Juliane Kippenberg

OPINION At UN talks in Vienna this week, Brazil is pushing for a new protocol to clamp down on widespread environmental crimes, including from illegal mining, that EU states would be wise to back, write Human Rights Watch's Juliane Kippenberg and César Muñoz.

Kabwe’s children have waited long enough. Today, the African Children's court (ACERWC) is considering their case. Zambia should stop further lead exposure, provide testing and treatment, and clean up toxic mine waste. Read more: https://bit.ly/4k62T1V Watch HRW's short film on Kabwe's children ⤵️

Today, the African Union child rights body considers a complaint against the government of Zambia over decades of child lead poisoning. The time for accountability has come. My colleague Allan Ngari and my on why children in Zambia need justice now: mg.co.za/thought-lead...

This week, governments are deciding on a Brazilian initiative for a new international rule on environmental crime, at the UN Crime summit. European states should support it to help stop the Amazon’s illicit gold rush. Our take: genevasolutions.news/opinions/how...

👏 Herzlichen Glückwunsch an Navi Pillay, Aktivistin, Menschenrechtlerin & internationale Richterin, die mit dem Friedensnobelpreis ausgezeichnet wurde. Von Ruanda bis in das besetzte palästinensische Gebiet hat sich Navi Pillay für Gerechtigkeit für die schlimmsten Verbrechen der Welt eingesetzt.

👏 👏 👏 Congratulations to Navi Pillay, an activist, human rights investigator, and international judge, who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. From Rwanda to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Navi Pillay has sought justice for the world’s worst crimes.

"Every day, it goes underwater, then reappears." Philippine authorities in Pampanga have threatened the safety and livelihoods of Pulo Island residents by relocating them to a low-lying area as part of a flawed flood control project. Learn more and watch the full video: https://bit.ly/4dwZ6qu

Starting tomorrow! A trial that challenges the "responsible gold" certification, brought by Tanzanian families of mine victims. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...

London gold market faces landmark High Court challenge over “responsible” gold claims raid-uk.org/london-gold-...

Next week, a trial starts in London over the certification of gold as "responsible" by an influential industry body. The trial touches on a wider problem: Certification often relies on superficial and untransparent audits. My take: www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...

An unusual trial starts next week in London: on one side, an influential gold industry body, on the other a group of Tanzanians whose loved ones were killed at North Mara gold mine in northern Tanzania. www.hrw.org/news/2026/10...

“World leaders should use the UN podium to speak out forcefully against efforts by some major powers to trample on human rights and make it easier to get away with atrocities and other grave crimes.” - @loucharb.bsky.social, UN director @hrw.org #JusticeMatters #UNGA

Last year, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu proposed suspending the #EU - #Israel trade agreement and sanctioning "extremist" ministers & settlers One year on, she has almost nothing to show - and a lot more to deliver, starting with a settlement trade ban: hrw.org/news/2026/09... #SOTEU

Menschenrechte dürfen nicht dem Ausbau politischer und wirtschaftlicher Beziehungen geopfert werden. Im Tagesschau-Interview fordert @phfrisch.bsky.social, die Rolle der Emirate bei den Gräueltaten im Sudan & im Inland offen anzusprechen und Verantwortliche zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen. 🎥 ⤵️

🧵Wir verklagen die #Trump-Regierung wegen ihrer Angriffe auf den Internationalen Strafgerichtshof. Gemeinsam mit @afsc-org.bsky.social, @ccrjustice.org & Open Society Institute. Mehr erfahren: www.hrw.org/de/news/2026... 1/3

The German government yesterday decided to exempt 95% of the companies that are currently covered by the German supply chains law. An affront to workers and communities around the world. And a step back that is problematic legally. tinyurl.com/wxff3efs

95 %. Die Bundesregierung will 95 % aller bisher erfassten deutschen Unternehmen vom #Lieferkettengesetz ausnehmen. Ein Schlag ins Gesicht aller Gewerkschaften & Arbeiter*innen weltweit. Und ein Rückschritt, der auch rechtlich problematisch ist. tinyurl.com/wxff3efs

The EU has spent decades sharing “concerns” over Israel’s illegal settlements and related abuses. It should at least stop bankrolling them. And that’s not an “option”, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu; it's an obligation: hrw.org/news/2026/06...

With record-level abuses against children in war, many countries are working together to hold abusers to account. Still a long way to go for an effective crimes against humanity treaty, but growing support to include justice for crimes against children www.hrw.org/news/2026/06...

In Zambia and beyond, victims of mining pollution need justice. This #WorldEnvironmentDay, we are putting the spotlight on the environmental disasters in Zambia putting children's futures at risk. makanday.org/world-enviro...

1 in 3 Liberian children never attend school, and only 17% complete grade 9. A big reason why: registration fees. Our new @hrw.org report shows how fees cause children to start school years late, drop out, and resort to child labor. More here: www.hrw.org/news/2026/05...

April 16 marks an important step in the struggle for justice for children in Kabwe, Zambia. Today, a complaint has been filed before the AU child rights body ACEWRC on behalf of children exposed to toxic lead from a former mine in Kabwe. #LeadFreeKabwe www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...

The mass lead poisoning of children in Kabwe, Zambia, over decades is a catastrophe I saw with my own eyes - Families and NGOs are now asking the African Union to demand a clean-up @hrw.org 1/2 www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...

‼️Important development on toxic lead contamination in Kabwe, Zambia‼️ Today, a complaint has been filed before the African Union child rights body ACEWRC on behalf of children exposed to toxic lead from a former mine in Kabwe. #LeadFreeKabwe www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...

