Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)
LightNews LightNews
banner
niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons)
@niaolainf.bsky.social
3.4K followers 110 following 540 posts

Regents Law Professor, Minnesota Law + Professor QUB Law School (Belfast)+ Director Human Rights Centre. ICJ Commissioner. RIA. FBA. Former UN SR Counter-Terrorism & Human Rights (2017-23). Irish, Gaeilgeoir, Mom, Loves Yoga & Hiking. .. more

Videos

Fionnuala Ní Aoláin is an Irish academic lawyer specialising in human rights law. She was the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for the United Nations Human Rights Council from August 1, 2017 - November 2023. .. more

Political science 67%
Sociology 15%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

bcfinucane.bsky.social
Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 19h
US War Powers at the moment:

Wheel of Airstrikes.

Who will the US bomb next? Tune in to find out!
1000wof GIF
ALT: 1000wof GIF
media.tenor.com

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 1d
This administration wants a Europe that permits hatred, racism, antisemitism & misinformation to flourish. Our work to quell that tide poses risks to a regime thriving on these things. We did not survive two wars on our continent to let such forces win.We fight back.

www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
US targets former EU commissioner, activists with visa bans over alleged censorship
The Trump administration on Tuesday imposed visa bans on a former European Union commissioner and anti-disinformation campaigners it says were involved in censoring U.S. social media platforms, in the...
www.reuters.com

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 1d
Murder … at scale …

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
Opinion | This Is What the Murder of a Whole City Looks Like
www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, David R. Miller, Christian Fisch , and 1 more

theatlantic.com
The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 1d
J. D. Vance has "clearly made the calculation that anti-Semites are part of the Republican Party’s base, and he can’t afford to shunt them to the side as he plots his own presidential bid," Franklin Foer argues. theatln.tc/aaUENxUw

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 2d
Europe defending its rights to regulate —

ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individuals
The European Commission strongly condemns the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.\nFreedom of expression is
ec.europa.eu

Reposted by Nina Jankowicz, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

davidakaye.bsky.social
David Kaye @davidakaye.bsky.social · 2d
trump admin sanctions are outrageous and purposeful:
1. ensure europe doesn't regulate their political allies on the right, enabling space for incitement, disinfo, propaganda.
2. promote muskian/big tech lawlessness
3. distract from its unprecedented domestic repression of speech
noupside.bsky.social Renee DiResta @noupside.bsky.social · 3d
The US State Department is now going to be deporting people and/or revoking visas over Benz, Taibbi, and Shellenberger’s “censorship industrial complex” hoax.

Let that sink in. This is what the Twitter Files pretext was actually about. Water boys for authoritarians.

www.state.gov/releases/off...
Announcement of Actions to Combat the Global Censorship-Industrial Complex - United States Department of State
The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose....
www.state.gov

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, David R. Miller

stevevladeck.bsky.social
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 3d
Over public dissents from Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch, #SCOTUS refuses to allow President Trump to deploy federalized National Guard troops into and around Chicago.

This is a major loss for President Trump, even if, per Justice Kavanaugh’s concurrence, it’s temporary and on narrow legal Q:
www.supremecourt.gov

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 7d
When giving for good causes, flagging one of mine. Former Guantanamo Detainees received no torture rehabilitation, no reparations, no social support - many face what they call “Camp 8” post transfer or return. Many face penury. Putting a life back in place post torture is GSF’s mandate.

gsfund.org
Home | Guantanamo Survivor's Fund
Artwork by Abd Almalik Dignity for survivors The Guantanamo Survivors Fund (GSF) supports the Muslim men striving to rebuild their lives after being released from the U.S. military prison at Guantanam...
gsfund.org

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

adhaque.bsky.social
Adil Haque @adhaque.bsky.social · 7d
The ICJ will hold hearings on the merits of the genocide case brought by Gambia against Myanmar on January 12-29.

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

justsecurity.org
Just Security @justsecurity.org · 7d
Teaching a legal course this semester where recent armed conflict events are relevant, or know someone who is?

The IHL Syllabus Supplement connects educators with salient law and policy discussions.

Curated from JS archives by @bechamilton.bsky.social and Danae Askar.
International Humanitarian Law: Syllabus Supplements
This syllabus supplement offers curated articles intended to be combined with traditional casebooks in a law or higher ed classroom.
www.justsecurity.org

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 7d
Time for the ASP to push back. Really enough of targeting judges for doing the job States have asked them to
do.

www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-str...
ICC strongly rejects new U.S. sanctions designations against two ICC Judges
The International Criminal Court deplores the announcement of new designations for sanctions by the US administration against Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze (Georgia) and Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin (Mongolia). These additional designations follow the earlier designation of nine elected officials of the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor, drawn from all regional groups.These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by its States Parties from across regions. Such measures targeting judges and prosecutors who were elected by the States Parties undermine the rule of law. When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk.As previously stated, the Court stands firmly behind its personnel and behind victims of unimaginable atrocities. It will continue to carry out its mandate with independence and impartiality, in full accordance with the Rome Statute and in the interest of victims of international crimes.The ICC values the consistent demonstrations of solidarity of States Parties, civil society and all those who support the rule of law and justice for the victims of international crimes. The Court will continue its work, with all partners, to ensure the effective and independent implementation of its mandate.For more information, please contact the ICC Public Affairs Unit: PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int. You can also follow the Court’s activities on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Flickr
www.icc-cpi.int

