Helen Close
@helen-c.bsky.social
Researcher @Omega_RF working on human rights, use of force and arms control. All views are my own.
Reposted by Helen Close
“It didn’t only get you wet, it also burned your skin”
🇬🇪 Did Georgian police use a chemical weapon against protesters?
We shared our expertise on police use of force & equipment with journalists investigating claims that police in #Georgia used chemicals mixed in water cannons during 2024 protests.
🇬🇪 Did Georgian police use a chemical weapon against protesters?
We shared our expertise on police use of force & equipment with journalists investigating claims that police in #Georgia used chemicals mixed in water cannons during 2024 protests.
When Water Burns: The Fight for Georgia - BBC World Service Documentaries
YouTube video by BBC World Service
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
“It didn’t only get you wet, it also burned your skin”
🇬🇪 Did Georgian police use a chemical weapon against protesters?
We shared our expertise on police use of force & equipment with journalists investigating claims that police in #Georgia used chemicals mixed in water cannons during 2024 protests.
🇬🇪 Did Georgian police use a chemical weapon against protesters?
We shared our expertise on police use of force & equipment with journalists investigating claims that police in #Georgia used chemicals mixed in water cannons during 2024 protests.
Reposted by Helen Close
Join us for a UN side event on 'Tackling the trade in tools of torture: the path forward'!
📅Wed 15 October 15:00-16:30 ET
📣Speakers include @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social
🔗 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19...
📅Wed 15 October 15:00-16:30 ET
📣Speakers include @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social
🔗 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19...
Tackling the trade in tools of torture: the path forward
This side event will discuss how international trade restrictions on law enforcement equipment – a Torture-Free Trade agenda – can help prevent torture and other ill-treatment.
webtv.un.org
October 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Join us for a UN side event on 'Tackling the trade in tools of torture: the path forward'!
📅Wed 15 October 15:00-16:30 ET
📣Speakers include @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social
🔗 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19...
📅Wed 15 October 15:00-16:30 ET
📣Speakers include @unsrapporteurfoaa.bsky.social
🔗 webtv.un.org/en/asset/k19...
Reposted by Helen Close
🇬🇧At DSEI 2025 a company was yet again found displaying banned weapons.
⁉️Companies promoting banned equipment at DSEI is an on-going problem.
📣We are calling for the UK Govt to properly enforce its own export control laws & for DSEI organisers to do more.
🔗 omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/promoti...
⁉️Companies promoting banned equipment at DSEI is an on-going problem.
📣We are calling for the UK Govt to properly enforce its own export control laws & for DSEI organisers to do more.
🔗 omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/promoti...
Promotion of banned goods at DSEI - Omega Research Foundation
At DSEI 2025 a company was yet again found to be displaying banned weapons breaking both UK law, and the organisers own compliance rules.
omegaresearchfoundation.org
September 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
🇬🇧At DSEI 2025 a company was yet again found displaying banned weapons.
⁉️Companies promoting banned equipment at DSEI is an on-going problem.
📣We are calling for the UK Govt to properly enforce its own export control laws & for DSEI organisers to do more.
🔗 omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/promoti...
⁉️Companies promoting banned equipment at DSEI is an on-going problem.
📣We are calling for the UK Govt to properly enforce its own export control laws & for DSEI organisers to do more.
🔗 omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/promoti...
Reposted by Helen Close
The cluster munition components have been removed, but #DSEI2025 organisers must shut down the company stand promoting them and introduce stronger procedures to guarantee this does not happen again.
September 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
The cluster munition components have been removed, but #DSEI2025 organisers must shut down the company stand promoting them and introduce stronger procedures to guarantee this does not happen again.
Reposted by Helen Close
Israeli companies blocked from joining Netherlands weapons exhibit www.defensenews.com/global/midea...
Israeli companies blocked from joining Netherlands defense exhibit
The ban marks the second European defense exhibition that has taken actions to restrict Israeli companies amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
www.defensenews.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Israeli companies blocked from joining Netherlands weapons exhibit www.defensenews.com/global/midea...
Reposted by Helen Close
🎉🇪🇺 🎉
Great news from the EU as it significantly strengthens its measures preventing the transfer of law enforcement equipment to those who would use it for torture & other ill-treatment.
🔗: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/europea...
#torturefreetrade
Great news from the EU as it significantly strengthens its measures preventing the transfer of law enforcement equipment to those who would use it for torture & other ill-treatment.
🔗: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/europea...
#torturefreetrade
July 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
🎉🇪🇺 🎉
Great news from the EU as it significantly strengthens its measures preventing the transfer of law enforcement equipment to those who would use it for torture & other ill-treatment.
