Nina Moraitou-Politzi
@ninamorpol.bsky.social
Human rights lawyer @humanrightsfirst.org, #Magnitsky sanctions, anti-corruption and int’l justice & accountability | Formerly RFK Human Rights and Refugee Council. Opinions my own.
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BREAKING: Former Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for taking bribes of cash and gold and acting as an agent of Egypt.
Ex-New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery conviction
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his conviction in a scheme that brought him gold bars, cash and a car and what his lawyer says is a new nickname: "gold bar B...
apnews.com
As ex-Sen. Menendez faces an 11-year sentence for bribery & acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, the Egyptian officials apparently involved have yet to face accountability. Human Rights First has urged the US government to impose #Magnitsky sanctions to show such corruption will not be tolerated.
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Watch as our CEO, @uzraz.bsky.social , introduces Bach's vital contributions to the fight for climate justice in Vietnam and hear from Bach's wife, Thao, as she accepts the Baldwin Medal of Liberty on his behalf. #FreeBach #StandwithBach #4YearsTooLong
youtu.be/08l6GHZw7BE
youtu.be/08l6GHZw7BE
Jailed Vietnamese climate activist/lawyer Dang Dinh Bach wins the Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty
YouTube video by Human Rights First
youtu.be
July 1, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Watch as our CEO, @uzraz.bsky.social , introduces Bach's vital contributions to the fight for climate justice in Vietnam and hear from Bach's wife, Thao, as she accepts the Baldwin Medal of Liberty on his behalf. #FreeBach #StandwithBach #4YearsTooLong
youtu.be/08l6GHZw7BE
youtu.be/08l6GHZw7BE
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
First up in the series is an explainer on the #Leahy Laws, with an emphasis on how they compare to #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and the role civil society can play in triggering action under both programs.
Read our explainer below👇
Read our explainer below👇
The Leahy Laws and Their Relationship With Global Magnitsky Sanctions - Human Rights First
The “Leahy Laws,” named after former U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, refer to two statutory provisions that prohibit the U.S. government (USG) from providing assistance to any unit of a foreign country’s ...
humanrightsfirst.org
April 25, 2025 at 3:12 PM
First up in the series is an explainer on the #Leahy Laws, with an emphasis on how they compare to #GlobalMagnitsky sanctions and the role civil society can play in triggering action under both programs.
Read our explainer below👇
Read our explainer below👇
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
100+ civil society organizations are calling on @USDOL to restore $500M in funding to combat forced labor & child labor. These funds are essential to protect children and to end #humantrafficking. These cuts put lives at risk. #ForcedLabor #ChildLabor stopchildlabor.org/civil-societ...
April 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
100+ civil society organizations are calling on @USDOL to restore $500M in funding to combat forced labor & child labor. These funds are essential to protect children and to end #humantrafficking. These cuts put lives at risk. #ForcedLabor #ChildLabor stopchildlabor.org/civil-societ...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Today @humanrights1st launched a new comparative chart on how Magnitsky-style sanctions are used to hold human rights abusers & corrupt actors accountable in the U.S., U.K., EU, Canada, and Australia. Learn more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/what...
What abuses and corrupt acts can be sanctioned in different Magnitsky jurisdictions? - Human Rights First
By Nina Moraitou-Politzi Targeted financial sanctions have become a key tool in holding perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and acts of corruption to account, while also helping deter others fr...
humanrightsfirst.org
April 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Today @humanrights1st launched a new comparative chart on how Magnitsky-style sanctions are used to hold human rights abusers & corrupt actors accountable in the U.S., U.K., EU, Canada, and Australia. Learn more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/what...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
.@humanrightsfirst.org & @transparencyusa.bsky.social condemn the Trump admin for lifting Global Magnitsky sanctions on sr Hungarian official Antal Rogán. This delisting raises grave concerns that the US is undermining an important corruption accountability tool. humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
Human Rights First and Transparency International U.S. Condemn U.S. Corruption Sanctions Relief for Hungarian Official - Human Rights First
Press contacts: Human Rights First: press@humanrightsfirst.org Transparency International U.S.: sgreytak@us.transparency.org Washington, D.C. — Today, Human Rights First and Transparency International...
