UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; Human Rights Chair, Geneva Academy; Professor of International Law, University of Glasgow; Vice-President IIHL, Sanremo
#SRTorture to #GA75: Wilful ignorance & denial of reality are unconscious but well-documented & easily exploited human tendencies & the biggest obstacle to universal eradication of #torture & #corruption. Not only among officials & judges but also journalists & the general public
UN expert @NilsMelzer examines worldwide discrepancy between universal prohibition and persistent complacency with torture & ill-treatment. In his #UNGA report, he explores biopsychosocial factors & urges proactive implementation of his recommendations 👉 undocs.org/A/75/179
Very much looking forward to leading @TheGCSP as from 1 May 2021 on: building on its 25 years history, helping the world to make sense of strange and turbulent times, to manage crises and challenges more effectively, and train future leaders.
My sincere congratulations to @NMavronicola, one of the world’s most brilliant and thoughtful experts on the prohibition of #Torture & ill-treatment, on her newest book with @hartpublishing - looking forward to the read!
The #OverseasOperationsBill, the bill that will effectively decriminalise torture, has its second reading in the House of Lords tomorrow.
Here's how this bill could embolden torturers around the world. #NoTimeLimitOnJustice
How far have we sunk...
- when we prosecute people for exposing war crimes?
- when we no longer prosecute war criminals because we identify more with them than with their victims & exposers?
- when telling the truth becomes a crime?
What does this say about us & our governments?
🇺🇸 #UnitedStates: UN experts strongly affirm and express solidarity with the American people who stand for democracy, equality and the rule of law at this critical moment after #USCapitol violence.
Read 👉 ow.ly/zPFb50DbvCG
"Keep moving, for it may well be that the greatest song has not yet been sung, the greatest book has not been written, the highest mountain has not been climbed. This is your challenge! Reach out and grab it and make it a part of your life." #MLK - Spelman College 1960
„Grundrechte sind wie Luft: Erst wenn Ihnen jemand Mund und Nase zuhält, merken Sie, dass Sie ohne Luft nicht leben können.“ @NilsMelzer bringt es auf den Punkt. Sicherheit ja - #PMT-Gesetz nein. @zeitonline zeit.de/2021/03/nils-melzer-…
« Ein Rechtsstaat muss also gerade die Überwacher ganz besonders überwachen. Denn wenn wir zum Schutz des Rechtsstaates den Rechtsstaat abschaffen, dann ist das ein Schuss ins eigene Knie.» @NilsMelzer zum Schweizer #PMT-Gesetz
zeit.de/2021/03/nils-melzer-…
„In der Schweiz ist man sich zu wenig bewusst, wie der weltweite Kampf gegen den Terror geführt wird. Das gilt auch für das Parlament und den Bundesrat.“ @NilsMelzer in der @DIEZEIT zeit.de/2021/03/nils-melzer-…
»Ich habe relativ spät in meiner Karriere gemerkt, welch großen Illusionen ich über den westlichen Rechtsstaat erlegen bin.«
UN-Folterexperte @NilsMelzer im Interview mit @DIEZEIT 🇨🇭
zeit.de/2021/03/nils-melzer-…
Robin & I agree that all the credit goes to our brilliant co-authors, to @OUPLaw and, more than anyone, to our two wonderful assistant editors, @Elmethymaki & @jamesgdevaney who, with their excellence, enthusiasm & dedication, mastered the herculean task of making this possible!
Thanks again @richimedhurst for this important interview on the #Assange case, incl the political nature of his #persecution, the recent UK court decisions, his detention in Belmarsh, & the likely stance of the @JoeBiden administration.
Finally, coming up after 3 years of work, co-authored by 79 dear friends, colleagues & experts: „The Oxford Handbook of the International Law of Global Security“
global.oup.com/academic/prod…
We call for clemency for Lisa Montgomery, victim of horrific abuse throughout her life, denied State protection, further compounded by the gender discrimination she faced, pervasive at all stages of the capital proceedings against her ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Page…#SaveLisa
“With a new administration coming into office in the #USA and as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Guantánamo must finally be closed forever,” say independent #humanrights experts.
#GuantanamoBayis.gd/A08ENv
No one should be held in detention simply for exercising their rights. Detention is considered arbitrary if there was no fair trial, or no legal basis to justify it.