Matthew Smith

Here is my essay in @nytimes on why I’m suing the Trump admin. The admin’s sanctions against the ICC are an attack on global justice and the rule of law. This isn’t just policy—it’s a dangerous overreach that violates our First Amendment rights. @ACLU nytimes.com/2025/06/06/opi…

Speaking with @dailystarnews, @Truth_Hound's Co-Executive Director Oksana Pokalchuk explains how South and Southeast Asian nationals were trafficked into the Russian army to fight on the frontlines of #Ukraine. youtube.com/watch?v=jXt_T2…

This is tremendously good news I have had the privilege of knowing @KelleyCurrie for more than 20 years and worked with her on #Burma/#Myanmar and #China. She will be a superb UN Special Rapporteur. Few people could adequately replace the current brilliant @RapporteurUn Tom Andrews, whom we will miss hugely, but Kelley Currie is certainly one of the few who can. I know she will be excellent, I look forward to working with her, and I wish her the very best in this role #SaveMyanmar #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

On March 3, 2026, @FortifyRights and @Truth_Hounds published a new joint report, "I Was Tricked into the War," exposing how Bangladeshi men were trafficked into the Russian Armed Forces to fight for its illegal war in Ukraine. More on @dailystarnews. youtube.com/watch?v=jXt_T2…

Here is another tired defense of Suu Kyi during the Rohingya genocide. Reminder: She blocked the UN & defended the military at the ICJ while it was committing genocide. Holding her accountable for that isn’t a “narrative distortion.” It’s everyone’s job eng.mizzima.com/2026/03/19/323…

Announcement No. (2/2026) On the Conclusion of the Mandate of Mr. Thomas Andrews as UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in #Myanmar and the Appointment of Mrs. Kelley Anne Eckels-Currie as his Successor. #Humanrights

Pete Hegseth just declared he only wants Christian prayers for this war. No Jewish prayers. No Muslim prayers. He even dictates how you should pray. This is the Secretary of Defense acting like a religious dictator. Absolute insanity.

🇧🇩 Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting human rights in response to a letter from human rights groups, including @FortifyRights, addressed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The new government says it will continue efforts to strengthen human rights protections in #Bangladesh. thedailystar.net/news/banglades…

📌NEW: #Rohingya refugees in #Malaysia are being held indefinitely in abusive immigration detention—sometimes for years—without legal recourse or access to judicial review, according to a new investigation by @FortifyRights. Malaysia’s new refugee registration scheme must end the criminalization of Rohingya and other refugees, recognize their ongoing persecution in #Myanmar, and immediately release them from detention. “For Rohingya, due to their manufactured statelessness, they can be detained indefinitely in legal limbo, subjected to years of severe abuse and inhumane treatment, “ said @yaplaysheng, Senior Human Rights Specialist at @FortifyRights. "Malaysia should abide by international legal standards and follow the U.N. Refugee Convention.” Read full news release: fortifyrights.org/mly-inv-2026-0…

Fortify Rights is hiring 🙌 We are looking for a Multimedia Associate 🎬 to produce multimedia content, including investigative films, photography, motion graphics, and more, on human rights violations across #Myanmar, #Thailand, #Bangladesh, #Malaysia, #Ukraine, East Asia, and beyond. If you believe creative storytelling can make impacts, we want to hear from you. For more info and to apply: #career_id=2322" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">fortifyrights.org/join-us/#caree…

Important note from @TaimoorSobhan at @AP on disinformation and war in the Middle East. youtu.be/zMcYxz3MW8k?si…

Register now and come watch this powerful film tomorrow in #Bangkok, with insights from the Ukrainian Charge d’Affaires and Ukrainian human rights defender Oksana Pokalchuk from @truth_hounds

In Bangkok? Come to this free screening of “20 Days in Mariupol” and discussion this Friday.

#Bangladesh is at a crossroads. Families are still searching for the disappeared. Women are demanding justice. “There should be no concept of disappearance in Bangladesh.” Watch the new film from @FortifyRights: youtube.com/watch?v=Wk0ecd…

"Five years after the military coup, the conflict in #Myanmar shows no sign of ending," @UNHumanRights Assistant Secretary-General Ilze Brands Kehris told the @UN Human Rights Council. "Human rights and justice are crucial to resolving this crisis," she said at #HRC61

New report from @FortifyRights coming soon, on the trafficking of #Bangladeshi civilian men to #Russia’s aggressive war with #Ukraine. We’re honored to publish this jointly with one of Ukraine’s most effective human rights organizations, @truth_hounds. See below for details:

Benjamin Netanyahu says: Tehran targets civilians, and Israel only target tyrants In the last two years, Israel has killed more than 50 thousand children in the Gaza strip.

As international law faces pressure, #France can lead. It rightly intervened in the #Rohingya genocide case at the ICJ. Now it should go further and refer the situation in Myanmar to the ICC, writes @FortifyRights CEO @matthewfsmith in Libération: liberation.fr/idees-et-debat…

@shafiur @FortifyRights Our Leadership Council is broad and diverse. And not a single person on it is defending atrocity crimes.

@shafiur @FortifyRights You accused us of having “zero documentation” on Gaza, and so I explained that is because we are not there on the ground, and then you say it’s not at all about Gaza. And I’m deflecting? You, not I, chose to have this conversation in limited characters….

What is wrong with Fortify Rights’ new Leadership Council? Fortify Rights says the council will help “end impunity” and confront genocide and mass atrocities. But look at who’s been appointed. • Lord David Alton urged “caution” about using the word "genocide" for Gaza - though he used it freely in other contexts. • Irwin Cotler has built a doctrine of “new antisemitism” that treats much criticism of Israel as inherently suspect. • Tom Tugendhat consistently frames Palestine through a counter-terrorism lens and resists applying international law language to Israeli conduct. This body surely can't be about personal faith or politics. It must be based on consistency. If genocide language is clear for Myanmar and China but avoided for Israel, that cannot be described as universal. That’s selectivity. A Leadership Council on atrocity prevention cannot claim neutrality if its most visible members falter at the Gaza test. “Human rights for all” only works if all means all. New piece. Link in reply. @mpklang

@shafiur @FortifyRights We’re appalled by the genocide in Gaza. The fact you think there is some conspiracy involving Fortify Rights is patently ridiculous, with all due respect. You’re aware I’m suing the president of the United States over his sanctions against the ICC, I presume?

And why is that, @matthewfsmith ? why is @FortifyRights’ stance on the era’s defining atrocity a ‘private conversation’ rather than public record? I’ve searched your site/reports: zero documentation. Why does the world have to ask you personally to find out where your org stands on Gaza? Is human rights documentation now an 'on-request' service? But thanks nevertheless, and maybe I will do so.