Paul O'Brien

Another attack on a synagogue. No one should ever be targeted based on their religious identity, in Michigan or anywhere else. Antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and racism are antithetical to human rights. Amnesty International is in solidarity with all who are targeted for their identity, and we reiterate our commitment to advancing the human rights of all people.

"We must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division.” Rev. Jesse Jackson, we will miss you, your prophetic voice for human rights and your relentless, life-long struggle for civil rights. Rest in Peace.

We at Amnesty International have long-documented authoritarian practices in many countries and contexts. We recognize the warning signs and are ringing the alarm bells – this time right here in the United States. Read my thoughts on the alarm bells of President Trump’s second term in today’s @USATODAY @usatodayopinion : usatoday.com/story/opinion/…

Today marks one year since President Trump returned to office and alarm bells have been ringing as he’s escalating authoritarian practices and putting the U.S. is on a dangerous trajectory that threatens human rights in the U.S. and abroad. By shredding norms and concentrating power, President Trump and his administration are trying to make it impossible for anyone to hold them accountable. Students arrested and detained for protesting on college campuses… entire communities terrorized with masked ICE agents… the militarization of our cities …all with efforts to intimidate press, expanded surveillance and attacks on courts, lawyers, and oversight bodies. In our new report, we document 12 areas in which the Trump admin is undermining the rule of law, closing civic space, and other authoritarian practices in a systematic and mutually reinforcing ways. To be clear, what we are witnessing is a dangerous trajectory that has brought about a full-blown human rights emergency. As an international human rights organization, we have been here before. Amnesty International has long documented authoritarian practices in many countries and contexts. Different countries, different details, same practices that discredit critics, punish dissent, weaken institutions, consolidate power. History shows that by the time authoritarianism is fully entrenched, it’s often too late - the safeguards are already broken. We have seen where this road leads...when dissent is punished, oversight is dismantled, and people can be disappeared or expelled beyond the reach of the law. But we also know that this slide is not inevitable. There is still time to stop it. That’s why we are ringing the alarm. Read the full report here: bit.ly/49Ggjec

Thanks to my colleagues at @amnestyfrance for the conversation - an interesting series for francophones on a year into President Trump's second Administration. 📷

We unequivocally condemn the mass shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia, which has taken the lives of 15 people and caused immense harm and trauma to many others. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and mourn alongside them. We condemn antisemitism and all forms of racist hatred.

A human rights awakening is happening. See today’s piece here. #HumanRightsDay newsweek.com/amnesty-intern…

Powerful critique by @kettynivyabandi of @AmnestyNow on whether Canada should challenge USG decisions to murder people with no judicial process. As she says: “It is a collective responsibility to uphold international law. It is not up to a country to focus on itself and decide whether or not it is applying international law—in that case, nobody would,” she said. hilltimes.com/story/2025/11/… via @thehilltimes

Orban will be in DC tomorrow. Please review this thread below. 👇

“The authors look to South Africa and Northern Ireland, both of which saw political change that had seemed unimaginable. Their blueprint identifies a multilayered process of co-conciliation, reparations and the creation of an inclusive political framework. theguardian.com/books/2025/oct…

At Chicago #NoKingsOct18

We commend @MIT in its decision to reject President Trump’s proposed ‘compact’. In refusing to cave to political pressures, MIT has upheld the very ideals higher education is built on – freedom of thought, expression and discourse. The federal government must not infringe on what students can read, discuss and learn in school. It is a violation of their academic freedom. MIT did the right thing: it put its students first and preserved the social fabric of its university life. We hope other universities will follow suit.

The Trump administration is targeting Mario Guevara to silence and punish those who dissent, or those who cover it in the media. Statement from @dpaulobrien amnestyusa.org/press-releases…

This genocide must end. Hostages must be freed to go home, and unimpeded humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza. Please join us and take action:  amnestyusa.org/blog/two-years…

But we must not look away. We must not be desensitized to seeing children left maimed and parentless. We must not accept that Israeli and Palestinian lives are used as bargaining chips. We must not abandon people who are at risk.

This week marks 2 years since Hamas and other armed groups attacked and killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel, including children, and took 251 people hostage.