verity coyle

Deputy Director for Arms in the Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division at @HRW. Former @amnesty @StimsonCenter. IHL / IHRL, military/security. Tweets are my own.

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

“A sole focus on achieving maximum lethality is inherently incompatible with civilian protection”.

Thanks @BrettWilkinsSF for the opportunity to share @hrw views on this issue.

https://t.co/9z3K57iWBG

[Bassam Khawaja @Bassam_Khawaja]

Come work with us: @HRW is hiring a coordinator in the Middle East and North Africa Division based in Beirut https://t.co/1fneOcHq1B

[Gerry Simpson @GerrySimpsonHRW]

Given the horrific indiscriminate effects of #WhitePhosphorous (explainer here: https://t.co/UJg1fn5Y4t), which #Israel recently used again in #Lebanon, why does international law not completely ban its use? @bonnie_docherty @HRW https://t.co/0ud3pmyrDl

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

While in the midst of brutal hostilities, Lebanon has chosen to advance #InternationalLaw, not retreat from it.

The #APMBC was created to end the devastating humanitarian impact of antipersonnel landmines.

There is more to do before we can say we have eradicated these weapons

[UN Lebanon Mission @LebanonUN]

On May 1 #Lebanon deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction @MineBanTreaty. It will enter into force for 🇱🇧 on 1 November 2026. #APMBC

An important step reinforcing #Lebanon’s commitment to #InternationalLaw, particularly international humanitarian law #IHL, and advancing #disarmament @UN_Disarmament

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

The Taliban’s attempt to control Afghan women goes beyond Afghanistan borders.

Read more from my colleague @FereshtaAbbasi here 👇👇

[Fereshta Abbasi @FereshtaAbbasi]

As a woman from Afghanistan and Human Rights Watch researcher, I will not comply with the Taliban’s restrictive rules. Afghan women should not have to submit to discriminatory rules to exercise a right to speak publicly. Wherever we are, our voices matter.
https://t.co/SNzEnOyMWf

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun purchasing warehouses across the country to detain people in its custody.

One of the most alarming developments of this initiative is unfolding in Surprise, Arizona.

Learn more: https://t.co/zkuAk4gvBX

[Widad Franco @widadfranco]

🚨TOMORROW 4/18

🗳️Largely uncompetitive election of the #UN #NGO Committee.

Some candidates are openly hostile to #civilsociety

Countries with poor #humanrights records have long held a majority 🟰 de facto anti-NGO committee.

📢Rights-respecting Govts: run for seats🧵

[Yasmine Ahmed @YasmineAhmed001]

🚨My latest opinion piece on the conviction of 2 fellow UK civil society leaders Ben Jamal & Chris Nineham over peaceful protest 4 Gaza @The_NewArab

This is a warning sign for us all @AkikoMHart @libertyhq @dnlgorman @englishpen @AmnestyUK @JUSTICEhq

https://t.co/SUYrBbEvt5

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

The impact of Croatia becoming antipersonnel landmine-free after decades of contamination cannot be underestimated.

#MineAwarenessDay highlights the need to accelerate mine clearance in all affected states.

https://t.co/2LguOmyzjI

[Bassam Khawaja @Bassam_Khawaja]

Come work with us: HRW is hiring a Middle East and North Africa Director https://t.co/kHgM3EAk1F

[Jean-Baptiste Gallopin @jbgallopin]

New landmark @hrw report: The Burkina Faso military with its allied militias and JNIM, an Al Qaeda-linked armed group, have killed more than 1,800 civilians and forcibly displaced tens of thousands since 2023. https://t.co/Bs2cPFGaqx

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

NEW: The Iranian government has repeatedly used inherently indiscriminate cluster munitions delivered by ballistic missiles in attacks on Israel since February 28, 2026.

At least four civilians have been killed in the strikes, which violate the laws of war and may amount to war crimes.

Learn more: https://t.co/hpd29F55P7

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

Delivering @hrw statement to the @ISUCCM meeting in #Geneva this morning.

Highlighting new research on use of cluster munitions by Iran. https://t.co/PIPkEgSKRz

[Ida Sawyer @ida_sawyer]

#Iran’s use of cluster munitions in populated areas in #Israel pose a foreseeable & long-lasting danger to civilians. Cluster munition bomblets disperse over a wide area, making them unlawfully indiscriminate in violation of the laws of war.
New from @hrw: https://t.co/QSGj4nZzkO

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

Iran: Unlawful Cluster Munition Strikes on Israel https://t.co/PIPkEgSKRz

[Human Rights Watch @hrw]

One month into the current Middle East conflict, we are seeing leaders threaten the rules-based legal order.

As the conflict has spread and intensified, so too has the dangerous rhetoric by leaders on all sides, including open threats to commit war crimes.

Read more: https://t.co/23bXuXChS7

[verity coyle @veritycoyle]

See 🧵 below from my colleague, @YasmineAhmed001, setting out @hrw factual and legal concerns about the US use of UK bases for striking Iran. There is significant risk of civilian harm.

[Yasmine Ahmed @YasmineAhmed001]

🚨BREAKING: @hrw has written to the Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer & Attorney General of the United Kingdom asking for urgent clarification on the legality of the US use of UK bases for striking Iran
Full letter in the thread 🧵

https://t.co/oizXKnzOIC

[Reuters @Reuters]

Iran targeted but did not hit Diego Garcia base with missiles, WSJ reports https://t.co/4RVSKol9oF https://t.co/4RVSKol9oF

[Al Jazeera Breaking News @AJENews]

BREAKING: Reports say Iran targeted the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia with at least two mid-range ballistic missiles, one failing mid-flight and the other intercepted by a US warship, according to The WSJ.

🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/IrTsxI70zX

[Fereshta Abbasi @FereshtaAbbasi]

Human Rights Watch is very concerned about reports of mass casualties from an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul. The authorities should promptly investigate the incident. Civilian facilities must never be targeted or put at risk of disproportionate attack.