapons are sourced from overseas) are complicit in these violations No meaningful human rights assessment could overlook a clear pattern of abuse #ArmsTRACK
theguardian.com
‘Misuse’ of crowd control weapons on ICE protesters led to blindings and traumatic brain injuries, report finds
Doctors and human rights experts documented hundreds of incidents from June 2025 through May 2026 and estimate true number is ‘far greater’
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 14/07/2026
Any manufacturer supplying equipment to these agencies (and any foreign states permitting the transfer, in the minority of cases where the weapons are sourced from overseas) are complicit in these violations No meaningful human rights assessment could overlook a clear pattern of abuse #ArmsTRACK
theguardian.com
‘Misuse’ of crowd control weapons on ICE protesters led to blindings and traumatic brain injuries, report finds
Doctors and human rights experts documented hundreds of incidents from June 2025 through May 2026 and estimate true number is ‘far greater’
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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The top government official’s “no one should be able to prosecute top government officials for war crimes and crimes against humanity” t-shirt has people asking a lot of questions already answered by his shirt.
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David Mead @seethingmead.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Very nice to have one's long held academic views vindicated by the UKSC this morning, in McCafferty, on whether public nuisance under s78 PCSCA 2022 can be committed on private ways (not public highways) - answer: no
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Amnesty International France @amnestyfrance.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
L’Assemblée nationale vient de voter la loi donnant un « permis de tuer » aux policiers. C’est un vote de la HONTE.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 06/07/2026
I missed this last week (though perhaps not surprisingly given there seems to have absolutely no media attention) Having long-followed the great work of those looking to undo this legislation's pernicious impact across Africa, this seems worth celebrating!
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 11/06/2026
A threshold crossed 2 yrs ago, apparently…
newscientist.com
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
A senior figure in the Ukrainian defence industry told New Scientist that a test took place two years ago involving fully autonomous drones set to destroy anything in a given area, with confirmed casu...
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 31/05/2026
'Individual accountability became extremely difficult because the state failed in its investigative duties ... police failed to preserve crime scenes, often removing victims’ bodies to hospitals under the “false pretext” of “providing assistance”. In many cases, the victims were already dead.'
theguardian.com
The Mothers of May’s 20-year struggle for justice after Brazil police rampage
In 2006 police took revenge for deadly prison riots by killing more than 500 people in alleged shootouts that others call executions. A court is to rule on compensation for victims
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Tom Dannenbaum @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Hungary’s new government has reversed the country’s withdrawal from the ICC, which had been set to enter into effect on the 2nd of June. Hungary will remain an ICC State Party.
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United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research @unidir.org · 22/05/2026
📢 Join our team! UNIDIR is seeking 2️⃣ Graduate Professionals to join our Conventional Weapons Programme remotely. Gain expertise in weapons and ammunition management policy, arms control research and international security. 🗓️ Apply by 4 June 👉 unidir.org/GPP-CWP-2
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Matthew Kavanagh @matthewkavanagh.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Gotta say it’s a bit on the nose to have a ship full of wealthy white people and an outbreak that’s actually been controlled dominate global media while a major Ebola outbreak in DRC with cross boarder spread is going unnoticed. www.npr.org/2026/05/16/g...
npr.org
A new Ebola outbreak has already killed 87 people in Democratic Republic of Congo
Health officials are working to contain a new Ebola outbreak in the DRC of a virus strain with no known vaccine.
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The Economist @economist.com · 17/05/2026
Instead of focusing on aid, a summit between Kenya and France this week put business at the centre of what William Ruto and Emmanuel Macron called a “partnership of equals”. Other African leaders want in, too
econ.st
Macron turns to English-speaking Africa
Why France is betting on business to shake off its colonial baggage
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lawofprotest.bsky.social @lawofprotest.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Just what we needed - a Home Office "factcheet" on police powers
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 08/05/2026
Drawing on 4 decades of PHR research on the health and human rights harms of crowd control weapons, this report has documented injuries from these weapons and identified the prominent role that certain less well-known CCWs have played in policing US protests in 2025 and 2026 phr.org/our-work/res...
phr.org
Tools of Repression - PHR
Drawing on four decades of research on the health and human rights harms of CCWs, a team of PHR experts have documented injuries from these weapons and identified the prominent role certain lesser-kno...
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 06/05/2026
"mass violence does not begin with wars. It begins with narratives, and with the gradual normalization of the idea that coexistence is no longer viable... accompanied by legal and administrative practices that ... that characterize certain communities as demographic or security threats."
justsecurity.org
Attacks on Muslims in Key Indian States Require Urgent Action
The international community must redouble efforts to press Indian authorities for accountability in growing violence against Muslims.
