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Nils Melzer
@NilsMelzer
Former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. Former VicePres . Human Rights Chair, Geneva Academy. Professor of International Law University of Glasgow
Nils Melzer’s Tweets
The ’s #neutrality is not a question of morality - it is our only protection when we bring #humanitarian #assistance to #WarVictims in the most violent & dangerous places on Earth.
Thanks & for this important conversation:
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#Afghanistan:
➡️ We are deeply concerned by the exclusion of millions of #women & #girls from higher #education & work with natl/intl #NGOs.
➡️ We urge the authorities to consider the catastrophic #humanitarian consequences of their announcement.
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NEW:
Excellenct new portal to ’s Databases on International Humanitarian Law #IHL
Easy & intuitive access to treaties, customary law & national practice
Thanks to our colleagues for this important service to the IHL-community! 🙏🏻
➡️Access here: ihl-databases.icrc.org/en
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Excellent news of historic importance:
Today, in #UNSC Resolution 2664, the UN Security Council decided to protect #humanitarian activities from negative impacts of current & future #sanctions regimes.
Congratulations & warmest thanks!
👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏
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Good news:
➡️The visits more #PrisonersOfWar held by #Russia & #Ukraine
➡️The #GenevaConventions protect #PoW & #civilians in the hands of the enemy
➡️States must give full, regular & unimpeded access to such persons wherever they are held.
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Only when we let go
of who we are
can we become
who we might be
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“We saw immense needs in terms essential services. But we also saw incredible resilience.”- Head of Delegation, Stephan Sakalian.
Yesterday we visited #Kherson, bringing emergency medical supplies to 3 hospitals. The team also met local authorities & staff at ⬇️
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Merci à , directeur et fondateur de , pour cette recension importante de mon livre “L’affaire #Assange”.
⬇️
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Avec l’autorisation d’@OlivierVinay (merci à lui), nous reproduisons 
sa recension du livre de @NilsMelzer publiée dans le dernier numéro de @Booksmag.
Ce texte témoigne d’un réel intérêt pour l’affaire #Assange et d’un souci des faits. C’est suffisamment rare pour être salué. twitter.com/ComiteAssange/…
sa recension du livre de @NilsMelzer publiée dans le dernier numéro de @Booksmag.
Ce texte témoigne d’un réel intérêt pour l’affaire #Assange et d’un souci des faits. C’est suffisamment rare pour être salué. twitter.com/ComiteAssange/…
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➡️What are the rules of #IHL & #GenevaConventions?
➡️How do they apply?
➡️What happens when they are violated?
For these & other questions, with a particular focus on #Russia/#Ukraine, listen to our latest podcast with 's Chief Legal Officer &
👇 twitter.com/ejrushing/stat
This Tweet is unavailable.
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In the name of those who need us most, please respect & support our neutrality, impartiality & confidentiality, for without them we simply cannot fulfil our humanitarian mandate.
➡️ Remember: The is not part of the problem, but part of the solution.
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Show this thread
Let’s be clear:
The #GenevaConventions oblige States to grant access to all #PoWs & other #ProtectedPersons.
While ICRC is mandated to monitor & confidentially report on respect for the Conventions, enforcing them is the exclusive duty of States.
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Show this thread
Want to know what are the main priorities of the new UN Special Rapporteur on torture ?
Read her blog here: ow.ly/xsXE50KNzWc
#TogetherWeCanEndTorture
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Listen to our conversation with President @PMaurerICRC who for a decade has led the & its humanitarian diplomacy worldwide.
It has been a great privilege & pleasure to work under his leadership & we will carry on his legacy for years to come.
🎧
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We must educate our young children in the practice of compassion on a worldwide scale. Teachers and parents can instill in children real, warmhearted human values to tremendous benefit. We need a transformation in commitment to the universal values of compassion and love.
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Many congratulations to the winner of this year’s Birks book prize - @NMavronicola for ‘Torture, Inhumanity and Degradation under Article 3 ECHR’ 
#SLSKings22 #academicprize @SLSConference
#SLSKings22 #academicprize @SLSConferenceShow this thread
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Available from today at :
the French edition of my book "The Trial of Julian Assange - A Story of Persecution" (L’Affaire Assange - histoire d'une persécution politique) detailing the alarming findings of my investigation as UN special rapporteur on torture.
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Aujourd'hui en librairie !
"L'affaire Assange. Histoire d'une persécution politique" de Nils Melzer.
@ComiteAssange #Assange
editionscritiques.fr/produit/laffai
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Dès aujourd'hui chez : l'édition française du livre "L'affaire Assange - histoire d'une persécution politique", détaillant les conclusions alarmantes de mon enquête en tant que rapporteur spécial des l’ONU sur la torture.
