Brianne McGonigle Leyh
@bmcg-leyh.bsky.social
Professor of Global Justice Studies at Utrecht University's School of Law
legal scholar who loves OSI and documentation work; inter and transdisciplinary education; rugby, women's soccer, and country music
legal scholar who loves OSI and documentation work; inter and transdisciplinary education; rugby, women's soccer, and country music
Pinned
📣📣 Very excited to share that my new book, Transitional Justice in the United States of America: Justice for All? (Routledge, Transitional Justice Series, edited by Kieran McEvoy), is now out! 🎉🎉
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Just saw this today. This is a transparent attempt to KILL DUE PROCESS by lying about the job of immigration judge and stacking the deck through hiring only bloodthirsty lawyers who want to deport people.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
DOJ is now recruiting for immigration judges by calling them “deportation judges.”
That’s seems really bad.
That’s seems really bad.
November 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just saw this today. This is a transparent attempt to KILL DUE PROCESS by lying about the job of immigration judge and stacking the deck through hiring only bloodthirsty lawyers who want to deport people.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
This comes after they pushed out over 100 judges deemed too likely to grant relief.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
But don’t call Republicans Nazis and white nationalists
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
But don’t call Republicans Nazis and white nationalists
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
But don’t call Republicans Nazis and white nationalists
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
But don’t call Republicans Nazis and white nationalists
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
JIB/JAB is back for a new season - in Episode 41, I speak with @bcfinucane.bsky.social of @crisisgroup.org about the U.S. killings of alleged drug smugglers, and its implications for the international rule of law:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...
November 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
JIB/JAB is back for a new season - in Episode 41, I speak with @bcfinucane.bsky.social of @crisisgroup.org about the U.S. killings of alleged drug smugglers, and its implications for the international rule of law:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Q: How many layoffs have you authorized?
TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.
TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.
October 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Q: How many layoffs have you authorized?
TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.
TRUMP: It'll be a lot. And it'll be Democrat-oriented.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Washington Post dismantled the platform Jamal wrote on. Discarded the fellowship they created in his memory.
They fired me unjustly for speaking the truth.
But I’ll never stop talking about my friend, writer, and amazing human, Jamal Khashoggi.
RIP, Jamal.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
They fired me unjustly for speaking the truth.
But I’ll never stop talking about my friend, writer, and amazing human, Jamal Khashoggi.
RIP, Jamal.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post, and the Cost of Speaking Out
As Saudi Arabia hosts comedians and courts gamers, the silenced voice of Jamal Khashoggi still echoes.
open.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Washington Post dismantled the platform Jamal wrote on. Discarded the fellowship they created in his memory.
They fired me unjustly for speaking the truth.
But I’ll never stop talking about my friend, writer, and amazing human, Jamal Khashoggi.
RIP, Jamal.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
They fired me unjustly for speaking the truth.
But I’ll never stop talking about my friend, writer, and amazing human, Jamal Khashoggi.
RIP, Jamal.
open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Monday’s internet shutdown in Afghanistan impacted virtually all WiFi connections and telephone services.
It disrupted one of the last lifelines for many women and girls and also threw businesses, government offices and airports into disarray.
https://wapo.st/46JVTzD
It disrupted one of the last lifelines for many women and girls and also threw businesses, government offices and airports into disarray.
https://wapo.st/46JVTzD
September 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Monday’s internet shutdown in Afghanistan impacted virtually all WiFi connections and telephone services.
It disrupted one of the last lifelines for many women and girls and also threw businesses, government offices and airports into disarray.
https://wapo.st/46JVTzD
It disrupted one of the last lifelines for many women and girls and also threw businesses, government offices and airports into disarray.
https://wapo.st/46JVTzD
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
To explain:
At the start of his opinion, Judge Young includes an anonymous note received by his chambers, which reads “Trump has pardons and tanks..what do you have?”
Responding to the note, Young says we have our “magnificent Constitution” and “here’s how that works out in a specific case —“
At the start of his opinion, Judge Young includes an anonymous note received by his chambers, which reads “Trump has pardons and tanks..what do you have?”
Responding to the note, Young says we have our “magnificent Constitution” and “here’s how that works out in a specific case —“
Omg. I’ve never seen anything like this in a judicial opinion:
September 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
To explain:
At the start of his opinion, Judge Young includes an anonymous note received by his chambers, which reads “Trump has pardons and tanks..what do you have?”
