Robbie Newton
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robnewt.bsky.social
Robbie Newton
@robnewt.bsky.social
86 followers 78 following 11 posts
Senior coordinator, Asia division @hrw
Posts Replies Media Videos
robnewt.bsky.social
Australian PM @albomp.bsky.social should urge #Singapore’s Lawrence Wong to halt the execution of Malaysian national Pannir Selvam — scheduled for tomorrow, the day of the Australia-Singapore Annual Leaders’ Meeting. Quiet diplomacy is unlikely to cut it. @hrw.org

www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Australia Should Urge Singapore to Halt Execution
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should urge Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to halt an execution scheduled on the day of their meeting in Canberra on October 8 for the Australia-Si...
www.hrw.org
October 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
robnewt.bsky.social
From restricting #MediaFreedom to plans to revive the death penalty, the @mmuizzu.bsky.social administration appears set on chipping away at human rights in the #Maldives @hrw.org

www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Maldives: Authorities Tighten Grip on Media
The Maldives parliament is considering a new law that could silence independent media amid an escalating crackdown on basic rights.
www.hrw.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
elainepearson.bsky.social
The recent proposal in the Maldives to introduce the death penalty for drug trafficking is in stark contrast to moves elsewhere in Asia where governments are limiting crimes punishable by death. Instead, the Maldives should abolish capital punishment once & for all. www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Maldives: Reject Introduction of Death Penalty for Drug Trafficking and Abolish this Punishment Once and for All
We, the undersigned nine organizations, are alarmed by the statement of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of the Maldives, on 30 July 2025 indicating that he had instructed legislative ame...
www.hrw.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
Big win for #EnglishFootball 🏆

UK passed a historic law last week to set up an Independent ⚽ Regulator, with powers to tackle financial instability, safeguard heritage, and weed out rogue owners, including those responsible for #humanrights abuses #FairerFuture @hrw.org

www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
UK Acts to Protect Football from Rights Abusers
After years of promises from successive governments and parliamentary ping-pong, the United Kingdom parliament has finally delivered a game-changing reform to how football is governed in England and W...
www.hrw.org
July 31, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
elainepearson.bsky.social
Beyond the Maldives crystal-clear waters and pristine, white-sand beaches, local communities are facing a far harsher reality: a growing water crisis driven by climate change. Some islands are literally running out of fresh water.
By @hrw.org's @robnewt.bsky.social www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
As Climate Change Threatens, Maldives Is No Island Paradise
Every year, thousands of couples choose to spend their honeymoon in the Maldives. Tucked in the Indian Ocean, this tropical atoll nation consistently ranks among the world’s most desirable destination...
www.hrw.org
June 5, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
andreasharsono.bsky.social
Beyond Maldives's crystal-clear waters and pristine, white-sand beaches, local communities are facing a far harsher reality: a growing water crisis driven by climate change. Some islands are literally running out of fresh water www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
June 4, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
ipsnews.net
While tourists sip cocktails in luxury resorts, many Maldivians are facing a far harsher reality: a growing water crisis driven by climate change, writes Robbie Newton, @hrw.org
www.ipsnews.net/2025/05/clim...
Tourism Thrives, But Water Crisis Grips Maldives’ Island Communities
As tourism booms in the Maldives, climate change is creating a water crisis for islanders—exposing deep inequalities and human rights concerns
www.ipsnews.net
May 27, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
h-r-m.bsky.social
Trump lands in Saudi Arabia to chase deals, as workers die building MBS’s World Cup dream. FIFA looks away, Trump shrugs, and migrant blood stains the foundations. Profit over lives, again.
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Pressure grows on Fifa as reports warn of serious risk to workers amid Saudi World Cup building boom
Two reports published today catalogue ‘gruesome yet avoidable accidents’ on construction sites despite the Gulf kingdom’s claims that work-related deaths have fallen
www.theguardian.com
May 14, 2025 at 10:06 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
Marginalized communities in the #Maldives' outer islands face severe barriers to accessing safe, clean, affordable water🚰. Climate change impacts 🌊 are threatening freshwater supplies & govt-led water projects are failing 2 protect rights of those most affected @hrw.org
www.hrw.org/news/2025/05...
Maldives: Communities Lack Equitable Access to Water
Marginalized island communities in the Maldives face limited access to water because of inadequate government consultations, poor monitoring, and economic barriers.
www.hrw.org
May 14, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
nataliesedacca.bsky.social
Muhammad Arshad, a migrant worker from Pakistan, has died while working on a new stadium being built for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
First migrant worker dies building a World Cup stadium in Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Arshad, from Pakistan, was a foreman building Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar, one of 11 new venues for 2034
www.theguardian.com
March 21, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
kirstenhan.com
#RallyForPannir: anger, rage, grief and determination on display tonight in #Singapore, all directed against the #DeathPenalty, a cruel regime that dehumanises and devalues human life.
February 19, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
elainepearson.bsky.social
Tonight there will be vigils in Singapore & Malaysia to protest the execution of Malaysian Pannir Selvam Pranthaman scheduled for tomorrow morning. Transformative Justice Collective will livestream the vigil in Singapore, which begins at 7pm local time. Join here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhfp...
Rally for Pannir
YouTube video by Transformative Justice Collective
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
New @hrw.org podcast on the history of #sportswashing and the way its impacting sports fans today. Featuring John Hird, one of the founders of Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing, and HRW's Minky Worden

open.spotify.com/episode/3tjS...
Sportswashing Explained
Rights & Wrongs · Episode
open.spotify.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
kartikraj.bsky.social
Football (⚽ not 🏈) fans may be interested.

