Lou Charbonneau
@loucharb.bsky.social
UN director at @hrw.org. Native Detroiter, now in Queens, NYC. Recovering journalist, ex @reuters.com UN bureau chief. Formerly based in Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Hong Kong, UN HQ. @thegraduatecenter.bsky.social PhD. And more…
One of those headlines that unfortunately says it all -- "US and European aid cuts could result in 22.6 million deaths worldwide, study finds" - @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
November 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
One of those headlines that unfortunately says it all -- "US and European aid cuts could result in 22.6 million deaths worldwide, study finds" - @reuters.com
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Letter to the editor the @nytimes.com published after Trump’s #UNGA speech
September 25, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Letter to the editor the @nytimes.com published after Trump’s #UNGA speech
🚨🧵 @hrw.org on Trump's #UNGA80 speech: -- He made too many false claims about world affairs to seriously address them. What is serious is Trump’s obvious lack of respect for international organizations that promote human rights, like the UN, which the US played a central role in creating. 1/x
September 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
🧵 Thanks to #Chile & #Netherlands for organizing important #UNGA side event on UN funding crisis & UN80 reform plans.
@hrw.org's Federico Borello spoke & told attendees:
✳️ Prioritize UN human rights & humanitarian work
✳️ UN's proposed reforms risk disproportionately harming human rights
(cont.)
@hrw.org's Federico Borello spoke & told attendees:
✳️ Prioritize UN human rights & humanitarian work
✳️ UN's proposed reforms risk disproportionately harming human rights
(cont.)
September 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🧵 Thanks to #Chile & #Netherlands for organizing important #UNGA side event on UN funding crisis & UN80 reform plans.
@hrw.org's Federico Borello spoke & told attendees:
✳️ Prioritize UN human rights & humanitarian work
✳️ UN's proposed reforms risk disproportionately harming human rights
(cont.)
@hrw.org's Federico Borello spoke & told attendees:
✳️ Prioritize UN human rights & humanitarian work
✳️ UN's proposed reforms risk disproportionately harming human rights
(cont.)
The UN's avoidable financial crisis (largely caused by countries like the US and #China) is jeopardizing UN humanitarian work & human rights investigations in #Ukraine, #Russia, #Sudan, #Syria, #Israel/#Palestine, #DRC, #Afghanistan, #Myanmar, #NorthKorea and elsewhere.
September 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The UN's avoidable financial crisis (largely caused by countries like the US and #China) is jeopardizing UN humanitarian work & human rights investigations in #Ukraine, #Russia, #Sudan, #Syria, #Israel/#Palestine, #DRC, #Afghanistan, #Myanmar, #NorthKorea and elsewhere.
@hrw.org: Wealthy UN member states in EU & elsewhere should increase voluntary contributions to offset damage by states like US, #China, etc who either pay late or default, causing the UN's avoidable financial crisis. Lifesaving UN humanitarian & human rights work depends on money.
September 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
For today's summit meeting on #Palestine, @hrw.org urges leaders to take action to stop #Israel’s escalating atrocities against Palestinians in #Gaza & West Bank; condemn & pledge action to counter US sanctions against
the International Criminal Court.
the International Criminal Court.
September 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
For today's summit meeting on #Palestine, @hrw.org urges leaders to take action to stop #Israel’s escalating atrocities against Palestinians in #Gaza & West Bank; condemn & pledge action to counter US sanctions against
the International Criminal Court.
the International Criminal Court.
@hrw.org's Federico Borello: World leaders should pledge action to ensure the UN has the resources and political support it needs to carry out its lifesaving human rights and humanitarian work around the world – in #Gaza, #Ukraine, #Sudan, #Haiti & elsewhere people are in need.
September 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🚨 New joint statement by @hrw.org & @amnesty.org: #Iran Authorities Unleash Wave of Oppression After Hostilities with #Israel
HRW: “The human rights situation in Iran has spiraled deeper into crisis with Iranian authorities scapegoating & targeting dissidents & minorities." hrw.org/news/2025/09...
HRW: “The human rights situation in Iran has spiraled deeper into crisis with Iranian authorities scapegoating & targeting dissidents & minorities." hrw.org/news/2025/09...
September 3, 2025 at 12:33 PM
🚨 New joint statement by @hrw.org & @amnesty.org: #Iran Authorities Unleash Wave of Oppression After Hostilities with #Israel
HRW: “The human rights situation in Iran has spiraled deeper into crisis with Iranian authorities scapegoating & targeting dissidents & minorities." hrw.org/news/2025/09...
HRW: “The human rights situation in Iran has spiraled deeper into crisis with Iranian authorities scapegoating & targeting dissidents & minorities." hrw.org/news/2025/09...
🚨 UN spokesperson condemns US sanctions on #Israel #Palestine expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social
“The imposition of sanctions on special rapporteurs is a dangerous precedent…The use of unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs, or any other UN official or expert, is unacceptable.”
“The imposition of sanctions on special rapporteurs is a dangerous precedent…The use of unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs, or any other UN official or expert, is unacceptable.”
July 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
🚨 UN spokesperson condemns US sanctions on #Israel #Palestine expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social
“The imposition of sanctions on special rapporteurs is a dangerous precedent…The use of unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs, or any other UN official or expert, is unacceptable.”
“The imposition of sanctions on special rapporteurs is a dangerous precedent…The use of unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs, or any other UN official or expert, is unacceptable.”
🚨 @hrw.org's International Justice Program director Liz Evenson reacts to US sanctions against UN expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social.
