C. Morris

#HongKong court rules subversion trial of #Tiananmen vigil activists will go on: Three designated national security judges ruled on Friday that the prosecution established a prima facie case against Lee Cheuk-yan, #ChowHang-tung, and the disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. | HK Free Press https://hongkongfp.com/2026/03/13/hong-kong-court-rules-subversion-trial-of-tiananmen-vigil-activists-will-go-on/

UN experts denounce aggression on Iran and Lebanon, warn of devastating regional escalation | OHCHR 12 March 2026 https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/un-experts-denounce-aggression-iran-and-lebanon-warn-devastating-regional

International humanitarian law and connectivity disruptions during armed conflict

https://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2025/07/03/international-humanitarian-law-and-connectivity-disruptions-during-armed-conflict/

Not Any Person. Not Any Woman. Not Any Man. “…What is required is a principled [#UN] Secretary-General, firmly anchored in the values of the Charter, with a clear commitment to justice as [an]…enforceable principle — not an abstract aspiration. This includes the unequivocal recognition that #women’s rights are #humanrights & that their systematic denial undermines peace, development & the legitimacy of the international system itself.“ | PassBlue https://passblue.com/2026/03/09/not-any-person-not-any-woman-not-any-man/

“#Thailand is experiencing a rapid data center boom, with more than 70 projects planned or underway, many clustered in the industrial Eastern Economic Corridor.
Residents & farmers in Chonburi & Rayong provinces say they fear the facilities will intensify #water shortages & #pollution in a region already struggling with industrial impacts.” | Gerald Flynn, Mongabay https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/thai-data-center-boom-sparks-fears-of-water-shortage-air-pollution/ @mongabay@mastodon.green #environment

‘13 months into a travel #boycott of the #US, the number of #Canadian visitors slid by double digits again in February—marking what is already the most successful tourism boycott in memory… Canadian visits to other international destinations were up 7.2% year over year—indicating Canadians are indeed traveling, but not to the US...’ | Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/03/10/canadian-visits-to-us-fall-for-13th-consecutive-month-adding-to-us-tourism-decline/

#Türkiye: In a joint letter addressed to several #UN #SpecialRapporteurs, over a dozen NGOs raised concerns over the prosecution and conviction of #lawyers and #humanrightsdefenders affiliated with ÖHD & TUAD in Türkiye. See the full urgent action letter at https://www.fidh.org/en/region/europe-central-asia/turkey/turkey-urgent-call-to-un-special-rapporteurs-to-address-the #Turkey

ICYMI:

"The Council of Europe & the European Union have signed an agreement on the financing of an advance team to establish the
#SpecialTribunal for the Crime of #Aggression against #Ukraine

The aim of the joint project is to create a team to prepare the institutional, logistical and organisational foundations of the Special Tribunal, which will have the mandate to prosecute senior political and military leaders for the crime of aggression against Ukraine." https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/special-tribunal-for-the-crime-of-aggression-against-ukraine-council-of-europe-european-union-agree-to-set-up-advance-team

“International orders do not suddenly unravel because of political declarations…, nor because of the conduct of aberrant outliers. They collapse when those collectively entrusted with their stewardship neglect to properly defend them – when resolve gives way to timidity, principle is bartered for political expedience & moral clarity is supplanted by double standards.” | Fatou Bensouda & Sam Sasan Shoamanesh, Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/3/8/why-international-law-is-still-the-worlds-best-defence #internationalLaw #law

Time is running out for the #Iranian women’s football team as fears for their safety grow. “#Humanrights experts have told the Guardian there is a clear obligation on #Australia under the #RefugeeConvention…to protect the players from returning to countries where they face persecution.” | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/09/iran-womens-football-team-safety-fears-australia

“Israel's High Court has temporarily halted a ban on int’l #aid groups from working in the occupied #Palestinian territories unless they meet strict new rules… 17 NGOS jointly petitioned the High Court to suspend the new measures, arguing that #Israel has obligations as an occupying power under int’l humanitarian law… Judge Dafna Barak-Erez said there was "a real legal dispute" which would require more time to work through.’ BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd6z382de8yo

“Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (#MSF) is alarmed by the dramatic escalation in conflict across the Middle East & beyond… Across the region, the escalation in violence has brought fear to the lives of millions... Bombing continues across multiple cities & villages — often hitting densely populated areas — & casualties are mounting. #Civilians, #hospitals, health facilities, and other essential infrastructure must be protected at all times. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-alarmed-escalating-conflict-middle-east

Just Security has a collection of articles on the #US and #Israeli strikes on #Iran and responses from Iran and other actors. "Analysis covers topics including nuclear diplomacy; strategic, security, and regional implications; and the legality of the strikes and responses under both domestic and international law.
This collection will be updated as events continue to unfold, in reverse chronological order." https://www.justsecurity.org/114556/collection-israel-iran-conflict/