New @hrw.org podcast on “sportswashing,” the phenomenon where countries notorious for human rights abuses host major sports events to launder their reputation. This episode looks from the 1936 Olympics🏅to the 2034 World Cup🏆

www.hrw.org/video-photos...
Rights & Wrongs is a podcast by Human Rights Watch that takes a deep dive into major human rights issues. The podcast, hosted by Ngofeen Mputubwele, formerly of The New Yorker, taps into the expertise of our researchers around the world and the stories of local activists on the ground. In this episode, Sportswashing Explained... In late 2024, the international football association (FIFA) announced that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 World Cup. This means the world’s largest sporting event will be taking place in a country where the government imprisons scores of activists and dissidents for peaceful criticism, denies women fundamental civil and human rights, and cheats migrant workers out of their pay, after treating them brutally. There’s a word to describe countries notorious for human rights abuses hosting major sporting events: “sportswashing.” Host Ngofeen Mputubwele traces the history of sportswashing from the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany to Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the World Cup. What can fans and athletes do to fight back against sportswashing? Listen to find out. Featuring Minky Worden: Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch John Hird: Co-founder of Newcastle United Fans Against Sportswashing
February 10, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
theguardian.com
We cannot cheer on Afghanistan’s cricket team when Afghan women are being silenced | Zahra Joya
We cannot cheer on Afghanistan’s cricket team when Afghan women are being silenced | Zahra Joya
With Afghanistan set to play England in a tournament, we are calling for a boycott of a team that sportswashes the Taliban’s brutal campaign of misogyny Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, Afghan women have been experiencing a situation that is…
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
chiaracera.bsky.social
Italy’s security bill threatens fundamental rights

It criminalizes peaceful protest, with harsh penalties for activists, detainees, and migrants

Human rights bodies warn of serious risks - the Senate should listen

❌Repression is not security❌
hrw.org/news/2025/02...
February 5, 2025 at 10:49 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
Fascinating piece. "Democrats lost the 2024 presidential election in part because they failed to embrace spaces where community connection was being forged. Sports is an ever-bubbling cauldron of connection on full boil. To ignore it is to concede defeat."

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/j...
Donald Trump’s return to power lays bare the lie that sports don’t matter | Jules Boykoff
The Democrats find themselves out of power because they failed to embrace spaces where community connection is forged
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
theguardian.com
Lisa Nandy calls out Tory Lords over plan to ‘wreck’ football regulator bill
Lisa Nandy calls out Tory Lords over plan to ‘wreck’ football regulator bill
* Culture secretary says ‘hopes and dreams’ of fans at risk * Bill could be derailed by Tory amendments in Lords The secretary of state for culture, media and sport has attacked the Conservative front bench in the House of Lords over what she called…
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:49 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
Huge debate in the House of Lords today on the future of English football, as Tory peers seek to further delay the Regulator which footy fans have been waiting on for years. @fairgameuk.bsky.social will be there in numbers to push back against these delay tactics.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Hopes for regulator in the balance as Lords tie up Football Governance Bill
Members of the House of Lords have proposed 375 amendments to the legislation, many of which may require lengthy consultation and could take years to resolve
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
elainepearson.bsky.social
Spoke to @nytimes.com about how the brazen killing of Lim Kimya in downtown Bangkok sends a terrifying message to Cambodians that no one is safe. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/w...
Hun Sen Adviser Wanted in Thailand Over Lim Kimya Killing
The Thai authorities accused an adviser to Hun Sen of hiring the gunman who killed a former Cambodian opposition figure in Bangkok last week.
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
fossilfreefootball.bsky.social
The same questions should be asked about LA hosting matches of the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup (sponsored by one of the companies most responsible for these wildfires, Saudi Aramco).
January 13, 2025 at 9:01 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
"By awarding Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup in men’s football, FIFA has legitimised a massively polluting construction project of stadiums and infrastructure and bent its own rules on requirements for pre-existing stadiums." New from @playthegame-org.bsky.social

www.playthegame.org/news/saudi-a...
Saudi Arabia's grandiose stadium plans mock FIFA’s climate claims
By awarding Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup in men’s football, FIFA has legitimised a massively polluting construction project of stadiums and infrastructure and bent its own rules on requirements for...
www.playthegame.org
January 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
rappler.bsky.social
Meta's actions would lead to a 'world without facts' and 'that's a world that's right for a dictator,' Maria Ressa warns
Nobel winner Ressa tells AFP 'dangerous times' ahead after Meta ends US fact-checking
Philippine Nobel laureate Maria Ressa warned Wednesday, January 8, of "extremely dangerous times ahead" in an interview with AFP after social media giant
www.rappler.com
January 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reposted by Robbie Newton
josimarfootball.bsky.social
New.

In the week that Fifa awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a group of Bangladeshi workers went on strike over unpaid wages at a luxury resort in Neom. They were immediately fired.

By @samindrakunti.bsky.social and @aselliaas.bsky.social

josimarfootball.com/2025/01/06/t...
The zone of interest - josimarfootball.com
In the week that Fifa awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a group of Bangladeshi workers went on strike over unpaid wages at a luxury resort in Neom. They were immediately fired.
josimarfootball.com
January 6, 2025 at 8:56 AM
robnewt.bsky.social
FIFA’s handing of the 2034 Men’s WC to Saudi Arabia yesterday, via a trivial sole bidder process & confirmed by an “acclamation” (a round of applause), should act as a wake up call for UK policymakers as they debate the Football Gov Bill this month. @hrw.org www.the-independent.com/voices/fifa-...
We should all be worried about Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 World Cup
It comes as part of a worrying global trend of sporting infrastructure being taken over and used by authoritarian governments as tools to whitewash their poor human rights records, writes Robbie Newto...
www.the-independent.com
December 12, 2024 at 3:48 PM