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MAG (Mines Advisory Group) @minesadvisorygroup.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
MAG welcomes the news that #Lebanon has officially joined the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Read our full statement ⬇️ buff.ly/8Z5FlbJ
buff.ly
Lebanon joins the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention | MAG
MAG welcomes the news that Lebanon has officially joined the Mine Ban Treaty by depositing its formal instrument of accession to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 30/04/2026
For those who can get to Cambridge we have convened an absolutely amazing panel to mark the launch of the Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Assembly You can register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/assemble-t... There will be a longer symposium during the day - do reach out if that may be of interest
eventbrite.co.uk
Assemble!
A Panel on Protest Politics and Rights, to mark the launch of the Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Assembly
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 30/04/2026
For those who can get to Cambridge we have convened an absolutely amazing panel to mark the launch of the Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Assembly You can register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/assemble-t... There will be a longer symposium during the day - do reach out if that may be of interest
eventbrite.co.uk
Assemble!
A Panel on Protest Politics and Rights, to mark the launch of the Oxford Handbook of Peaceful Assembly
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Matthew Gault @mjgault.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Zambia's Ministry of Information suddenly "postponed" RightsCon over "thematic issues" and concerns regarding some of the proposed speakers
404media.co
World’s Largest Digital Human Rights Conference Suddenly 'Postponed'
RightsCon was delayed by Zambia's Ministry of Information for "thematic issues" and problems with speakers.
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Human Rights Watch @hrw.org · 23/04/2026
🚨📰The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s confirmation on April 23, 2026, of all crimes against humanity charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is a major step toward justice for the victims of the country’s “war on drugs.”
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 03/04/2026
The HRCtte’s general comment is pretty clear about the standard for such interference: the State must be “manifestly unable to protect the participants from a severe threat to their safety” and such a claim must survive strict scrutiny
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 03/04/2026
"Amidst a longstanding pattern of serious violations of international humanitarian law by Israeli forces in Lebanon...if war crimes unit prosecutors open an investigation into this complaint, this would offer a rare opportunity to examine Israel’s actions in a European court" (Heba Morayef, Amnesty)
theguardian.com
Artist files war crime case in Paris over Israeli strike that killed parents in Lebanon
Lebanese-French man Ali Cherri demands investigation into Beirut bombing as possible war crime against civilians
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Peter @notalawyer.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
i’m glad the Supreme Court said what we’ve all been thinking: lawyers should be in charge of medicine
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 21/03/2026
“Fighting for justice means fighting against being forgotten... This verdict was achieved through the courage and determination of the Yazidi survivors who attach great value to this first conviction of a French Isis member for genocide and crimes against humanity.”
theguardian.com
French IS member convicted of genocide for atrocities against Yazidis
Sabri Essid also found guilty of crimes against humanity after harrowing evidence from women enslaved by jihadist
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Gina Romero / Special Rapporteur FoAA @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
hanks Hon @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social for hosting me this week to talk about the Crime and Policing bill and its problematic clauses on 'cumulative disruption' and 'extremist criminal protesting groups'. I hope that these can be removed from the bill that will be adopted soon.
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Harm Reduction International @harmreductionintl.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Our report “The Death Penalty for Drug Offences: Global Overview 2025” is out and the findings are catastrophic. Drug-related executions nearly doubled in 2025.
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Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
1. Purpose: to inform you that a public statement you made on Mar. 13, 2026, may be construed as counseling, commanding, encouraging, ordering, or threatening the commission of a war crime” www.justsecurity.org/133970/legal...
justsecurity.org
Hypothetical Legal Advice to SecDef Hegseth on “No Quarter” Statement (from Office of General Counsel)
A hypothetical legal memorandum on what the DoD General Counsel would advise Secretary Hegseth about his "no quarter" statement in Iran war.
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 12/03/2026
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Center for Victims of Torture @cvt.org · 09/03/2026
The violent ICE surge didn’t come out of nowhere. “The lack of reckoning and accountability for past abuses led directly to what we see currently taking place. It has been allowed to take place,” writes Yumna Rizvi, CVT senior policy analyst. www.cvt.org/articles/wha...
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Thomas Probert @thomasprobert.com · 09/03/2026
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David Henig @davidheniguk.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Terrific essay on inter-generational fairness from John Lanchester, that brings up some of the discomforts of the past but still broadly accepts the problems now faced. www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...
theguardian.com
Did baby boomers eat all the pies? John Lanchester on the truth about the generation gap
It’s a grim time to be in your 20s, no doubt, but don’t blame it all on older people: being chopped up into ever smaller rivalries only serves the market
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Jan Kooy @kooyjan.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
"To prevent the US from leading the world down a dangerous slide from which there is no return, governments at the Convention on Conventional Weapons should use this week’s meeting to support and strengthen the draft treaty banning and regulating autonomous weapons systems." - @verityc.bsky.social
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