Brian Dooley

Pink-toned graphic titled “Defending Dignity & Claiming Rights.” In the background, a rainbow Pride flag waves in the wind. Overlaid text reads: “A lack of accessible emergency funds means I cannot access safe housing, relocation options or essential medical care for my mental health. This funding gap is not an abstract concept; it prevents me from surviving and continuing my work. It has forced me to remain in an active conflict zone where I face dual threats from general violence and targeted anti-LGBTQ+ persecution.” The quote is attributed to a LGBTI rights defender from Ethiopia. At the bottom: “Full report available from 3 March 2026 on www.srdefenders.org.”

On 3 March, I will present my final report to the UN Human Rights Council, bringing forward the voices of human rights defenders at a time of growing attacks on human rights & the international system meant to protect them.

In the days ahead, I am sharing some of their words. #HRC61

Big win at Belfast Court of Appeal today as Laurence O’Neill had his 1972 convictions overturned. We supported the @finucanecentre.bsky.social & local human rights lawyers to have the convictions quashed. #speirgorm
Learn more: humanrightsfirst.org/library/huma...

Ukraine Anniversary Briefing - Human Rights First Ukraine’s Human Rights Challenges Will Persist Beyond Any Peace Deal Local activists in Ukraine warn that whether or not ongoing peace talks with Russia produce a breakthrough, many of the country’s m...

On the 4th anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of #Ukraine, local activists warn that even if fighting stops, serious human rights issues will remain. Our new report outlines 7 urgent issues that demand sustained int'l attention beyond a ceasefire. humanrightsfirst.org/library/ukra...

Purple-toned graphic titled “Defending Dignity & Claiming Rights.” In the background, a group of young human rights defenders from Benin smile at the camera outdoors, one making a peace sign gesture. Overlaid text reads: “International mechanisms must be complemented by local initiatives: community solidarity, citizen mobilization, early warning systems, digital security and coordinated regional alliances.” The quote is attributed to Groupement La Vie Pour Tous, Benin. Along the right side: “Image courtesy of Groupement La Vie Pour Tous.” At the bottom: “Full report available from 3 March 2026 on www.srdefenders.org.”

On 3 March, I will present my final report to the UN Human Rights Council, bringing forward the voices of human rights defenders at a time of growing attacks on human rights & the international system meant to protect them.

In the days ahead, I’ll be sharing some of their words. #HRC61

Piece by @suchitauppal.bsky.social & myself for Activist Lawyer on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We asked local activists in Ukraine about long-term human rights challenges.
More here
@humanrightsfirst.org
www.activistlawyer.com/post/on-anni...

Irish in America: ‘I carry my US passport, use a burner phone and have an escape plan’ Legal Irish-born immigrants still live with an underlying sense of fear as Ice increases the scope of its raids

‘St Patricks Day parades may be targetted’ www.irishtimes.com/abroad/2026/...

New figures reveal how many healthy years men and women in every NI council area can expect Girls in Mid Ulster can expect to spend more of their lives in good health than anywhere else in Northern Ireland, new figures suggest.

‘Northern Ireland's two main cities have the worst figures, with the Derry City and Strabane council by far the lowest - and on a downward trajectory.’

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/new-fig...

The flag of Sierra Leone gently blowing in the wind against a blue sky background.

Receiving very disturbing news about the arrest & detention of Mr. Mohamed Turay, Finance Director of the community organisation Lifeline Nehemiah Projects, in Freetown, #SierraLeone. He has been arbitrarily held since Saturday with no clear charge & should be immediately released.

Gaza death toll in early part of war far higher than reported, says Lancet study Research suggests more than 75,000 killed in the first 16 months of conflict, 25,000 more than announced at the time

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

PSNI: Lowest percentage of Catholics apply to join force in over a decade Overall, 700 fewer people applied to join the police in Northern Ireland than last year.

PSNI: Lowest percentage of Catholics apply to join force in over a decade

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ukraine: physical and death threats against LGBTQ+ rights defender Vira Chernyhina (joint communication) Joint communication sent to the Government of Ukraine about the alleged physical and death threats against LGBTQ+ rights defender Ms. Vira Chernyhina and the reported failure to conduct an effective i...

Now public: communication to the government of #Ukraine on the alleged failure to conduct an effective investigation into physical & death threats against LGBTQ+ rights defender Vira Chernyhina. No reply received. [1/2]
srdefenders.org/ukraine-phys...

Thank you to the IACHR for meeting with us & over 70 other Minnesota groups & advocates who are on the frontlines defending the human rights of all people in the state. We shared urgent concerns about:
➡️ Human rights violations
➡️ Attacks on free expression
➡️ Due process failures

Three women stand side by side indoors near a window overlooking a city street at dusk. From left to right: UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor wearing a cream blazer over a black top; UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment Astrid Puentes Riaño in a dark jacket and grey blouse; and former Irish President Mary Robinson in a patterned burgundy jacket and black top. Mary Robinson and Astrid Puentes Riaño are both wearing yellow flower pins. All three are smiling at the camera.

