Elaine Pearson
@elainepearson.bsky.social
Asia Director, Human Rights Watch
Author of Chasing Wrongs and Rights
Author of Chasing Wrongs and Rights
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Soeharto a national hero?
Focus on his terrible human rights record
- Media censorship
- Tight restrictions on freedom of association & assembly
- Highly politicized, controlled judiciary
- Widespread torture
- Attacks on rights of minorities
- Massacres of alleged communists
- Numerous war crimes
Focus on his terrible human rights record
- Media censorship
- Tight restrictions on freedom of association & assembly
- Highly politicized, controlled judiciary
- Widespread torture
- Attacks on rights of minorities
- Massacres of alleged communists
- Numerous war crimes
Indonesia’s President Declares Late Dictator Soeharto a ‘National Hero’
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto declared 10 people “national heroes” on November 10, which Indonesia celebrates as Heroes Day. Among them was the late President Soeharto, who ruled Indonesia fro...
www.hrw.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Soeharto a national hero?
Focus on his terrible human rights record
- Media censorship
- Tight restrictions on freedom of association & assembly
- Highly politicized, controlled judiciary
- Widespread torture
- Attacks on rights of minorities
- Massacres of alleged communists
- Numerous war crimes
Focus on his terrible human rights record
- Media censorship
- Tight restrictions on freedom of association & assembly
- Highly politicized, controlled judiciary
- Widespread torture
- Attacks on rights of minorities
- Massacres of alleged communists
- Numerous war crimes
President Prabowo’s choice of Soeharto as a "national hero" sends a deeply troubling message to Indonesians & the world. Soeharto never faced charges for the crimes he oversaw. To date there's been virtually no accountability for widespread abuses committed under his rule www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Indonesia’s President Declares Late Dictator Soeharto a ‘National Hero’
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto declared 10 people “national heroes” on November 10, which Indonesia celebrates as Heroes Day. Among them was the late President Soeharto, who ruled Indonesia fro...
www.hrw.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
President Prabowo’s choice of Soeharto as a "national hero" sends a deeply troubling message to Indonesians & the world. Soeharto never faced charges for the crimes he oversaw. To date there's been virtually no accountability for widespread abuses committed under his rule www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Activists condemn award by ex-son-in-law President Subianto, branding it betrayal of Soeharto's victims and democracy.
Indonesia makes former president Soeharto posthumous national hero
Activists condemn award by ex-son-in-law President Subianto, branding it betrayal of Soeharto's victims and democracy.
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Activists condemn award by ex-son-in-law President Subianto, branding it betrayal of Soeharto's victims and democracy.
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Our @ajiunit.com investigation into Myanmar’s civil war is online. It exposes abuses on the battlefield and beyond aje.io/junta
Exposing the hidden horrors on Myanmar’s battlefields I Al Jazeera Investigations
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
aje.io
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Our @ajiunit.com investigation into Myanmar’s civil war is online. It exposes abuses on the battlefield and beyond aje.io/junta
A 10-year-old Cambodian boy died from an explosion after reportedly bringing home an item from a field in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province near the Thai border. The blast seriously injured his father. Both 🇹🇭 & 🇰🇭 should commit to end the use of cluster munitions.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Alleged Cluster Munition Remnant Kills Cambodian Boy
On October 25, 10-year-old Sern Sovann died from an explosion after reportedly bringing home an item from a nearby field in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province near the border with Thailand. The blast al...
www.hrw.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:13 PM
A 10-year-old Cambodian boy died from an explosion after reportedly bringing home an item from a field in Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province near the Thai border. The blast seriously injured his father. Both 🇹🇭 & 🇰🇭 should commit to end the use of cluster munitions.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Indonesia's former military dictator Suharto ruled for more than 3 decades & was never held to account for corruption or widespread human rights abuses including the massacres of alleged communists. Now, President Prabowo proclaims him a "national hero". Impunity prevails www.bbc.com/news/article...
Indonesia names former dictator Suharto a 'national hero'
The controversial legacy of Suharto's New Order regime has sparked heated protests against the move.
www.bbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Indonesia's former military dictator Suharto ruled for more than 3 decades & was never held to account for corruption or widespread human rights abuses including the massacres of alleged communists. Now, President Prabowo proclaims him a "national hero". Impunity prevails www.bbc.com/news/article...
