Sarah Saadoun
@sarahsaadoun.bsky.social
Sr researcher & advocate on economic justice, human rights watch. Imagining a world where economies unleash human potential for beauty.
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Low tax revenues helped drive Sri Lanka to economic crisis. New report by @hrw.org’s @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social on how tax policies favoring companies & the wealthy have for decades been undermining human rights, including to education www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
October 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Low tax revenues helped drive Sri Lanka to economic crisis. New report by @hrw.org’s @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social on how tax policies favoring companies & the wealthy have for decades been undermining human rights, including to education www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Today, @hrw.org released the 1st major report on tax, documenting how policies that favor the rich drove Sri Lanka into economic crisis & starved its public education system. UN tax treaty negotiations are historic chance to address a root cause. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Sri Lanka: Ruinous Tax Policies Stoke Inequality
Sri Lanka’s tax policies played a driving role in the country’s devastating 2022 economic crisis and have contributed to the chronic underfunding of education and other public services.
www.hrw.org
October 15, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Today, @hrw.org released the 1st major report on tax, documenting how policies that favor the rich drove Sri Lanka into economic crisis & starved its public education system. UN tax treaty negotiations are historic chance to address a root cause. www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
We assess economies based on GDP, but all it measures is total productivity, incentivizing growth while ignoring inequality, environmental degradation & human rights like health & education. Good news is there’s a process underway to develop new metrics: www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
UN Meeting Seeks to Embed Human Rights in New Economic Indicators
A country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which measures total economic output, is central to how governments assess their economies. But this figure, when looked at in isolation, incentivizes economi...
www.hrw.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:37 PM
We assess economies based on GDP, but all it measures is total productivity, incentivizing growth while ignoring inequality, environmental degradation & human rights like health & education. Good news is there’s a process underway to develop new metrics: www.hrw.org/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Sri Lanka’s tax policies played a driving role in the country’s devastating 2022 economic crisis and have contributed to the chronic underfunding of education and other public services.
New report @hrw.org / @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social, going out on Oct 15.
Reporters can DM me for embargoed copy etc
New report @hrw.org / @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social, going out on Oct 15.
Reporters can DM me for embargoed copy etc
October 13, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Sri Lanka’s tax policies played a driving role in the country’s devastating 2022 economic crisis and have contributed to the chronic underfunding of education and other public services.
New report @hrw.org / @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social, going out on Oct 15.
Reporters can DM me for embargoed copy etc
New report @hrw.org / @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social, going out on Oct 15.
Reporters can DM me for embargoed copy etc
Watching states negotiate the first-ever UN tax treaty was a window into geopolitical shifts - and a ray of hope for changing tax rules that deprive all governments of revenues for the benefit of the wealthiest: new from
@hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
@hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Progress on the Road to a UN Tax Treaty
Over the past two weeks, United Nations member countries started substantive negotiations for the first-ever UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation; a historic process that reflects ...
www.hrw.org
August 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Watching states negotiate the first-ever UN tax treaty was a window into geopolitical shifts - and a ray of hope for changing tax rules that deprive all governments of revenues for the benefit of the wealthiest: new from
@hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
@hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Had a great chat with @rosiebultman.bsky.social of KCSB and my @hrw.org colleague @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social about the Trump admin's terrible budget bill and how it will make ordinary people pay for tax cuts for the rich with their health
Take a listen 👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Take a listen 👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Global Impact of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill
Podcast Episode · The People’s Program · 07/24/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
August 5, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Had a great chat with @rosiebultman.bsky.social of KCSB and my @hrw.org colleague @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social about the Trump admin's terrible budget bill and how it will make ordinary people pay for tax cuts for the rich with their health
Take a listen 👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Take a listen 👇
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Pleasure to join @rosiebultman.bsky.social on The People’s Program with my @hrw.org colleague @mattcconnell.bsky.social to talk about how Trump used the budget bill to kill a global rule meant to finally make companies pay a minimum tax rate on their profits. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Global Impact of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill
Podcast Episode · The People’s Program · 07/24/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Pleasure to join @rosiebultman.bsky.social on The People’s Program with my @hrw.org colleague @mattcconnell.bsky.social to talk about how Trump used the budget bill to kill a global rule meant to finally make companies pay a minimum tax rate on their profits. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Trump’s budget doesn’t just attack inequality at home, it’s a global giveaway to corporate giants, sabotaging efforts to make billionaires and multinationals pay their fair share. While the world fights for tax justice, this administration rigs the system even further
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
How Trump Weaponized the US Budget Bill Overseas
The Trump administration has weaponized its bill to benefit the wealthiest US corporations by undermining global efforts to tax businesses fairly.
www.hrw.org
July 7, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Trump’s budget doesn’t just attack inequality at home, it’s a global giveaway to corporate giants, sabotaging efforts to make billionaires and multinationals pay their fair share. While the world fights for tax justice, this administration rigs the system even further
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Trump's budget-busting bill...
