LydsG
@lydsg.bsky.social
Senior researcher on Eastern EU and Western Balkans at Human Rights Watch. Views expressed my own.
Reposted by LydsG
The killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis offers a stark warning to the UK government of the dangers of treating civic action as a security threat rather than as a fundamental right & cornerstone of democracy, @yasmineahmed.bsky.social & @lydsg.bsky.social explain www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Protest Is Not a Security Offence
The killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents (News, Viewpoint 16 January) offers a stark warning to the UK Government of the danger in treating c...
www.hrw.org
January 27, 2026 at 12:49 PM
The killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis offers a stark warning to the UK government of the dangers of treating civic action as a security threat rather than as a fundamental right & cornerstone of democracy, @yasmineahmed.bsky.social & @lydsg.bsky.social explain www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by LydsG
1/n
"It is what it is" (or "Ez van" in Hungarian) was what so many older people I interviewed in Hungary told me with resignation-- accompanied with a shrug, raised eyebrows, or a downward glance--about the poverty they experience.
@hrw.org's findings are out now: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"It is what it is" (or "Ez van" in Hungarian) was what so many older people I interviewed in Hungary told me with resignation-- accompanied with a shrug, raised eyebrows, or a downward glance--about the poverty they experience.
@hrw.org's findings are out now: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
January 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM
1/n
"It is what it is" (or "Ez van" in Hungarian) was what so many older people I interviewed in Hungary told me with resignation-- accompanied with a shrug, raised eyebrows, or a downward glance--about the poverty they experience.
@hrw.org's findings are out now: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"It is what it is" (or "Ez van" in Hungarian) was what so many older people I interviewed in Hungary told me with resignation-- accompanied with a shrug, raised eyebrows, or a downward glance--about the poverty they experience.
@hrw.org's findings are out now: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by LydsG
The UK is moving to criminalize peaceful protests near “life sciences” sites - including protests about big pharma, drug prices, and animal testing.
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
UK Government Seeks to Restrict Protests, Including Some Against Pharmaceutical Companies
UK lawmakers are set to vote on January 14 on a proposed amendment to the Public Order Act 2023. If adopted, the change, which is drafted in vague and broad language, would expose people who organize ...
www.hrw.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:38 PM
The UK is moving to criminalize peaceful protests near “life sciences” sites - including protests about big pharma, drug prices, and animal testing.
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
The UK is moving to criminalize peaceful protests near “life sciences” sites - including protests about big pharma, drug prices, and animal testing.
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
UK Government Seeks to Restrict Protests, Including Some Against Pharmaceutical Companies
UK lawmakers are set to vote on January 14 on a proposed amendment to the Public Order Act 2023. If adopted, the change, which is drafted in vague and broad language, would expose people who organize ...
www.hrw.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:38 PM
The UK is moving to criminalize peaceful protests near “life sciences” sites - including protests about big pharma, drug prices, and animal testing.
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Another step toward shrinking democratic space.
Parliament should vote this down.
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by LydsG
Here @lydsg.bsky.social & @yasmineahmed.bsky.social explain what a proposed amendment to the Public Order Act 2023 could do to protest rights
Categorizing “life sciences” as “key national infrastructure” could restrict peaceful protests outside pharma companies.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Categorizing “life sciences” as “key national infrastructure” could restrict peaceful protests outside pharma companies.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
UK Government Seeks to Restrict Protests, Including Some Against Pharmaceutical Companies
UK lawmakers are set to vote on January 14 on a proposed amendment to the Public Order Act 2023. If adopted, the change, which is drafted in vague and broad language, would expose people who organize ...
www.hrw.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Here @lydsg.bsky.social & @yasmineahmed.bsky.social explain what a proposed amendment to the Public Order Act 2023 could do to protest rights
Categorizing “life sciences” as “key national infrastructure” could restrict peaceful protests outside pharma companies.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Categorizing “life sciences” as “key national infrastructure” could restrict peaceful protests outside pharma companies.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
When protest is criminalized, democracy weakens. My @theguardian.com op-ed on why UK protest laws should worry us all.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Slowly but surely, a state can repress its people. Why is the UK channelling Viktor Orbán’s Hungary? | Lydia Gall
I know enough about the erosion of civil rights to fear what I now see in the UK. Britons should understand how this ends, says Lydia Gall of Human Rights Watch
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:20 PM
When protest is criminalized, democracy weakens. My @theguardian.com op-ed on why UK protest laws should worry us all.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by LydsG
The right to protest is under attack in the United Kingdom.