Cambodian authorities are using the Thai-Cambodia border conflict as a pretext to intimidate those who express their views on social media. 16+ social media users have been arrested & charged with treason or incitement + 3 journalists have been arrested for their coverage www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Cambodia: Border Conflict Critics Arrested
Cambodian authorities have arbitrarily arrested and charged at least 16 people for expressing their views on social media about the Thai-Cambodia border conflict in July and August 2025.
www.hrw.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Cambodian authorities are using the Thai-Cambodia border conflict as a pretext to intimidate those who express their views on social media. 16+ social media users have been arrested & charged with treason or incitement + 3 journalists have been arrested for their coverage www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Australian state of Victoria has passed landmark legislation to establish the nation's first treaty with indigenous peoples in a historic step towards justice, truth & self-determination. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Australia Adopts First Treaty with Indigenous Peoples
The Australian state of Victoria on October 30 passed landmark legislation to establish the nation’s first treaty with First Nations people.
www.hrw.org
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Australian state of Victoria has passed landmark legislation to establish the nation's first treaty with indigenous peoples in a historic step towards justice, truth & self-determination. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
When Afghan Women United took the field last week in Morocco for their first games in 4 years, it wasn't just about playing a match. Their return to compete after the Taliban banned all sports for women & girls is a true victory for human rights.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Afghan Women’s Return to Football a Human Rights Victory
Their return to compete after the Taliban banned all sports for women and girls is a true victory for human rights.
www.hrw.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:38 PM
When Afghan Women United took the field last week in Morocco for their first games in 4 years, it wasn't just about playing a match. Their return to compete after the Taliban banned all sports for women & girls is a true victory for human rights.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Threats to academic freedom in the UK - Sheffield Hallam University terminated a project about Uyghur forced labor after Chinese state security officers reportedly interrogated a staff member in Beijing & a Chinese company named in a report filed a defamation lawsuit. www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Chinese Government Threatens Academic Freedom in the UK
Sheffield Hallam University in England terminated a project about Uyghur forced labor after Chinese state security officers reportedly interrogated a staff member in Beijing and a Chinese company name...
www.hrw.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Threats to academic freedom in the UK - Sheffield Hallam University terminated a project about Uyghur forced labor after Chinese state security officers reportedly interrogated a staff member in Beijing & a Chinese company named in a report filed a defamation lawsuit. www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Xi's regime doesn't just go after any dissent in China, it also tries to silence dissident voices abroad.
The latest example? Puma Shen.
"Beijing is reaching beyond its borders and seeking to declare certain lawful speech and activities as off-limits for Taiwan’s people.” - Maya Wang / @hrw.org
The latest example? Puma Shen.
"Beijing is reaching beyond its borders and seeking to declare certain lawful speech and activities as off-limits for Taiwan’s people.” - Maya Wang / @hrw.org
China: Dubious Criminal Investigation of Taiwanese Legislator
The Chinese government has announced it investigating the Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen Pao-Yang (沈伯洋) for the crime of “separatism,” infringing upon his basic human rights.
www.hrw.org
October 31, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Xi's regime doesn't just go after any dissent in China, it also tries to silence dissident voices abroad.
The latest example? Puma Shen.
"Beijing is reaching beyond its borders and seeking to declare certain lawful speech and activities as off-limits for Taiwan’s people.” - Maya Wang / @hrw.org
The latest example? Puma Shen.
"Beijing is reaching beyond its borders and seeking to declare certain lawful speech and activities as off-limits for Taiwan’s people.” - Maya Wang / @hrw.org
"Dismantling the Taliban’s institutionalised system of gender persecution & addressing the country’s myriad human rights crises demands urgent, principled & sustained international attention & action – not normalisation of the de facto authorities" UN SR on Afghanistan www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"Dismantling the Taliban’s institutionalised system of gender persecution & addressing the country’s myriad human rights crises demands urgent, principled & sustained international attention & action – not normalisation of the de facto authorities" UN SR on Afghanistan www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
The Chinese government’s investigation of Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen reflects escalating efforts to intimidate Taiwanese people about exercising their rights. This is a blatant example of cross-border application of abusive Chinese laws. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
China: Dubious Criminal Investigation of Taiwanese Legislator
The Chinese government has announced it investigating the Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen Pao-Yang (沈伯洋) for the crime of “separatism,” infringing upon his basic human rights.
