@hrw UN director. @Reuters alum, ex-UN bureau chief. CUNY Graduate Center PhD. Native Detroiter, now Queens, NYC. Previously Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Hong Kong.

New York City
Joined May 2009
🚨 New from @hrw: Tomorrow, Oct 13, the UN General Assembly will elect 15 new members of the Human Rights Council for 2027-2029. Because the vote is devoid of competition, #Burundi is set to win reelection. hrw.org/news/2026/10/12/un-b…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
The Trump administration’s decision to sanction the International Criminal Court is an unprecedented assault on global justice and the rule of law. By attacking the ICC, the US government is threatening justice for victims of abuses from Palestine to Ukraine, Myanmar, and Sudan. Read more: hrw.org/news/2026/10/09/us-s…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
It’s still fascinating to hear people say “international law is useless” when the biggest military power in the world is this openly terrified of it.
Today, the Trump Administration is sanctioning the ICC. This action should encourage our Allies within the Court to work for solutions to end this threat to U.S. sovereignty forever.
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louis charbonneau retweeted
The Trump administration made its goals clear: destroying the ICC to shield US and Israeli officials from justice EU states and institutions should condemn the US sanctions and take immediate action, like the EU’s blocking statute, to protect the Court: hrw.org/news/2026/10/09/us-s…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
Yes! Navi Pillay symbolizes respect for legal accountability for human rights abuses, for the rule of law -- those constraints that keep us free -- at a time when that structure and those values are under attack, particularly from the US.
In awarding this year’s #NobelPeacePrize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wants to remind the world that the rule of law – national and international – underpins the system we have set up to ensure peace and resolve conflicts non-violently. Peace requires justice. History has shown that a world operating without the rule of law is unjust, unwise and inhumane. The judges – those who guard the thin red line between order and chaos – are therefore highly deserving of our praise. But today, as these same judges are sanctioned, and their institutions are attacked, we need people of courage, vision and determination – qualities that 2026 peace laureate Navi Pillay demonstrates in her work on the bench. #NobelPrize
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louis charbonneau retweeted
On October 9, the United States government sanctioned the International Criminal Court, citing ICC jurisdiction over crimes by US nationals abroad. This is an unprecedented assault on global justice and the rule of law. Read HRW's statement: bit.ly/4zuGQqh
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Strong statement from @UN_Spokesperson on behalf of UN chief @antonioguterres condemning the US sanctions on the @IntlCrimCourt
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louis charbonneau retweeted
Amazing moment. Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize ! bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck5yng9z… We are at the Nuremberg Court; I cannot think of a stronger symbol for her Nobel prize. We are all so thrilled! This is her first reactions upon hearing the news:
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🚨 @hrw executive director Philippe @Bolopion’s reaction to the fantastic announcement that @NaviPillay1 has won the Nobel Peace Prize @NobelPrize 👏 nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/…
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🤯 Will someone in the UN leadership explain to the director-general of the @FAO that human rights are one of the UN’s 3 main pillars, not some throwaway add-on? He reportedly fired a senior UN FAO official for “playing” human rights on #Gaza. theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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And this on the #China angle from @hrw’s deputy Asia director @wang_maya xitter.cf/wang_maya/status/21075…
Top UN food agency official said he was fired for highlighting hunger in Gaza by China-nominated director-general. The DG told him that spotlighting hungry Gazan is playing "the game...of human rights." theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
Top UN food agency official said he was fired for highlighting hunger in Gaza by China-nominated director-general. The DG told him that spotlighting hungry Gazan is playing "the game...of human rights." theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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Replying to @loucharbon @FAO
PS - This is more excellent reporting by @julianborger of @guardian.
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louis charbonneau retweeted
#China diplomat at @UNFAO says the not-so-quiet part out loud: “‘We are not going to allow you to play the game here of human rights,’ said Qu, a veteran Chinese agronomist.” theguardian.com/world/2026/o…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
Weak rules governing lethal AI weaponry could have significant consequences. The practical impact is stark: more civilian harm, less accountability and a faster slide into riskier, automated warfare. Good to talk with the @washingtonpost this week. wapo.st/4yWadkR
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"Student Speech Under Attack: Suppression of Pro-Palestine Speech and Dissent on Campus" - @ACLU and @amnestyusa aclu.org/publications/studen…
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louis charbonneau retweeted
Zara Larsson recently cancelled her upcoming performance in Abu Dhabi... but why? One reason may be the UAE's role in the war in Sudan. UAE support to the RSF has fuelled abuses & UAE's allies are still failing to call out the country's devastating role.
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louis charbonneau retweeted
The Summit of "Might Makes Right-but no to Human Rights" will be here in Washington tmrw, as Xi and Trump meet, @wang_maya and I ask what other nations will will defend the international order, when Xi and Trump are bent on tearing it down? hrw.org/news/2026/09/23/resp…
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