Mike Davis

The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding across Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel demands immediate action. Alongside fellow organizations, I urge global leaders and the @UN to secure an immediate ceasefire. Lives hang in the balance. #CeasefireNow. globalwitness.org/en/press-relea…

🚨🇿🇼Ahead of the Summit of Heads State and Government of the @SADC_News in #Zimbabwe, the government of @edmnangagwa is systematically clamping down on dissent. In an attempt to silence critical voices and dissuade potential protests, the security forces have arbitrarily detained over 160 human rights defenders, political opposition members and student union activists. Some of those arrested were severely tortured and sustained injuries that required hospitalization At @amnesty, we have issued a global #UrgentAction to call on @edmnangagwa to release immediately and unconditionally all those detained for exercising their rights, and to end the crackdown against activists

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: The following content contains graphic descriptions of torture and violence that may be distressing to some readers. Our trial monitor on the ground witnessed the trial held today during which Namatai Kwekweza @namataik_ through her lawyers recounted the following; Namatai was kicked and shoved to enter via a carousel that ordinarily carries luggage into the domestic terminal at Robert Mugabe International Airport. She and others were detained in an excluded poorly lit room at the domestic terminal of the airport. She was forced into a dark room where each individual was held in solitary confinement and was #tortured by around 12 men. The trauma of being interrogated by all men and no woman is unimaginable. The dark room where she was being tortured also had a huge pit that had pieces of metal and drums. The torturers boasted that no one knew where Namatai was and they could do anything with her and her fellow defenders and no one would ever know. The torture inflicted upon her is beyond comprehension: being hit with open hands, clenched fists, wooden planks, and iron bars. An iron bar was shoved into her mouth. A booted foot was also attempted to be shoved in her mouth. To add to the inhumanity, she would be made to sit down and water would be poured on her body. The ordeal reached a new level of horror when she witnessed the brutal torture of Robson Chere and was brought into the torture chamber to see his motionless body in a pool of water. She was forced to endure the unimaginable #trauma of believing she had witnessed the killing of a fellow #HRD. The physical and psychological torture and threats she experienced are a gross violation of #HumanRights. The torturers, with a chilling disregard for humanity, recorded the torture with their mobile phones. This ordeal lasted for hours at the airport. Throughout this horrific ordeal, Namatai was denied access to her lawyers, her mobile phones, and a laptop were forcibly seized from her without any legal justification. After being held incommunicado at the airport, she was transferred to Harare Central Police Station. It was only upon arrival at Harare Central Police that she was allowed to consult her lawyers. However, even the relative safety of Harare Central Police Station did not provide respite. She was placed in a cell accessible to males. A man identifying himself as Muroyiwa from the Police Internal Security Intelligence entered her cell under the pretence of checking on her health and safety. Namatai’s refusal to engage with him further compounded her trauma. These are the harrowing experiences of a Woman Human Rights Defender, a woman who has dedicated her life to protecting the rights of others. This is a reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak truth to power. We demand justice for Namatai Kwekweza and all victims of such heinous crimes. @ZLHRLawyers @FordFoundation @achpr_cadhp @amnesty @euinzim @USEmbZim @_AfricanUnion @BBCAfrica @UNHumanRights @UKinZimbabwe @NLinZimbabwe @weleadteam @AfricanPOC @JusticeDefend @vanyaradzayi @advocatemahere @KofiAnnanFdn @TamukaKagoro77 @LarryMadowo @unwomenafrica @guardian @TrustAfrica @amnesty_zim #ReleaseNamatai #SafeguardingWHRDs #JusticeForNamatai #Zimbabwe

Five @JustStop_Oil protestors have received what are thought to be the longest sentences ever given in the UK for non-violent protest, in a shockingly disproportionate punishment. The UK Government must urgently end the criminalisation of activists. gwitness.org/3WpNA7Y

Just took this photo of two non-native species in a canal by the railway line in north London. I thought I was photographing the red eared terrapin but ended up snapping a coot wrestling with what I think is a signal crayfish - another North American import.

This reporting from @dwnews draws on a new @Global_Witness investigation into rare earths mining in #Myanmar. The mining is driving environmental destruction, conflict and human rights abuses . It underscores the need for strong supply controls to ensure a just energy transition.

There's an oily whiff of reputation laundering about the breaking news that Saudi Aramco, arguably the world’s most destructive company and biggest polluter, will sponsor the next men's and women's football world cups. #sportswashing #fossilfuels bbc.co.uk/sport/football…

How the fossil fuel industry is gaslighting us Literally... #InternationalEnergyWeek #BlueHydrogen #FossilHydrogen #ClimateCrisis

"Our investigation [shows] that social media platforms continue to [allow] hateful speech to flourish, endangering women and minorities, and enabling a toxic information ecosystem in a critical year for global democracy." - @prateekwaghre, @internetfreedom globalwitness.org/en/press-relea…

We're featured in the latest episode of Earthrise Studio's POWER series Our @DominicKavakeb explains how taxpayer money is playing into fossil fuel companies being so rich and powerful Make sure to check out the full video youtube.com/watch?v=sxal1d…

Good news! The UK 🇬🇧 has finally announced a ban on the import of five products like soy and beef if they are linked to illegal deforestation The UK government must now focus on shutting down the financial lifelines keeping deforesting companies going gwitness.org/3GM2i0r

"The only way you can sign up to a new sponsorship deal with a planet-wrecking #fossilfuel company in 2023 is by burying your head in the sand [and] pretending the #climatecrisis isn't happening." - @TheGarrard, @Cult_Unstained bbc.co.uk/news/uk-677661…

🚨GOOD NEWS: The UK gov is being taken to court over its disastrous decision to approve the Rosebank oil field We believe the decision is not just morally & economically wrong but unlawful; they must be held accountable Add your name to support the case: gwitness.org/3v5Sxry

"Taking big companies to court has been a near-impossible hill to climb, particularly for people in the Global South. By clearing away some of the barriers [to] taking legal action, this law can help turn the tide" - @ariannegriffth, @Global_Witness #CSDDD context.news/climate-justic…

It's now or never. A chance for the EU to make banks stop financing climate breakdown won’t come around again soon; if it does, it will almost certainly be too late. @EmmanuelMacron has just hours left to change course and do the right thing. #CSDDD euronews.com/business/2023/…

New from my @Global_Witness colleagues on how representatives of Saudi Aramco defied #UNFCCC rules on declaring their affiliation at #COP28, instead obtaining Saudi government badges and potential access to state to state negotiations too. #fossilfuels washingtonpost.com/national/2023/…

Governments at #COP28 have finally agreed we must reduce fossil fuel use. But real climate action must mean no loopholes, no reliance on unproven tech and immediate phaseout, with massive financing for the transition from rich states and big polluters. theguardian.com/environment/20…

"While this morning's COP28 text signals support for the clear science that there is no space for fossil fuels in the future, it falls short in providing the fair scale, clarity and speed we truly need." - @MartinellChiara, @CANEurope bbc.co.uk/news/live/worl…

Clip here from our friends at @ClimateReality highlighting the imbalance of power at #COP28 between big polluters flooding the talks with 2,456 #fossilfuels lobbyists and those from small island states and affected communities whose voices must be heard. climaterealityproject.org/video/key-issu…

New findings from my @Global_Witness colleagues shows the UAE government has invited to #COP28 CEOs of fossil fuel firms that plan to invest nearly $800 billion in oil and gas production by 2030. globalwitness.org/en/press-relea…