‘US military commanders have been invoking extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify involvement in the Iran war to troops, according to complaints made to a watchdog group.
The #MilitaryReligiousFreedomFoundation (MRFF) says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces…’ |#US-#Israel war on #Iran | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/us-israel-iran-war-christian-rhetoric

‘“Unprovoked attacks by the #US & #Israel — launched amid diplomatic negotiations & without authorisation from the Security Council — violate the fundamental prohibition on the use of force…& the duty to peacefully settle disputes under…the #UNCharter. They also violate the right to life,” [UN] experts said.
They also expressed serious concern over Iran’s retaliatory strikes…any use of force in self-defence must meet the requirements of necessity & proportionality.’ https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/iran-un-experts-call-de-escalation-and-accountability

“The Spanish gov’t should be lauded for standing up for #international_law in the current war of #aggression against #Iran. …many States in the West have stated broad support of the goals pursued by the #US & #Israel in #Iran – and have been mainly muted about the fact that this military campaign is manifestly illegal. Pedro Sánchez’ government in #Spain…has…[denied] the US the right to use Spanish military bases to assist Operation Epic Fury.” | Thomas Obel Hansen https://justiceinconflict.org/2026/03/04/the-strongest-voice-in-the-west-for-the-universal-application-of-international-law-why-spain-is-right-to-stand-up-for-international-law-in-the-us-israeli-war-in-iran/

Political outsiders are up against #Thailand's powerful patronage system... '"One time I went to a children's day fair & found myself sitting next to another politician. He was holding a stack of 100 baht notes [just over US$3] to hand out to the children, while I had come empty-handed. How could I compete with that?" | BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg4gxng2y4xo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss #votebuying

‘The British PM #KeirStarmer has defended Britain's non-involvement in the strikes on #Iran…pointing to needing a sound legal basis for doing so... US President Donald Trump has used the dismantling of Iran's military & nuclear capabilities as one justification, while Israel claims the attacks are a "pre-emptive" move against the regime.

GUEST: #OonaHathaway is a Professor of #InternationalLaw at Yale Law School & president-elect of the ASIL.’ | Listen, 5 min, ABC https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/are-the-us-israeli-strikes-on-iran-legal-under-international-law/106408306

The #US ambassador to #Canada [Pete #Hoekstra] has asked The Globe & Mail to apologize for a column that he said mocked the “intelligence, education, & character” of the US men’s Olympic #hockey team players who attended the State of the Union address... The letter was sent…hours after the US began bombing Iran.’ https://archive.is/JaADa

Here’s the offending column: “The State of the Union was a zoo – & Team USA the monkeys,” by Cathal Kelly, Globe and Mail https://archive.is/ebkzS

Abandoning #international_law not the solution in #Iran. “As a first-generation Canadian Iranian, I wholeheartedly oppose Iran’s authoritarian regime & have been personally victimized by it. Yet, as an international criminal & “human_rights #lawyer, I cannot condone the “#US & #Israel’s manifestly unlawful use of force against #Iran for geopolitical expediency. And neither should other Canadian Iranians.” | See the full opinion by Amanda Ghahremani, Toronto Star https://archive.is/0uhsM

Why do people start wars even though it hurts their country too – and they might lose? | by Becky Alexis-Martin, University of Bradford, responding to a question asked by Grace, 9, Belfast | The Conversation https://theconversation.com/why-do-leaders-go-to-war-when-it-could-damage-their-own-people-too-277405 #JustWar #internationallaw

Political Prisoners in #Iran Face Escalating Risks Amid Attacks

https://www.theamargi.com/posts/political-prisoners-in-iran-face-escalating-risks-amid-attacks

Grave Concerns for the Safety of Political Prisoners and Detainees in #Iran | Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) https://iranhumanrights.org/2026/03/grave-concerns-for-the-safety-of-political-prisoners-and-detainees-in-iran/

Mixed condemnations over US, Israel & Iran strikes at UN rights council expose geopolitical standoff. “Two days after #US & #Israeli strikes on #Iran ignited a widening confrontation, members of the #UN rights body [#HumanRightsCouncil] aired grievances & geopolitical mistrust, revealing sharp divisions as Tehran retaliates across the region.” | Geneva Solutions https://genevasolutions.news/human-rights/mixed-condemnations-over-us-israel-and-iran-strikes-at-un-rights-council-expose-geopolitical-standoff

Global Centre for the R2P: “…during an emergency session of the #UNSC…few members condemned the use of force by #Israel & the #US in a manner consistent with their condemnations of #Iran’s subsequent retaliation. Instead, states reinforced…#double_standards. While Iran’s …violations of #internationallaw & repression of its…population were rightly condemned, US-Israeli actions were framed as justified exceptions rather than blatant violations of the #UNCharter...” More at: https://www.globalr2p.org/publications/statement-on-the-recent-developments-in-the-middle-east/

