Kartik Raj
@kartikraj.eurosky.social
Work: @hrw.org on human rights in Europe Non-work: Migrant. Parent. Pedant. Anorak. #dadjokes. He/him. Barcelona-based. Work output here: https://www.hrw.org/about/people/kartik-raj
France’s New Anti-Racism Plan Falls Short Tackling Systemic Racism Means Addressing Discrimination by the State @almazteffera.bsky.social explains for @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
France’s New Anti-Racism Plan Falls Short
The French government announced a new national plan last week aimed at combating racism, antisemitism, and discrimination. Unfortunately, the plan fails to tackle the systemic and institutional nature...
hrw.org
Proposed Law in France Threatens Civic Space ‘Entryism’ Bill Risks Deepening Repression of Nongovernmental Groups @evacosse.bsky.social explains for @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Proposed Law in France Threatens Civic Space
The French government is expected at any moment to unveil troubling draft legislation to address so-called entryism: the idea that certain groups seek to infiltrate state institutions to influence and...
hrw.org
A very worrying development in Germany. When governments reverse transparency laws, one has to wonder what it is they want to hide, or at a minimum, what they would rather not be held accountable for by their public.
Almaz Teffera@almazteffera.bsky.social · 4w ago#Germany's government plans to gut 🇩🇪's Freedom of Information Act. The right to seek & receive information, incl. civil society's & the media's access to public records, is an essential democratic safeguard which ensures political transparency & accountability. @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Hungary's new government is taking its first steps to address low pension levels and rising poverty among older people. I argue here that these announcements are positive, but that deeper pension reform should follow. Thanks @mercehu.bsky.social for the HU version. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Hungary: New Government’s First Step on Pensioner Poverty
Prime Minister Péter Magyar is moving swiftly with policy measures and legislative reform that will hopefully have positive impacts on people’s lives and rights. On May 25, he announced in an intervie...
hrw.org
In case you missed it, comment for @hrw.org on the new Hungarian parliament's vote last week to abolish the Sovereignty Protection Office, a nasty Fidesz-era institution. Here in English: www.hrw.org/news/2026/07... Also available in Hungarian: www.hrw.org/hu/news/2026...
Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office Abolished
Hungary’s parliament voted overwhelmingly on June 30 to abolish the Sovereignty Protection Office, an institution created by the previous Fidesz government to target independent journalists, civil soc...
hrw.org
An institution moves. genevasolutions.news/human-rights...
UN human rights office moves out of the historic Palais Wilson - Geneva Solutions
As the UN's human rights arm prepares to vacate its iconic lakeside premises in Geneva, which once served as the headquarters of the League of Nations, a photo essay by John Penney of PassBlue, a New ...
genevasolutions.news
Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office has been abolished The SPO was a nasty entity that went after independent journalists, academic and NGOs. A short piece for @hrw.org on this important step in restoring the rule of law and human rights in post-Fidesz Hungary. www.hrw.org/news/2026/07...
Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Office Abolished
Hungary’s parliament voted overwhelmingly on June 30 to abolish the Sovereignty Protection Office, an institution created by the previous Fidesz government to target independent journalists, civil soc...
hrw.org
Just published for @hrw.org in @mercehu.bsky.social, an op-ed on the important first steps that the new Tisza government has taken on improving pensions and old age poverty, and the hard work that lies ahead for a fundamental overhaul of pensions. merce.hu/2026/07/01/n...
„Nincs reményem a jövőre nézve. Így fogok élni életem végéig” – alapjaiban kell megváltoztatni a nyugdíjrendszert « Mérce
Mélyrehatóbb nyugdíjreformra van szükség.
merce.hu
Hungary: Rushed Constitutional Changes Undermine Rule of Law “The progress the government makes on restoring the rule of law after years of damage is precious & fragile. It can be undone with hasty legislation that rides roughshod over due process & fairness.” www.hrw.org/news/2026/06... @hrw.org
Hungary: Rushed Constitutional Changes Undermine Rule of Law
The new Hungarian government’s plan to make sweeping changes to key institutions through a rushed 17th amendment to the constitution, risks halting advances to restore the rule of law, Human Rights Wa...
hrw.org
As a bearded person, I value such input, from my partner, my family, my friends, people working in establishments that serve food, and frankly any polite interlocutor confronted by the presence of such stray morsels.
The Guardian@theguardian.com · last mo.You be the judge: my partner doesn’t like me telling him he has food in his beard. Should I stop?
Just seeing @stephenburgen.bsky.social's update on the @theguardian.com live blog that 212 deaths reported in Spain as heatwave breaks June temperature records - www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
UK Met Office extends red heat warning into Friday night as extreme heat grips Europe – live
The highest UK temperatures are expected across the east and southeastern England while heatwave-related deaths climbed across Europe
theguardian.com
Britain, 2026. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
’It can flip quickly from being idyllic’: the reality of life for young van dwellers priced out of Cornwall’s housing market
With tourists buying up property and landlords opting for lucrative Airbnb rentals, young Cornish people are turning to old campervans to provide a roof over their heads
theguardian.com
Lots of things that could stand as a political epitaph for Keir Starmer, but for me it's this story from a long read I wrote last year on what happened to the heroic human rights lawyer we used to hear so much about.
