Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror

Challis Chair of International Law, The University of Sydney | United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

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

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

I'm deeply alarmed by the renewed escalation in the Middle East.

All attacks must stop immediately.

The ceasefires in Lebanon, Iran & Gaza must be fully respected.

Any steps that could undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts must be avoided.

I'm also deeply concerned by Israel's decision to close crossings into Gaza & reiterate my call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe & unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza.

The exercise of navigational rights & freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected.

Everyone must uphold their obligations under international law & take all feasible precautions to protect civilians.

There is no military solution to the conflicts in the Middle East.

The only way forward is through dialogue & negotiations.

I urge all concerned to work towards diplomatic solutions that advance regional & international peace & security.

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

We pay tribute to 136 @UN colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty last year.

They served in some of the most dangerous places, because they knew the world doesn't improve unless someone strives to improve it.

They made our world a better place.

We commit to carrying their work forward.

[Meta Newsroom @MetaNewsroom]

WhatsApp caught and disrupted spear phishing attempts linked to NSO, a spyware firm blacklisted by the US government. Today, we’re asking the court to hold NSO in contempt for violating a permanent injunction that barred them from ever targeting WhatsApp and its users.

https://t.co/rzXDRhJwxf

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

NEW: Pleased to publish statistical trends (by country) on my UN office's communications to governments 2005-2025 raising human rights concerns on individual cases or laws - 1,163 communications in total to 136 countries https://t.co/CKMdPMXWUI

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

NEW: My UN mandate's latest briefing note on "The Global Terrorism Data Deficit: The Inflation of 'Terrorist' Threats and the Need for Better Data to Inform Proportionate Global Counter-Terrorism Policy" https://t.co/OypuxR7F0j

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

NEW: My UN mandate's latest briefing note on "The Global Terrorism Data Deficit: The Inflation of 'Terrorist' Threats and the Need for Better Data to Inform Proportionate Global Counter-Terrorism Policy" https://t.co/OypuxR7F0j

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

NEW: Pleased to publish statistical trends (by country) on my UN office's communications to governments 2005-2025 raising human rights concerns on individual cases or laws - 1,163 communications in total to 136 countries https://t.co/CKMdPMXWUI

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I'm pleased to share my latest suggestions to member States in NY on the ninth review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy (2 pages) https://t.co/BvsUCV10Qa

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I join UN experts in welcoming the General Assembly's endorsement of the International Court of Justice's climate change advisory opinion, to promote climate justice and protect human rights worldwide - including against security threats flowing from climate change

[UN Special Procedures @UN_SPExperts]

UN General Assembly resolution supporting ICJ climate change ruling hailed fundamental step forward for protection of peace, self-determination, sustainable development and human wellbeing. “Vital to ensuring justice and the rule of law globally.”

https://t.co/CFEa0jiKXB

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I join UN experts in condemning escalating Israeli settler terrorist attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, and urge Israel to suppress the attacks and evacuate all settlers and all Israeli State presence from the occupied Palestinian territory, in line with international law

[UN Special Procedures @UN_SPExperts]

#Palestine: UN experts warn about escalating #Israeli settler terror and existential risk posed to Palestinian communities. “Attacks serve as instrument of coercion in the hands of the occupying power, facilitating ethnic cleansing.”

https://t.co/tJeguUFkyl

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I join UN experts in expressing concern over the treatment of political prisoners in Belarus, including those who faced abusive terrorism/extremism charges

[UN Special Procedures @UN_SPExperts]

#Belarus: UN experts raise alarm over treatment of political prisoners, urge medical intervention. "The situation may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and in some cases could constitute torture".

https://t.co/j6hOULKqqW

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I join UN experts in condemning unlawful US coercion against Cuba, including false accusations of State sponsorship of terrorism, which are having severe humanitarian impacts on the Cuban people

[UN Special Procedures @UN_SPExperts]

UN experts condemn escalating #US threats and coercion against #Cuba as undermining the international legal order. “Democratic & equitable international order requires that all States participate on equal footing, free from undue pressure.”

https://t.co/WEPE0T8Uny

[United Nations @UN]

Five new non-permanent members have been elected to the UN Security Council.

Austria
Kyrgyzstan
Portugal
Trinidad and ​Tobago
Zimbabwe

The countries' two-year terms will begin on 1 January 2027.

https://t.co/GG0pBn9swn

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

“Transitional Justice in Syria” - new article on JusticeInfo
https://t.co/HBRsK8Q3Vz

[EU Council @EUCouncil]

The EU has widened its sanctions regime against Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to target members of the Political Bureau of Hamas who promote, defend and justify violent actions.

The EU has also sanctioned 10 members of this body.

🔗 https://t.co/F5yLZ6yypM

[EU Council @EUCouncil]

The EU has imposed further sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers and organisations that support them.

They are responsible for serious and systematic human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Find out more: https://t.co/79l3VEjThc

[United Nations Geneva @UNGeneva]

Since 1948, over a million UN peacekeepers have served in +70 missions—protecting civilians, supporting fragile peace processes, & helping countries transition from war to peace.

The Charter’s call for collective security—made real.

#UNCharter @UNPeacekeeping #PeacekeepersDay

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

Instead of “severing all ties” with the UN Secretary-General for exposing sexual violence by Israeli forces, I urge Israel to sever all ties with any perpetrators in its ranks - and to prosecute and punish them

[Israel Foreign Ministry @IsraelMFA]

The shameful and absurd UN decision to include Israeli entities in the annex to the CRSV report is further proof of the UN’s true nature: a politicized and corrupt organization that has abandoned its founding principles and systematically targets Israel as its primary mission. This decision is yet another example of the UN’s long-standing, institutionalized hostility toward Israel.

Today’s decision must be understood in its true context: an attempt to create a fake symmetry between Israel and the real sexual atrocities committed by Hamas. This is its sole motivation.

The person behind this farce is @AntonioGuterres. This is the same Guterres who sought to "contextualize" the October 7 massacre, who covered up the involvement of UN employees in those atrocities, and who has dragged the UN to its lowest point. Guterres is now exploiting his final months as Secretary-General to fabricate baseless accusations against Israel, completely devoid of any factual merit.

Israel has comprehensively, thoroughly, and unequivocally refuted these allegations.

Given that António Guterres has chosen to violate every standard of honesty, integrity, and professionalism, Israel has decided to sever all ties with the Secretary-General’s Office and will wait until a new UN Secretary-General is appointed.

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

In today's State murder tracker: I condemn the latest extrajudicial killings by the US of two civilians at sea, taking the serial killer total to 196 civilians in 59 illegal military attacks. US authorities must bring to justice all responsible US military and civilian personnel

[U.S. Southern Command @Southcom]

On May 27, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. @DeptofWar #OpSouthernSpear

[Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror @profbensaul]

I encourage all relevant countries to repatriate their children from north-east Syria and not abandon them

[Repatriate the Children - Sweden @RTC_Swe]

New RTC Report: The Collapse of Al Hol Camp – and the Way Forward.

What is Next for Third-Country National Children and Women in Syria?

New Possibilities for Resolution!

Please find the full report here:
https://t.co/qbdQ7hx3oR