Joey Shea
@joeyshea.bsky.social
Pinned
Joey Shea
@joeyshea.bsky.social
· Apr 24
UAE: Dissidents, Relatives Designated ‘Terrorists’
Emirati authorities have designated as “terrorist” 11 political dissidents and their relatives as well as 8 companies they own, reflecting the country’s indiscriminate use of overbroad counterterroris...
www.hrw.org
🚩NEW: UAE authorities have designated as “terrorist” 11 political dissidents & relatives as well as 8 companies they own, reflecting the UAE’s indiscriminate use of overbroad counterterrorism laws and contempt for due process.
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
🚩Yesterday Saudi authorities executed Abdullah al-Derazi for alleged crimes committed as a child.
Saudi authorities reached two horrific milestones: the 300th execution of 2025 & the 2nd execution of a person accused of committing crimes as a child. @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Saudi authorities reached two horrific milestones: the 300th execution of 2025 & the 2nd execution of a person accused of committing crimes as a child. @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Saudi Arabia: Spate of Executions of Child Offenders
Saudi authorities on October 20, 2025, executed a man convicted of alleged crimes committed as a child.
www.hrw.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
🚩Yesterday Saudi authorities executed Abdullah al-Derazi for alleged crimes committed as a child.
Saudi authorities reached two horrific milestones: the 300th execution of 2025 & the 2nd execution of a person accused of committing crimes as a child. @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Saudi authorities reached two horrific milestones: the 300th execution of 2025 & the 2nd execution of a person accused of committing crimes as a child. @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
🚩On @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social, Aziz Ansari said he would donate part of his Riyadh Comedy Fest fee to @hrw.org
While HRW cannot accept the donation, it's not too late for him to call for the release of detained Saudi activists Manahel al Otaibi & Waleed Abu al Khair
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
While HRW cannot accept the donation, it's not too late for him to call for the release of detained Saudi activists Manahel al Otaibi & Waleed Abu al Khair
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Saudi Arabia: Comedians Silent on Detained Activists
Comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival did not use their public platform to urge Saudi authorities to free unjustly detained Saudi dissidents, journalists, and human rights activists
www.hrw.org
October 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
🚩On @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social, Aziz Ansari said he would donate part of his Riyadh Comedy Fest fee to @hrw.org
While HRW cannot accept the donation, it's not too late for him to call for the release of detained Saudi activists Manahel al Otaibi & Waleed Abu al Khair
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
While HRW cannot accept the donation, it's not too late for him to call for the release of detained Saudi activists Manahel al Otaibi & Waleed Abu al Khair
www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Joey Shea
"This whitewashing comes amid significant increase in repression... including a crackdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied.”
- @joeyshea.bsky.social
- @joeyshea.bsky.social
US comedians defend decision to play in Saudi Arabia: ‘They’re paying me enough to look the other way’
Usual supporters of free speech are under fire for signing on to Riyadh festival despite the government’s human rights abuses
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"This whitewashing comes amid significant increase in repression... including a crackdown on free speech, which many of these comedians defend but people in Saudi Arabia are completely denied.”
- @joeyshea.bsky.social
- @joeyshea.bsky.social
Reposted by Joey Shea
“Instead of using Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release as an opportunity to correct course, Egyptian authorities arbitrarily detained journalist Ismail Iskandarani after a lengthy Orwellian questioning over his Facebook posts.”
New from @hrw.org / @amrmagdi.bsky.social ⤵️
New from @hrw.org / @amrmagdi.bsky.social ⤵️
Egypt: Journalist Detained over Facebook Posts
Egyptian authorities detained prominent independent journalist Ismail Iskandarani over Facebook posts.
www.hrw.org
October 8, 2025 at 7:19 AM
“Instead of using Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release as an opportunity to correct course, Egyptian authorities arbitrarily detained journalist Ismail Iskandarani after a lengthy Orwellian questioning over his Facebook posts.”
New from @hrw.org / @amrmagdi.bsky.social ⤵️
New from @hrw.org / @amrmagdi.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Joey Shea
Migrant workers are the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy projects.