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
January 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
The right to protest is under attack in the United Kingdom.
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
In a new report, HRW documents that the UK’s Labour government has failed to reverse sweeping anti-protest laws introduced by the previous Conservative government.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4qerKB0
Reposted by LydsG
Out today from @hrw.org - new report authored by colleague @lydsg.bsky.social
‘Silencing the Streets’: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"The UK should be protecting the right to protest instead of stripping away people’s rights."
‘Silencing the Streets’: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"The UK should be protecting the right to protest instead of stripping away people’s rights."
January 8, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Out today from @hrw.org - new report authored by colleague @lydsg.bsky.social
‘Silencing the Streets’: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"The UK should be protecting the right to protest instead of stripping away people’s rights."
‘Silencing the Streets’: The Right to Protest Under Attack in the UK
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
"The UK should be protecting the right to protest instead of stripping away people’s rights."
Freedom of assembly is not a gift or privilege governments grant their citizens, it's a right that protects citizens from their governments. @hrw.org report out today about the impact of the UK's increasingly repressive anti-protest laws. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
January 8, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Freedom of assembly is not a gift or privilege governments grant their citizens, it's a right that protects citizens from their governments. @hrw.org report out today about the impact of the UK's increasingly repressive anti-protest laws. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
Reposted by LydsG
Egy magyar aktivista emlékére
Balog Gyula (1959-2025) a lakhatási jogokért és a szegénység ellen folytatott küzdelem kiemelkedő alakja volt.
Nyugodj békében Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/hu/news/2025...
Balog Gyula (1959-2025) a lakhatási jogokért és a szegénység ellen folytatott küzdelem kiemelkedő alakja volt.
Nyugodj békében Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/hu/news/2025...
December 17, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Egy magyar aktivista emlékére
Balog Gyula (1959-2025) a lakhatási jogokért és a szegénység ellen folytatott küzdelem kiemelkedő alakja volt.
Nyugodj békében Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/hu/news/2025...
Balog Gyula (1959-2025) a lakhatási jogokért és a szegénység ellen folytatott küzdelem kiemelkedő alakja volt.
Nyugodj békében Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/hu/news/2025...
Reposted by LydsG
In Memory of Gyula Balog (1959-2025), an inspiring housing rights and anti-poverty activist
Here is a brief reflection on behalf of @hrw.org to express our condolences, as Gyula’s friends and colleagues lay him to rest today in Budapest.
Rest in power, Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Here is a brief reflection on behalf of @hrw.org to express our condolences, as Gyula’s friends and colleagues lay him to rest today in Budapest.
Rest in power, Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
December 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
In Memory of Gyula Balog (1959-2025), an inspiring housing rights and anti-poverty activist
Here is a brief reflection on behalf of @hrw.org to express our condolences, as Gyula’s friends and colleagues lay him to rest today in Budapest.
Rest in power, Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Here is a brief reflection on behalf of @hrw.org to express our condolences, as Gyula’s friends and colleagues lay him to rest today in Budapest.
Rest in power, Gyula bacsi!
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by LydsG
1/n
I was deeply saddened to hear that Gyula Balog passed away earlier this week. I met and interviewed him only a couple of weeks ago, for an ongoing research project, in his home.
Gyula described himself as "an alcoholic, a homeless person, an activist, an actor, and an expert by experience."
I was deeply saddened to hear that Gyula Balog passed away earlier this week. I met and interviewed him only a couple of weeks ago, for an ongoing research project, in his home.
Gyula described himself as "an alcoholic, a homeless person, an activist, an actor, and an expert by experience."
November 28, 2025 at 8:52 AM
1/n
I was deeply saddened to hear that Gyula Balog passed away earlier this week. I met and interviewed him only a couple of weeks ago, for an ongoing research project, in his home.