Great to see @notzachcampbell.bsky.social's investigation for @hrw.org covered in such detail by @politico.eu. Bulgaria approved the sale of intrusive surveillance technology to rights abusing countries. Worth asking the broader question: is the EU's dual-use export control regime fit for purpose?
POLITICO Europe@politico.eu · 2mo agoBulgaria approved the sale of spyware to intelligence and security agencies in countries with records of human rights abuses, documents seen by POLITICO show.
🔥🔥🔥 Strongly recommended reading for anyone interested in the Palestine Action proscription case in the UK. And probably essential weekend reading for counterterrorism and constitutional law boffins.
Alan Greene@alangreene.bsky.social · 2mo agoMyself, @daniellalock.bsky.social, and @colinmurray.bsky.social on the Court of Appeal's Palestine Action judgment. verfassungsblog.de/palestine-ac...
Bulgaria Licensed Surveillance Exports to Rights Violators Latest from @hrw.org - investigation by @notzachcampbell.bsky.social www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...
Bulgaria Licensed Surveillance Exports to Rights Violators
The Bulgarian government between 2018 and 2023 licensed exports of surveillance equipment to countries that were likely to use it for internal repression or to commit serious human rights violations.
hrw.org
Nouvel rapport* sur le système discriminatoire des amendes policières en France, qui piège les jeunes noirs, arabes et nord-africains dans le surendettement. Ces amendes sont utilisées comme outil de profilage racial. (*rédigé par @hrw-fr.hrw.org, Re-Claim et MCDS) www.hrw.org/fr/news/2026...
New research on France's discriminatory system of police fines, that traps youth (especially Black, Arab & North African boys and young men) in debt with long-lasting impact. The fines are also used as a tool of racial profiling. Report by @hrw.org, Re-Claim and MCDS www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...
Human rights change can -- and perhaps should? -- be a thing of joy. Read @hrw.org colleagues Elizabeth Kamundia and Samer Muscati's piece from Malawi. www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...
Belonging in Malawi Should Last Long After the Music Stops
When we decided to launch on June 12 our report and film on discrimination against people with albinism in employment in Malawi, we wanted to do so in person, together with our partners, the Associati...
hrw.org
"Introducing a law that could further criminalize LGBT people and arbitrarily restrict gender-affirming healthcare would further enshrine systematic discrimination and violate Türkiye’s international human rights obligations."
Abusive Anti-LGBT Proposals Resurface in Türkiye
As Hungary begins to close the chapter on its anti-LGBT era by dropping criminal charges against Pride March organizers, Türkiye is moving in a sharply opposite direction with proposals to jail LGBT p...
hrw.org
Tom Bell, acting UK Director @hrw.org, on yesterday's Court of Appeal decision on Palestine Action: www.hrw.org/news/2026/06... "Defining a protest group as terrorists has created an absurd situation where thousands of people peacefully holding up signs are being charged with supporting terrorism."
UK Court Upholds ‘Terrorism’ Ban on Palestine Action
On June 15, the Court of Appeal in London upheld the United Kingdom government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist group.
hrw.org
Hungary's decision to stay in the ICC is a key moment in restoring rule of law in the country. It should also serve as a catalyst for consistent, unwavering support for international justice and the ICC in EU Council conclusions. @aliceautin.bsky.social for @hrw.org www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...
EU Should Build on Hungary’s Recommitment to ICC
With Hungary's reversal of its decision to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union has an opportunity to extend the significance of this moment for international justice well ...
hrw.org
Tom Bell, acting UK Director @hrw.org, reacts to today's Court of Appeal's ruling on the proscription of Palestine Action.
Human Rights Watch@hrw.org · 2mo agoIn a disastrous ruling, the Court of Appeal in London has overruled the High Court and upheld the government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group. Defining a protest group as terrorists has created an absurd situation where thousands have been arrested for holding up signs.
Human rights are for everyone. Not just those the state deems to be compliant.
Alan Greene@alangreene.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe CoA Palestine Action judgment is just dripping with disdain and throwing shade at every opportunity. Art 10 and 11 don't actually say "law abiding individuals"; they say "EVERYONE".
🍴 More than 60 individuals & orgs from the UK Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network have come together to call for the right to food to be incorporated into UK law. Our joint statement to the Right to Food Commission sets out a roadmap for change. justfair.org.uk/wp-c...
1/n Response below from @hrw.org to today's Court of Appeal judgment that the UK Home Secretary's proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was lawful: www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... The thread also has links to the judgment, @hrw.org research, and some legal commentary.
Ban on Palestine Action was lawful, court of appeal rules
Judges overturn decision of high court that government proscription of group under Terrorism Act was wrong
theguardian.com
🧵5/5 Tech companies must urgently take concrete steps to prevent the spread of #misinformation and incitement to violence and racial hatred on their platforms, and protect users from abuse.