But our new research shows they are being exploited and dehumanised in the very industry that should symbolise a sustainable future.
Read the full report ➡️ www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/b...
But our new research shows they are being exploited and dehumanised in the very industry that should symbolise a sustainable future.
Read the full report ➡️ www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/b...
October 2, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Migrant workers are the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy projects.
But our new research shows they are being exploited and dehumanised in the very industry that should symbolise a sustainable future.
Read the full report ➡️ www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/b...
But our new research shows they are being exploited and dehumanised in the very industry that should symbolise a sustainable future.
Read the full report ➡️ www.business-humanrights.org/en/from-us/b...
Reposted by Joey Shea
"Terwijl internationale comedians worden uitgenodigd die zich regelmatig uitspreken over het belang van vrijheid van meningsuiting, lopen Saudiërs die hetzelfde doen het risico gevangengezet of geëxecuteerd te worden, zegt HRW."
’s Werelds beroemdste comedians reizen af naar Riyadh. Maar zullen ze álles zeggen?
De komende twee weken komen tientallen wereldberoemde comedians naar Saudi-Arabië voor het Riyadh Comedy Festival. Human Rights Watch roept ze op geen blad voor de mond te nemen.
www.trouw.nl
September 29, 2025 at 8:05 AM
"Terwijl internationale comedians worden uitgenodigd die zich regelmatig uitspreken over het belang van vrijheid van meningsuiting, lopen Saudiërs die hetzelfde doen het risico gevangengezet of geëxecuteerd te worden, zegt HRW."
🚩Saudi govt is using the Riyadh Comedy Fest to deflect attention from its brutal repression
The festival takes place on the 7th anniversary of Khashoggi's murder
Lineup includes: Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson and others
@mazjobrani.bsky.social
@sammorril.bsky.social
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
The festival takes place on the 7th anniversary of Khashoggi's murder
Lineup includes: Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson and others
@mazjobrani.bsky.social
@sammorril.bsky.social
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Comedy Festival Whitewashes Abuses
The Saudi government is using the Riyadh Comedy Festival 2025 from September 26 to October 9 to deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations.
www.hrw.org
September 23, 2025 at 11:14 AM
🚩Saudi govt is using the Riyadh Comedy Fest to deflect attention from its brutal repression
The festival takes place on the 7th anniversary of Khashoggi's murder
Lineup includes: Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson and others
@mazjobrani.bsky.social
@sammorril.bsky.social
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
The festival takes place on the 7th anniversary of Khashoggi's murder
Lineup includes: Jimmy Carr, Pete Davidson and others
@mazjobrani.bsky.social
@sammorril.bsky.social
www.hrw.org/news/2025/09...
Saudi authorities executed 241 ppl in 2025: an unprecedented surge without due process
The execution of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist who exposed corruption, raises concerns the Saudi govt is using the death penalty to crush peaceful dissent
@aalodah.bsky.social @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
The execution of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist who exposed corruption, raises concerns the Saudi govt is using the death penalty to crush peaceful dissent
@aalodah.bsky.social @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Saudi Arabia: Executions Surge in 2025
Saudi authorities have been carrying out an unprecedented surge in executions in 2025 without apparent due process.
www.hrw.org
August 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Saudi authorities executed 241 ppl in 2025: an unprecedented surge without due process
The execution of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist who exposed corruption, raises concerns the Saudi govt is using the death penalty to crush peaceful dissent
@aalodah.bsky.social @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
The execution of Turki al-Jasser, a journalist who exposed corruption, raises concerns the Saudi govt is using the death penalty to crush peaceful dissent
@aalodah.bsky.social @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
GCC countries are exposing migrant workers to yet another deadly summer of extreme heat conditions without adequate protection.
