Lou Charbonneau
@loucharb.bsky.social
UN director at @hrw.org. Native Detroiter, now in Queens, NYC. Recovering journalist, ex @reuters.com UN bureau chief. Formerly based in Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Hong Kong, UN HQ. @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social PhD. And more…
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
“Instead of handing Trump $1 billion checks to join his Board of Peace, governments should work on strengthening the U.N.”
- @loucharb.bsky.social, U.N. director for @hrw.org
- @loucharb.bsky.social, U.N. director for @hrw.org
Trump's wide ambitions for Board of Peace spark new support for the United Nations
President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to sidestep the United Nations through his new Board of Peace appears to have inadvertently backfired.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:42 PM
“Instead of handing Trump $1 billion checks to join his Board of Peace, governments should work on strengthening the U.N.”
- @loucharb.bsky.social, U.N. director for @hrw.org
- @loucharb.bsky.social, U.N. director for @hrw.org
I spoke to @apnews.com about #Trump's 'Board of Peace': “It’s hardly surprising that very few governments want to join Trump’s wannabe-UN, which so far looks more like a pay-to-play club of human rights abusers and war crimes suspects than a serious international organization."
Trump's wide ambitions for Board of Peace spark new support for the United Nations
President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to sidestep the United Nations through his new Board of Peace appears to have inadvertently backfired.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:16 PM
I spoke to @apnews.com about #Trump's 'Board of Peace': “It’s hardly surprising that very few governments want to join Trump’s wannabe-UN, which so far looks more like a pay-to-play club of human rights abusers and war crimes suspects than a serious international organization."
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
When pressed by journalists, British PM Keir Starmer said he *mentioned* Jimmy Lai to Xi. He didn't seem to have called for Lai's release: www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Starmer stresses Hong Kong’s stability as key to stronger ties in meeting with Xi
Meeting focused on shared interests to bolster Sino‑British relations, with Jimmy Lai’s national security case also touched upon in ‘respectful’ discussions.
www.scmp.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:14 PM
When pressed by journalists, British PM Keir Starmer said he *mentioned* Jimmy Lai to Xi. He didn't seem to have called for Lai's release: www.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
🇭🇹 Sexual violence by criminal groups in Haiti is widespread. According to a new @msfincanada.bsky.social report, attacks are becoming more intense and brutal, while survivors face increasingly limited access to care.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Sexual Violence Survivors in Haiti Left Without Care
Sexual violence by criminal groups is not new in Haiti. However, the intensity and brutality of these attacks are worsening.
www.hrw.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:53 PM
🇭🇹 Sexual violence by criminal groups in Haiti is widespread. According to a new @msfincanada.bsky.social report, attacks are becoming more intense and brutal, while survivors face increasingly limited access to care.
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
#Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ puts rights abusers & war crimes suspects in charge of the global order -- my new opinion piece on @aljazeera.com
By sidelining the UN & human rights, the US president is proposing a club of impunity @hrw.org
👉 www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
By sidelining the UN & human rights, the US president is proposing a club of impunity @hrw.org
👉 www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
January 27, 2026 at 3:19 PM
#Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ puts rights abusers & war crimes suspects in charge of the global order -- my new opinion piece on @aljazeera.com
By sidelining the UN & human rights, the US president is proposing a club of impunity @hrw.org
👉 www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
By sidelining the UN & human rights, the US president is proposing a club of impunity @hrw.org
👉 www.aljazeera.com/opinions/202...
A little background reading as I reflect on the Board of Peace…
January 23, 2026 at 12:52 PM
A little background reading as I reflect on the Board of Peace…
US President Donald Trump has invited world leaders, many from abusive governments, to join his “Board of Peace.”
Rather than paying billions to join Trump’s board, governments should focus on strengthening the UN’s ability to uphold human rights. https://bit.ly/49Qj2Sy
Rather than paying billions to join Trump’s board, governments should focus on strengthening the UN’s ability to uphold human rights. https://bit.ly/49Qj2Sy
January 22, 2026 at 10:59 PM
My latest for @hrw.org: - The UN has problems but it’s better than a global Politburo of leaders of abusive governments. Rather than paying billions to join #Trump’s "Board of Peace", states shld strengthen the UN’s ability to uphold human rights.
