Human Rights Center

Human Rights Center

@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

Investigating war crimes, pursuing justice, and preparing tomorrow's advocates. https://humanrights.berkeley.edu/

5K followers564 following346 posts

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

This summer, three @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social students took human rights work from the classroom directly into the field as HRC student fellows! Here’s a look at how they helped protect vulnerable communities worldwide. www.law.berkeley.edu/article/diff...

law.berkeley.eduDifference makers: Human Rights Center student fellows help protect vulnerable communities worldwideThree Berkeley Law students describe their work advocating for political prisoners, Indigenous territorial rights, and communities affected by environmental harms
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

"Climate-induced migration and displacement are not yet systematically integrated into state and regional adaptation planning," @betsypopken.bsky.social told @politico.com. Check out the Q+A on climate displacement and migration @obi-belonging.bsky.social: www.politico.com/newsletters/...

politico.comCalifornia CurrentsClimate change is already forcing thousands of Californians out of their homes each year. This researcher wants policymakers to start planning for it.

Human Rights Center reposted

UC Berkeley Law
@ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social

Three Berkeley Law students — 2L Sonali Dhawan, 2L Kate Reeves, and 3L Sam Klein-Markman — are among this year’s @hrcberkeley.bsky.social fellows. They recently gave powerful presentations about their recent fieldwork: https://bit.ly/48fLMn4 #BerkeleyLaw

law.berkeley.eduDifference makers: Human Rights Center student fellows help protect vulnerable communities worldwideThree Berkeley Law students describe their work advocating for political prisoners, Indigenous territorial rights, and communities affected by environmental harms

Human Rights Center reposted

Gisela Pérez de Acha
@giselilla.bsky.social

We combined OSINT with traditional reporting to get this kind of detail. Today we published a story that is not very common in the Brazilian Amazon: Black and Indigenous communities that kicked out a palm oil company from what used to be their traditional land, and won.

Guardian Environment@environment.theguardian.com

Blockades, checkpoints and court action: fending off Brazil’s biofuel giants in the Amazon

theguardian.comBlockades, checkpoints and court action: fending off Brazil’s biofuel giants in the AmazonAfter decades of violent displacement and land theft, the country’s quilombola communities are fighting back
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

On Oct. 26, we're hosting "Inside China's Secret Prisons," a book talk w/Orville Schell & Adam Hochschild on China's prison camps, their Soviet roots & threats to journalists who investigate them. 📅 10/26 ⌚️ 5:30 PM 📍Booth Auditorium @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social 🔗 events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/33...

events.berkeley.eduInside China’s Secret Prisons: book talk with Orville Schell and Adam HochschildJoin us for a book talk with Orville Schell in conversation with Adam Hochschild on China’s prison camps, their Soviet roots, and the threats to ...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

1/5 Who pays the price for “clean” fuel? In Brazil’s Amazon, the palm oil biofuel boom has collided with quilombola communities who say the land is theirs. After decades of displacement, they’re fighting back. @theguardian.com🧵: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

theguardian.comBlockades, checkpoints and court action: fending off Brazil’s biofuel giants in the AmazonAfter decades of violent displacement and land theft, the country’s quilombola communities are fighting back
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Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

4/5 The fight is far from won. Communities still lack formal land titles, and the Pastoral Land Commission has recorded at least four deaths, attempted murders and 14 death threats in the region. Many fear the presidential runoff could make securing their rights harder.

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

5/5 The case raises a question for the energy transition: whose land rights are secured b4 “clean” fuel plantations expand? Reporting by HRC current + former staff/students @giselilla.bsky.social, Sasha Schell, Luiz Monticelli + Kathleen Quinn, & Cícero Pedrosa: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

theguardian.comBlockades, checkpoints and court action: fending off Brazil’s biofuel giants in the AmazonAfter decades of violent displacement and land theft, the country’s quilombola communities are fighting back
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

1/5 Who pays the price for “clean” fuel? In Brazil’s Amazon, the palm oil biofuel boom has collided with quilombola communities who say the land is theirs. After decades of displacement, they’re fighting back. @theguardian.com🧵: www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

theguardian.comBlockades, checkpoints and court action: fending off Brazil’s biofuel giants in the AmazonAfter decades of violent displacement and land theft, the country’s quilombola communities are fighting back
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

2/5 In Pará, Brazil’s most deforested state, about 202,000 hectares produce palm oil for biofuels and food. Communities describe fences, guard towers and checkpoints, some blocking access to family cemeteries. One company filed 1,000+ police reports against residents.