It was a real pleasure spending time with @srenvironment.bsky.social Astrid Puentes Riaño, currently on an official visit to Ireland, and former President Mary Robinson yesterday. Two powerful voices for climate justice/environment and human rights.

A Coordinated Sanctions Push Against Bahrain’s Interior Minister - Human Rights First This week marks fifteen years since Bahraini authorities violently crushed peaceful pro-democracy protests, unleashing a campaign of arbitrary detention and torture. After more than a decade of docume...

15 years after mass pro-democracy protests in Bahrain were met with a violent govt crackdown, it’s time for co-ordinated sanctions on the Minister of the Interior. @suchitauppal.bsky.social of @humanrightsfirst.org explains why
@gulfcentre4hr.bsky.social
humanrightsfirst.org/library/a-co...

Egyptian human rights defender Dr. Aida Seif El-Dawla has been ordered released on LE 100,000 bail after being questioned for 3 hours today by the Supreme State Security Prosecution on El-Nadeem's recent report on torture in prisons and other related publications involving torture victims.

Yes it’s Valentine’s Day. But it’s also the chosen birthday of Frederick Douglass who was born in 1818 on a plantation in Talbot County, Maryland. He escaped from slavery & rose to become the most eloquent and forceful voice for the abolition of slavery & for Black voting rights in the U.S.

The flag of Egypt blowing in the wind

I will be following closely the situation of prominent WHRD & psychiatrist Aida Seif El-Dawla who is to be questioned Sunday by #Egypt’s Supreme State Security Prosecution in a new case against her with unknown charges or reasons, threatening her important work in support of torture victims.

CEO of Human Rights First @uzraz.bsky.social writes in the
New Zealand Herald on why retired New Zealand Justice Sir William Young should step down from Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal.
Read: www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/opinion-w...

Bloody Sunday: Unjustified and Unjustifiable - Human Rights First This brief, authored by Human Rights First and the Pat Finucan Centre, examines the UK government’s decision to spend more than £4.3 million in public funds to defend “Soldier F,” the only former Brit...

Over £4.3 million in public funds was used to defend “Soldier F,” the sole former British soldier prosecuted for the Bloody Sunday killings in Derry. Read more on what this says about accountability in the UK and Ireland: humanrightsfirst.org/library/bloo...

At an anniversary event for #BloodySunday in Derry at the @museumfreederry.bsky.social, our @suchitauppal.bsky.social & @dooleydooley.bsky.social joined @finucanecentre.bsky.social to present research on how the UK government spent £4.3m to defend Soldier F. #speirgorm

Immigrants deserve safety, dignity, and due process. Join us Feb 9–15 for a national Week of Action rooted in love and solidarity. #ToImmigrantsWithLove
RSVP here: www.mobilize.us/disappearedi...

Today, Egyptian judge Mohamed Nagy Shehata died.

In his life, he sentenced hundreds of Egyptians in highly politicized cases often rife with severe due process violations. He became notorious for handing down mass death sentences and was known as the "death penalty judge."

Two-thirds of voters back insertion of right to housing into Constitution, poll shows Fewer than a third of voters think Government is making progress on housing, Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll finds

Two-thirds of voters back insertion of right to housing into Constitution, poll shows

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

Thousands without power in freezing Ukraine as renewed Russian strikes continue Ukraine's leader says regions including Kyiv and Kharkiv are among those suffering the most from blackouts as a result of recent attacks.

Thousands without power in freezing Ukraine as renewed Russian strikes continue
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Find out why the peace talks are making no real progress, on #TheGlobalJigsaw
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
#UkraineWar

Great to see my book Black & Green: The Fight for Civil Rights in Northern Ireland & Black America featured at the @museumfreederry.bsky.social
Thanks to @annumayor.bsky.social for taking the pic

Wonder where it’s gone?

4.3m to defend Soldier F. Families paid their own travel to Belfast, relied on volunteers for food, & had no psychological support. This was the stark reality highlighted by the @finucanecentre.bsky.social & @humanrightsfirst.org at the Bloody Sunday commemorative events. @dooleydooley.bsky.social

Epstein files: Queen's University Belfast cuts ties with George Mitchell over Epstein links George Mitchell chaired the talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

As an Honorary Professor at Queen’s University Belfast, I welcome today’s news that the university is to cut ties with former US Senator George Mitchell over his links with Jeffrey Epstein
@cjharvey1.bsky.social #speirgorm
www.bbc.com/news/article...

At the @museumfreederry.bsky.social for anniversary of Bloody Sunday with @finucanecentre.bsky.social for @humanrightsfirst.org with @suchitauppal.bsky.social to talk about Soldier F legal costs #speirgorm

The Pat Finucane Centre @finucanecentre.bsky.social and @humanrightsfirst.org talk about 'Public Funding of Soldier F's Legal Defence' this afternoon @museumfreederry.bsky.social @dooleydooley.bsky.social @suchitauppal.bsky.social