www.hrw.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The Chinese government’s investigation of Taiwanese legislator Puma Shen reflects escalating efforts to intimidate Taiwanese people about exercising their rights. This is a blatant example of cross-border application of abusive Chinese laws. New from @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
I absolutely love our tenth anniversary cover, beautifully illustrated by @badiucao.bsky.social, paying homage to the Gen Z protesters across Asia and the way they’ve embraced One Piece as a symbol of their determination for freedom and resistance 💪🏼
Really looking forward to everyone reading our tenth anniversary edition! It’ll be with our stockists in November, and is already at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival bookstore 🤩🤩🤩
October 30, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I absolutely love our tenth anniversary cover, beautifully illustrated by @badiucao.bsky.social, paying homage to the Gen Z protesters across Asia and the way they’ve embraced One Piece as a symbol of their determination for freedom and resistance 💪🏼
The Vietnamese government should recognize that critical reporting isn’t a crime. In fact, it’s a mark of a mature government if it can learn from criticism. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/w...
Vietnam Prevents BBC Journalist From Leaving the Country
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:54 AM
The Vietnamese government should recognize that critical reporting isn’t a crime. In fact, it’s a mark of a mature government if it can learn from criticism. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/w...
Good news! South Korea's census has been updated & will recognize same-sex relationships in national statistics for the first time. @hrw.org urges the government to build on this progress by passing a comprehensive anti-discrimination law & legalizing same-sex marriage.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
South Korea: Census to Count Same-Sex Couples
South Korea’s Ministry of Data and Statistics updated the 2025 Population and Housing Census on October 22, 2025, to allow same-sex couples to be counted.
www.hrw.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Good news! South Korea's census has been updated & will recognize same-sex relationships in national statistics for the first time. @hrw.org urges the government to build on this progress by passing a comprehensive anti-discrimination law & legalizing same-sex marriage.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
As Xi & Trump meet, democratic leaders attending the APEC summit should strongly reaffirm human rights & democratic principles & pledge to establish an Asia Democracy Defense Fund to mitigate the harm to human rights defenders & civil society in the region.
thediplomat.com/2025/10/trum...
thediplomat.com/2025/10/trum...
Trump, Xi Attacks on Rights a Challenge for APEC Summit
At a summit dominated by two leaders who have demonstrated utter hostility to the international system, human rights law, and democratic principles, how should rights-respecting, democratic countries ...
thediplomat.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
As Xi & Trump meet, democratic leaders attending the APEC summit should strongly reaffirm human rights & democratic principles & pledge to establish an Asia Democracy Defense Fund to mitigate the harm to human rights defenders & civil society in the region.
thediplomat.com/2025/10/trum...
thediplomat.com/2025/10/trum...
Deeply concerning to hear a BBC journalist is barred from leaving Vietnam & interrogated about her reporting. Reporting is not a crime.
Starmer needs to raise this with To Lam at their meeting in London today + Vietnam's broader crackdown on dissent. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Starmer needs to raise this with To Lam at their meeting in London today + Vietnam's broader crackdown on dissent. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
BBC journalist barred from leaving Vietnam and repeatedly interrogated
BBC ‘deeply concerned’ for journalist’s wellbeing after Vietnamese police withhold their ID card and renewed passport
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Deeply concerning to hear a BBC journalist is barred from leaving Vietnam & interrogated about her reporting. Reporting is not a crime.
Starmer needs to raise this with To Lam at their meeting in London today + Vietnam's broader crackdown on dissent. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Starmer needs to raise this with To Lam at their meeting in London today + Vietnam's broader crackdown on dissent. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Yet another allegation of sexual harassment incident by a visiting official from Vietnam - this time in Seoul at a banquet for a defence dialogue. This follows similar incidents involving Vietnamese officials in Chile & New Zealand. When will these claims be investigated? www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Alleged Sexual Harassment by Vietnamese Officials Ignored—Again
The Vietnamese government has a poor record of dealing with allegations of sexual harassment by senior officials.