Sure, it adds trillions to the national debt, but it transfers funds away from the poor, who already have too much money, to the rich, who desperately need money.
Can't see anything wrong there.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
Sure, it adds trillions to the national debt, but it transfers funds away from the poor, who already have too much money, to the rich, who desperately need money.
Can't see anything wrong there.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
US: Budget Would Benefit Wealthiest at Expense of Rights
The budget reconciliation bill passed by the United States Senate today would extend tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the country’s wealthiest families while reducing spending on health and ot...
www.hrw.org
July 2, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Trump's budget-busting bill...
Sure, it adds trillions to the national debt, but it transfers funds away from the poor, who already have too much money, to the rich, who desperately need money.
Can't see anything wrong there.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
Sure, it adds trillions to the national debt, but it transfers funds away from the poor, who already have too much money, to the rich, who desperately need money.
Can't see anything wrong there.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
Trump’s budget not only transfers public goods to private pockets in the US, he weaponised the process to let US companies keep ripping off the govts where they operate, hurting their ability to fund health, education & other rights www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
How Trump Weaponized the US Budget Bill Overseas
The Trump administration has weaponized its bill to benefit the wealthiest US corporations by undermining global efforts to tax businesses fairly.
www.hrw.org
July 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Trump’s budget not only transfers public goods to private pockets in the US, he weaponised the process to let US companies keep ripping off the govts where they operate, hurting their ability to fund health, education & other rights www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
“It’s appalling that President Trump ran on a campaign to fix the economy but is delivering a budget that makes ordinary people pay with their health for tax breaks for millionaires” @mattcconnell.bsky.social @hrw.org on the catastrophe of a budget the senate just passed www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
US: Budget Would Benefit Wealthiest at Expense of Rights
The budget reconciliation bill passed by the United States Senate today would extend tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the country’s wealthiest families while reducing spending on health and ot...
www.hrw.org
July 1, 2025 at 5:41 PM
“It’s appalling that President Trump ran on a campaign to fix the economy but is delivering a budget that makes ordinary people pay with their health for tax breaks for millionaires” @mattcconnell.bsky.social @hrw.org on the catastrophe of a budget the senate just passed www.hrw.org/news/2025/07...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
This is on top of the $79 trillion in upward redistribution since 1975, as per Carter C. Price's latest assessment in their Rand Corporation report
www.rand.org/pubs/working...
@randeurope.org #econsky #polisky #history
www.rand.org/pubs/working...
@randeurope.org #econsky #polisky #history
July 1, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is on top of the $79 trillion in upward redistribution since 1975, as per Carter C. Price's latest assessment in their Rand Corporation report
www.rand.org/pubs/working...
@randeurope.org #econsky #polisky #history
www.rand.org/pubs/working...
@randeurope.org #econsky #polisky #history
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
US Senators are currently debating the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to advance President Trump’s agenda.
This bill is not a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration procedures – it is a blueprint for cruelty.
✍️ Urge Congress to stop the bill NOW:
www.hrw.org/NotOnOurWatch
This bill is not a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration procedures – it is a blueprint for cruelty.
✍️ Urge Congress to stop the bill NOW:
www.hrw.org/NotOnOurWatch
June 30, 2025 at 9:18 PM
US Senators are currently debating the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" to advance President Trump’s agenda.
This bill is not a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration procedures – it is a blueprint for cruelty.
✍️ Urge Congress to stop the bill NOW:
www.hrw.org/NotOnOurWatch
This bill is not a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration procedures – it is a blueprint for cruelty.
✍️ Urge Congress to stop the bill NOW:
www.hrw.org/NotOnOurWatch
From Kenyans protesting regressive taxes to US budgets fights over tax cuts for the rich, one thing is clear: tax policies are central to human rights. A new database from @hrw.org shows UN human rights bodies made 168 tax-related recommendations to 98 states. www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Human Rights Treaty Bodies and Tax
This brief is based on an extensive analysis of how human rights treaty bodies have engaged with individual states’ approaches to tax policy issues.
www.hrw.org
June 29, 2025 at 9:21 AM
From Kenyans protesting regressive taxes to US budgets fights over tax cuts for the rich, one thing is clear: tax policies are central to human rights. A new database from @hrw.org shows UN human rights bodies made 168 tax-related recommendations to 98 states. www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
NEW: The Senate version of One Big Beautiful Bill is one big ugly transfer of wealth from low-income families to the rich.
