Hussein Baoumi

Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction.

The Israeli air strike on Evin Prison in Tehran was deliberate and must be investigated as a war crime.
This was not a military target.
#Iran #Israel

🚨 Our investigation at @amnesty.org found that Israel’s bombing of Evin Prison, where political prisoners are held, killed at least 80 civilians including 1 child.

The attack could constitute a war crime.
🔗 amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...
#EvinPrison

Taking the Pulse: Should the EU Suspend its Association Agreement With Israel? Israeli leaders are clearly stating their intention to forcibly displace Gazans out of the Strip, a policy which amounts to ethnic cleansing. To uphold its commitment to human rights, should the EU su...

Das EU-Israel Assoziierungsabkommen ist die Basis für den Zugang Israels zum europäischen Binnenmarkt. Mein Amnesty-Kollege @husseinbaoumi.bsky.social erklärt, weshalb wir exakt dort, bei Art. 2 des Abkommens, ansetzen müssen, um Menschenrechte zu schützen.

carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...

📢Journalists!

@amnesty.org will hold its global launch of the State of the World’s Human Rights Report in Brussels.

🗓️April 28
🕐12:00 PM (CET)
📍The Press Club, Brussels Rue Froissart 95, 1040

RSVP: In-person ✉️secretary@pressclub.be
Online: amnesty-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Washington tells Damascus what it needs to do to ease sanctions Demands include a public ban on any Palestinian political activity, proscribing Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, and allowing unilateral US military action in Syria

Anyone who has been to Syria could easily see the magnitude of poverty & suffering people are forced into.

Lifting sanctions is a key element to addressing this situation.

Europe should engage with the US to reduce some of the excessive US conditions.

en.majalla.com/node/325267/...

Tunisia: Mass convictions of opposition activists after sham trial marks a dangerous moment A Tunisian court has sentenced forty individuals to harsh prison terms after they were convicted on trumped-up charges.

In a shocking development, Tunisia sentenced opponents, lawyers, media workers & activists to long prison sentences in a deeply unfair trial.

Just days ago the European Commission proposed declaring Tunisia a safe country.

Some of those convicted live in the EU.

www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...

The million dollars (yuans?) question across MENA as well.

Where did I say that Egypt is a safe country?

From the article:
The concept of safe countries in asylum procedures "may lead to discrimination among refugees based on their country of nationality and detract from an individualised assessment," said Hussein Baoumi...

Secondly, the EU should enhance its engagement with listed countries in order to address human rights concerns to minimize risks of abuses for those returned.

First, ensure that groups at specific risk in each country, for example political opponents, LGBTI individuals, journalists and human rights defenders are clarified in its guidance to member states to minimize the chances of returning someone who would be at risk.

EU issues list of 'safe countries' for migrant returns that includes Egypt, Tunisia The European Commission on Wednesday included countries such as Egypt and Tunisia, where human rights have come under scrutiny, on a list of "safe countries" to which failed asylum seekers could be returned.

Spoke with Reuters on how the EU's proposal for a list of safe countries could minimize associated risks.

Looking at Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco as examples, the EU should do two things.

www.reuters.com/world/eu-iss...

Finally, the EU needs to confront disruptive regional actors like Israel and Iran in Syria.

It must also balance relations with Russia and Turkey, to reduce both their influence.

A clear, constructive approach with other actors will be vital for Syria’s stability and securing EU interests.

Second, the EU should play the long game on migration. A stable Syria with rule of law would reduce displacement, encourage voluntary returns, and limit trafficking. Forced returns would destabilize Syria further.

First, the EU must adopt a long-term strategy for Syria's recovery. This includes political inclusion, economic reconstruction, supporting civil society, and accountability.

Lifting sanctions and funding Syria’s transition are vital, but a holistic, sustainable approach is key.

The EU faces a pivotal moment post-Assad. While some nations once opposed ties due to Assad’s alliances, the fall of his regime presents an opportunity for stabilization, migration control, and economic cooperation.

However, lessons from Libya show the risks of a fragmented Syria.

EU Reset in Syria: A Second Chance for Stability in the Middle East The EU must adopt a clear, long-term strategy for Syria to ensure stability and counter disruptive actors.

New article with @timep.bsky.social on EU's Syria policy.

The EU’s approach is cautiously optimistic. While the transition holds great potential, it’s a challenging road ahead—one the EU can navigate by learning from its experience in Libya.

timep.org/2025/04/02/e...

Also, won't really stop the rise of parties on the right.

The 2017 Italy-Libya deal is a clear example of how short sighted migration policies end up propping political rivals on the more right of the spectrum.

Syria’s leadership under pressure before Europe’s donor meeting | The National Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani expected at annual pledging conference for Syria in Brussels

Ahead of the Brussels conference on 17 March, I told @thenationalnews.com that any political process for Syria must ensure that transitional justice and accountability are key components.

This is absolutely key in order to avoid the horrible events that unfolded in the past days.

Mediterranean strategic partnerships in action:

At the Ukraine UNGA vote, only 3 Arab countries voted along with the EU resolution against the US & Russia.

What connects Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia?

All three are recipients of €100s of millions from the EU.

According to this statement the EU believes that:

1-Denial of humanitarian aid & use of starvation are acceptable forms of warfare.

2-Actions are evaluated on the basis of who did them not any standard.

3-No matter what happens, there is always a way to justify Israel genocide.

Sounds like thought police but with extra steps.

2-Fits in the discourse equating UN with terrorism & aim to kill multilateral institutions.

3-Fits in their Islamophobic narratives and bashes their opponents as giving money to muslims.

4-Ultimately fits in their worldview that Israel (and only Israel) should be the land for Jewish people.

There are also 4 reasons I can think of for EU far right to support killing UNRWA:

1-They thrive on migration towards the EU, without the « threat » of migrants going towards Europe, they cannot grow their vote share and cannot bash the center right for «failures » to control migration.

I do not know if it is really a contradiction. Cynicism maybe, but attacking UNRWA works very well for the far right.

What is perplexing is that some mainstream political parties are going along with this discourse, giving a major win to the far right in the process.

Shameful decision that undermines international law & Germany’s global influence.

Without respect for international law, Germany has very little to offer the rest of the world, compared to USA, China or Russia.

EU/Israel: Stop supporting Israel’s genocide, occupation and apartheid in Palestine and start upholding international law On Monday 24 February, EU foreign ministers will host Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s foreign minister, in Brussels for the EU-Israel Association Council. It is the first time in the EU’s history that its lead...

At @amnestyeu.bsky.social we called on @kajakallas.bsky.social & EU foreign ministers to stop supporting Israel’s atrocities & uphold international law.

Instead, the EU will gave a shameful spectacle of its selective approach towards international law.

www.amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...

Today is a grim milestone in EU history.

EU leaders are welcoming the foreign minister of Israel, whose leader is wanted for crimes agains humanity.

Israel is accused of committing genocide, apartheid & ethnic cleansing.

It occupies two of its neighbors & regularly bombs them, unprovoked!

Syrians may be too tired to get into a fight right now, prioritizing rebuilding after a 13 years civil war.

But the impact of Israeli impunity remain to be seen.

Israel’s bombing, occupation & invasion of Syria without any pretense of pretext is an unprecedented.

Equally perplexing is the utter silence among EU leaders.