Joint Statement by the Special Representative of the [#UN] Secretary-General for Children & Armed Conflict…& the Special Representative of the SG on Violence Against Children…on the escalating military operations in #Iran & the region. “We are deeply alarmed by attacks on #civilians, including #civilian_infrastructures, #schools, & #hospitals. Schools & hospitals must not be attacked. We join the call of the Secretary-General for an immediate cessation of hostilities.” https://violenceagainstchildren.un.org/en/news/joint-statement-special-representative-secretary-general-children-and-armed-conflict-ms#:~:text=We%20are%20deeply%20alarmed%20by,an%20immediate%20cessation%20of%20hostilities

“InternationalLaw for Some, but Not for All. ‘At #Davos, Canadian PM Mark #Carney drew applause for his plea to middle powers to “build a new order that encompasses values.” While…#Trump’s saber-rattling has unsettled many, for…my #Uyghur community, it was also deeply painful to see Carney feted for his “principled pragmatism” only days after he visited #China to forge a new strategic partnership, devoid of any mention of #humanrights...’ | Rayhan Asat, Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/international-law-for-some-but-not-for-all-opinion-11432896

Two wrongs don’t make a right in the Iran war. “The Islamic Republic of #Iran has spent 47 years imprisoning, torturing, & killing its own people. … Iranians deserve far better than the regime that has ruled them. They deserve equally better than an intervention that treats their future as an afterthought.” | see the full analysis by Prof. Hussein Banai, Globe&Mail https://archive.is/8VlOJ

Lloyd #Axworthy: Canada once rejected America's aggressive, unlawful foreign policy. Today Mark #Carney embraced it. “The Islamic Republic is a brutal, repressive regime. Iranian women, workers & students have paid a terrible price for demanding basic freedoms. But durable change must come from within Iranian society & not through military campaigns that kill civilians, strengthen hardliners & give the regime…excuses to crush dissent...” | full opinion in the Toronto Star https://archive.is/9gIyO

#Cambodia #scams. “Since January’s crackdown, 1000s of foreign workers have been…stranded… Asked why the workers could not get help, Vorn Pov said “each NGO has its own mission…[&] people do not dare to put their hand up... a journalist [was jailed]…for claiming there was violence against foreigners in a building suspected of operating online scams…meters away from a…military police building.”… He also urged the arrests of the masterminds.” | Mech Dara, Mekong Independent https://mekongindependent.com/2026/02/with-banners-and-publicity-government-steps-into-spotlight-on-scams/

#Afghanistan: "A graveyard for human rights” - | UN High Commissioner for Human Rights YouTube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W-mgQ9nWbyY #HRC61

Press Conference: Attacks against the #UN #humanrights system

Speakers:
•Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

•Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan

•George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order

•Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories

•Fernanda Hopenhaym, Member, Working Group on Business & Human Rights https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1o/k1optw9ah2

“A Hong Kong appeals court has overturned pro-democracy media tycoon #JimmyLai‘s fraud conviction relating to an alleged lease violation at the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper headquarters. His jail term stemming from the case was quashed, though Lai will still remain behind bars, serving 20 years in jail under a separate national security conviction.” | Hong King Free Press https://hongkongfp.com/2026/02/26/breaking-hong-kong-court-quashes-jimmy-lais-fraud-conviction-over-apple-daily-hq-lease-violation/

#UnitedNations #Rights Chief Should Address #Beijing’s Deepening Repression | Chinese Human Rights Defenders https://www.vagaro.com/AddToCalendarEmailHandler.ashx?apptID=728F9898-5B9F-4A23-205448&evtType=1

The #UN Special Rapporteur on #humanrights and counter-#terrorism has shared a one page summary of his recent "Position Paper on Protecting Human Rights While Using Artificial Intelligence to Counter-terrorism". See the summary below. See the full paper at: https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/position-papers/protecting-human-rights-while-using-artificial-intelligence-counter

National Bank Revokes Panda Bank License, Orders Liquidation. “#Cambodia’s central bank has revoked the license of #PandaCommercialBank, it said on Monday. The lender has reported links to a sanctioned firm accused of laundering billions of dollars for #scam networks.” | CamboJA News
https://cambojanews.com/national-bank-revokes-panda-bank-license-orders-liquidation/

Public trust in Canada’s institutions is rising in face of U.S. hostility: poll | CP/ Winnipeg Free Press

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/02/24/public-trust-in-canadas-institutions-is-rising-in-face-of-u-s-hostility-poll

Are We Living in the Age of Epstein? “…The Jeffrey #Epstein scandal has been fascinating & horrifying onlookers for more than a decade... But it’s only recently—with the release of millions of documents…that its pieces have…snapped into place. #Trump…is now inside its pattern, along with a lot of other people, organizations & institutions. A different dark vision of society has emerged...” | Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/are-we-living-in-the-age-of-epstein
Or
https://archive.is/6eJZQ #impunity