🔗: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/europea...
#torturefreetrade
Great news from the EU as it significantly strengthens its measures preventing the transfer of law enforcement equipment to those who would use it for torture & other ill-treatment.
🔗: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/europea...
#torturefreetrade
Reposted by Helen Close
📣 Learn about how addressing the trade in law enforcement equipment is a vital part of #torture prevention.
💻 Join us, @cels-argentina.bsky.social, & CSVR for a discussion on regional & international efforts, including a #TortureFreeTrade Treaty: gwat.omct.org/events/30
#GlobalWeekAgainstTorture
💻 Join us, @cels-argentina.bsky.social, & CSVR for a discussion on regional & international efforts, including a #TortureFreeTrade Treaty: gwat.omct.org/events/30
#GlobalWeekAgainstTorture
Torture-Free Trade and the Fight Against Torture: Regional Action
Although torture can be committed using many different tools, people are often tortured and ill-treated with specialist law enforcement equipment and…
gwat.omct.org
June 10, 2025 at 10:46 AM
📣 Learn about how addressing the trade in law enforcement equipment is a vital part of #torture prevention.
💻 Join us, @cels-argentina.bsky.social, & CSVR for a discussion on regional & international efforts, including a #TortureFreeTrade Treaty: gwat.omct.org/events/30
#GlobalWeekAgainstTorture
💻 Join us, @cels-argentina.bsky.social, & CSVR for a discussion on regional & international efforts, including a #TortureFreeTrade Treaty: gwat.omct.org/events/30
#GlobalWeekAgainstTorture
Reposted by Helen Close
Alarming reports of excessive use of force during the response to #protests in LA.
👇This video appears to show an official deliberately targeting @laurentomasi.bsky.social, a journalist – something that is disproportionate, unnecessary, & would be unlawful: www.9news.com.au/world/los-an...
👇This video appears to show an official deliberately targeting @laurentomasi.bsky.social, a journalist – something that is disproportionate, unnecessary, & would be unlawful: www.9news.com.au/world/los-an...
LA protests: British photographer injured by 'plastic bullet'
Nick Stern says he has undergone emergency surgery for his injuries after documenting the protests.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Alarming reports of excessive use of force during the response to #protests in LA.
👇This video appears to show an official deliberately targeting @laurentomasi.bsky.social, a journalist – something that is disproportionate, unnecessary, & would be unlawful: www.9news.com.au/world/los-an...
👇This video appears to show an official deliberately targeting @laurentomasi.bsky.social, a journalist – something that is disproportionate, unnecessary, & would be unlawful: www.9news.com.au/world/los-an...
Reposted by Helen Close
Mexico has only one gun store in the entire country. Almost all criminal guns come from a handful of dealers in the 4 US border states, and the US gov fights tooth and nail for Americans to keep selling guns to cartels and buying their drugs, but somehow we’re the criminals
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked Mexico’s lawsuit against American gunmakers. The June 5 decision is likely to mark the end of a yearslong legal battle in which Mexico attempted to hold American gunmakers accountable for violence committed within its borders.
Supreme Court Blocks Mexico’s Lawsuit Against U.S. Gunmakers
The decision marks a major setback for Mexico’s yearslong effort to stop the American gun industry from allegedly stoking cartel violence.
www.thetrace.org
June 7, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Mexico has only one gun store in the entire country. Almost all criminal guns come from a handful of dealers in the 4 US border states, and the US gov fights tooth and nail for Americans to keep selling guns to cartels and buying their drugs, but somehow we’re the criminals
Reposted by Helen Close
Despite the initial success of body-worn cameras in reducing police lethality in São Paulo, #Brazil, killings have once again risen. Learn why: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/brazil-...
Brazil: Police lethality rises in São Paulo amid declining support for Body-Worn Cameras - Omega Research Foundation
A spike in police killings in São Paulo is linked to waning political will and weakened institutional structures for body-worn cameras.
omegaresearchfoundation.org
May 27, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Despite the initial success of body-worn cameras in reducing police lethality in São Paulo, #Brazil, killings have once again risen. Learn why: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/brazil-...
Reposted by Helen Close
Use of a Taser, pepper spray, & a baton against a 93-year-old disabled man in a care home suggests unjustified & excessive force.
Officers involved must be held accountable for any unlawful behaviour, & training disseminated through UK policing on appropriate de-escalation & limiting use of force:
Officers involved must be held accountable for any unlawful behaviour, & training disseminated through UK policing on appropriate de-escalation & limiting use of force:
Police pepper-sprayed and Tasered 93-year-old disabled man, court hears
Police pepper-sprayed and Tasered 93-year-old disabled man, court hears
Two officers responding to call from care home in East Sussex allegedly also hit Donald Burgess with baton
A 93-year-old disabled man was sprayed in the face with synthetic pepper spray before being shot by a Taser and hit with a baton by police officers, a court has heard.
