Maria Elena Vignoli's Avatar

Maria Elena Vignoli

@me-vignoli.bsky.social

Senior Counsel, International Justice Program @hrw (she/her) #JusticeMatters #NGOvoices RT ≠ endorsement

321 Followers  |  149 Following  |  34 Posts  |  Joined: 20.11.2024  |  1.9071

Latest posts by me-vignoli.bsky.social on Bluesky

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🚨 BREAKING: Israeli forces and US-backed contractors have turned Gaza aid distribution into a death trap. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while seeking food. Our new @hrw investigation exposes the system behind the slaughter. 1/6
🔗 www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...

01.08.2025 05:07 — 👍 5    🔁 10    💬 1    📌 0
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15 Years On, Landmark Guinea Trial Delivers on Justice and Shows Path for Future Accountability The national trial, which began 13 years after the massacre, is a rare example of domestic accountability for former senior officials.

🧵One year since the impunity wall in #Guinea started cracking. On July 31, 2024, a Guinean court convicted ex-president Moussa Dadis Camara, and others, in a landmark trial for crimes against humanity, including rapes and killings of protesters in 2009.
justsecurity.org/103451/guine...

31.07.2025 10:52 — 👍 21    🔁 11    💬 1    📌 0

#July17 is ⚖️ International Justice Day ⚖, the anniversary of the #ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute.

✊🙌 It's a day to reflect on courageous efforts around the 🌏 to ensure justice for the worst crimes through national and international courts.

#JusticeMatters #NGOVoices

17.07.2025 08:03 — 👍 34    🔁 13    💬 3    📌 0

➡️Back the ICC Office of the Prosecutor’s renewed focus on Darfur and urge cooperation with its investigations & in relation to arrests of individuals wanted by the court
➡️Push for a comprehensive justice strategy for atrocity crimes committed across Sudan

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0

At the briefing UNSC/ICC members should:

➡️Express unwavering support for the ICC & condemn threats/attacks against the court, its officials, and those cooperating with it
➡️Commit to ensuring that the ICC has adequate resources to fulfil its mandate in Darfur & across its docket

➕ 👇

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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2️⃣On July 10, the #ICC Deputy Prosecutor will brief the UN Security Council on the Office of the Prosecutor’s work on #Darfur.

The briefing comes as horrific atrocities continue with devastating consequences for civilians in Sudan’s Darfur: www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 2    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

➡️Demonstrating unambiguous political support for the court’s work across its mandate
➡️ Upholding their obligations as ICC member countries, including on arrests
➡️Providing the court w/ strengthened cooperation & other practical support it needs to get its job done for justice

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

In this challenging context, it is more important than ever for #ICC member countries to stand firmly behind the court, the impartial application of international law, and the court’s critical global mandate 💪⚖️

This includes: 👇 👇👇

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

The special session takes place as the #ICC and the rules-based international order it represents is under unprecedented pressure:

*️⃣ US sanctions against the prosecutor & four judges;
*️⃣ Russian arrest warrants against the prosecutor & six current/former judges;
*️⃣ Two serious cyber attacks

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

A group of 5 states made a proposal to harmonize the jurisdiction of the crime of aggression to that of the other core crimes: treaties.un.org/doc/Publicat...

#ICC members should adopt the proposed amendments to eliminate the current double standards and selective application of the Rome Statute.

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
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🚨This is a busy week for the #ICC & its members in New York, with two important events taking place at the UN 👇

1️⃣On July 7-9, ICC member countries will meet for a special session to discuss the amendments to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression: asp.icc-cpi.int/sessions/doc...

07.07.2025 14:50 — 👍 24    🔁 20    💬 1    📌 0
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act isn't a solution to economic inequality or for managing immigration and asylum procedures — it's a blueprint for cruelty.

The US deserves a health care system that fulfills everyone’s human right to health, and a budget that makes this possible.

01.07.2025 19:21 — 👍 90    🔁 30    💬 4    📌 0
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Hungary: Orbán Government Withdraws from ICC Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an insult to victims and survivors of the world’s worst crimes.

After refusing to arrest ICC fugitive Netanyahu, Hungary is now doubling down on impunity by withdrawing from the court.

The EU cannot afford to stay silent as member states weaken the ICC, at odds with 🇪🇺 values, laws & objectives.

Now, how will the EU respond?
hrw.org/news/2025/06...

16.06.2025 08:40 — 👍 3    🔁 4    💬 0    📌 0
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The Trump administration’s new travel ban is just one of many harmful, arbitrary, and discriminatory policies.

The US government should work toward a rights-respecting approach to immigration policy that protects the dignity of immigrants.

09.06.2025 21:26 — 👍 87    🔁 43    💬 10    📌 3
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Without stopping arms to Israel, UK Gaza ‘concern’ is empty talk If the UK has any spine on Gaza, it must at least use its political leverage and impose a total arms embargo on Israel, writes Yasmine Ahmed.

🚨 My latest for @hrw.org in the @thenewarab.bsky.social

If the UK is serious about exerting pressure on 🇮🇱, there is a glaringly obvious ‘concrete action’ it can take:

A COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON ISRAEL NOW

⬇️

www.newarab.com/opinion/with...