Toxic lead from a Zambian mine has poisoned generations of children. This week @hrw.org & IHRDA will spotlight the case & call for justice: PANEL: Spotlight on Kabwe 🗓 16 April 09h00 – 10h40 📍 ACERWC CSO Forum, Lesotho With experts, activists & Kabwe residents Join online tinyurl.com/458yy5kd

While Zambia's mining disasters in #Kabwe and #Copperbelt poison people & environment, the government as well as China, the US & EU rush to get access to "critical" minerals: e360.yale.edu/features/zam...

The UN’s call for urgent action at the Lega Dembi mine in #Ethiopia underscores what residents have said for years: children are getting sick, pregnancies are being lost, & pollution persists. It’s time for the government and Midroc to deliver. Read @jkippenberg.bsky.social : https://bit.ly/4rqmYzS

Children near Ethiopia's largest gold mine suffer chronic health conditions, women have miscarriages & stillbirths. In response, the UN child rights body just urged Ethiopia to tackle the mine's pollution. The govt should do so, promptly: www.hrw.org/news/2026/03...

A child with a hearing disability was deprived of his hearing aids during a deportation process in the United States. Without them, he could not communicate or understand what was happening. No child should face immigration detention. www.hrw.org/news/2026/03...

Important investigation into Venezuelan gold mined under abusive conditions, and how it can reach the global gold market:

A Small Change in Egypt’s Tax Code, A Big Opportunity for Rights www.hrw.org/news/2026/02... My colleague @sarahsaadoun.bsky.social & I write on the gov't announcement that billions were generated in tax revenue from previously exempted military-owned enterprises long-shielded from scrutiny.

Wer Prinzipien nur verteidigt, wenn es nichts kostet, hat keine. Gemeinsam mit Aisling Reidy und @philippedam.bsky.social habe ich aufgeschrieben, was wir von der heuchlerischen Doppelmoral Europas bei der Verteidigung des Völkerrechts halten. Spoiler: Nicht viel. www.hrw.org/de/news/2026...

Wer denkt, dass es bei Sorgfaltspflicht in Lieferketten nur um Bürokratie geht, sollte diesen Fall ansehen. Es geht um Menschenleben und nicht weniger.

The German supply chains law has improved human rights. So why weaken it, as the German government is planning to?? Good to see new @Germanwatch @Misereor report on the impact of Due Diligence Legislation: www.germanwatch.org/en/93384

Today, the UN Child Rights Committee meets to review the situation of children in Ethiopia. Here are our recommendations to the Committee to protect the environmental health rights of children living near the country's largest gold mine, Lega Dembi: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...

Did you know that a historic case is being pursued in a Belgian court seeking individual criminal responsibility for colonial crimes in the court of a former colonial power? The court's decision on whether to pursue a criminal trial is expected on March 17. Learn more: www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...

Children living near Ethiopia's largest gold mine have been exposed to toxic pollution. Next week, the UN Child Rights Committee, at its Ethiopia session, should push for the mine's suspension and an independent assessment. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...

My latest for @hrw.org: - The UN has problems but it’s better than a global Politburo of leaders of abusive governments. Rather than paying billions to join #Trump’s "Board of Peace", states shld strengthen the UN’s ability to uphold human rights. The Board charter doesn't mention human rights🫤

While many face abysmal public services + tax hikes, huge companies & the uber-rich game a tax system designed 100 yrs ago. My new oped in @opiniojuris.bsky.social on why the first-ever UN tax treaty is a historic chance for public budgets that can fund human rights opiniojuris.org/2026/01/13/a...

US retreat from global climate cooperation threatens human rights. Withdrawing from international climate agreements & institutions, such as the UNFCCC and the IPCC weakens global efforts to limit emissions, share scientific knowledge, and respond to climate impacts. www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...

Last week's UN Environment Assembly fell short of supporting an ambitious proposal by the Colombian government. But binding rules for mining & mineral supply chains are needed. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

Yesterday, the EU parliament sold out to corporate interests and gutted its flagship corporate accountability law. A tragic day for human rights, environment, and the credibility of the EU. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

Die EU knickt angesichts der aggressiven Einflussnahme der Industrie - insbesondere der Fossilindustrie - ein und verabschiedet ein stark ausgehöhltes Lieferkettengesetz. Wo bleiben Menschenrechte, Umwelt und die Werte der EU? www.hrw.org/de/news/2025...

8 months of intense corporate lobbying, untransparent processes and foreign interference lead to the adoption of a gutted #CSDDD. ✊But a due diligence obligation remains and even if weaker, #Victims will still demand #Justice for #HumanRights abuses. www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...

Today is the start of the UN Environment Assembly, where States will consider the Colombian proposal for a treaty, and in the immediate, a working group. This is a bold initiative that deserves support from all govts!

Mineral extraction should not happen at the cost of people and planet. Governments meeting at the UN Environment Assembly this week should support Colombia’s initiative for a binding minerals treaty. #UNEA7

🚨 Trilogabschluss: Massive Abschwächung der #CSDDD - unter Einfluss fossiler Großkonzerne Unser Pressestatement⬇️ lieferkettengesetz.de/pressemittei...

🚨Omnibus I Political agreement Early this morning, EU institutions reached a political agreement that marks a turning point: 👉 The first rollback of an adopted due diligence law in history 👉 The first major file pushed through via an EPP–far right alliance www.linkedin.com/posts/europe...