Americans struggling to get by will pay more for groceries & health care so the highest income families can get big tax cuts. This isn’t shared sacrifice.
Americans struggling to get by will pay more for groceries & health care so the highest income families can get big tax cuts. This isn’t shared sacrifice.
June 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
NEW: The Senate version of One Big Beautiful Bill is one big ugly transfer of wealth from low-income families to the rich.
Americans struggling to get by will pay more for groceries & health care so the highest income families can get big tax cuts. This isn’t shared sacrifice.
Americans struggling to get by will pay more for groceries & health care so the highest income families can get big tax cuts. This isn’t shared sacrifice.
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
The United Nations conference on financing for development should help pave the way for meaningful progress on improving international tax cooperation to benefit everyone’s human rights: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
UN Financing Development Meeting Should Advance Tax Justice
The United Nations conference on financing for development should help pave the way for meaningful progress on improving international tax cooperation to benefit everyone’s human rights.
www.hrw.org
June 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The United Nations conference on financing for development should help pave the way for meaningful progress on improving international tax cooperation to benefit everyone’s human rights: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
The reconciliation bill puts health benefits for tipped workers at risk. ⬇️
The White House is touting tax benefits for tipped workers in the reconciliation bill, but 2 million tipped workers could be among those at risk of losing health coverage because of the #Medicaid and #ACA marketplace cuts in the bill. (1/3) www.nbcwashington.com/news/busines...
June 26, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The reconciliation bill puts health benefits for tipped workers at risk. ⬇️
10,000 people are coming to Sevilla in a scorching heatwave to discuss financing for development. You know what would make the conference super cool? Advancing tax justice. 😎 New from @hrw.org
on #FFD4Sevilla: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
on #FFD4Sevilla: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
UN Financing Development Meeting Should Advance Tax Justice
The United Nations conference on financing for development should help pave the way for meaningful progress on improving international tax cooperation to benefit everyone’s human rights.
www.hrw.org
June 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
10,000 people are coming to Sevilla in a scorching heatwave to discuss financing for development. You know what would make the conference super cool? Advancing tax justice. 😎 New from @hrw.org
on #FFD4Sevilla: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
on #FFD4Sevilla: www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
Protestors in #Kenya commemorating one year anniversary since protests against a regressive tax bill once again met with horrific violence, killing at least 8 people. Here’s @hrw analysis of why the tax bill violates human rights: www.hrw.org/news/2024/07...
Kenya/IMF: Align Economic Reform with Rights
The Kenyan government and International Monetary Fund should work together to ensure that the IMF program and its implementation align with human rights.
www.hrw.org
June 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Protestors in #Kenya commemorating one year anniversary since protests against a regressive tax bill once again met with horrific violence, killing at least 8 people. Here’s @hrw analysis of why the tax bill violates human rights: www.hrw.org/news/2024/07...
Reposted by Sarah Saadoun
Dispatch for @hrw.org on the draft bill on social security in the UK.
The proposed benefit cuts will harm people with disabilities, worsen poverty, and undermine rights.
The government says the bill “will protect the most vulnerable.” Its own data belie that claim.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
The proposed benefit cuts will harm people with disabilities, worsen poverty, and undermine rights.
The government says the bill “will protect the most vulnerable.” Its own data belie that claim.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
June 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Dispatch for @hrw.org on the draft bill on social security in the UK.
The proposed benefit cuts will harm people with disabilities, worsen poverty, and undermine rights.
The government says the bill “will protect the most vulnerable.” Its own data belie that claim.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
The proposed benefit cuts will harm people with disabilities, worsen poverty, and undermine rights.
The government says the bill “will protect the most vulnerable.” Its own data belie that claim.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...
This is a big win in the fight for labor rights of gig workers. If you want to get a sense of why this is so important, read Lena's fantastic report on gig workers in Texas: www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
June 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
This is a big win in the fight for labor rights of gig workers. If you want to get a sense of why this is so important, read Lena's fantastic report on gig workers in Texas: www.hrw.org/report/2025/...
Exactly what the US needed: more inequality. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/u...
Rich Gain and Poor Lose in Republican Policy Bill, Budget Office Finds
www.nytimes.com
June 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Exactly what the US needed: more inequality. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/u...
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...
June 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...
June 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...
June 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Gene Leon, president of a development bank, making the case for going beyond GDP, among other proposals for making the 4th Financing for Development conference a success www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/ffd4-c...