Mary Ann Hennessey
@mahennessey.bsky.social
Council of Europe in Pristina=my job; democracy, human rights, rule of law=my credo; archaeology, history, hiking, lifting=my jams-all views my own RTs≠endorsement; she/her
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
'It is also a reminder that anti-trans, anti-queer and Islamophobic positions do not spring from nowhere. Public consensus can be manipulated by discreet networks with distinct agendas and multimillion dollar budgets.'
Well worth reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Well worth reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash
Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson are increasingly espousing Christian ‘values’, and a wealthy US legal group is becoming influential – this could have dire consequences, says author Lamorna Ash
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:52 AM
'It is also a reminder that anti-trans, anti-queer and Islamophobic positions do not spring from nowhere. Public consensus can be manipulated by discreet networks with distinct agendas and multimillion dollar budgets.'
Well worth reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Well worth reading.
www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
REMINDER:
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
November 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM
REMINDER:
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) keeps us all safe and free.
Every. Single. Day.
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
In a joint statement to mark the International Day for Political Prisoners, PACE's Azadeh Rojhan and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Steve Cohen recall the courage of "those deprived of their liberty for defending truth, freedom and human dignity".
The full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/1008...
The full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/1008...
International Day of Political Prisoners: joint statement by PACE general rapporteur and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative
On the occasion of the International Day of Political Prisoners, PACE General Rapporteur for political prisoners, Azadeh Rojhan (Sweden, SOC) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative...
pace.coe.int
October 30, 2025 at 2:32 PM
In a joint statement to mark the International Day for Political Prisoners, PACE's Azadeh Rojhan and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Steve Cohen recall the courage of "those deprived of their liberty for defending truth, freedom and human dignity".
The full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/1008...
The full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/1008...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
The Constitution is not self-enforcing.
The only thing holding our Republic together are our norms.
And the only thing that enforces those norms is The People.
No one is coming to save us.
It's entirely up to us.
The only thing holding our Republic together are our norms.
And the only thing that enforces those norms is The People.
No one is coming to save us.
It's entirely up to us.
October 23, 2025 at 2:39 AM
The Constitution is not self-enforcing.
The only thing holding our Republic together are our norms.
And the only thing that enforces those norms is The People.
No one is coming to save us.
It's entirely up to us.
The only thing holding our Republic together are our norms.
And the only thing that enforces those norms is The People.
No one is coming to save us.
It's entirely up to us.
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Finally!!! The real scandal of the asylum hotels. Why, instead of shining the light on these parasites, months were spent on demonising vulnerable people at their mercy?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Asylum hotel provider makes £180m profit despite claims of inedible food and rationed loo paper
Asylum seekers and charities tell BBC of
www.bbc.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Finally!!! The real scandal of the asylum hotels. Why, instead of shining the light on these parasites, months were spent on demonising vulnerable people at their mercy?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
What does “Europe” say about using criminal law to limit #FreeSpeech?
Check out this new guide from the 46-member @coe.int👇
🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
@coemediafreedom.bsky.social #ECHR #FreedomOfExpression
Check out this new guide from the 46-member @coe.int👇
🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
@coemediafreedom.bsky.social #ECHR #FreedomOfExpression
September 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
What does “Europe” say about using criminal law to limit #FreeSpeech?
Check out this new guide from the 46-member @coe.int👇
🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
@coemediafreedom.bsky.social #ECHR #FreedomOfExpression
Check out this new guide from the 46-member @coe.int👇
🔗 www.coe.int/en/web/porta...
@coemediafreedom.bsky.social #ECHR #FreedomOfExpression
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
“Like drinking from polluted water”
How misleading media coverage of immigration and the #ECHR has distorted public debate in the UK👇
🔗 reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/its-dri... via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
How misleading media coverage of immigration and the #ECHR has distorted public debate in the UK👇
🔗 reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/its-dri... via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
“It’s like drinking from polluted water”: How the UK media gets immigration coverage wrong and how to fix it
In the midst of bubbling unrest around immigration in the UK, some voices are calling for the country to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). These calls often appear to be ro...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
September 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
“Like drinking from polluted water”
How misleading media coverage of immigration and the #ECHR has distorted public debate in the UK👇
🔗 reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/its-dri... via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
How misleading media coverage of immigration and the #ECHR has distorted public debate in the UK👇
🔗 reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/its-dri... via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
European states should refrain from actions in externalised #migration policies that may lead to #humanrights violations. Read my new report www.coe.int/en/web/commi...
Commissioner calls on European states to refrain from actions in externalised migration policies that may lead to human rights violations - Commissioner for Human Rights - www.coe.int
Strasbourg 04/09/2025
www.coe.int
September 4, 2025 at 8:21 AM
European states should refrain from actions in externalised #migration policies that may lead to #humanrights violations. Read my new report www.coe.int/en/web/commi...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
The body of evidence showing that when centrist parties adopt the priorities and talking points of the far right, they torpedo themselves is vast and powerful. Yet Keir Starmer's Labour Party seems determined to ignore it.