Responding to the note, Young says we have our “magnificent Constitution” and “here’s how that works out in a specific case —“
At the start of his opinion, Judge Young includes an anonymous note received by his chambers, which reads “Trump has pardons and tanks..what do you have?”
Responding to the note, Young says we have our “magnificent Constitution” and “here’s how that works out in a specific case —“
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
On Sep 2 and 15, Trump ordered the United States Navy to destroy small speed boats in the Caribbean. In both cases, all on board died.
MARY ELLEN O'CONNELL on the lawlesssness of these targeted killings.
verfassungsblog.de/killing-carr...
MARY ELLEN O'CONNELL on the lawlesssness of these targeted killings.
verfassungsblog.de/killing-carr...
September 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
On Sep 2 and 15, Trump ordered the United States Navy to destroy small speed boats in the Caribbean. In both cases, all on board died.
MARY ELLEN O'CONNELL on the lawlesssness of these targeted killings.
verfassungsblog.de/killing-carr...
MARY ELLEN O'CONNELL on the lawlesssness of these targeted killings.
verfassungsblog.de/killing-carr...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
My optimism here is limited, but I really hope centrist institutions like universities and major news organizations understand that the plan is for the govt to dismantle them. They do not care if you fire your columnists or discipline staff for accurately quoting Kirk. They just want us all gone.
In a Hitleresque speech, JD Vance says there can be no unity with the left and vows to use the government to dismantle non-profit NGOs and liberal civil society who he says promote violence and terrorism.
September 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
My optimism here is limited, but I really hope centrist institutions like universities and major news organizations understand that the plan is for the govt to dismantle them. They do not care if you fire your columnists or discipline staff for accurately quoting Kirk. They just want us all gone.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
September 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The free speech activist who built a list of professors he worked to get fired for their speech must be celebrated for his support of free speech, and anyone who quotes his speech accurately in context will be fired and/or face state punishment by the champions of free speech, do I have that right?
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Another US strike on a vessel alleged to be smuggling drugs in the Caribbean.
Once again, the specific entity and individuals targeted are not identified—simply labelled as "terrorists." 1/n
Once again, the specific entity and individuals targeted are not identified—simply labelled as "terrorists." 1/n
September 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Another US strike on a vessel alleged to be smuggling drugs in the Caribbean.
Once again, the specific entity and individuals targeted are not identified—simply labelled as "terrorists." 1/n
Once again, the specific entity and individuals targeted are not identified—simply labelled as "terrorists." 1/n
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
September 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Interesting interview with leading scholar on genocide, William Schabas. Btw, he was on the committee when I 2012 defended my doctoral thesis on evidence in international criminal trials. His account below on evidence & genocide matches my thesis spot on.
www.populismstudies.org/professor-sc...
www.populismstudies.org/professor-sc...
September 3, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Interesting interview with leading scholar on genocide, William Schabas. Btw, he was on the committee when I 2012 defended my doctoral thesis on evidence in international criminal trials. His account below on evidence & genocide matches my thesis spot on.
www.populismstudies.org/professor-sc...
www.populismstudies.org/professor-sc...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
This statement is progress. But it's late, and it weirdly pretends the attacks on the #ICC and Judge Prost don't exist or don't come from the regime down South.
Canada must speak out against those who threaten our judges and diplomats & be clear about how we will protect them.
Canada must speak out against those who threaten our judges and diplomats & be clear about how we will protect them.
This morning, I was pleased to speak with Canadian Judge Kim Prost of the International Criminal Court, an institution of which Canada was a founding member.
See my statement below⬇️
See my statement below⬇️
September 2, 2025 at 9:34 PM
This statement is progress. But it's late, and it weirdly pretends the attacks on the #ICC and Judge Prost don't exist or don't come from the regime down South.
Canada must speak out against those who threaten our judges and diplomats & be clear about how we will protect them.
Canada must speak out against those who threaten our judges and diplomats & be clear about how we will protect them.
📣📣 Very excited to share that my new book, Transitional Justice in the United States of America: Justice for All? (Routledge, Transitional Justice Series, edited by Kieran McEvoy), is now out! 🎉🎉
September 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
📣📣 Very excited to share that my new book, Transitional Justice in the United States of America: Justice for All? (Routledge, Transitional Justice Series, edited by Kieran McEvoy), is now out! 🎉🎉
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Full text of the International Association of Genocide Scholars Resolution on the Situation in Gaza:
genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
September 1, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Full text of the International Association of Genocide Scholars Resolution on the Situation in Gaza:
genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
genocidescholars.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Melanie O’Brien, the IAGS president and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, said the resolution was “a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide”.