Gyula described himself as "an alcoholic, a homeless person, an activist, an actor, and an expert by experience."
I was deeply saddened to hear that Gyula Balog passed away earlier this week. I met and interviewed him only a couple of weeks ago, for an ongoing research project, in his home.
Gyula described himself as "an alcoholic, a homeless person, an activist, an actor, and an expert by experience."
Reposted by LydsG
1/3 I’ve just returned home after a week interviewing older people on low pension incomes in Hungary for @hrw.org. The findings will be out in the coming months.
This photo is of an 80 year old woman showing me her notebook of expenses, in which every last forint is meticulously accounted for.
This photo is of an 80 year old woman showing me her notebook of expenses, in which every last forint is meticulously accounted for.
November 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
1/3 I’ve just returned home after a week interviewing older people on low pension incomes in Hungary for @hrw.org. The findings will be out in the coming months.
This photo is of an 80 year old woman showing me her notebook of expenses, in which every last forint is meticulously accounted for.
This photo is of an 80 year old woman showing me her notebook of expenses, in which every last forint is meticulously accounted for.
Reposted by LydsG
In Hungary, Pastor Gábor Iványi, whose church supports people in poverty, faces absurd charges. The pastor and his church are human rights defenders providing shelter, food, education to people left behind by the state. The move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Hungary: Pastor Supporting People in Poverty Faces Charges
Instead of supporting those who fill the gaps left by Hungary’s crumbling public services and social security system, the government is prosecuting them. On November 3, prosecutors charged Pastor Gábo...
www.hrw.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
In Hungary, Pastor Gábor Iványi, whose church supports people in poverty, faces absurd charges. The pastor and his church are human rights defenders providing shelter, food, education to people left behind by the state. The move is part of a wider crackdown on dissent.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by LydsG
Berättar senaste nytt:
• Joakim har äntligen fått träffa av familjen utsedd advokat i fängelset Maltepe där han sitter isolerad
• Hans reaktion på det massiva stödet senaste dygnet
• Inga formella anklagelser har delgivits honom
• Joakim har äntligen fått träffa av familjen utsedd advokat i fängelset Maltepe där han sitter isolerad
• Hans reaktion på det massiva stödet senaste dygnet
• Inga formella anklagelser har delgivits honom
Chefredaktören: Anklagelserna är falska – släpp Joakim Medin
Publicister, utgivare och politiker kräver att regeringen gör allt för att få Joakim fri.
www.etc.se
March 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Berättar senaste nytt:
• Joakim har äntligen fått träffa av familjen utsedd advokat i fängelset Maltepe där han sitter isolerad
• Hans reaktion på det massiva stödet senaste dygnet
• Inga formella anklagelser har delgivits honom
• Joakim har äntligen fått träffa av familjen utsedd advokat i fängelset Maltepe där han sitter isolerad
• Hans reaktion på det massiva stödet senaste dygnet
• Inga formella anklagelser har delgivits honom
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin arrested on arrival in Istanbul. His whereabouts unknown.
March 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Swedish journalist Joakim Medin arrested on arrival in Istanbul. His whereabouts unknown.
Reposted by LydsG
Min kollega Joakim Medin har frihetsberövats i Turkiet. Det är helt oacceptabelt, ett angrepp på pressfriheten, och regeringen måste agera därefter.
March 28, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Min kollega Joakim Medin har frihetsberövats i Turkiet. Det är helt oacceptabelt, ett angrepp på pressfriheten, och regeringen måste agera därefter.
Reposted by LydsG
Poland has adopted a law suspending the right to seek asylum for people entering the country via Belarus.
It's an effort to provide legal cover for Poland's abusive and unlawful border pushbacks. Learn more ⤵️
It's an effort to provide legal cover for Poland's abusive and unlawful border pushbacks. Learn more ⤵️
March 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Poland has adopted a law suspending the right to seek asylum for people entering the country via Belarus.
