#UPR49
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marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
My mandate led or joined 30 communications regarding human rights defenders to #Türkiye since its last UPR in 2020. In the past 5 years, numerous HRDs have been subjected to multiple violations, incl. arbitrary arrest, detention & imprisonment. (1/5)
⬇️ #UPR49
The flag of Türkiye flying in the wind
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
#Türkiye should:
- amend the “Agents of Influence Law” to ensure that it is aligned with international human rights standards;
- refrain from using the Anti-Terrorism Law to criminalise HRDs & activists exercising their right to defend human rights. (5/5)
#UPR49
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
nicolataylor.bsky.social
As the UN holds the 49th UPR in Geneva, it’s worth reflecting: offshore wealth and hidden networks don’t just protect elites—they can quietly chip away at democracy. The UN and OECD are sounding the alarm.

𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥. ⚠️

#UPR49 #UNGeneva
ebharrington.bsky.social Brooke Harrington @ebharrington.bsky.social · May 3
Presenting at the United Nations in Geneva earlier this week on offshore finance as the platform for a global elite insurgency against democracy.
Me, my fellow panelists, and the first slide of my presentation to the United Nations on the dangers that offshore finance presents to democracy.
May 3, 2025 at 3:27 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
I have also expressed concern regarding the implications of an omnibus bill referred to as “Agents of Influence Law”, which could lead to HRDs who interact with foreign NGOs or foundations being charged with ‘crimes against the security of the state’. (4/5)
#UPR49
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Of particular concern is the enforced disappearance, since 9 July 2024, of Guinean human rights defenders Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah. (3/4)
#UPR49
A composite photo of Oumar Sylla and Bilo Bah
April 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
My mandate led or joined 5 communications to #Guinea since its last UPR review in 2020, regarding cases of retaliation faced by human rights defenders both before & after the coup of September 2021. (1/4)
⬇️ #UPR49
The flag of Guinea, three vertical bands, the first red, the second yellow, the third green.
April 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
- the abduction, enforced disappearance & extraordinary rendition from Nairobi of a Rwandan human rights defender to Rwanda, where he is currently detained;

- the intimidation, physical assault & criminalisation of indigenous human rights defenders & climate activists; (3/6)

#UPR49
May 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
mmkarmenia.bsky.social
#Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Justice responded to the speeches, saying that they are actively working to eliminate #hate and #discrimination on various grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity. Such a big lie😁
#LGBT #SOGI
#UniversalPeriodicReview #UPR49 #UPR
May 1, 2025 at 1:24 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Many of those targeted were prosecuted under #Türkiye’s draconian Anti-Terrorism Law, which contains very broad definitions of ‘terrorism’. HRDs held on suspicion of terrorist offences were subjected to prolonged periods of detention without charge. (2/5)
#UPR49
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
uprinfo.bsky.social
#Lesotho received a total of 247 recommendations, 230 were supported and 17 recommendations were noted.
#UPR49 #HRC60 #UniversalPeriodicReview
September 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
- the murder of environmental woman human rights defender Joannah Stutchbury in 2021, for which no-one has been brought to justice. (4/6)

#UPR49
Joannah Stutchbury, a woman with curly grey hair and hoop earrings, smiling against a background of trees.
May 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
uprinfo.bsky.social
#Guinea received a total of 257 recommendations, 246 were supported and 11 recommendations were noted.
#UPR49 #HRC60 #UniversalPeriodicReview
September 25, 2025 at 3:14 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
My mandate has led or joined seven communications to #LaoPDR since its last UPR review, regarding enforced disappearances & killing of human rights defenders, both in Lao PDR & Thailand, criminalisation & long-term imprisonment. (1/5)
⬇️ #UPR49
The Lao flag, three horizontal bands, the top and bottom red, the central band navy, with a white circle in the centre of the navy band
April 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Among those targeted have been human rights lawyers, women & men associated with the Saturday Mothers/People movement, Kurdish HRDs & journalists. Of continuing concern is the ongoing imprisonment of HRDs who are serving prison sentences of 10 years or more. (3/5)
#UPR49
May 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
Although the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights developed a Policy and Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders, the government has not adopted it.

#Kenya should:

- adopt as a matter of priority a protection policy or mechanism for HRDs; (5/6)

#UPR49
May 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
mmkarmenia.bsky.social
Dozens of recommendations are provided to #Armenia by the states to ratify #IstanbulConvention

#UniversalPeriodicReview #UPR49 #UPR
May 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
#LaoPDR should:
- undertake full, transparent & independent investigations into the enforced disappearances of human rights defenders, including Sombath Somphone; (4/5)
#UPR49
April 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
uprinfo.bsky.social
Ukraine, South Africa, Mexico, Jamaica, Indonesia, India, Cyprus and Bahamas have congratulated #Grenada on its 2023 minimum wage law.
#UPR49 #UniversalPeriodicReview
May 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
#LaoPDR should:
- undertake full, transparent & independent investigations into the deaths of human rights defenders Leokham Losavath and Phouvong Sayaseng in 2020. (5/5)
#UPR49
April 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
mmkarmenia.bsky.social
#SLAPPs and #HumanRightsDefenders protection are another area of concern raised by several states followed by the recommendations

#UniversalPeriodicReview #UPR49 #UPR #Armenia
@humanrightshouse.bsky.social
May 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
#Kyrgyzstan should:
- ensure a safe & enabling environment for all HRDs, including LGBTI+ defenders, anti-corruption defenders, lawyers, journalists & environmental defenders; (7/8)
#UPR49
April 28, 2025 at 10:06 AM
marylawlorhrds.bsky.social
My mandate led or joined 11 communications to #Kenya since its last UPR review in 2020, during which the government was urged to ensure a safe & enabling environment for human rights defenders and to ensure attacks against them were properly investigated. (1/6)

⬇️ #UPR49
The Kenyan flag, flying from a pole against the wind
May 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM
mmkarmenia.bsky.social
Great recommendations are coming also from #Austria and #Australia on protection of #journalists, #LGBT people, #women from #hate and #discrimination

#UniversalPeriodicReview #UPR49 #UPR #Armenia
May 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
mmkarmenia.bsky.social
#Belgium, #Brazil, #Canada, #Netherlands also talked about the protection of #LGBT people, and recommended to adopt comprehensive laws on #hatecrime and #discrimination

#UniversalPeriodicReview #UPR49 #UPR #Armenia
May 1, 2025 at 1:55 PM
uprinfo.bsky.social
Tune in this afternoon at 14:30 GMT+1 for the review of #Armenia. Watch live via webtv.un.org and follow on Twitter with #UPR49
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May 1, 2025 at 11:29 AM