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Aujourd'hui en librairie !
"L'affaire Assange. Histoire d'une persécution politique" de Nils Melzer.
@ComiteAssange #Assange
editionscritiques.fr/produit/laffai
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Dans l'affaire #Assange les médias grand public n'osent pas:
▪️protester l’annihilation de l'état de droit
▪️demander des comptes pour les crimes des puissants
▪️informer et responsabiliser le public
➡️Une ombre de ce qui était autrefois le "4ème pouvoir".
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Danke & für die Wiederholung unseres wichtigen Gesprächs:
➡️zum Fall #Assange
➡️zum Systemversagen in demokratischen Rechtsstaaten ➡️zur Bedeutung dieser Entwicklung für unsere Zukunft
Audio hier: ⬇️
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Today 73 years ago the #GenevaConventions were signed:
➡️codifying absolute minimum standards of humanity for any armed conflict
➡️the humanitarian legacy of two World Wars that had brought unprecedented cruelty & suffering upon millions
➡️Let us remember & NOT go there again!
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Why is #PoliceViolence increasing worldwide?
My 2021 interview with now also on : ⬇️
youtu.be/HLRrV5hbT2c via
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Worrying news in suggesting that my book „The Trial of Julian #Assange - a Story of Persecution“ has been #blacklisted by Australian authorities.
➡️„Assange family barred from taking book about WikiLeaks founder into Australia’s parliament“
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In the #Assange case, the mainstream media don’t dare to:
➡️protest the systematic violation of the rule of law;
➡️demand accountability from govts for crimes & corruption;
➡️inform & empower the people.
A mere shadow of what used to be the "4th Estate".
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Dans l’affaire #Assange, aucun média grand public n’ose:
➡️protester la violation systematique de l’État de droit;
➡️demander des comptes aux gouvernements pour crimes & corruption;
➡️informer & donner du pouvoir au peuple.
Ils ne sont qu’une ombre du «4ème pouvoir» d’autrefois.
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Cajoler Pinochet, briser Assange. Par Nils Melzer, rapporteur spécial sur la torture de la Commission des droits de l’homme des Nations unies, dans le numéro d’août. monde-diplomatique.fr/2022/08/MELZER
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In some areas of #Ukraine, people have woken up to find their homes suddenly under the control of #Russian forces.
In this timely blogpost, & #TristanFerraro explain how #HumanitarianLaw #IHL protects civilians in #OccupiedTerritory ⬇️
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I welcome the adoption of the #UNGA resolution recognising the human right to a healthy environment – an important tool for accountability and climate justice.
The well-being of people around the world and the survival of future generations depends on the health of our planet.
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Book review: „When telling the truth becomes a crime“
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Important piece by in about the #Swiss case of #BrianK:
„My name is Brian: the prisoner whose treatment put #Switzerland on trial“
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The most urgent priority of world leaders definitely must be to deliver global governance reform based on #GlobalGoals #UNCharter & #UDHR.
If we continue to fail, the #humanitarian consequences will soon reach catastrophic proportions - everywhere.
➡️Failure is not an option! twitter.com/antonioguterre
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At #HRC50, the Human Rights Council appointed as Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
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BREAKING - NEW SR-TORTURE:
Congratulations on your appointment as new #SRTorture by !
I wish you all the strength, courage & determination needed to speak truth to power & give a voice to the voiceless in these trying times.
May the force be with you!
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As we prepare to say our “Adieux” to our home above the stunningly beautiful Bernese Lakelands & move back to Geneva, I was inspired to compose this little “Song without Words” & to dedicate it to my wonderful wife.
This one is for you, Katarina, in deep love & gratefulness…❤️
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Public advocacy vs confidentiality?
In our handover interview, my predecessor & friend asks me:
“How do you transition from your previous public advocacy role as Special Rapporteur on Torture back to ’s confidential dialogue?”
➡️Watch here…
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Our joint article in explaining how the #IstanbulProtocol empowers health professionals to eradicate #torture: ⬇️
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Stepping into our new roles as Directors, each of us was asked to say a few words about:
(1) Our priorities
(2) Ourselves
(3) Why the ICRC
Here's what I had to say...
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Today, as I take up my new role , I step down as Vice-President .
I warmly thank President Edoardo Greppi for his confidence & leadership and look forward to continuing our close cooperation & promotion of #IHL in my new capacity as an ex-officio Council member!
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Honoured & delighted to be part of ’s incoming Directorate team taking office today 1 July - may we have the wisdom, courage & compassion required to lead our organization through the manyfold challenges of the coming years!
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Torturers must never be allowed to get away with their crimes, and systems that enable torture should be dismantled or transformed.
Together, let's stand in solidarity with all victims of torture and work towards making torture history.
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