Challis Chair of International Law, The University of Sydney | United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism
Sydney/Geneva/New York
Joined February 2014
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With the UN facing a financial crisis, my mandate as Special Rapporteur welcomes donations & philanthropic partnerships to support our independent expert work in defence of human rights worldwide
The proposal to impeach @SecWar includes concerns about the illegal killings at sea of alleged drug traffickers - my Briefing Note here on why those killings are grossly illegal ohchr.org/sites/default/file…
I’ve seen some of my colleagues say @SecWar Hegseth has been effective and they agree with the war, so they’ll vote not to impeach.
That’s not the question though. The question is whether he committed impeachable acts, and the answer is yes, eight times:
massie.house.gov/UploadedFil…
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
Getting Serious About Accountability in the United States
By Tess Bridgeman and @rgoodlaw:
justsecurity.org/164034/gett…
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
The United States of America did not participate in its 4th Universal Periodic Review on 10 November 2026.
The @UN Human Rights Council called upon the USA to resume its cooperation with the UPR mechanism & decided to reschedule the review to January 2027 ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
I join UN experts in calling on Sri Lanka to revise its proposed counter-terrorism law to comply with human rights law, including on definition of terrorism and offences, powers of detention, investigation and proscription, the role of the military, and accountability
#SriLanka’s proposed terrorism law must respect #humanrights: UN experts. "Definition of terrorism must be limited to acts intentionally causing death or serious injury & exclude mere property damage."
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
UN experts call on Member States to engage with Special Procedures in good faith and respect independence and integrity of #humanrights mechanisms. “Attacking the messenger does not discredit the accuracy of the evidence."
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
I urge the Somali authorities to respect the judicial independence of the Supreme Court, constitutional procedure, and limits on presidential terms bbc.com/news/articles/c977pp…
My earlier official visit report on human rights in Somalia here: ohchr.org/en/documents/count…
I join UN experts in condemning Egypt's crack-down on the independent media platform Matsadaash, including the arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance and torture of six journalists and the abuse of terrorism charges
#Egypt: UN experts condemn arrest, disappearance and detention of entire newsroom crew which signals yet another setback for civic space that is already shrinking. “An egregious example of a severe and relentless crackdown on independent voices.”
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
Independent UN investigation calls on South Africa, UK and US in particular to cooperate in providing any information on the plane crash killing then then UN Secretary-General
We welcome the latest report of the Dag Hammarskjöld investigation.
Read it here: docs.un.org/A/80/815
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
Des nouvelles des procès des français à Bagdad...
"Votre Honneur, j'ai été contraint sous la torture [en prison irakienne] de faire ces déclarations..."
"Lorsqu'on lui a demandé s'il avait parlé à son avocat avant l'audience, Garnier a répondu: "non".
rudaw.net/english/categories…
I urge the newly elected US Congress to exercise robust oversight of US Government abuses of military force in the name of countering terrorism, from Latin America to Iran and the Middle East
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
Raza Husain KC, representing myself, begins arguing our case.
He tells the court that this is the first time the legality of a terrorism ban has come before the Supreme Court on the basis that it is incompatible with human rights.
I join UN experts in condemning attacks on journalists and impunity for perpetrators, which also undermines the public’s right to information and accountability and transparency of governments and other actors
Impunity for crimes against journalists fuels further violence and silences entire societies, UN experts warn. Call for strengthening of investigations, prosecutions and remedies for attacks against journalists.
ohchr.org/en/statements-and-…
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
PRESS RELEASE: the #ICJ will deliver its Judgment in the case concerning Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The #Gambia v. #Myanmar: 11 States intervening) on 19 November at 10 a.m.
Live @UNWebTV
go.icj-cij.org/4sEwX73
I join UN experts in expressing concern about Papua New Guinea's new terrorism law, including definitions, offences, penalties, powers of arrest/search/surveillance/prohibited areas, terrorist listings, immunities from accountability, & military operations spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMRe…
I join UN experts in raising human rights concerns about new Nicaraguan laws defining terrorism, listing terrorist organizations, asset freezing, restricting civil society, and enabling surveillance and transnational repression spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMRe…
As Special Rapporteur I am pleased to assist the UK Supreme Court this week to reconsider the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, particularly whether it disproportionately affected freedoms of association, assembly and expression doughtystreet.co.uk/news/un-…
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
Congratulations to the five new(ish) @CIJ_ICJ judges elected today:
- Dapo Akande 🇬🇧
- François Alabrune 🇫🇷
- Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud 🇯🇴
- Rena Lee 🇸🇬
- Phoebe Okowa 🇰🇪
Becoming an international judge today requires not only exceptional qualifications but also courage.
Congratulations @DapoAkandeLaw - thrilled that States have elected such a fine international lawyer to the ICJ
I am deeply honoured to be elected to the International Court of Justice.
I am grateful for the support and faith states have put in me to serve the @CIJ_ICJ. I look forward to serving the Court with independence and integrity alongside colleagues elected today.
Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror retweeted
🇨🇭reaffirms its unwavering support for @IntlCrimCourt as an embodiment of int’l law-based order & thanks the President for her report on the ICC’s remarkable work.
We must:
- Protect the Court & remain united in its defense
- Strengthen universality of the #RomeStatute