A few examples in 🧵:
theconversation.com/how-should-l...
A few examples in 🧵:
theconversation.com/how-should-l...
How should Labour and the Tories respond to the populist right? Lessons from Europe
The evidence suggests traditional parties that ape the populist radical right’s policies risk boosting their rivals instead of reclaiming voters.
theconversation.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The body of evidence showing that when centrist parties adopt the priorities and talking points of the far right, they torpedo themselves is vast and powerful. Yet Keir Starmer's Labour Party seems determined to ignore it.
A few examples in 🧵:
theconversation.com/how-should-l...
A few examples in 🧵:
theconversation.com/how-should-l...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Fifty-one of the 85 Federalist papers were written by a guy born in Nevis.
September 1, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Fifty-one of the 85 Federalist papers were written by a guy born in Nevis.
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
An historical reflection with Phillipe Sands on the emergence of different concepts of genocide and human rights before and after WW2.
History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. A terrible irony that the Israeli state is now carrying out genocide on Palestinians, who played no role in the Holocaust
History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. A terrible irony that the Israeli state is now carrying out genocide on Palestinians, who played no role in the Holocaust
When Is It Genocide?
Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 13/08/2025 · 1h 43m
podcasts.apple.com
August 23, 2025 at 8:22 PM
An historical reflection with Phillipe Sands on the emergence of different concepts of genocide and human rights before and after WW2.
History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. A terrible irony that the Israeli state is now carrying out genocide on Palestinians, who played no role in the Holocaust
History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme. A terrible irony that the Israeli state is now carrying out genocide on Palestinians, who played no role in the Holocaust
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Latvian #HumanRights defender Ieva Raubiško was sentenced to 200 hours of community service today for providing urgent humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers. I reiterate my concern about the criminalisation of life-saving work. See: rm.coe.int/third-party-...
August 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Latvian #HumanRights defender Ieva Raubiško was sentenced to 200 hours of community service today for providing urgent humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers. I reiterate my concern about the criminalisation of life-saving work. See: rm.coe.int/third-party-...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Celebrating 11 years of the #IstanbulConvention! 🧡
#OnThisDay in 2014, this vital treaty protecting women from violence came into force.
The Istanbul Convention is not just a treaty; it is a lifeline for women and girls.
www.coe.int/en/web/istan...
The Istanbul Convention is not just a treaty; it is a lifeline for women and girls.
www.coe.int/en/web/istan...
August 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Celebrating 11 years of the #IstanbulConvention! 🧡
#OnThisDay in 2014, this vital treaty protecting women from violence came into force.
The Istanbul Convention is not just a treaty; it is a lifeline for women and girls.
www.coe.int/en/web/istan...
The Istanbul Convention is not just a treaty; it is a lifeline for women and girls.
www.coe.int/en/web/istan...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
The situation in #Gaza "has long since surpassed our worst nightmares" says @coe.int Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur Dora #Bakoyannis, demanding an end to the suffering.
Read her full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/9974...
Read her full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/9974...
July 28, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The situation in #Gaza "has long since surpassed our worst nightmares" says @coe.int Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur Dora #Bakoyannis, demanding an end to the suffering.
Read her full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/9974...
Read her full statement:
pace.coe.int/en/news/9974...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Freedom of the press is not a privilege granted by power — it is a cornerstone of democracy. When political leaders threaten to revoke media licences for daring to criticise them, they reveal a dangerous drift towards authoritarianism. 1/2
July 27, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Freedom of the press is not a privilege granted by power — it is a cornerstone of democracy. When political leaders threaten to revoke media licences for daring to criticise them, they reveal a dangerous drift towards authoritarianism. 1/2
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Domestic violence is a major threat to women around the world but it is also a warning sign for political violence. And yet, it rarely gets the political attention it deserves and requires.
Two in five arrested for last summer’s UK riots had been reported for domestic abuse
Police data indicates overlaps between public violent disorder and domestic violence and abuse
www.theguardian.com
July 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Domestic violence is a major threat to women around the world but it is also a warning sign for political violence. And yet, it rarely gets the political attention it deserves and requires.
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Preserving Europe’s natural heritage means standing up for human rights.
Discover Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve, esteemed holder of the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
United around our values, with nature at heart #BeatingStrong.
@staatsbosbeheer.bsky.social #NaturalHeartOfEurope
Discover Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve, esteemed holder of the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
United around our values, with nature at heart #BeatingStrong.
@staatsbosbeheer.bsky.social #NaturalHeartOfEurope
July 25, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Preserving Europe’s natural heritage means standing up for human rights.
Discover Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve, esteemed holder of the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
United around our values, with nature at heart #BeatingStrong.
@staatsbosbeheer.bsky.social #NaturalHeartOfEurope
Discover Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve, esteemed holder of the European Diploma for Protected Areas.
United around our values, with nature at heart #BeatingStrong.
