Shane Darcy
@shanedarcy.bsky.social
Professor, Irish Centre for Human Rights, School of Law, University of Galway.
International law, armed conflict, accountability, business and human rights.
International law, armed conflict, accountability, business and human rights.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Josef Veselsky, Holocaust survivor, Ireland's oldest man, has died aged 107.
He witnessed his parents being pushed into a cattle truck. They were among some 263,000 Jews of Czechoslovakia murdered by Nazis and collaborators.
May his memory be a blessing.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
He witnessed his parents being pushed into a cattle truck. They were among some 263,000 Jews of Czechoslovakia murdered by Nazis and collaborators.
May his memory be a blessing.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
January 4, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Josef Veselsky, Holocaust survivor, Ireland's oldest man, has died aged 107.
He witnessed his parents being pushed into a cattle truck. They were among some 263,000 Jews of Czechoslovakia murdered by Nazis and collaborators.
May his memory be a blessing.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
He witnessed his parents being pushed into a cattle truck. They were among some 263,000 Jews of Czechoslovakia murdered by Nazis and collaborators.
May his memory be a blessing.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Here is my preliminary analysis of the US intervention in Venezuela, and brief explanation of the violations of international law so far.
craigxmartin.substack.com/p/the-us-int...
craigxmartin.substack.com/p/the-us-int...
January 3, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Here is my preliminary analysis of the US intervention in Venezuela, and brief explanation of the violations of international law so far.
craigxmartin.substack.com/p/the-us-int...
craigxmartin.substack.com/p/the-us-int...
Add the UN Human Rights Committee's interpretation of the right to life in General Comment 36 to the mix:
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
January 4, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Add the UN Human Rights Committee's interpretation of the right to life in General Comment 36 to the mix:
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
The next review by the UN Human Rights Committee of the United States should be interesting, given its understanding of the right to life:
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
15 members of the Presidential Security Battalion who were protecting #Maduro were killed during the US raid in Venezuela, according to independent Venezuelan media outlets. In total 25 people were killed, including at least one civilian.
January 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
The next review by the UN Human Rights Committee of the United States should be interesting, given its understanding of the right to life:
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
"States parties engaged in acts of aggression as defined in international law, resulting in deprivation of life, violate ipso facto article 6 of the Covenant."
Reposted by Shane Darcy
This is relevant to the Irish Government's response too.
You can't just say "respect for international law" and not say whether it's been broken or not by a party you won't even name.
You can't just say "respect for international law" and not say whether it's been broken or not by a party you won't even name.
Yes, I don’t think there’s a “love actually” moment here. But issuing a statement specifically pointing towards international law and then not commenting on whether you think this follows it is just woeful comms, and surely pretty weak on the substance too.
January 4, 2026 at 10:38 AM
This is relevant to the Irish Government's response too.
You can't just say "respect for international law" and not say whether it's been broken or not by a party you won't even name.
You can't just say "respect for international law" and not say whether it's been broken or not by a party you won't even name.
International law on the use of force can be complex.
But not here.
The United States attack on Venezuela is as blatant a violation of the UN Charter as you will find.
Starmer knows this, as do the international lawyers working for these European government.
It is dangerously appeasing the US
But not here.
The United States attack on Venezuela is as blatant a violation of the UN Charter as you will find.
Starmer knows this, as do the international lawyers working for these European government.
It is dangerously appeasing the US
the consistency in the european deflections, deceptions and prevarications is striking
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
January 4, 2026 at 12:50 PM
International law on the use of force can be complex.
But not here.
The United States attack on Venezuela is as blatant a violation of the UN Charter as you will find.
Starmer knows this, as do the international lawyers working for these European government.
It is dangerously appeasing the US
But not here.
The United States attack on Venezuela is as blatant a violation of the UN Charter as you will find.
Starmer knows this, as do the international lawyers working for these European government.
It is dangerously appeasing the US
Reposted by Shane Darcy
the consistency in the european deflections, deceptions and prevarications is striking
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
January 4, 2026 at 10:48 AM
the consistency in the european deflections, deceptions and prevarications is striking
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
amidst the military-industrial complex, the international-law-is-complex complex
But not condemn it.
Spray paint a plane and they'll detain you without trial and call you a terrorist.
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
Kidnap a foreign head of state - and Keir Starmer will make it clear we've played no part in it but will wait for the scheduled press conference in a few hours before potentially condemning it
January 4, 2026 at 11:12 AM
But not condemn it.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
US regime change in Venezuela is not about the liberation of the Venezuelan people but the liberation of Venezuelan capital and resources for US industry. Venezuela’s decades-long struggle with authoritarianism is far from over, it’s rather entering its transitional stage
January 4, 2026 at 6:44 AM
US regime change in Venezuela is not about the liberation of the Venezuelan people but the liberation of Venezuelan capital and resources for US industry. Venezuela’s decades-long struggle with authoritarianism is far from over, it’s rather entering its transitional stage
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Ireland’s version of the earlier weak and disappointing statement of @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Ireland’s version of the earlier weak and disappointing statement of @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Pillage is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
An instrument which Venezuela has ratified, giving the Court jurisdiction over such crimes on its territory, no matter who comments them.