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

3/5 Quilombolas are pushing back with blockades and legal action. About 2,300 people now control nearly 32,400 hectares formerly farmed by Brasil BioFuels, and courts have rejected most of its land claims. The company denies stealing land.

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Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

3/4 Our research points to these recommendations: 🏡 Protect renters & vulnerable residents 💰 State-level emergency relief 🌉 Community-driven relocation planning 🫂 Empower Tribes & CBOs 🌐 Better infrastructure & tracking during disaster

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

2/4 Released as part of CA's 5th Climate Change Assessment via the Gov's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, the report (co-authored by @betsypopken.bsky.social + Hossein Ayazi) explores how to create a safer California in the face of climate disaster. humanrights.berkeley.edu/hrc-in-the-n...

humanrights.berkeley.eduClimate change already drives displacement across California, says report by UC Berkeley Human Rights Center and Othering and Belonging Institute - Berkeley Human Rights Center

Human Rights Center reposted

Just Giulio
@giuliowolfe.bsky.social

Proud to have seen the global debate on how to bring the traditional ceasefire in the digital age reach a broader and broader audience, to the point of now having its own dedicated handbook! Great job @brettsolomon.bsky.social and @betsypopken.bsky.social Everyone please read and provide feedback!

Human Rights Center@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

1/3 📢 The Human Rights Center is seeking public feedback on our new Digital Ceasefire and De-escalation Handbook (DCDH)! 📝 Read the DCDH draft: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.comHRC_Digital Ceasefire & Deescalation Handbook_v.1.5_October .docxDigital Ceasefire & De-escalation Handbook Working Draft Version 1.5, October 2026 Note to Users 3 1.0 Preamble 11 2.0 Entry into Force 14 3.0 Prohibited Digital Operations 15 3.1 Internet Interfere...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

3/3 What’s coming? Digital interactive tools to make complex planning data accessible + a podcast breaking down what you need to know. Demystifying local development and empowering community voices is at the heart of what we do. Thank you @knightfoundation.org for supporting this work!

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

2/3 The handbook helps mediators, parties, and affected communities negotiate digital aspects of armed conflict, grey zone activity & internal disturbances. Key areas include: 📡 Internet interference 🛜 Information threats 💻 Cyber attacks

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

3/3 Our feedback window is open until this Friday October 23 at 5 PM PT. The final draft will officially launch at the Paris Peace Forum w/ @betsypopken.bsky.social + @brettsolomon.bsky.social on November 10. 🖊️ Share your feedback here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.comDigital Ceasefire and De-escalation Handbook - Feedback FormThe Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley seeks public feedback on our Digital Ceasefire and De-escalation Handbook, linked here. The public feedback period is open for two work weeks, and closes at 5pm ...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

On Oct. 26, we're hosting "Inside China's Secret Prisons," a book talk w/Orville Schell & Adam Hochschild on China's prison camps, their Soviet roots & threats to journalists who investigate them. 📅 10/26 ⌚️ 5:30 PM 📍Booth Auditorium @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social 🔗 events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/33...

events.berkeley.eduInside China’s Secret Prisons: book talk with Orville Schell and Adam HochschildJoin us for a book talk with Orville Schell in conversation with Adam Hochschild on China’s prison camps, their Soviet roots, and the threats to ...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

THIS FRIDAY! Join us for HRC's annual Student Fellowship Conference. Hear from our 2026 fellows about their summer work on pressing human rights issues. 📅 Oct. 16 🕔 12:45 PM 📍@ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social Warren Room (295) 🍴 Lunch + reception included events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/33...

events.berkeley.edu2026 Human Rights Center Fellowship ConferenceJoin the 2026 HRC summer fellows as they report back on their experiences and key takeaways from their fieldwork abroad and in-state, addressing cr...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

2/3 The handbook helps mediators, parties, and affected communities negotiate digital aspects of armed conflict, grey zone activity & internal disturbances. Key areas include: 📡 Internet interference 🛜 Information threats 💻 Cyber attacks