Migrant workers are unnecessarily dying, experiencing kidney failure, and suffering from other chronic illnesses.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Migrant workers are unnecessarily dying, experiencing kidney failure, and suffering from other chronic illnesses.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Gulf States: Protect Workers from Extreme Heat
Gulf Cooperation Council countries are exposing migrant workers to yet another deadly summer of extreme heat conditions without adequate protection.
www.hrw.org
June 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
GCC countries are exposing migrant workers to yet another deadly summer of extreme heat conditions without adequate protection.
Migrant workers are unnecessarily dying, experiencing kidney failure, and suffering from other chronic illnesses.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Migrant workers are unnecessarily dying, experiencing kidney failure, and suffering from other chronic illnesses.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
🚩NEW: @hrw.org finds scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia died in gruesome yet avoidable workplace accidents like falling from buildings, electrocution& decapitation
Deaths are erroneously classified as “natural”&are neither investigated nor compensated
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Deaths are erroneously classified as “natural”&are neither investigated nor compensated
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Electrocuted, Decapitated, and Falling to Death at Workplaces
Scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation
www.hrw.org
May 14, 2025 at 12:09 PM
🚩NEW: @hrw.org finds scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia died in gruesome yet avoidable workplace accidents like falling from buildings, electrocution& decapitation
Deaths are erroneously classified as “natural”&are neither investigated nor compensated
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Deaths are erroneously classified as “natural”&are neither investigated nor compensated
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
🚩NEW: UAE authorities have designated as “terrorist” 11 political dissidents & relatives as well as 8 companies they own, reflecting the UAE’s indiscriminate use of overbroad counterterrorism laws and contempt for due process.
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
UAE: Dissidents, Relatives Designated ‘Terrorists’
Emirati authorities have designated as “terrorist” 11 political dissidents and their relatives as well as 8 companies they own, reflecting the country’s indiscriminate use of overbroad counterterroris...
www.hrw.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🚩NEW: UAE authorities have designated as “terrorist” 11 political dissidents & relatives as well as 8 companies they own, reflecting the UAE’s indiscriminate use of overbroad counterterrorism laws and contempt for due process.
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
See our new report here:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...
20 human rights groups, including @hrw.org , call on Bulgarian authorities to suspend plans to deport Saudi HRD Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia.
Bulgarian authorities would violate the Bulgarian, European& international law obligation of nonrefoulement.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Bulgarian authorities would violate the Bulgarian, European& international law obligation of nonrefoulement.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Bulgaria: Saudi Activist at Risk of Deportation
Bulgarian authorities should suspend any plans to deport Saudi human rights defender Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia, and should allow his resettlement to a third country.
www.hrw.org
March 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
20 human rights groups, including @hrw.org , call on Bulgarian authorities to suspend plans to deport Saudi HRD Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia.
Bulgarian authorities would violate the Bulgarian, European& international law obligation of nonrefoulement.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Bulgarian authorities would violate the Bulgarian, European& international law obligation of nonrefoulement.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Joey Shea
With talk in Europe now of rearmament and the need for new security structures, it's vital European leaders and institutions keep human rights at the centre of their efforts. Democracy depends on it. My new piece for @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Europe’s Democratic Future Depends on Human Rights
It’s been a deeply sobering and troubling few weeks for people who care about the future of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Europe.
www.hrw.org
March 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
With talk in Europe now of rearmament and the need for new security structures, it's vital European leaders and institutions keep human rights at the centre of their efforts. Democracy depends on it. My new piece for @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Earlier this week an Emirati court upheld an abusive 15-year sentence against prominent Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor.
The UAE continues to target a man who courageously stood up to his abusive govt even when very few would dare.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
The UAE continues to target a man who courageously stood up to his abusive govt even when very few would dare.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
UAE: Ahmed Mansoor’s 15-Year Sentence Upheld
An Emirati court upheld an abusive 15-year sentence on March 4, 2025, against the prominent Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, who was convicted following a fundamentally unfair trial.
www.hrw.org
March 7, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Earlier this week an Emirati court upheld an abusive 15-year sentence against prominent Emirati human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor.