But the US has attacked and sanctioned several ICC judges and officials.
An instrument which Venezuela has ratified, giving the Court jurisdiction over such crimes on its territory, no matter who comments them.
But the US has attacked and sanctioned several ICC judges and officials.
Trump: “We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies—the biggest anywhere in the world—go in and spend billions of dollars to fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.”
An invasion.
An invasion.
January 3, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Pillage is a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
An instrument which Venezuela has ratified, giving the Court jurisdiction over such crimes on its territory, no matter who comments them.
But the US has attacked and sanctioned several ICC judges and officials.
An instrument which Venezuela has ratified, giving the Court jurisdiction over such crimes on its territory, no matter who comments them.
But the US has attacked and sanctioned several ICC judges and officials.
Giant criminal enterprise
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Giant criminal enterprise
Why can't these EU leader or the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs even mention the United States, let alone condemn the brazen breach of the UN Charter, for its unlawful attack on Venezuela?
January 3, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Why can't these EU leader or the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs even mention the United States, let alone condemn the brazen breach of the UN Charter, for its unlawful attack on Venezuela?
"I condemn the US’ illegal aggression against Venezuela & the illegal abduction of its leader & his wife. Every Venezuelan life lost is a violation of the right to life. President Trump should be impeached & investigated..."
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism
January 3, 2026 at 3:54 PM
"I condemn the US’ illegal aggression against Venezuela & the illegal abduction of its leader & his wife. Every Venezuelan life lost is a violation of the right to life. President Trump should be impeached & investigated..."
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism
Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism
Ireland’s version of the earlier weak and disappointing statement of @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
January 3, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Ireland’s version of the earlier weak and disappointing statement of @kajakallas.bsky.social.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Reiterates Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but fails to condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
Does not specify a breach of the UN Charter.
Does not even mention the US.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
January 3, 2026 at 12:41 PM
"Mexico strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally ... by armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in clear violation of Article 2 of the [UN] Charter"
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
www.gob.mx/sre/prensa/m...
See also
I am following the situation in Venezuela with great concern. The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.
January 3, 2026 at 12:34 PM
See also
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Reading this EU response, the priorities are telling…international law and the UN Charter get a mid-thread mention. EU citizens’ safety gets the closing line.
Pro-tip for fans of international law: if it’s actually a principle, lead with it.
Pro-tip for fans of international law: if it’s actually a principle, lead with it.
I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
January 3, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Reading this EU response, the priorities are telling…international law and the UN Charter get a mid-thread mention. EU citizens’ safety gets the closing line.
Pro-tip for fans of international law: if it’s actually a principle, lead with it.
Pro-tip for fans of international law: if it’s actually a principle, lead with it.
Quite incredible that the EU’s top foreign affairs official can criticise Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but cannot condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
A clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
A clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
January 3, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Quite incredible that the EU’s top foreign affairs official can criticise Maduro’s lack of legitimacy but cannot condemn the blatantly unlawful aggression by the United States.
A clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
A clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
There is a strong argument that X and its officers are committing offences by providing Grok's nudifying function in Ireland.
January 2, 2026 at 1:55 PM
There is a strong argument that X and its officers are committing offences by providing Grok's nudifying function in Ireland.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
File under ‘death of journalism’ for future historians
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
File under ‘death of journalism’ for future historians
Reposted by Shane Darcy
In what's now become an annual tradition, I've written another piece for The Gist about how and why I hate A.I.
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
Guest Gist: 2026, Our Already Rotting Future
Seamus O'Reilly warns of AI maximum bubbledrive this year.
www.thegist.ie
January 2, 2026 at 10:25 AM
In what's now become an annual tradition, I've written another piece for The Gist about how and why I hate A.I.
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
On a bubble about to burst, a future rotted to its core, and the limits of the Mrs Doyle Theory of artificial intelligence.
www.thegist.ie/guest-gist-2...
Reposted by Shane Darcy
New Year’s Day haiku by Seamus Heaney — here in two versions: Seeing Things (Faber & Faber, 1991) and revised version (photo) from Bamboo Dreams .
1.1.87
Dangerous pavements.
But I face the ice this year
With my father’s stick.
1.1.87
Dangerous pavements.
But I face the ice this year
With my father’s stick.
January 1, 2026 at 3:34 PM
New Year’s Day haiku by Seamus Heaney — here in two versions: Seeing Things (Faber & Faber, 1991) and revised version (photo) from Bamboo Dreams .
1.1.87
Dangerous pavements.
But I face the ice this year
With my father’s stick.
1.1.87
Dangerous pavements.
But I face the ice this year
With my father’s stick.
Reposted by Shane Darcy
Al-Haq calls for concrete measures in response to these latest restrictive measures by Israel.
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Al-Haq calls for concrete measures in response to these latest restrictive measures by Israel.
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social
Words of condemnation have proven insufficient to protect Palestinians.
@alhaq.bsky.social