July 10, 2025 at 12:36 AM
🚨 @hrw.org's International Justice Program director Liz Evenson reacts to US sanctions against UN expert @franceskalbs.bsky.social.
Not exactly a brilliant headline for an unprecedented assault on human rights that will take away millions of people’s health insurance…
July 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Not exactly a brilliant headline for an unprecedented assault on human rights that will take away millions of people’s health insurance…
Today the US again vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on #Gaza that called for a ceasefire, releasing hostages & unfettered humanitarian aid. All others voted in favor. The US isn't just providing cover for #Israel's atrocities & war crimes, incl. starvation as a weapon of war, it's complicit.
June 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
My @usnews.com op-ed on the UN funding crisis: "How to Save the UN from #Trump; Washington is withholding billions of dollars it owes the UN -- Europe must step in & lead."
@hrw.org: The UN should cut costs, but wealthy democracies can also find ways to pay more.
👉 www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
@hrw.org: The UN should cut costs, but wealthy democracies can also find ways to pay more.
👉 www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
May 16, 2025 at 10:55 PM
My @usnews.com op-ed on the UN funding crisis: "How to Save the UN from #Trump; Washington is withholding billions of dollars it owes the UN -- Europe must step in & lead."
@hrw.org: The UN should cut costs, but wealthy democracies can also find ways to pay more.
👉 www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
@hrw.org: The UN should cut costs, but wealthy democracies can also find ways to pay more.
👉 www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
UN human rights chief Volker Türk raises human rights concerns about US deportations of non-US citizens to third countries - incl. possible violations of rights to due process, to protection from arbitrary detention & torture, etc. ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
May 13, 2025 at 1:38 PM
UN human rights chief Volker Türk raises human rights concerns about US deportations of non-US citizens to third countries - incl. possible violations of rights to due process, to protection from arbitrary detention & torture, etc. ohchr.org/en/press-rel...
@nytimes.com: President #Trump’s defiance of the federal courts gets the backing of El Salvador’s president. They refuse to return a man mistakenly deported to a notorious prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
April 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
@nytimes.com: President #Trump’s defiance of the federal courts gets the backing of El Salvador’s president. They refuse to return a man mistakenly deported to a notorious prison.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
How is this possible for a country that calls itself a democracy? www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
April 3, 2025 at 10:21 AM
How is this possible for a country that calls itself a democracy? www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
For interested folks in the UK, here's a great opportunity to work as a human rights advocacy officer at @hrw.org with the fabulous @yasmineahmed.bsky.social and the rest of the team in London. job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw...
April 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
For interested folks in the UK, here's a great opportunity to work as a human rights advocacy officer at @hrw.org with the fabulous @yasmineahmed.bsky.social and the rest of the team in London. job-boards.greenhouse.io/humanrightsw...
#Trump’s pal from #Hungary, Viktor Orban, is no role model for supporters of democracy - @hrw.org's @lydsg.bsky.social in @thehill.com
"The Hungarian leader Trump admires has openly undermined his country’s democratic institutions, incl. courts, media & civil society." thehill.com/opinion/4538...
"The Hungarian leader Trump admires has openly undermined his country’s democratic institutions, incl. courts, media & civil society." thehill.com/opinion/4538...
March 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
#Trump’s pal from #Hungary, Viktor Orban, is no role model for supporters of democracy - @hrw.org's @lydsg.bsky.social in @thehill.com
"The Hungarian leader Trump admires has openly undermined his country’s democratic institutions, incl. courts, media & civil society." thehill.com/opinion/4538...
"The Hungarian leader Trump admires has openly undermined his country’s democratic institutions, incl. courts, media & civil society." thehill.com/opinion/4538...
Great news that #Philippines' #Duterte was arrested & is en route to @intlcrimcourt.bsky.social in The Hague for his murderous "war on drugs"! @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/tag/philippi...
Particularly good in light of the #Trump admin's unjustified sanctions on the ICC! www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
Particularly good in light of the #Trump admin's unjustified sanctions on the ICC! www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
March 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Great news that #Philippines' #Duterte was arrested & is en route to @intlcrimcourt.bsky.social in The Hague for his murderous "war on drugs"! @hrw.org: www.hrw.org/tag/philippi...
Particularly good in light of the #Trump admin's unjustified sanctions on the ICC! www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
Particularly good in light of the #Trump admin's unjustified sanctions on the ICC! www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
“People Are Going Silent”: Fearing Retribution, Trump Critics Muzzle Themselves - @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
March 6, 2025 at 7:23 PM
“People Are Going Silent”: Fearing Retribution, Trump Critics Muzzle Themselves - @nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
How do these foreign aid cuts do anything other than hurt victims and people in need of help? We expected the Trump administration to cut funding for @unfpa.bsky.social but it’s still painful to watch how these cruel decisions keep coming.
@hrw.org on US aid cuts: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
@hrw.org on US aid cuts: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
March 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM
How do these foreign aid cuts do anything other than hurt victims and people in need of help? We expected the Trump administration to cut funding for @unfpa.bsky.social but it’s still painful to watch how these cruel decisions keep coming.
@hrw.org on US aid cuts: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
@hrw.org on US aid cuts: www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
🚨 New from @hrw.org: Bibas Family Funeral in #Israel Highlights Illegality of Hostage Taking
“Human beings should never be bargaining chips.”
👉 www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
“Human beings should never be bargaining chips.”
👉 www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
February 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
🚨 New from @hrw.org: Bibas Family Funeral in #Israel Highlights Illegality of Hostage Taking
“Human beings should never be bargaining chips.”
👉 www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...
“Human beings should never be bargaining chips.”
👉 www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...