The Board charter doesn't mention human rights🫤
The Board charter doesn't mention human rights🫤
The World Needs Stronger UN, Not Trump-led ‘Board of Peace’
The United States played a leading role in establishing the UN. Now, US President Donald Trump is undermining and defunding large parts of it.
hrw.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
On January 12 the ICJ will hear the merits in the landmark genocide case by Gambia against Myanmar.
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Myanmar: Critical Hearings in Rohingya Genocide Case
International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings in the Myanmar genocide case highlight the need for justice for the ethnic Rohingya.
www.hrw.org
January 8, 2026 at 6:03 PM
On January 12 the ICJ will hear the merits in the landmark genocide case by Gambia against Myanmar.
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Read reflections from @hrw.org, @womenspeacenetwork.org, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, Refugee Women for Peace and Justice, & and @globaljusticec.bsky.social
🧵👇
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
UN 2026 regular budget negotiations continue today in General Assembly’s 5th Committee amidst UN liquidity crisis caused by countries paying very late (like #China) or not paying in full (like US). No reform plan can succeed if member states don’t pay dues in full & on time.
Background thread🧵👇🏼
Background thread🧵👇🏼
December 23, 2025 at 12:56 PM
UN 2026 regular budget negotiations continue today in General Assembly’s 5th Committee amidst UN liquidity crisis caused by countries paying very late (like #China) or not paying in full (like US). No reform plan can succeed if member states don’t pay dues in full & on time.
Background thread🧵👇🏼
Background thread🧵👇🏼
UN member states are expected to pay assessed contributions at the start of the year. You can see here #China did eventually pay up but not until Oct 29, though earlier than 2024 (Dec 27). US still hasn't paid up. US & China cover over 40 pct of UN regular budget. www.un.org/en/ga/contri...
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
UN member states are expected to pay assessed contributions at the start of the year. You can see here #China did eventually pay up but not until Oct 29, though earlier than 2024 (Dec 27). US still hasn't paid up. US & China cover over 40 pct of UN regular budget. www.un.org/en/ga/contri...
That's not all. US under President Trump has been aligning with #Russia #China #Iran at UN when it comes to issues related to women's rights & other human rights issues. @hrw urges govts that care about human rights to push back & boost UN rights funding. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
How to Save the UN from Trump
The United Nations is facing one of the worst crises in its eight-decade history: Its biggest financial contributor, the United States, is withholding billions of dollars from vital U.N. agencies and ...
www.hrw.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
That's not all. US under President Trump has been aligning with #Russia #China #Iran at UN when it comes to issues related to women's rights & other human rights issues. @hrw urges govts that care about human rights to push back & boost UN rights funding. www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
In 2017, @hrw.org published a comprehensive report on #China's systematic assault on the UN human rights system. It's still relevant today.
The Costs of International Advocacy
This report details China’s efforts to harass independent activists, primarily those from China. Chinese officials have photographed and filmed activists on UN premises in violation of UN rules, and r...
www.hrw.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
But massive cuts that undermine UN's ability to investigate & monitor human rights abuses in #Syria #Iran #Israel #Palestine #Ukraine #Sudan #DRC etc aren't enough for anti-rights govts like #China. Diplomats tell @hrw.org that China's delegation wants additional 20 pct cuts to human rights funding.
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
But massive cuts that undermine UN's ability to investigate & monitor human rights abuses in #Syria #Iran #Israel #Palestine #Ukraine #Sudan #DRC etc aren't enough for anti-rights govts like #China. Diplomats tell @hrw.org that China's delegation wants additional 20 pct cuts to human rights funding.
On top of all this, the UN leadership is developing a reform plan called "UN80" that involves large-scale budget and staff cuts: roughly 15 pct budget cuts & 20 pct staff cuts. This may be devastating for UN's underfunded & understaffed human rights work. news.un.org/en/story/202...
United Nations revises 2026 regular budget proposal, pairing cost reductions with initial reform measures
The United Nations has finalised the revised estimates for its 2026 proposed programme budget, outlining more than $500 million in reductions, while also introducing the first measures of the UN80 Ini...
news.un.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
On top of all this, the UN leadership is developing a reform plan called "UN80" that involves large-scale budget and staff cuts: roughly 15 pct budget cuts & 20 pct staff cuts. This may be devastating for UN's underfunded & understaffed human rights work. news.un.org/en/story/202...
