Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror

I am honoured to be appointed by the member countries of the United Nations to work with them, civil society, and victims of terrorism and excessive counter-terrorism to ensure human rights are fully protected in all counter-terrorism efforts

In two cases the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkey violated the rights of 93 people accused of links to the Gülen movement who were arrested without reasonable suspicion and held in arbitrary pretrial detention after a failed 2016 coup lnkd.in/eV-UvHND

In two cases the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkey violated the rights of 93 people accused of links to the Gülen movement who were arrested without reasonable suspicion and held in arbitrary pretrial detention after a failed 2016 coup

I join UN experts in raising human rights concerns about Ecuador's definition of terrorism and terrorist offences, intelligence law, states of emergency, listing of cartels as "terrorist", and declaration of armed conflict against organized crime groups spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/…

I join UN experts in expressing concern that a US Presidential Memorandum on "domestic terrorism" could result infringe political freedoms and suppress civil society spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/…

I join UN experts in urging Indonesia to revise a draft presidential regulation empowering the National Army to combat terrorism, to prevent risks to human rights, the rule of law and civil society spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/…

In a new communication I encourage Guatemala to amend its legal definition of terrorism, to ensure legality and protect political freedoms and civic space spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/…

In a new communication I call on Somalia's Puntland state to review and amend its Counter-Terrorism Law to conform with international human rights law spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/…

I extend my sincere appreciation to Ben Saul for recognizing the progress Somalia is making in advancing human rights. His acknowledgment reflects the continued efforts and achievements led by the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development in strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights across the country.

In Geneva, I chaired a side event organized by Somalia on the margins of the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council, where the report of the UN Special Rapporteur following his visit to Somalia was presented, alongside the African perspective on the 9th review of the UN strategy for protecting human rights while countering terrorism. In my remarks, I underscored Somalia’s progress toward accountability, including the establishment of the Independent National Human Rights Commission on Human Rights Day 2025. Our engagements in Geneva and New York City continue to advance Somalia’s human rights agenda and international cooperation.

I join many others in commemorating the passing of Australia’s former Chief Justice Sir Anthony Mason, who among many other achievements helped to open the Australian judiciary to the positive influences of human rights and international law supremecourt.nsw.gov.au/documents/medi…

Definitely not how an intern should behave in the workplace: Belgian diplomat on trial for alleged complicity in the 1961 murder of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the newly independent Congo theguardian.com/world/2026/mar…

I deplore the terrorist suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Nigeria, killing 23 people & injuring 100 in a hospital and two markets during Ramadan. I welcome efforts by Nigeria to assist the victims, bring the perpetrators to justice, & prevent further attacks nytimes.com/2026/03/17/wor…

I welcome US officials of conscience who refuse to support illegal aggression against Iran

My podcast on “UN Special Rapporteurs and Procedures: Independent Voices in an Uncertain World” - thanks to Called to the Bar – International Law over Drinks on.soundcloud.com/fEXqFAHVdLTcTI…

At the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights I condemned the US' extrajudicial killing of 157 civilians in a phony war on "narco-terrorism" - reported in the New York Times nytimes.com/2026/03/13/us/…

March 13: ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights to Underscore the Serious Harm of U.S. Boat Strikes at Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Hearing in Guatemala   | American Civil Liberties Union aclu.org/press-releases…

🇺🇳 Special Rapporteur on Counter-terrorism and human rights @profbensaul expressed concern about the abuse of international counterterrorism obligations to legitimise transnational repression #TNR and proposed preventative measures: 👉 States shouldn't automatically recognise foreign terrorist listings. 👉 Extradition requests must be subject to scrutiny of foreign terrorism charges. 👉 Scrutinise claims that asylum seekers and refugees are 'terrorists'. 👉 Regulate the use of new counterterrorism technologies. 👉 Strengthen and formalise safeguards on cross border information sharing by all authorities.

A UN special rapporteur says the world has entered a "new dark age of abuses in the name of countering terrorism", with the United States "raining death" on Iran and Venezuela. u.afp.com/SLTm

Pleased to call on His Excellency Mr Paul Empole Efambe in Geneva to discuss the challenges posed by terrorist groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Netherlands Joins South Africa's ICJ Case Accusing Israel of Genocide in Gaza haaretz.com/israel-news/is…