It's an effort to provide legal cover for Poland's abusive and unlawful border pushbacks. Learn more ⤵️
It's an effort to provide legal cover for Poland's abusive and unlawful border pushbacks. Learn more ⤵️
Poland just blatantly violated its own constitution, international law and Refugee Convention by adopting a law that suspends the right to seek asylum. Tusk today triggered it and closed the border to Belarus for asylum seekers. More on the law: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
Poland: Scrap Bill Suspending Right To Asylum
Members of the Polish parliament should reject a bill that would allow the government to temporarily suspend the right to asylum at Poland’s border with Belarus, Human Rights Watch said today. The Eur...
www.hrw.org
March 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Poland just blatantly violated its own constitution, international law and Refugee Convention by adopting a law that suspends the right to seek asylum. Tusk today triggered it and closed the border to Belarus for asylum seekers. More on the law: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
Ett fartyg fyllt med medmänsklighet
www.hrw.org
March 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by LydsG
Hungary's new anti-LGBT law bans Pride & penalizes public support for LGBT rights. It weaponizes facial recognition to target activists & suppress free expression. This is an alarming escalation of repression that demands urgent action from
@ec.europa.eu. www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
@ec.europa.eu. www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Hungary Bans LGBT Pride Events
Hungary deepened its repression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people on March 18 as the parliament passed a draconian law that will outlaw Pride and similar events, thereby penaliz...
www.hrw.org
March 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Hungary's new anti-LGBT law bans Pride & penalizes public support for LGBT rights. It weaponizes facial recognition to target activists & suppress free expression. This is an alarming escalation of repression that demands urgent action from
@ec.europa.eu. www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
@ec.europa.eu. www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Reposted by LydsG
In yet another crackdown on LGBT rights, Hungary’s parliament has passed a law that will outlaw LGBT Pride and similar events.
The law, which penalizes organizers and attendees, also authorizes the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees.
The law, which penalizes organizers and attendees, also authorizes the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees.
March 19, 2025 at 12:20 PM
In yet another crackdown on LGBT rights, Hungary’s parliament has passed a law that will outlaw LGBT Pride and similar events.
The law, which penalizes organizers and attendees, also authorizes the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees.
The law, which penalizes organizers and attendees, also authorizes the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees.
Reposted by LydsG
In a significant step toward affirming the rights of transgender people in Poland 🇵🇱, the country’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling eliminating the requirement for trans people to sue their parents in gender recognition proceedings.
New commentary from @hrw.org: hrw.org/news/2025/03...
New commentary from @hrw.org: hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Landmark Ruling on Trans Rights in Poland
In a significant step toward affirming the rights of transgender people in Poland, the country’s Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling that eliminates the requirement for trans people to involve ...
hrw.org
March 13, 2025 at 5:39 PM
In a significant step toward affirming the rights of transgender people in Poland 🇵🇱, the country’s Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling eliminating the requirement for trans people to sue their parents in gender recognition proceedings.
New commentary from @hrw.org: hrw.org/news/2025/03...
New commentary from @hrw.org: hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Reposted by LydsG
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...
Reposted by LydsG
There has been huge outrage following US' sanctions on @intlcrimcourt.bsky.social. But there have also been major glitches.
🥇 3 EU states failed to sign joint statement 🇮🇹🇨🇿🇭🇺
🥈 @kajakallas.bsky.social's no-show, so far. Time to show concerns, press US to reverse course.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
🥇 3 EU states failed to sign joint statement 🇮🇹🇨🇿🇭🇺
🥈 @kajakallas.bsky.social's no-show, so far. Time to show concerns, press US to reverse course.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
World Responds to Trump’s Targeting of International Criminal Court
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 6 authorizing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials and others supporting the court’s work. The ICC’s prosecutor, Ka...
www.hrw.org
February 12, 2025 at 1:47 PM
There has been huge outrage following US' sanctions on @intlcrimcourt.bsky.social. But there have also been major glitches.
🥇 3 EU states failed to sign joint statement 🇮🇹🇨🇿🇭🇺
🥈 @kajakallas.bsky.social's no-show, so far. Time to show concerns, press US to reverse course.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
🥇 3 EU states failed to sign joint statement 🇮🇹🇨🇿🇭🇺
🥈 @kajakallas.bsky.social's no-show, so far. Time to show concerns, press US to reverse course.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...