Donald Burgess was allegedly assaulted by PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto after officers responded to a call at the care home he resided at in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on 21 June 2022. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Use of a Taser, pepper spray, & a baton against a 93-year-old disabled man in a care home suggests unjustified & excessive force.
Officers involved must be held accountable for any unlawful behaviour, & training disseminated through UK policing on appropriate de-escalation & limiting use of force:
Officers involved must be held accountable for any unlawful behaviour, & training disseminated through UK policing on appropriate de-escalation & limiting use of force:
Reposted by Helen Close
If UK prison officers were to be issued with "electric stun guns" it would be Taser projectile electric shock weapons, possibly this: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/taser-1.... Weapons like this should never be issued to prison officers.
April 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
If UK prison officers were to be issued with "electric stun guns" it would be Taser projectile electric shock weapons, possibly this: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/taser-1.... Weapons like this should never be issued to prison officers.
Reposted by Helen Close
Dutch dogs in Israel’s war crimes? 🚩
New investigation by SOMO reveals massive risk that Dutch dogs are being used to threaten, attack and torture Palestinian civilians.
⚠️ How much longer will the Netherlands turn a blind eye?
Read our full investigation ⤵️
www.somo.nl/unleashing-t...
New investigation by SOMO reveals massive risk that Dutch dogs are being used to threaten, attack and torture Palestinian civilians.
⚠️ How much longer will the Netherlands turn a blind eye?
Read our full investigation ⤵️
www.somo.nl/unleashing-t...
April 10, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Dutch dogs in Israel’s war crimes? 🚩
New investigation by SOMO reveals massive risk that Dutch dogs are being used to threaten, attack and torture Palestinian civilians.
⚠️ How much longer will the Netherlands turn a blind eye?
Read our full investigation ⤵️
www.somo.nl/unleashing-t...
New investigation by SOMO reveals massive risk that Dutch dogs are being used to threaten, attack and torture Palestinian civilians.
⚠️ How much longer will the Netherlands turn a blind eye?
Read our full investigation ⤵️
www.somo.nl/unleashing-t...
Sometimes something happens and it just makes you despair at the world.
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
March 31, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Sometimes something happens and it just makes you despair at the world.
Anything you can give will make a difference - and even more so today with 50% matching from GlobalGiving.
🎉Today is @globalgiving.bsky.social’s Little x Little campaign day!! Donations you make to Omega up to $50 will be matched at 50%!
If you’ve been thinking about supporting us, today is a great day to make your donation go further: www.globalgiving.org/projects/end...
If you’ve been thinking about supporting us, today is a great day to make your donation go further: www.globalgiving.org/projects/end...
March 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Anything you can give will make a difference - and even more so today with 50% matching from GlobalGiving.
Reposted by Helen Close
🇮🇩 Civil society rejects the proposed amendments to Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces, which pose a threat to democracy & human rights in Indonesia
📑Read the joint statement: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/joint-s...
📰Learn more: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
📑Read the joint statement: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/joint-s...
📰Learn more: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Joint statement: Rejection of Amendments to Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI Law) - Omega Research Foundation
omegaresearchfoundation.org
March 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🇮🇩 Civil society rejects the proposed amendments to Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces, which pose a threat to democracy & human rights in Indonesia
📑Read the joint statement: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/joint-s...
📰Learn more: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
📑Read the joint statement: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/joint-s...
📰Learn more: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Reposted by Helen Close
Apply for a small grant to advance #HumanRights-based police reform & reduce the unlawful use of force! Our new #UnitedAgainstTorture funding opportunity is open!
Learn more about who can apply, what kinds of projects we can fund, & how to apply: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/small-g...
Learn more about who can apply, what kinds of projects we can fund, & how to apply: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/small-g...
March 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Apply for a small grant to advance #HumanRights-based police reform & reduce the unlawful use of force! Our new #UnitedAgainstTorture funding opportunity is open!
Learn more about who can apply, what kinds of projects we can fund, & how to apply: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/small-g...
Learn more about who can apply, what kinds of projects we can fund, & how to apply: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/small-g...
Reposted by Helen Close
Now out! New report from our colleagues @amnesty.org on the abuse of electric shock equipment around the world. We were pleased to share technical & policy analysis, as well as our expertise on the trade in law enforcement equipment.