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Colm O’Cinneíde

chrismommers.bsky.social
Chris Mommers @chrismommers.bsky.social · 7d
Essential reading for those interested in the process of reform of the European Convention on Human Rights and the risks involved, by @drandrewforde.bsky.social and @alicedonald.bsky.social on @ejiltalk.bsky.social

www.ejiltalk.org/countdown-to...
Countdown to Chișinău: The Risk of Politicising the ECHR over Migration
It is ironic that Ministers of Justice of the 46 Council of Europe (CoE) member states convened on International Human Rights Day to discuss how they might reduce the scope of their obligations under ...
www.ejiltalk.org

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 8d
Awful, grim, unnoticed and unacceptable. I am out of words.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Sudan: UN report details horrific patterns of violations committed during RSF takeover of Zamzam IDP camp
GENEVA – A UN Human Rights Office report published today details widespread killings, rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture and abductions committed during the three-day offensive by the Ra...
www.ohchr.org

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 9d
“It also ends sweeping sanctions on Syria. Since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, lawmakers in both parties have supported lifting the sanctions to promote Syria’s economic recovery from more than a decade of civil war.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/u...
Senate Passes Defense Policy Bill, Clearing It for Trump
www.nytimes.com

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d
This was a good read @ejiltalk.bsky.social

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d
appreciate you!

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 10d
Thanks my friend.

Reposted by Luke Moffett, Matthew Bodie, Sergey Vasiliev

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 11d
Honored to serve on the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
Human Rights Council President appoints Members of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
GENEVA - The President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), has appointed Monia Ammar (Tunisia) and Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (Republic of Ireland) to serve as members of the U...
www.ohchr.org

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 11d
Courage so rare, lives saved as a result - every one and his own a miracle.

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
Family say al-Ahmed ‘doesn’t discriminate’ and would have done anything to save lives during the attack
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Cas Mudde, Kim L. Scheppele, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

philippedam.bsky.social
Philippe Dam @philippedam.bsky.social · 13d
‼️Deeply moving news today as our colleagues Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich & Valiantsin Stefanovich from #Viasna are free, as well as Maria Kalesnikava 🫶

Every day they spent in jail was profound a injustice. Fingers crossed for other rights defenders & activists.

spring96.org/en/news/119261

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 14d
Glad to be a part of CAJ’s Annual Lecture with PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, exploring the NCND policy and its impact on legacy investigations.

You can read the full transcript here: caj.org.uk/publications...

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 14d
When I first started researching lethal force killings in NI —1991, Patrick Rooney’s case was one of the first I encountered. The horror of his death, sheltering from machine gun fire by police. Hiding in a bedroom and shot in the head surrounded by his fearful family. A kind of vindication today.

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 14d
Seamus Heaney is the antidote to all that is out of kilter (new edited collection of published and unpublished poems).

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d
Ní Aoláin said that …

“On every single measure, the UK is out of step with its partners, including its security partners globally.”

www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-face...
UK faces mounting pressure to repatriate British nationals held in Syria
Mother of Jack Letts, held by Kurds since 2017, says clock is ticking as experts warn refusal to repatriate detainees, including young children and some stripped of citizenship, is untenable
www.middleeasteye.net

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d
Glad to chair the CAJ Annual Lecture last night. A full house and tremendous lecture by PSNI Chief Constable John Boutcher.
cajni.bsky.social CAJ @cajni.bsky.social · Nov 6
🚨CAJ Annual Lecture 🚨

"‘Neither Confirm Nor Deny’ Policy and Legacy Investigations” delivered by PSNI Chief Constable, Jon Boutcher

📅 Wed 10 December
🕢 7:30pm | Drinks Reception 8:30pm
📍 Riddel Hall, QUB Belfast, Stranmillis Road

📌 RSVP required: lnkd.in/ef4HyAvB

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 15d
It was a privilege to take part in the @Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence’s 20th Anniversary commemoration in Iveagh House yesterday.

The discussion highlighted elevating the voices of women-led and grassroots organisations at the centre of effective prevention and response.

Reposted by Luke Moffett

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 16d
«Micheál Martin, [said] the report was “very clear about the unacceptable nature of state involvement and utilisation of this agent, which led to so many deaths, …also very clear about the campaign of terror the Provisional IRA waged within their own communities”

www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
IRA spy Stakeknife ‘well rewarded financially and taken on holiday’ by handlers, report reveals
Kenova investigation lays bare how double agent and murderer was repeatedly protected at the expense of his victims
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

umnlawschool.bsky.social
Minnesota Law @umnlawschool.bsky.social · 18d
Congratulations to @niaolainf.bsky.social, elected a Visiting Fellow at All Souls College, University of Oxford, for Trinity Term in 2027. Her research there will build on the policy work she has undertaken this past year with @unwomen.bsky.social and @prioresearch.bsky.social. z.umn.edu/axkf
Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin KC (Hons) with the Twin Cities skyline in the background

niaolainf.bsky.social
Fionnuala NÍ Aoláin KC (Hons) @niaolainf.bsky.social · 19d
Children are the target ….

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Deadly attack on kindergarten reported in Sudan
Drone strikes on a town in South Kordofan on Thursday are said to have killed at least 50 people.
www.bbc.com

Reposted by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

bcfinucane.bsky.social
Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 19d
Ran into someone involved in the torture program at a social event recently.

The lack of accountability for the RDI program helped bring about our current moment.

Accountability is a choice.