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

3/3 Our feedback window is open for two work weeks, and closes at 5 PM PT on October 23. The final draft will officially launch at the Paris Peace Forum w/ @betsypopken.bsky.social + on November 10. 🖊️ Share your feedback here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.comDigital Ceasefire and De-escalation Handbook - Feedback FormThe Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley seeks public feedback on our Digital Ceasefire and De-escalation Handbook, linked here. The public feedback period is open for two work weeks, and closes at 5pm ...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

On Oct. 26, we're hosting "Inside China's Secret Prisons," a book talk w/Orville Schell & Adam Hochschild on these camps, their Soviet roots & threats to journalists who investigate them. RSVP today: events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/33... 📅 10/26 ⌚️ 5:30 PM 📍Booth Auditorium, @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social

events.berkeley.eduInside China’s Secret Prisons: book talk with Orville Schell and Adam HochschildJoin us for a book talk with Orville Schell in conversation with Adam Hochschild on China’s prison camps, their Soviet roots, and the threats to ...
Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

🧵1/3 In 2016, we began a movement as the 1st university-based lab using digital open sources to investigate human rights violations. We started w/ @amnesty.org to co-create the Digital Verification Corps. Today, we celebrated 10 years together in Geneva & committed to 10 more.

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

🧵2/3 We’re celebrating this milestone all year w/ “Ten Years of HRC's Investigations Lab” speaker series which invites current students alumni & investigative partners alongside @alexakoenig.bsky.social l for a conversation on a crucial issue of human rights concern through the prism of OSINT.

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

Join us for HRC's annual Student Fellowship Conference! Hear from our 2026 fellows about their summer work on pressing human rights issues. 📅 Oct. 16 🕔 12:45 PM 📍 @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social Warren Room (295) 🍴 Lunch + reception included events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/33...

events.berkeley.edu2026 Human Rights Center Fellowship ConferenceJoin the 2026 HRC summer fellows as they report back on their experiences and key takeaways from their fieldwork abroad and in-state, addressing cr...

Human Rights Center reposted

Tyler McBrien
@tylermcbrien.com

"ARCHITECTURE OF CRUELTY: Third Country Removal Agreements and the Second Trump Administration," the full report from @hrcberkeley.bsky.social, is now live at the link below.

Tyler McBrien@tylermcbrien.com

NEW: Ahead of Supreme Court oral argument on 3rd country removals in Dec, @hrcberkeley.bsky.social released a report, reading room, & other resources digging into 33 publicly available agreements the US has entered into with 29 (out of at least 35) countries. humanrights.berkeley.edu/projects/tra...

Human Rights Center
@hrcberkeley.bsky.social

2/3 Our team analyzed 31 country removal agreements made w/ U.S., traced $50M+ in payments to receiving governments & documented people w/ court-ordered U.S. protections sent abroad + detained in dangerous conditions. 🔗 Read the Deportation Project reporting: forbiddenstories.org/projects_pos...

forbiddenstories.orgThe Deportation Project: Inside the Trump administration's secret deals to expel people worldwide - Forbidden Stories72 journalists, 26 news organizations, 15 countries: a global investigation into the Trump administration’s secret third-country deportation system

Human Rights Center reposted

UC Berkeley Law
@ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social

"The @hrcberkeley.bsky.social has published a multiyear investigation documenting the deaths of 337 journalists and human rights activists in Mexico under the tenure of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador." Read more via @dailycal.bsky.social: https://bit.ly/4ysGCzS

dailycal.orgHundreds of Mexican journalists, human rights defenders died under former president, UC Berkeley Human Rights Center findsThe Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley School of Law has published a multiyear investigation documenting the deaths of 337 journalists and human rights activists in Mexico under the tenure

Human Rights Center reposted

Tyler McBrien
@tylermcbrien.com

NEW: A new @hrcberkeley.bsky.social investigation found that in Mexico during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration (December 2018 to September 2024), 337 journalists and human rights defenders were killed—a number much higher than previously reported. (1/6)

Human Rights Center reposted

UC Berkeley Law
@ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social

In a new "Berkeley Law Voices Carry" podcast, host @gwyneth.bsky.social talks to @hrcberkeley.bsky.social about a recent report that focuses on how the use of large language models — the foundation of generative AI — are affecting the fields of law, journalism, and education: https://bit.ly/4iJq2GO

law.berkeley.edu‘Voices Carry’ podcast: Human Rights Center researchers on the impacts of large language modelsThe recent report focuses on how the use of large language models — the foundation of generative AI — are affecting the fields of law, journalism, and education.