The UAE continues to target a man who courageously stood up to his abusive govt even when very few would dare.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
The UAE continues to target a man who courageously stood up to his abusive govt even when very few would dare.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
🚩NEW: Yesterday a UAE court rejected all appeals by those convicted in the UAE84 unfair mass trial, upholding the unfair convictions & abusive sentences of 53 HRDs & political dissidents.
The decision reveals the travesty of the UAE’s justice system.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
The decision reveals the travesty of the UAE’s justice system.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
UAE: Unfair Mass Trial Convictions Upheld
An Emirati court on March 4, 2025, rejected all appeals by people convicted in the United Arab Emirates’ second largest unfair mass trial, upholding the unfair convictions and abusive sentences of 53 ...
www.hrw.org
March 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
🚩NEW: Yesterday a UAE court rejected all appeals by those convicted in the UAE84 unfair mass trial, upholding the unfair convictions & abusive sentences of 53 HRDs & political dissidents.
The decision reveals the travesty of the UAE’s justice system.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
The decision reveals the travesty of the UAE’s justice system.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Reposted by Joey Shea
With the #Omnibus published, the Commission sides with giant corporations rather than victims of corporate abuse.
Under the pretense of ‘simplification’, the Commission’s guts its own achievements on corporate accountability & abdicates principled leadership in advancing a #sustainable economy.
Under the pretense of ‘simplification’, the Commission’s guts its own achievements on corporate accountability & abdicates principled leadership in advancing a #sustainable economy.
February 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
With the #Omnibus published, the Commission sides with giant corporations rather than victims of corporate abuse.
Under the pretense of ‘simplification’, the Commission’s guts its own achievements on corporate accountability & abdicates principled leadership in advancing a #sustainable economy.
Under the pretense of ‘simplification’, the Commission’s guts its own achievements on corporate accountability & abdicates principled leadership in advancing a #sustainable economy.
🚩Trump delivered a keynote address at the Saudi PIF-backed investment summit in Miami, an investment conference used to whitewash Saudi's rights record.
PIF investments are a tool of KSA’s influence& help to build uncritical support for MBS’ agenda.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
PIF investments are a tool of KSA’s influence& help to build uncritical support for MBS’ agenda.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
Saudi Arabia: Public Investment Fund Meeting Whitewashes Abuses
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is sponsoring an investment conference in Miami and further whitewashing the country’s egregious human rights record.
www.hrw.org
February 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🚩Trump delivered a keynote address at the Saudi PIF-backed investment summit in Miami, an investment conference used to whitewash Saudi's rights record.
PIF investments are a tool of KSA’s influence& help to build uncritical support for MBS’ agenda.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
PIF investments are a tool of KSA’s influence& help to build uncritical support for MBS’ agenda.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
🚩NEW: At the IGF in Riyadh, the UN censored criticism of Saudi Arabia by @linaalhathloul.bsky.social, threatened to revoke my badge & confiscated materials highlighting cases of human rights defenders ⬇️
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
UN Censors Criticism of Saudi Arabia at Internet Conference
United Nations officials removed criticisms of the Saudi government from the official record of a UN-organized internet governance conference in Riyadh in December 2024, and retaliated against civil s...
www.hrw.org
February 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM
🚩NEW: At the IGF in Riyadh, the UN censored criticism of Saudi Arabia by @linaalhathloul.bsky.social, threatened to revoke my badge & confiscated materials highlighting cases of human rights defenders ⬇️
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
So grateful to have co-hosted this historic session with @ALQST_En in Riyadh where @LinaAlhathloul spoke virtually about Saudi Arabia’s repression of freedom of expression online and the impacts of the new Cybercrime Treaty on human rights.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Activist tells Saudi-hosted UN forum of 'silencing' of dissent
A Saudi human rights activist appeared via a video link Wednesday at a UN forum in the kingdom to denounce the "silencing" of dissent under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
www.france24.com
December 19, 2024 at 10:03 PM
So grateful to have co-hosted this historic session with @ALQST_En in Riyadh where @LinaAlhathloul spoke virtually about Saudi Arabia’s repression of freedom of expression online and the impacts of the new Cybercrime Treaty on human rights.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
Reposted by Joey Shea
The Israeli govt has deliberately denied Palestinians in Gaza the bare minimum water needed to survive. This policy of deprivation, resulting in thousands of deaths,
is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide. www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide. www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Israel’s Crime of Extermination, Acts of Genocide in Gaza
Israeli authorities have intentionally deprived Palestinian civilians in Gaza of adequate access to water since October 2023, most likely resulting in thousands of deaths and thus committing the crime...