www.hrw.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Yet another allegation of sexual harassment incident by a visiting official from Vietnam - this time in Seoul at a banquet for a defence dialogue. This follows similar incidents involving Vietnamese officials in Chile & New Zealand. When will these claims be investigated? www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
This weekend, governments will head to Hanoi to sign the deeply flawed UN Convention on Cybercrime. @hrw.org and partners issue new recommendations on how governments can prevent and mitigate the human rights risks posed the treaty
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Joint Statement on the Signing of the UN Convention on Cybercrime
We, the undersigned organizations, remain deeply concerned that the UN Convention Against Cybercrime (UNCC) will facilitate human rights abuses across borders.
www.hrw.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
This weekend, governments will head to Hanoi to sign the deeply flawed UN Convention on Cybercrime. @hrw.org and partners issue new recommendations on how governments can prevent and mitigate the human rights risks posed the treaty
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Vietnam’s long record of cracking down on online dissent sadly makes it a fitting host for the signing ceremony of the deeply flawed UN Convention against Cybercrime this weekend. Read more in this @thediplomat.com oped by @hrw's @deblbrown.bsky.social & me thediplomat.com/2025/10/un-t...
UN Treaty Signing Highlights Vietnam’s Curb on Online Dissent
The Cybercrime Convention will further entrench control and surveillance over peaceful expression of dissent online beyond the borders of repressive states.
thediplomat.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Vietnam’s long record of cracking down on online dissent sadly makes it a fitting host for the signing ceremony of the deeply flawed UN Convention against Cybercrime this weekend. Read more in this @thediplomat.com oped by @hrw's @deblbrown.bsky.social & me thediplomat.com/2025/10/un-t...
New @hrw report: The Taliban is systematically dismantling Afghanistan's media landscape through intimidation, threats & arbitrary arrests of journalists. Media workers in precarious situations in exile fear forcible return to Afghanistan & persecution.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Afghanistan: Taliban Tramples Media Freedom
The Taliban have gutted Afghanistan’s media since taking control of the country in August 2021.
www.hrw.org
October 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
New @hrw report: The Taliban is systematically dismantling Afghanistan's media landscape through intimidation, threats & arbitrary arrests of journalists. Media workers in precarious situations in exile fear forcible return to Afghanistan & persecution.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
.@hrw.org urges Malaysia to reopen its investigation into the disappearance of Myanmar activist Thuzar Maung and her family, who were allegedly abducted from their Selangor home in 2021. Now, the Myanmar junta has them in custody.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/758711
www.malaysiakini.com/news/758711
HRW urges M'sia to press Myanmar junta over abducted refugee family
Group calls for probe to be reopened over kidnapping of Thuzar Maung and her family.
www.malaysiakini.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:27 AM
.@hrw.org urges Malaysia to reopen its investigation into the disappearance of Myanmar activist Thuzar Maung and her family, who were allegedly abducted from their Selangor home in 2021. Now, the Myanmar junta has them in custody.
www.malaysiakini.com/news/758711
www.malaysiakini.com/news/758711
Reposted by Elaine Pearson
Russia, using drones, attacked a UN Convoy in Ukraine. The very next day, they posted video evidence of the attack for the world to see, and not for the first time. Latest for @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Russian Forces Deliberately Attack UN Aid Convoy
On October 14, news broke that Russian forces, using drones, had attacked a United Nations interagency convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, southern Ukraine.
www.hrw.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Russia, using drones, attacked a UN Convoy in Ukraine. The very next day, they posted video evidence of the attack for the world to see, and not for the first time. Latest for @hrw.org:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Absolutely chilling. A refugee family of five who vanished from their home in KL, 2 years on surface in Myanmar - their arrest & detention confirmed by the junta. Malaysian authorities should investigate how this prominent refugee & her family ended up in Myanmar. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Malaysia: Abducted Refugee Detained in Myanmar
The Malaysian government should press Myanmar’s junta for the immediate release of a refugee family abducted from Kuala Lumpur in July 2023.
www.hrw.org
October 22, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Absolutely chilling. A refugee family of five who vanished from their home in KL, 2 years on surface in Myanmar - their arrest & detention confirmed by the junta. Malaysian authorities should investigate how this prominent refugee & her family ended up in Myanmar. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...