September 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Melanie O’Brien, the IAGS president and a professor of international law at the University of Western Australia, said the resolution was “a definitive statement from experts in the field of genocide studies that what is going on on the ground in Gaza is genocide”.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
1/ Ten years after Russia first intervened in Syria, Airwars has published the final of nearly 5,000 incidents of civilian harm from Russian military strikes in the country, bringing to an end the largest documentation campaign in the organisation’s history.
airwars.org/airwars-publ...
airwars.org/airwars-publ...
Airwars publishes final of 5,000 civilian harm incidents from Russian actions in Syria
Nine-year project involved tracking of thousands of strikes, and the deaths of up to 25,000 civilians
airwars.org
September 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
1/ Ten years after Russia first intervened in Syria, Airwars has published the final of nearly 5,000 incidents of civilian harm from Russian military strikes in the country, bringing to an end the largest documentation campaign in the organisation’s history.
airwars.org/airwars-publ...
airwars.org/airwars-publ...
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
In healthy democracies, discourse is shaped by Verification, Deliberation, and Accountability (VDA). These guardrails help societies sort truth from falsehood and keep power in check.
August 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
In healthy democracies, discourse is shaped by Verification, Deliberation, and Accountability (VDA). These guardrails help societies sort truth from falsehood and keep power in check.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
August 24, 2025 at 2:34 AM
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
BREAKING: It’s official. The Trump regime will deploy the National Guard in D.C.
Let’s be clear about what this is.
This is NOT about homelessness or crime.
This is an authoritarian regime using the US military to seize a Democratic city, terrorize its residents, and lock up Black & Brown people.
Let’s be clear about what this is.
This is NOT about homelessness or crime.
This is an authoritarian regime using the US military to seize a Democratic city, terrorize its residents, and lock up Black & Brown people.
Trump Administration Live Updates: President to Deploy National Guard in Washington, D.C.
www.nytimes.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
BREAKING: It’s official. The Trump regime will deploy the National Guard in D.C.
Let’s be clear about what this is.
This is NOT about homelessness or crime.
This is an authoritarian regime using the US military to seize a Democratic city, terrorize its residents, and lock up Black & Brown people.
Let’s be clear about what this is.
This is NOT about homelessness or crime.
This is an authoritarian regime using the US military to seize a Democratic city, terrorize its residents, and lock up Black & Brown people.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
"The BBC World Service has compiled material on over 160 cases where children have been shot in Gaza, and found that in 95 cases the child was shot in the head or the chest. In most of these cases the victim was under 12 years old"
August 1, 2025 at 8:48 AM
"The BBC World Service has compiled material on over 160 cases where children have been shot in Gaza, and found that in 95 cases the child was shot in the head or the chest. In most of these cases the victim was under 12 years old"
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
I visited the cape coast and elmina castles while in accra last month w @bmcg-leyh.bsky.social it was from here that the dutch and british conducted their transatlantic trade of enslaved africans to plantations in the americas. What centuries long horror.
August 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
I visited the cape coast and elmina castles while in accra last month w @bmcg-leyh.bsky.social it was from here that the dutch and british conducted their transatlantic trade of enslaved africans to plantations in the americas. What centuries long horror.
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
Essential reading by anyone who can get in front of a principal in their govt & raise hell. Thanks to authors @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social & Alex de Waal @justsecurity.org www.justsecurity.org/117962/mass-... Mass Starvation in Gaza and the Global Imperative
Time Has Run Out: Mass Starvation in Gaza and the Global Imperative
It is time for comprehensive, full-spectrum, sustainable, and coordinated humanitarian action. States globally must act without delay on that imperative.
www.justsecurity.org
July 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Essential reading by anyone who can get in front of a principal in their govt & raise hell. Thanks to authors @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social & Alex de Waal @justsecurity.org www.justsecurity.org/117962/mass-... Mass Starvation in Gaza and the Global Imperative
Reposted by Brianne McGonigle Leyh
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has found that Hungary failed to comply with its obligations under the ICC Statute by not arresting Benjamin Netanyahu when he was in Hungary.
The Court refers the matter of Hungary’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties.
The Court refers the matter of Hungary’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties.
July 24, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has found that Hungary failed to comply with its obligations under the ICC Statute by not arresting Benjamin Netanyahu when he was in Hungary.
The Court refers the matter of Hungary’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties.
The Court refers the matter of Hungary’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties.