
Journalist & editor. Head of Comms & Events @FrontLineHRD. Past @amnesty @UNHumanRights @HRW @banclusterbombs. Former Rotary World Peace Fellow.
Dublin, Ireland
Joined April 2011
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Conor Fortune retweeted
Three UN reports on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran have been published in recent weeks.
The the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission’s report concludes that the crackdown by Iranian authorities on the Dec 2025- Jan2026 protests amount to crimes against humanity of murder, imprisonment, torture and other inhumane acts. It also finds reasonable grounds to believe that the US committed the war crime of launching an indiscriminate attack, both in striking a primary school in Minab and in using a wide-dispersal munition over a sports centre and homes in Lamerd. ohchr.org/sites/default/file…
The Secretary-General’s report covers August 2025 to May 2026. It shows how the authorities invoked national security to expand executions amid serious fair-trial concerns, carry out mass arrests and impose internet shutdowns. Sanctions, the hostilities and the shutdown compounded pre-existing socioeconomic hardship and further undermined the enjoyment of socioeconomic rights. Its recommendations include structural change: reform at the legislative and constitutional level and a moratorium on the death penalty. It urged Member States to end the hostilities, to integrate human rights into their diplomatic and economic engagement with Iran. ohchr.org/en/documents/count…
My report is organised around impacts: the killed and executed; the detained and missing; those who defend, document and mobilise; livelihoods; and the environment. In each, the external and internal sources of harm converge. Warnings of incoming strikes were posted to social media that the authorities’ own shutdown had made unreachable, and prisoners were reportedly locked in as the strikes fell. The war did not loosen the repression; it tightened it: protesters were recast as agents of the attacking States, and executions continued throughout. The burden fell hardest on those already at the margins. My recommendations are accordingly addressed to all parties: Iran, the US and Israel, and all States. ohchr.org/en/documents/count…
The common thread is impunity. I know of no investigation by the Iranian authorities into the killings by their forces, and the US and Israel have published no findings on their strikes. When those responsible will not investigate themselves, independent documentation is what stands between the victims and erasure. These reports, built on the work of survivors, families and civil society, are that record, and accountability will one day depend on it.
Until then, the reports converge on what must happen now: end the hostilities through diplomacy, with human rights at the heart of any agreement; halt executions; release those detained for exercising their rights; investigate every death independently; and grant UN mechanisms access.
Conor Fortune retweeted
📍MÉXICO
Seis años desde que la defensora de derechos humanos indígena amuzga Kenia Inés Hernández Montalván fue detenida arbitrariamente, criminalizada y condenada a penas de más de 20 años, por ejercer su legítimo derecho a defender derechos humanos.
🔗frontlinedefenders.org/es/st…
📍MEXICO
It's been six years since lawyer, feminist and Amuzga Indigenous woman human rights defender Kenia Inés Hernández Montalván was arbitrarily detained, criminalised and sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on eleven charges, for exercising her right to protest and defending human rights.
Despite being cleared of the eight federal charges against her in April 2026, Kenia remains in prison. In July, one of those cases was reopened after an appeal by a federal agency, CAPUFE, challenging a judge's decision not to proceed with the case on the premise that doing so would amount to criminalising the defence of human rights and activism in Mexico.
Over these six years, Kenia has been separated from her young children and held in several prisons, including a maximum-security facility. Last year, she was denied the right to attend her mother's funeral. Even so, she continues to defend the rights of other women in prison and has set up "Weavers of Freedom", a weaving and beadwork workshop that supports more than 30 women in custody.
Six years of injustice have also brought six years of solidarity from people and organisations in Mexico, Latin America and beyond. Front Line Defenders joins the call for Kenia's immediate release and demands that the authorities close the cases against her.
FREEDOM FOR KENIA NOW!
🔗Read the joint statement: frontlinedefenders.org/en/st…
Conor Fortune retweeted
"Deeply disturbing."
UN human rights chief Volker Türk reacts to a BBC investigation finding evidence that the RSF systematically destroyed hospitals in Sudan, stating the actions may amount to war crimes. bbc.in/3W1oONU
Conor Fortune retweeted
🔊 Amid widespread threats to HRDs and global funding cuts, developing collective approaches to resourcing and coordinating protection is more urgent than ever.
We're sharing the 2026 Global HRD Protection Summit Findings Report and 12 Commitments to shift resources and decision-making closer to defenders, with clearer roles and shared priorities!
🔗 zurl.co/xA12A
@OpenSociety
@UNHumanRights
@AfricaDefenders
@Irish_Aid
@MAECgob
@SpainMFA
@AECID_es
@dfatirl
@ProtectHRD_EU
@noradno
Conor Fortune retweeted
Timely & important decision to award the Sakharov Prize to the ICC. W/ international law & accountability under attack, such recognition must be matched by action. A first step:EU should extend the Blocking Statute to cover US sanctions against the Court & those cooperating w/ it
The International Criminal Court and its officials have been awarded the European Parliament's 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Learn more about the laureate here ➡️ link.europa.eu/rVBvTR

ALT A group of judges in blue robes sit in session at the International Criminal Court. The text reads: “2026 Laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, The International Criminal Court and its officials, Democracy in action.” The European Parliament logo is in the bottom right‑hand corner.
Conor Fortune retweeted
NEW: Civilians in El Fasher, #Sudan suffer unlawful killings, detention and torture one year after city’s capture by the RSF – new @Amnesty research 🇸🇩
"A pervasive pall of fear hangs over El Fasher" - @AgnesCallamard
amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2…
Conor Fortune retweeted
📣 Front Line Defenders is recruiting for a Head of Region (MENA).
More information and how to apply can be found here ⬇️
zurl.co/m96ZQ
Conor Fortune retweeted
Hoy presenté el informe anual del Comité contra la Desaparición Forzada ante la Tercera Comisión de la Asamblea General de la ONU.
Fue profundamente lamentable que un grupo de víctimas fuera retirado de la sala por mostrar fotografías de sus seres queridos desaparecidos. Su presencia merecía respeto y escucha, y debería recordarnos a quiénes debemos servir con nuestro trabajo.
Espero sinceramente que la cuestión remitida a la Asamblea en virtud del artículo 34 de la Convención no se diluya entre cálculos políticos y consideraciones diplomáticas. Las víctimas y sus familias merecen, cuando menos, que se abra una conversación seria, de buena fe y orientada a resultados concretos, que tenga presente su sufrimiento y sus legítimas demandas de verdad, justicia y reparación.
Los propios Estados decidieron incorporar este mecanismo excepcional en la Convención. Confío en que ahora asuman con igual seriedad la responsabilidad de darle eficacia y sentido práctico.
La credibilidad del sistema internacional de derechos humanos depende también de nuestra capacidad de convertir los compromisos asumidos en respuestas efectivas para quienes más las necesitan.
#UNGA81 #CED
Conor Fortune retweeted
🇲🇽 #Mexico
⚖️ Las mujeres buscadoras son defensoras de los derechos humanos de sus familiares desaparecidos. Su derecho y el de las organizaciones que las acompañan a expresarse libremente y a ser escuchadas, también en espacios como #UNGA81, debe ser respetado y garantizado por Naciones Unidas. 🗣️ Sus voces merecen escucha, respeto y protección.
Hoy presenté el informe anual del Comité contra la Desaparición Forzada ante la Tercera Comisión de la Asamblea General de la ONU.
Fue profundamente lamentable que un grupo de víctimas fuera retirado de la sala por mostrar fotografías de sus seres queridos desaparecidos. Su presencia merecía respeto y escucha, y debería recordarnos a quiénes debemos servir con nuestro trabajo.
Espero sinceramente que la cuestión remitida a la Asamblea en virtud del artículo 34 de la Convención no se diluya entre cálculos políticos y consideraciones diplomáticas. Las víctimas y sus familias merecen, cuando menos, que se abra una conversación seria, de buena fe y orientada a resultados concretos, que tenga presente su sufrimiento y sus legítimas demandas de verdad, justicia y reparación.
Los propios Estados decidieron incorporar este mecanismo excepcional en la Convención. Confío en que ahora asuman con igual seriedad la responsabilidad de darle eficacia y sentido práctico.
La credibilidad del sistema internacional de derechos humanos depende también de nuestra capacidad de convertir los compromisos asumidos en respuestas efectivas para quienes más las necesitan.
#UNGA81 #CED
Conor Fortune retweeted
🇮🇳#India The continuous crackdowns against protesters targeting student activists and other human rights defenders are contrary to the protection that the Indian government should be providing.
Read our full joint press release ⬇️
#India: UN experts alarmed by heavy-handed police response to peaceful youth-led demonstrations. “Despite the non-violent nature of the assemblies, law enforcement has deployed force against unarmed students”
ohchr.org/en/press-releases/…
Conor Fortune retweeted
Macron told to not let Bahrain 'buy France's silence' as he tours Gulf
French president urged to raise human rights concerns as he seeks energy deals in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar
must-read piece by @oscarrickettnow for @MiddleEastEye
middleeasteye.net/news/macro…
with comments from @MARYAMALKHAWAJA, @Ant1Mad of FIDH and me.
Conor Fortune retweeted
32 human rights organisations including @BirdBahrain_ wrote to @EmmanuelMacron ahead of his official visit to #Bahrain, urging him to prioritise human rights in his discussions with King Hamad Al Khalifa, whose rule has been marked by escalating repression, mass arrests, torture and the stripping of children’s citizenship.
Conor Fortune retweeted
I have begun my solidarity action in support of political prisoners in Iran and those participating in #NoToExecutionTuesdays
#hungerstrike
I stand with those facing persecution for their political opinions, expression and peaceful dissent, and reiterate my call for an immediate halt to executions.
#StopExecutionsInIran
Conor Fortune retweeted
📍BANGLADESH
🚨WHRD Shampa Goswami faces imminent arrest after a sedition case was filed against her targeting her for her human rights work.
FLD calls on the authorities in Bangladesh to drop all criminal investigations against her and cease all forms of harassment against her.
🔗zurl.co/TrN8U
Conor Fortune retweeted
📢 Today I present my first report as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to the UN General Assembly.
It brings together the voices of more than 1,100 defenders from every region and sets out the priorities of my mandate:
🧠 Health and psychosocial wellbeing of HRDs
🌍 Defenders in contexts of human mobility, displacement and exile, and transnational repression
⚖️ The cycle of criminalization against those who defend human rights
🕙 10:00 New York | 16:00 Geneva
📺UN Web TV: webtv.un.org/en/schedule
🔗Report: documents.un.org/doc/undoc/g…
_________
📢 Hoy presento en la Asamblea General de la ONU mi primer informe como Relatora Especial sobre la situación de las personas defensoras de derechos humanos.
Este informe recoge las voces de más de 1.100 personas defensoras de todas las regiones y define las prioridades de mi mandato:
🧠 Salud y bienestar psicosocial de las personas defensoras
🌍 Personas defensoras en contextos de movilidad humana, desplazamiento y exilio, y represión transnacional
⚖️ El ciclo de criminalización contra quienes defienden derechos humanos
🕙 10:00 Nueva York | 16:00 Ginebra
📺UN Web TV: webtv.un.org/en/schedule
🔗Informe: documents.un.org/doc/undoc/g…
Conor Fortune retweeted
📍India
🚨The crackdown on peaceful protesters in New Delhi involved mass detention, unlawful force and targeting of journalists and HRDs.
We call on Indian authorities to release everyone arbitrarily detained and ensure accountability for abuses by security forces.
🔗zurl.co/KzjTz
Conor Fortune retweeted
📍IRAN
🚨WHRD Pouran Nazemi faces imminent risk of imprisonment after an appeal against her prison sentences may not have been registered.
FLD believes her conviction is linked to her peaceful human rights work and calls for the convictions and sentences against her to be dropped.
🔗zurl.co/LV5P7
Conor Fortune retweeted
The Canadian government is planning mining infrastructure on First Nations’ land without their consent. The infrastructure would allow mining in the ‘Ring of Fire’ mineral deposit in northern Ontario.
Forensic Architecture worked with Neskantaga First Nation and Infrastructure Beyond Extractivism to document Neskantaga’s jurisdiction along the route of a planned mining road.
Drawing on interviews with elders and land users, community mapping, remote sensing and spatial analysis, the investigation traces Neskantaga's historic relation to the land. The resulting maps show that extractive infrastructure is planned on top of a dense Indigenous ecological and cultural fabric.
Watch the full film here: forensic-architecture.org/in…
Conor Fortune retweeted
Journalists gather in Valletta to mark nine years since Caruana Galizia's murder mrf.lu/2gmXv
