humanrightsfirst.org
April 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
.@humanrightsfirst.org & @transparencyusa.bsky.social condemn the Trump admin for lifting Global Magnitsky sanctions on sr Hungarian official Antal Rogán. This delisting raises grave concerns that the US is undermining an important corruption accountability tool. humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
@amandalstrayer.bsky.social: “Human rights, democratic norms and the rule of law have all but disappeared in #ElSalvador. The United States should be holding Bukele’s government accountable for these serious violations..." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
El Salvador’s President Says He Won’t Return Maryland Man Who Was Wrongly Deported
An Oval Office meeting between President Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador was a blunt example of Mr. Trump’s defiance of the federal courts.
www.nytimes.com
April 14, 2025 at 8:38 PM
@amandalstrayer.bsky.social: “Human rights, democratic norms and the rule of law have all but disappeared in #ElSalvador. The United States should be holding Bukele’s government accountable for these serious violations..." www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
"The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil"
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs
The U.S. government has submitted a two-page memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio as its main evidence in its deportation case against Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil.
apnews.com
April 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
"The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil"
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
"Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs."
Free this man immediately.
apnews.com/article/mahm...
Read our factsheet here. It discusses key arguments against the sanctions and what they do & do not cover, and includes perspectives condemning the sanctions from human rights activists in countries the #ICC has ongoing investigations. humanrightsfirst.org/library/u-s-...
The U.S. is sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC)—but what does that actually mean? And why does it matter?
We answered some questions for those trying to understand these misguided and damaging U.S. #sanctions on the ICC. Read the factsheet: humanrightsfirst.org/library/u-s-...
We answered some questions for those trying to understand these misguided and damaging U.S. #sanctions on the ICC. Read the factsheet: humanrightsfirst.org/library/u-s-...
March 27, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Read our factsheet here. It discusses key arguments against the sanctions and what they do & do not cover, and includes perspectives condemning the sanctions from human rights activists in countries the #ICC has ongoing investigations. humanrightsfirst.org/library/u-s-...
“These cuts mean that [more] children will be forced to work in extremely hazardous conditions in brick kilns, slave-like conditions in seafood processing centers and palm oil processing, and in forced online sex exploitation...” www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump administration moves to cut programs that fight child labor abroad
The Labor Department is canceling $500 million allocated to programs that combat child labor, forced labor, human trafficking and abusive practices in more than 40 countries.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:31 PM
“These cuts mean that [more] children will be forced to work in extremely hazardous conditions in brick kilns, slave-like conditions in seafood processing centers and palm oil processing, and in forced online sex exploitation...” www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
March 27, 2025 at 2:29 PM
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
They are disappearing people off the streets
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Four survivors of Japan’s “hostage justice” filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on March 24.
This lawsuit marks a courageous stand by survivors seeking an end to the abusive practice of hostage justice, a first of its kind in Japan.
This lawsuit marks a courageous stand by survivors seeking an end to the abusive practice of hostage justice, a first of its kind in Japan.
Survivors Bring Case to End Japan’s ‘Hostage Justice’
Four survivors of Japan’s “hostage justice” filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on March 24, contending that the Code of Criminal Procedure provisions allowing prolonged pretrial detention and...
www.hrw.org
March 25, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Four survivors of Japan’s “hostage justice” filed a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on March 24.
This lawsuit marks a courageous stand by survivors seeking an end to the abusive practice of hostage justice, a first of its kind in Japan.
This lawsuit marks a courageous stand by survivors seeking an end to the abusive practice of hostage justice, a first of its kind in Japan.
Trump authorized sanctions against the #ICC, but what does this mean? @humanrightsfirst.org, @adamofkeith.bsky.social and I explain what the sanctions do & do not cover and why they threaten the court's vital work in supporting justice & accountability for the world's worst int'l crimes. Link below⤵️
March 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Trump authorized sanctions against the #ICC, but what does this mean? @humanrightsfirst.org, @adamofkeith.bsky.social and I explain what the sanctions do & do not cover and why they threaten the court's vital work in supporting justice & accountability for the world's worst int'l crimes. Link below⤵️
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
This is going to have significant consequences for immigration law. The State Department Human Rights Report is presumptively reliable and cited in asylum decisions all the time. If it's gutted completely (it was moderately gutted under Trump), it'll erase a major evidentiary tool for asylum cases.