How Russia games Interpol to target Ukrainians. “Interpol’s… #RedNotices are now routinely repurposed…for pursuing #dissidents abroad, allowing repression to be exported under the cover of international cooperation.
#Russia has become one of the most practised users of this tactic….Putin’s #Russia had been misusing the wanted lists to target politicians, journalists, & businessmen for years...” | Rhys Davies & Ben Keith for Kyiv Independent | Red Notice Monitor https://rednoticemonitor.com/how-russia-games-interpol-to-target-ukrainians-opinion-by-rhys-davies-and-ben-keith-for-kyiv-independent/

‘Rodrigo #Duterte, the former president of the #Philippines, was “at the very heart” of brutal anti-drugs campaigns that led to the killing of 1,000s…, prosecutors at the #InternationalCriminalCourt…argued as they called for charges against him to proceed to trial. Duterte…is facing 3 counts of #CrimesAgainstHumanity… [49 incidents; 78 victims]… the ICC deputy prosecutor…said these were “merely a fraction of the…criminality” [resulting from] the “#warondrugs”. | Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/23/rodrigo-duterte-drug-war-case-icc-pre-trial-hearing-international-criminal-court-ntwnfb

#HongKong47 case: ‘…Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson…said: “The court’s dismissal of these appeals underlines the grave state of #humanrights in #HongKong…
“None of these 12 defendants committed an internationally recognized crime; they have been serving lengthy sentences simply for exercising their rights to freedom of #expression, #association & #participation in public affairs… jailed members of the #HongKong47 should be released...”’ | AI https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/02/hong-kong-rejected-appeals-in-hk-47-case-a-missed-opportunity-to-start-restoring-justice/

‘Don’t go to the #US – not with Trump in charge’: the UK tourist with a valid visa detained by #ICE for 6 weeks. “…why did ICE detain her & keep her locked up for so long? ….As Karen got to know the guards at the Northwest ICE Processing Center where she was held, she kept hearing the same thing from them: “Individual #ICE agents get money per head that they detain – the guards told me that,” Karen says.’ | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/21/karen-newton-valid-visa-detained-ice

Compliant #aid: …#Israel-approved #NGOs scaling up in #Gaza…can roughly be divided into 2 categories: those that appear well-intentioned but have chosen to barter silence for access, & others…more politically aligned with Israeli authorities. …groups now being favoured by Israeli authorities have downplayed or avoided talking about Israeli conduct in Gaza, & senior officials from several…have publicly supported Israel’s military campaign...” | Full story at TNH https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigations/2026/02/11/compliant-aid-who-are-israel-approved-ngos-scaling-gaza

#UN: “The Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the #HumanRightsCouncil…condemned vicious attacks, rooted in #disinformation, by several State Ministers against Francesca Albanese, the #SpecialRapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. “We denounce actions by Ministers of certain States to rely on manufactured facts & criticise Ms Albanese for statements that she never made…,” the Committee said.’ | OHCHR https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/special-procedures-coordination-committee-condemns-attacks-against-francesca

Happy lunar new year.

Was #Navalny poisoning by frog #toxin meant to send a message? ‘Dr Luca Trenta [said]… “If there is a signal to be sent here [it] is Russia’s ability to use these weapons, to produce these weapons. And…its disregard for…international law,” he said. “But again, it’s a tricky case when it comes to signalling, because if it was a signalling matter perhaps it would have been more overt.”’ | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/16/was-navalny-poisoning-by-frog-toxin-meant-to-send-a-message

When Will Women Be Considered Good Enough? The Race to Lead the #UN | PassBlue https://passblue.com/2026/02/10/when-will-women-be-considered-good-enough-the-race-to-lead-the-un/

Compliant aid: Who are the #Israel-approved #NGOs scaling up in #Gaza? “The New Humanitarian…investigation found that the new cohort of Israel-approved groups scaling up in Gaza can roughly be divided into two categories: those that appear well-intentioned but have chosen to barter silence for access, and others that seem more politically aligned with Israeli authorities.” | The New Humanitarian https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/investigations/2026/02/11/compliant-aid-who-are-israel-approved-ngos-scaling-gaza

“A bitter dispute between Europe & the US over the future of #Gaza has broken out into the open, with the EU’s head of foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, warning that Donald #Trump’s “#BoardOfPeace” was a personal vehicle for the US president that removed any accountability to Palestinians or the UN. …the original purpose of the #UN resolution…had been subverted since the board’s charter now made no reference to Gaza or to the UN...’ | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/13/dispute-future-of-gaza-trump-board-of-peace-eu-un

Sir Ian McKellen quoting Shakespeare. Words for the modern day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXq58BbhCO4&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1 1/2