To make matters worse, the UN General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), which is supposed to provide expert advice on budgetary matters, often recommends cutting UN human rights posts on dubious grounds. www.un.org/ga/acabq/en
Welcome to Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions | Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)
www.un.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
To make matters worse, the UN General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), which is supposed to provide expert advice on budgetary matters, often recommends cutting UN human rights posts on dubious grounds. www.un.org/ga/acabq/en
This year, not only is human rights funding under attack, the UN's finances are in crisis, mainly because the US & #China - the 2 biggest contributors to the UN budget - have not been paying their dues in full & on time. Others are also in arrears. @hrw.org 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
UN Should Protect its Long Underfunded Human Rights Pillar
The United Nations leadership has launched a major reform plan to make the cash-strapped world body more efficient and cost-effective. Unfortunately, it has offered little on how this will impact the ...
www.hrw.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
This year, not only is human rights funding under attack, the UN's finances are in crisis, mainly because the US & #China - the 2 biggest contributors to the UN budget - have not been paying their dues in full & on time. Others are also in arrears. @hrw.org 👇 www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
In October our partners at @ishr.ch published an important new report on the efforts of #Russia #China & others to defund UN human rights mechanisms in the 5th Committee. 👏🙏
New ISHR report reveals how governments work behind the scenes to defund the UN’s human rights work
A groundbreaking report published by ISHR today, reveals for the first time how a small group of States led by China and Russia are obstructing and hijacking budget negotiations at the United Nations…
ishr.ch
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
For years, 5th Committee has been a battleground for human rights. @hrw.org has long documented how #Russia #China & other govts hostile to human rights have tried to defund investigations & mechanisms on #Syria #Ukraine #Myanmar #Sudan #Ethipioa #Iran etc.
UN Member Countries Should Resist Defunding of Human Rights
Countries hostile toward United Nations human rights bodies have in recent years sought to hijack negotiations at the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which oversees the organization’s budget. T...
www.hrw.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
UNGA's 5th Committee (5C) is currently negotiating on the UN's regular budget. It covers the UN secretariat's basic operating costs & much funding for various UN departments & agencies, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights & human rights mechanisms member states created.
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
UNGA's 5th Committee (5C) is currently negotiating on the UN's regular budget. It covers the UN secretariat's basic operating costs & much funding for various UN departments & agencies, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights & human rights mechanisms member states created.
It’s crunch time at UN General Assembly’s 5th Committee, which oversees the UN budget. It's even more difficult than usual this year because of a liquidity crisis caused by US #China & others not paying their dues. A thread on 5th Committee & what it means for human rights.🧵 @hrw.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will vote on a bill that bans gender-affirming medical care for any transgender person under 18, and threatens any medical professional providing this care to youth with 10 years in prison.
Tell Congress to protect trans youth and vote NO.
Tell Congress to protect trans youth and vote NO.
Protect Trans Care Now
As wave after wave of extreme measures to criminalize and strip trans people of rights and safety continue, tell Congress to act.
action.aclu.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Tomorrow, the House of Representatives will vote on a bill that bans gender-affirming medical care for any transgender person under 18, and threatens any medical professional providing this care to youth with 10 years in prison.
Tell Congress to protect trans youth and vote NO.
Tell Congress to protect trans youth and vote NO.
Check out @hrw.org's helpful new Q&A on the #Trump admin's **unlawful** military operations in Caribbean & Pacific.
Explains, among other things, why:
✳️ It's not an "armed conflict" 🚫
✳️ They're unlawful extrajudicial killings ❌
✳️ Accountability is needed⚖️
Explains, among other things, why:
✳️ It's not an "armed conflict" 🚫
✳️ They're unlawful extrajudicial killings ❌
✳️ Accountability is needed⚖️
Q&A: US Military Operations in the Caribbean, Pacific
This document analyzes the legality of these strikes under international law and explains why international human rights law—rather than international humanitarian law (“the laws of war”)—governs that...
hrw.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:47 PM