Read this important publication here 👇
Read this important publication here 👇
States and companies are manufacturing, promoting and selling electric shock equipment that is being used for torture and other ill-treatment.
A Torture-Free Trade Treaty is needed now. Learn more in @amnesty's new report out today:
A Torture-Free Trade Treaty is needed now. Learn more in @amnesty's new report out today:
Global: Electric shock equipment widely abused by law enforcement agencies due to alarming lack of regulation
States and companies are manufacturing, promoting and selling electric shock equipment that is being used for torture and other ill-treatment, said Amnesty International, in a new report calling for a global, legally-binding treaty to regulate the unchecked production of and trade in law enforcement equipment. “I Still Can’t Sleep at Night” – The Global Abuse […]
amn.st
March 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Now out! New report from our colleagues @amnesty.org on the abuse of electric shock equipment around the world. We were pleased to share technical & policy analysis, as well as our expertise on the trade in law enforcement equipment.
Read this important publication here 👇
Read this important publication here 👇
Reposted by Helen Close
We are very excited to announce another new member of our Network of Experts! Juan E. Méndez is Professor of Human Rights Law @americanuniversity.bsky.social & was UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 2010-2016.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and advice!
omegaresearchfoundation.org/who-we-are/n...
Thank you for sharing your expertise and advice!
omegaresearchfoundation.org/who-we-are/n...
February 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
We are very excited to announce another new member of our Network of Experts! Juan E. Méndez is Professor of Human Rights Law @americanuniversity.bsky.social & was UN Special Rapporteur on Torture 2010-2016.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and advice!
omegaresearchfoundation.org/who-we-are/n...
Thank you for sharing your expertise and advice!
omegaresearchfoundation.org/who-we-are/n...
Reposted by Helen Close
We join 230+ organisations from partner countries to the global F-35 programme in demanding our governments act in line with legal obligations & immediately halt the direct and indirect transfer of F-35 parts & components to Israel: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/omega-j...
February 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
We join 230+ organisations from partner countries to the global F-35 programme in demanding our governments act in line with legal obligations & immediately halt the direct and indirect transfer of F-35 parts & components to Israel: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/omega-j...
Reposted by Helen Close
Lovely & fitting tribute to Rick Seccombe published in @theguardian.com.
Rick was one of our trustees: we are grateful for his years of guidance & we miss his wise counsel. Trustees like Rick, in sharing expertise & time, make small charities like ours possible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rick was one of our trustees: we are grateful for his years of guidance & we miss his wise counsel. Trustees like Rick, in sharing expertise & time, make small charities like ours possible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rick Seccombe obituary
Other Lives: Bookseller and community activist committed to working collaboratively to bring about change
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Lovely & fitting tribute to Rick Seccombe published in @theguardian.com.
Rick was one of our trustees: we are grateful for his years of guidance & we miss his wise counsel. Trustees like Rick, in sharing expertise & time, make small charities like ours possible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rick was one of our trustees: we are grateful for his years of guidance & we miss his wise counsel. Trustees like Rick, in sharing expertise & time, make small charities like ours possible.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Helen Close
On Sat 22nd Feb we're holding an online day-conference to build understanding and campaigning around new tech wars. #AI #Space #Drones For further details and booking -> dronewars.net/2025/01/17/d... PLEASE SHARE!
January 28, 2025 at 11:14 AM
On Sat 22nd Feb we're holding an online day-conference to build understanding and campaigning around new tech wars. #AI #Space #Drones For further details and booking -> dronewars.net/2025/01/17/d... PLEASE SHARE!
Reposted by Helen Close
Reports show migrants being deported from US to #Brazil in hand- & legcuffs; with allegations that agents pulled on & over-tightened handcuffs to inflict pain. The use of restraints can be humiliating & degrading, especially when not justified by the situation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-B...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-B...
January 28, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Reports show migrants being deported from US to #Brazil in hand- & legcuffs; with allegations that agents pulled on & over-tightened handcuffs to inflict pain. The use of restraints can be humiliating & degrading, especially when not justified by the situation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-B...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4-B...
Reposted by Helen Close
Read the latest statement from the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium – signed by us, OMCT, REDRESS, & @irct.bsky.social – on the escalating #HumanRights crisis in #Georgia & the unprecedented police brutality against peaceful protesters in Tbilisi & Batumi: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/georgia...
December 4, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Read the latest statement from the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium – signed by us, OMCT, REDRESS, & @irct.bsky.social – on the escalating #HumanRights crisis in #Georgia & the unprecedented police brutality against peaceful protesters in Tbilisi & Batumi: omegaresearchfoundation.org/news/georgia...