@staatsbosbeheer.bsky.social #NaturalHeartOfEurope
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
When it comes to the instrumentalisation of migrants, EU countries need to direct their measures towards the hostile actors not punish the migrants & refugees who are being used for political gains.
Read more in the latest position paper from @fra.europa.eu: europa.eu/!8QWdt9
Read more in the latest position paper from @fra.europa.eu: europa.eu/!8QWdt9
July 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
When it comes to the instrumentalisation of migrants, EU countries need to direct their measures towards the hostile actors not punish the migrants & refugees who are being used for political gains.
Read more in the latest position paper from @fra.europa.eu: europa.eu/!8QWdt9
Read more in the latest position paper from @fra.europa.eu: europa.eu/!8QWdt9
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Nominations for the 2025 North-South Prize of the Council of Europe are now open!
Know a leader or organisation committed to #HumanRights, #Democracy, or global solidarity? Nominate them now!
🔗 Submit by 15 September ⬇️ www.coe.int/en/web/north...
Know a leader or organisation committed to #HumanRights, #Democracy, or global solidarity? Nominate them now!
🔗 Submit by 15 September ⬇️ www.coe.int/en/web/north...
July 20, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Nominations for the 2025 North-South Prize of the Council of Europe are now open!
Know a leader or organisation committed to #HumanRights, #Democracy, or global solidarity? Nominate them now!
🔗 Submit by 15 September ⬇️ www.coe.int/en/web/north...
Know a leader or organisation committed to #HumanRights, #Democracy, or global solidarity? Nominate them now!
🔗 Submit by 15 September ⬇️ www.coe.int/en/web/north...
Irish government is blocking these children's visas. #LetThemPlay #GaaPalestine my.uplift.ie/petitions/le... @uplift.ie
Let Them Play
Irish government is blocking these children's visas. #LetThemPlay #GaaPalestine
my.uplift.ie
July 11, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Irish government is blocking these children's visas. #LetThemPlay #GaaPalestine my.uplift.ie/petitions/le... @uplift.ie
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
The Srebrenica genocide is one of the darkest pages of European history.
In July 1995, 30 years ago, thousands of men and boys were murdered solely because of their ethnicity and religion.
Let us remember and learn from it.
#NeverForget
In July 1995, 30 years ago, thousands of men and boys were murdered solely because of their ethnicity and religion.
Let us remember and learn from it.
#NeverForget
July 11, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The Srebrenica genocide is one of the darkest pages of European history.
In July 1995, 30 years ago, thousands of men and boys were murdered solely because of their ethnicity and religion.
Let us remember and learn from it.
#NeverForget
In July 1995, 30 years ago, thousands of men and boys were murdered solely because of their ethnicity and religion.
Let us remember and learn from it.
#NeverForget
‘It’s an honour to be able to send a warning’: Defiant Sarajevo a scarred survivor of Bosnia’s war
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
‘It’s an honour to be able to send a warning’: Defiant Sarajevo a scarred survivor of Bosnia’s war
But critics of region’s ethno-nationalist politics condemn ‘corrupted and toxic’ system entrenched by 1995 peace deal
www.irishtimes.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:51 PM
‘It’s an honour to be able to send a warning’: Defiant Sarajevo a scarred survivor of Bosnia’s war
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Many young Europeans now ask: can democracy still deliver?
In the face of war, lies, and rising extremism, we must treat democratic security like military security.
We need a New Democratic Pact.
My speech from Berlin ↓
www.coe.int/en/web/secre...
In the face of war, lies, and rising extremism, we must treat democratic security like military security.
We need a New Democratic Pact.
My speech from Berlin ↓
www.coe.int/en/web/secre...
July 9, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Many young Europeans now ask: can democracy still deliver?
In the face of war, lies, and rising extremism, we must treat democratic security like military security.
We need a New Democratic Pact.
My speech from Berlin ↓
www.coe.int/en/web/secre...
In the face of war, lies, and rising extremism, we must treat democratic security like military security.
We need a New Democratic Pact.
My speech from Berlin ↓
www.coe.int/en/web/secre...
Reposted by Mary Ann Hennessey
Everyone in the EU has a right to decent & affordable housing. But how can we realise this right in practice?
Our input to @ec.europa.eu's Affordable Housing Plan highlights what needs to be done to ensure access to affordable housing for all.
👉 europa.eu/!GnJCmv
Our input to @ec.europa.eu's Affordable Housing Plan highlights what needs to be done to ensure access to affordable housing for all.
👉 europa.eu/!GnJCmv
July 3, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Everyone in the EU has a right to decent & affordable housing. But how can we realise this right in practice?
Our input to @ec.europa.eu's Affordable Housing Plan highlights what needs to be done to ensure access to affordable housing for all.
👉 europa.eu/!GnJCmv
Our input to @ec.europa.eu's Affordable Housing Plan highlights what needs to be done to ensure access to affordable housing for all.
👉 europa.eu/!GnJCmv