www.hrw.org
December 19, 2024 at 8:33 AM
The Israeli govt has deliberately denied Palestinians in Gaza the bare minimum water needed to survive. This policy of deprivation, resulting in thousands of deaths,
is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide. www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide. www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
This week Saudi Arabia hosts the IGF while dozens of people remain imprisoned for peaceful online speech.
Many are charged under the country’s abusive counterterrorism law, and the authorities conduct invasive surveillance of civil society members.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Many are charged under the country’s abusive counterterrorism law, and the authorities conduct invasive surveillance of civil society members.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Saudi Arabia: Hosting UN Internet Conference Amid Crackdown
Saudi Arabia is hosting a major United Nations conference on internet governance while dozens of people remain imprisoned for peaceful online speech.
www.hrw.org
December 18, 2024 at 4:26 AM
This week Saudi Arabia hosts the IGF while dozens of people remain imprisoned for peaceful online speech.
Many are charged under the country’s abusive counterterrorism law, and the authorities conduct invasive surveillance of civil society members.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Many are charged under the country’s abusive counterterrorism law, and the authorities conduct invasive surveillance of civil society members.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Reposted by Joey Shea
For the first time in nearly a decade, Human Rights Watch has official access to Saudi Arabia.
HRW's @joeyshea.bsky.social is in Riyadh for the 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum.
Learn more ⤵️
HRW's @joeyshea.bsky.social is in Riyadh for the 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum.
Learn more ⤵️
December 17, 2024 at 7:55 PM
For the first time in nearly a decade, Human Rights Watch has official access to Saudi Arabia.
HRW's @joeyshea.bsky.social is in Riyadh for the 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum.
Learn more ⤵️
HRW's @joeyshea.bsky.social is in Riyadh for the 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum.
Learn more ⤵️
PM Starmer is set to visit Saudi Arabia to boost investment & as the UK draws closer to finalizing an FTA with the GCC.
The new British govt risks furthering abuses rooted in Britain’s colonial past, esp widespread labor violations against migrant workers.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
The new British govt risks furthering abuses rooted in Britain’s colonial past, esp widespread labor violations against migrant workers.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
Planned UK-Gulf Trade Agreement Risks Implicating the UK in Labor Abuses
As the UK draws closer to finalizing a Free Trade Agreement with Gulf countries, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting Saudi Arabia to boost domestic investment.
www.hrw.org
December 9, 2024 at 2:28 PM
PM Starmer is set to visit Saudi Arabia to boost investment & as the UK draws closer to finalizing an FTA with the GCC.
The new British govt risks furthering abuses rooted in Britain’s colonial past, esp widespread labor violations against migrant workers.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
The new British govt risks furthering abuses rooted in Britain’s colonial past, esp widespread labor violations against migrant workers.
www.hrw.org/news/2024/12...
So excited to join this amazing panel next week in London. Please join us in person on Dec 11 if you can!
Join us in London on December 11 at the Senate House for a discussion on the outcomes of #SaudiArabia’s reviews by #CEDAW and #CERD next week!
December 4, 2024 at 6:45 PM
So excited to join this amazing panel next week in London. Please join us in person on Dec 11 if you can!
Reposted by Joey Shea
Join us in London on December 11 at the Senate House for a discussion on the outcomes of #SaudiArabia’s reviews by #CEDAW and #CERD next week!
December 4, 2024 at 11:50 AM
Join us in London on December 11 at the Senate House for a discussion on the outcomes of #SaudiArabia’s reviews by #CEDAW and #CERD next week!