SCOOP: The Trump team is taking a hatchet to the State Department's annual — and world-renowned — human rights report. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
Trump drastically cutting back annual human rights report
Sections on women’s rights and the security of LGBTQ+ people are among those being axed.
www.politico.com
March 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
This is going to have significant consequences for immigration law. The State Department Human Rights Report is presumptively reliable and cited in asylum decisions all the time. If it's gutted completely (it was moderately gutted under Trump), it'll erase a major evidentiary tool for asylum cases.
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
In our latest periodic report, @humanrights1st.bsky.social tracked how the U.S. gov't used #Magnitsky-style sanctions and visa restrictions to hold human rights abusers and corrupt actors accountable in the second half of 2024. humanrightsfirst.org/library/us-g...
U.S. GLOBAL MAGNITSKY AND RELATED SANCTIONS End of Year Update 2024 - Human Rights First
This briefing provides an overview of recent developments in the U.S. government’s use of its targeted human rights and anticorruption sanctions programs from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Downl...
humanrightsfirst.org
March 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
In our latest periodic report, @humanrights1st.bsky.social tracked how the U.S. gov't used #Magnitsky-style sanctions and visa restrictions to hold human rights abusers and corrupt actors accountable in the second half of 2024. humanrightsfirst.org/library/us-g...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
We @humanrights1st.bsky.social welcome the news that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant for extrajudicial killings in the country’s so-called “war on drugs.” humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
Human Rights First Welcomes Arrest of Former Philippines President on International Warrant - Human Rights First
Human Rights First welcomes the reported arrest of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant as a major step toward justice for the victims and sur...
humanrightsfirst.org
March 11, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We @humanrights1st.bsky.social welcome the news that former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant for extrajudicial killings in the country’s so-called “war on drugs.” humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Utterly outrageous. This is un-American.
The forced disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil for nothing more than constitutionally protected speech is a clear assault on first amendment rights and a blatant act of authoritarianism.
Khalil must be released.
apnews.com/article/colu...
The forced disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil for nothing more than constitutionally protected speech is a clear assault on first amendment rights and a blatant act of authoritarianism.
Khalil must be released.
apnews.com/article/colu...
Immigration agents arrest Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests
A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.
apnews.com
March 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Utterly outrageous. This is un-American.
The forced disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil for nothing more than constitutionally protected speech is a clear assault on first amendment rights and a blatant act of authoritarianism.
Khalil must be released.
apnews.com/article/colu...
The forced disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil for nothing more than constitutionally protected speech is a clear assault on first amendment rights and a blatant act of authoritarianism.
Khalil must be released.
apnews.com/article/colu...
“Soon after the press conference finished last night, the city was rocked by a series of large explosions. A hospital was hit, along with a supermarket and various residential buildings. Local news reported a dozen casualties.”
The morning after another night of Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv, #Ukraine, locals react with fury after Trump & Vance attacked President Zelenskyy at yesterday’s press conference in DC. Our Sr Advisor @dooleydooley.bsky.social reports from Kharkiv: humanrightsfirst.org/library/khar...
March 1, 2025 at 11:20 PM
“Soon after the press conference finished last night, the city was rocked by a series of large explosions. A hospital was hit, along with a supermarket and various residential buildings. Local news reported a dozen casualties.”
Trump’s new EO borrows much of the language from past efforts to sanction the ICC & is the latest in a series of disgraceful attempts to shield Israel from accountability for its atrocities in Gaza. @adamofkeith.bsky.social & I break down some of its impacts: humanrightsfirst.org/library/what...
What’s Different about the new ICC Sanctions? Still Appalling, Not Much Narrower | Human Rights First
The new U.S. sanctions program targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC) that was announced by executive order on February 6 differs in only minor respects from the sanctions program created in...
humanrightsfirst.org
February 11, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Trump’s new EO borrows much of the language from past efforts to sanction the ICC & is the latest in a series of disgraceful attempts to shield Israel from accountability for its atrocities in Gaza. @adamofkeith.bsky.social & I break down some of its impacts: humanrightsfirst.org/library/what...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
@ninamorpol.bsky.social and I would welcome feedback on this paper.
February 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
@ninamorpol.bsky.social and I would welcome feedback on this paper.
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Important to situate the ICC sanctions within the Trump admin's broader assault on the rule of law.
Favored groups such as Jan 6 rioters and Israeli officials should be above the law.
Whereas those who seek to hold them accountable for actual crimes should be punished.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Favored groups such as Jan 6 rioters and Israeli officials should be above the law.