10.06.2025 08:37 — 👍 33    🔁 19    💬 2    📌 0
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#Trump administration sanctions four #ICC judges just for doing their jobs. The new sanctions come as Trump is working to undercut rule of law in the US.

ICC member countries should make clear they back the court’s independence and critical global mandate.

Victims everywhere deserve justice.

06.06.2025 05:02 — 👍 93    🔁 38    💬 1    📌 2
05.06.2025 20:36 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Libya: Barriers to Justice Libya’s fragmented justice sector is suppressing fundamental freedoms and obstructing accountability for abuses.

Libya's fragmented & polarised justice sector suppresses fundamental freedoms, obstructs accountability.

Authorities should urgently overhaul judiciary, reform repressive legislation, end military trials of civilians, arrest ICC suspects.

New @hrw.org report:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/06...

02.06.2025 09:02 — 👍 25    🔁 20    💬 0    📌 0

The EU has long championed international justice.

So much is at stake. The EU should rise to the occasion, & use the tools it created for moments like today. Now is the time to:

📢Defend the ICC’s independence

🛡️Push back against political pressure

⚖️Reaffirm support for the rule of law

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 1    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0

❌ French, Polish, Romanian & German officials refused to commit to arrest obligations

❌ Italy returned an ICC fugitive to Libya

❌ Hungary welcomed another ICC fugitive and now plans to leave the court

Ambiguity & non-cooperation weaken the EU’s credibility on justice.

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 2    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0

Defending justice means not *only* speaking out against political attacks, but *also* holding firm on ICC obligations. And yet …

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

The ICC is under serious political attacks simply for doing its job: investigating atrocities when others do not.

Recent threats include:

⚠️Arrest warrants on ICC officials and anti-ICC laws in Russia (& a bill in Israel)

⚠️cyberattack & espionage

⚠️US ICC sanctions

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

In particular, we urge EU leaders to stand w/victims, uphold international law & protect institutions delivering justice:

🔹Publicly defend the ICC

🔹Oppose threats & sanctions against the court, including by activating the Blocking Statute

🔹Ensure EU countries uphold their arrest obligations

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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EU Should Defend the ICC The European Union should defend the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid serious attacks on its mandate and mission, 57 nongovernmental groups said today. These attacks could undermine justice for...

🧵 May 23 is EU Day Against Impunity: a moment to reaffirm EU countries' commitment to justice for victims of the most serious crimes.

71 human rights groups have called on the EU to defend the #ICC against escalating attacks.

Why does it matter?

www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...

22.05.2025 23:58 — 👍 65    🔁 24    💬 2    📌 1
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US: Trump’s First 100 Days an Assault on Rights The Trump administration’s first 100 days in office have been a relentless barrage of actions that violate, threaten, or undermine the human rights of people in the United States and abroad.

The Trump administration’s first 100 days in office have been a relentless barrage of actions that violate, threaten, or undermine human rights.

To illustrate the breadth and depth of damage, HRW has compiled 100 harmful actions during these 100 days ⤵️

24.04.2025 11:45 — 👍 147    🔁 97    💬 1    📌 6
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📢Join us for a timely webinar on #Sudan hosted by @AtrocitiesWatchAfrica & @hrw.org

🗓️April 22, 2025
🕔5 PM Kampala | 4 PM The Hague | 10 AM DC
🎙️Twenty Years After #ICC #Darfur Crimes Referral: Accountability Gap and #Justice Pathways for #Sudan

🔗Register here: shorturl.at/3zITk

16.04.2025 09:26 — 👍 6    🔁 7    💬 0    📌 1
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EU Should Defend the ICC The European Union should defend the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid serious attacks on its mandate and mission, 57 nongovernmental groups said today. These attacks could undermine justice for...

The ICC can overcome these challenges only with the support of the intl community and its member countries. They should step up their efforts to protect the court that they created to ensure that victims of the most serious crimes have access to justice.

www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...

13.04.2025 20:39 — 👍 5    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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I covered Duterte’s Rise. His victims’ families feared he was untouchable. Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippine authorities and flown to The Hague for his arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for his responsibility in the crime …

My oped on Duterte's arrest, now on @thehill.com.

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The case against Duterte is a stark reminder of the importance of the ICC as a court of last resort. But it is precisely because the court is pursuing its global mandate that it is currently under attack.

thehill.com/opinion/5244...

13.04.2025 20:39 — 👍 6    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0
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Skunks at the Garden Party - envoy Advocating for human rights in the halls and corridors of United Nations headquarters is not easy, but it’s what some of us do every day. Most global crises and conflicts involving human rights abuses...

🦨"Skunks at the Garden Party" - that's what it feels like to advocate for human rights at the United Nations these days.

My take in ENVOY Magazine on the challenges civil society face at the UN as hostility to human rights keeps spreading. @hrw.org

11.04.2025 13:17 — 👍 34    🔁 17    💬 0    📌 1
EU Should Defend the ICC The European Union should defend the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid serious attacks on its mandate and mission, 57 nongovernmental groups said today. These attacks could undermine justice for...

🚨The European Union should defend the International Criminal Court amid serious attacks on its mandate & mission, say 58 NGOs. These attacks could undermine justice for victims of serious international crimes around the world.

www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...

04.04.2025 16:07 — 👍 4    🔁 4    💬 1    📌 0

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