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🧵👇🏼
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
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
Trump once again puts tech business interests before people’s rights, with plans to spend federal funds on litigating against state and city level AI laws. This could have major consequences for AI accountability and internet connectivity across the US. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Trump Administration Takes Aim at AI Accountability Laws
Last week, President Trump signed an executive order that proposes to challenge and dismantle a range of “cumbersome” artificial intelligence (AI) laws at state and city level in the US and replace th...
www.hrw.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Trump once again puts tech business interests before people’s rights, with plans to spend federal funds on litigating against state and city level AI laws. This could have major consequences for AI accountability and internet connectivity across the US. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
New from @hrw.org: More than 1,000 Belarusians Remain in Prison for Exercising Their Rights - @tanyalokshina.bsky.social
On Dec 13 the government of #Belarus freed 123 after negotiations with US. It should free all political prisoners unconditionally.
On Dec 13 the government of #Belarus freed 123 after negotiations with US. It should free all political prisoners unconditionally.
More than 1,000 Belarusians Remain in Prison for Exercising Their Rights
On December 13, Belarusian authorities released 123 prisoners following negotiations led by the US administration. Most of those released had been prosecuted and imprisoned for the peaceful exercise o...
www.hrw.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
New from @hrw.org: More than 1,000 Belarusians Remain in Prison for Exercising Their Rights - @tanyalokshina.bsky.social
On Dec 13 the government of #Belarus freed 123 after negotiations with US. It should free all political prisoners unconditionally.
On Dec 13 the government of #Belarus freed 123 after negotiations with US. It should free all political prisoners unconditionally.
🚨 New from @hrw.org: #Russia's authorities & military forces have systematically tortured and ill-treated Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of Geneva Conventions that apply in international armed conflict & are war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Such abuses constitute grave violations of Geneva Conventions that apply in international armed conflict & are war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
🚨 New from @hrw.org: #Russia's authorities & military forces have systematically tortured and ill-treated Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Such abuses constitute grave violations of Geneva Conventions that apply in international armed conflict & are war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Such abuses constitute grave violations of Geneva Conventions that apply in international armed conflict & are war crimes. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
🚨 @hrw.org reaction to reports of a successful Canadian-US troop-pledging conference for a new #Haiti force: “Pledges from multiple countries to commit personnel for the Gang Suppression Force are a welcome step toward providing Haitians with the protection they urgently need." 1/x
December 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
At launch of @civicusalliance.bsky.social report on shrinking civic space around the world, @hrw.org @amnesty.org @aclu.org join CIVICUS in warning of crackdowns on free speech, right to protest in US, Germany, France, Israel & elsewhere.
December 9, 2025 at 4:39 PM
At launch of @civicusalliance.bsky.social report on shrinking civic space around the world, @hrw.org @amnesty.org @aclu.org join CIVICUS in warning of crackdowns on free speech, right to protest in US, Germany, France, Israel & elsewhere.
Drug smuggling is a serious issue, but executing people at sea without any trial? Unlawful, ineffective, violation of due process — not to mention abhorrent. Canada, UK, France, Netherlands, etc need to call this out & assess risks of complicity in these US extrajudicial killings.
US: Other Countries Should Push Back on Lawless Executions at Sea
Governments that partner with the United States on counternarcotics efforts should join other nations that have publicly objected to the Trump administration’s unlawful strikes against alleged drug sm...
www.hrw.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Drug smuggling is a serious issue, but executing people at sea without any trial? Unlawful, ineffective, violation of due process — not to mention abhorrent. Canada, UK, France, Netherlands, etc need to call this out & assess risks of complicity in these US extrajudicial killings.
🚨 @hrw.org urges other countries to push back on lawless US executions at sea.
Canada, UK, France, Netherlands, etc should take steps to determine if their intel sharing with the US risks making them complicit in the #Trump administration's unlawful strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats.
Canada, UK, France, Netherlands, etc should take steps to determine if their intel sharing with the US risks making them complicit in the #Trump administration's unlawful strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats.
US: Other Countries Should Push Back on Lawless Executions at Sea
Governments that partner with the United States on counternarcotics efforts should join other nations that have publicly objected to the Trump administration’s unlawful strikes against alleged drug sm...
www.hrw.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:33 PM
🚨 @hrw.org’s reaction to the Israeli raid on @unrwa.org’s compound in East Jerusalem.
December 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM
🚨 @hrw.org’s reaction to the Israeli raid on @unrwa.org’s compound in East Jerusalem.
Reposted by Lou Charbonneau
“Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem.”
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s statement:
www.unrwa.org/newsroom/off...
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s statement:
www.unrwa.org/newsroom/off...
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
“Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem.”
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s statement:
www.unrwa.org/newsroom/off...
UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini’s statement:
www.unrwa.org/newsroom/off...