Whereas those who seek to hold them accountable for actual crimes should be punished.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump signs order sanctioning International Criminal Court
The order accuses the Hague-based body of creating a "shameful moral equivalency" between Hamas and Israel, the White House says.
www.bbc.com
February 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Important to situate the ICC sanctions within the Trump admin's broader assault on the rule of law.
Favored groups such as Jan 6 rioters and Israeli officials should be above the law.
Whereas those who seek to hold them accountable for actual crimes should be punished.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Favored groups such as Jan 6 rioters and Israeli officials should be above the law.
Whereas those who seek to hold them accountable for actual crimes should be punished.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Follow us @humanrightsfirst.bsky.social to learn more about our work and learn how you can take action to defend civil and human rights.
Hi Bluesky 👋 We're Human Rights First, a nonprofit dedicated to defending global human rights. For almost 50 years, we have been advocating for the rights of refugees and people seeking asylum, human rights defenders, the preservation of democracy, and international accountability.
February 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Follow us @humanrightsfirst.bsky.social to learn more about our work and learn how you can take action to defend civil and human rights.
As ex-Sen. Menendez faces an 11-year sentence for bribery & acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, the Egyptian officials apparently involved have yet to face accountability. Human Rights First has urged the US government to impose #Magnitsky sanctions to show such corruption will not be tolerated.
BREAKING: Former Sen. Bob Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for taking bribes of cash and gold and acting as an agent of Egypt.
Ex-New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery conviction
Former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his conviction in a scheme that brought him gold bars, cash and a car and what his lawyer says is a new nickname: "gold bar B...
apnews.com
January 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
As ex-Sen. Menendez faces an 11-year sentence for bribery & acting as a foreign agent of Egypt, the Egyptian officials apparently involved have yet to face accountability. Human Rights First has urged the US government to impose #Magnitsky sanctions to show such corruption will not be tolerated.
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
Courageous letter from Ukrainian human rights NGOs and war crimes documenters urging @kajakallas.bsky.social and the EU to protect the ICC against U.S. sanctions.
"Imposing sanctions...would be a devastating and unacceptable act of a political attack against the system of international justice."
"Imposing sanctions...would be a devastating and unacceptable act of a political attack against the system of international justice."
Ukrainian CSOs` Joint Letter to Kaja Kallas: Safeguard the ICC in the Face of Potential US Sanctions - Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group
To H.E. Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission We are the Ukrainian civil society organisations working on justice a...
ulag.org.ua
January 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Courageous letter from Ukrainian human rights NGOs and war crimes documenters urging @kajakallas.bsky.social and the EU to protect the ICC against U.S. sanctions.
"Imposing sanctions...would be a devastating and unacceptable act of a political attack against the system of international justice."
"Imposing sanctions...would be a devastating and unacceptable act of a political attack against the system of international justice."
Reposted by Nina Moraitou-Politzi
It is great to finally be able to announce that Dang Dinh Bach, the courageous and imprisoned Vietnamese climate rights activist and lawyer, is the winner of Human Rights First's 2024 Baldwin award for an outstanding human rights defender.
Jailed Vietnamese Human Rights Defender Wins Baldwin Medal of Liberty | Human Rights First
NEW YORK – Human Rights First announced today that climate rights activist and lawyer Dang Dinh Bach, jailed in Vietnam since June 2021, is the winner of the 2024 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty. T...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
It is great to finally be able to announce that Dang Dinh Bach, the courageous and imprisoned Vietnamese climate rights activist and lawyer, is the winner of Human Rights First's 2024 Baldwin award for an outstanding human rights defender.
Today #HumanRightsFirst calls for #Magnitsky sanctions against an #Egyptian official & US co. allegedly involved in Egypt's shocking scheme to bribe one of the most powerful politicians in DC. Too often the US fails to hold abusive security partners to account - it must act now. tinyurl.com/y2a7aa23
Human Rights First Calls for Magnitsky Sanctions in Egyptian Bribery of Senator Menendez | Human Rights First
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on the U.S. government to impose targeted financial and visa sanctions on a senior Egyptian official and a U.S. company for their apparent involvemen...
humanrightsfirst.org
January 14, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Today #HumanRightsFirst calls for #Magnitsky sanctions against an #Egyptian official & US co. allegedly involved in Egypt's shocking scheme to bribe one of the most powerful politicians in DC. Too often the US fails to hold abusive security partners to account - it must act now. tinyurl.com/y2a7aa23