Here is my essay in @nytimes on why I’m suing the Trump admin. The admin’s sanctions against the ICC are an attack on global justice and the rule of law. This isn’t just policy—it’s a dangerous overreach that violates our First Amendment rights. @ACLU nytimes.com/2025/06/06/opini…

Hong Kong political prisoner Chow Hang-tung has been put in solitary confinement at least 14 times during her 5 years in prison. She wrote this in 2023, the 1st time she was sent to solitary. It's a reflection on how to live with integrity under tyranny. briankernkongtsunggan.substa…

#Malaysia is using the Societies Act against a #Rohingya human rights defender Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani @ZAFARAHMADABDU4 . Authorities should immediately drop these baseless charges. freemalaysiatoday.com/catego…

“What Bangladesh and Malaysia need is not another flawed MOU, but a legally binding bilateral labour agreement,” said @john_hq3, Director at @FortifyRights. Migrant Welfare Network and @FortifyRights are urging both governments to strengthen protections for Bangladeshi workers before large-scale recruitment resumes, citing past abuses including excessive fees, wage theft and debt bondage. thedailystar.net/news/work-a…

#Malaysia marks the fifth ASEAN nation to host Min Aung Hlaing since he transitioned to ruling the country as nominally civilian president. Migrant returns are the “only reason” Malaysia wants to now engage with #Myanmar said @yaplaysheng, a senior human rights specialist with the @FortifyRights NGO. “For so many years Malaysia has show the military regime the cold shoulder,” he told AFP. “Suddenly there’s a 180 degree about turn to welcome the regime with open arms.” afp.com/en/myanmar-leader-la…

When Malaysians were demanding that something be done about Rohingya refugees, did that “something” include rolling out a red carpet for a mass murderer of their fellow Muslims? PM Ibrahim will likely live to regret sacrificing his reputation & integrity in this way. Min Aung Hlaing won’t solve his party’s domestic political problems but this visit will stain Pak Anwar as an enabler of this monster. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

What a privilege to join my friends @matthewfsmith, founder and CEO of @FortifyRights and @stevegumaer, founder of Novi, for this podcast discussion hosted by First Presbyterian Church, Midland, Texas Check it out, learn more about our work for human rights, and why freedom, justice, and dignity matter. Freedom, Justice, and Dignity, 10/4/2026 youtu.be/SpIsXL0oU0A?si=I4qJ… via @YouTube

🇲🇾 In a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, 18 members of @FortifyRights’s Leadership Council—comprising former foreign ministers, a former U.S. ambassador, a British parliamentarian, an international prosecutor, and leading human rights advocates—urge #Malaysia to halt further returns, restore UNHCR access to immigration detention centers, and ensure independent assessments of detainees’ protection needs. “The government should withdraw the invitation and suspend further returns to Myanmar until independent assessments establish that people are choosing freely and can return safely," said Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, a member of the @FortifyRights Leadership Council and former Malaysian Foreign Minister. “Malaysia should protect people fleeing atrocities and pursue diplomacy that advances civilian protection and accountability in Myanmar," said @matthewfsmith, CEO of @FortifyRights. Read the full news release: fortifyrights.org/mly-inv-20… Read the open letter: bit.ly/letter-malaysia-PM

🇺🇸 NEW: A U.S. federal court has dismissed the Trump administration’s effort to end a lawsuit challenging sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC), allowing the case brought by @FortifyRights founder and CEO @matthewfsmith and human rights lawyer @akila_rad to proceed. “In my work, I help the ICC investigate hideous crimes committed against the people of Myanmar, including mass murder, torture, and human trafficking,” said @matthewfsmith. “This Executive Order undermines international justice efforts and obstructs the path to accountability for communities facing unthinkable horrors.” Read the full news release: fortifyrights.org/glo-inv-20… #HumanRights #InternationalJustice #ICC #Myanmar

"I will never quit my job as a judge. These methods that they're using, these coercive measures, are completely futile." What life under U.S. sanctions looks like for one ICC judge: npr.org/2026/10/01/nx-s1-597… #ICC

Grateful for the court’s ruling, allowing our challenge of President Trump’s sanctions against the ICC to continue. Onward.

Yesterday at #UN81 the Malaysian delegation spoke in support of safe, dignified & voluntary return of Rohingya refugees and addressing the root causes of the crisis in Myanmar. States are obligated not to return refugees when those conditions are absent. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar

RT @KerryKennedyRFK: Thank you @edokeefe and @CBSNews for having me. This would be like demolishing the Washington Monument because it di…

RT @KerryKennedyRFK: Thank you for having me @OutFrontCNN.

Huge news!

RT @KerryKennedyRFK: President Trump, focus on your job.

NEW: #Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul should return the Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Bill, 2026 to Parliament and urge lawmakers to remove the death penalty and strengthen protections for victims and their families, said All Victims and Veterans Network in Bangladesh and @FortifyRights. The organizations also call for independent investigations, protection for those reporting disappearances, and effective reparations for victims. “This bill represents an important opportunity for victims and survivors, but Bangladesh should get it right,” said Mosfiqur Rahman Johan, Founder of the All Victims and Veterans Network in Bangladesh. “President Fakhrul should send the bill back to Parliament, and lawmakers should fix these provisions before it becomes law,” said @john_hq3, Director at @FortifyRights. Read full news release: fortifyrights.org/bgd-inv-20…

The devastating impact of the human rights crisis in Myanmar is deepening by the day. All countries need to use their leverage to press for change; any engagement should be firmly based on human rights. My statement to @UN_HRC: ohchr.org/en/statements-and-…

Cambodia should not provide Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing with a state welcome and should fully comply with its obligations as a member of the ICC, including executing any lawful ICC request for his arrest and surrender, @FortifyRights said today. fortifyrights.org/reg-inv-20…

“He should be honoured, not jailed.” @benedictrogers @FortifyRights spoke with @PremierNewsDesk about Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong @joshuawongcf, who faces a possible life sentence for peacefully advocating for democracy and human rights. premierchristian.news/en/new…

Delighted to be back in Geneva again, ready for four days of advocacy for Myanmar, China, Hong Kong and other countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council, with @FortifyRights colleagues and friends from @ChinHumanRights, @brouklondon and others 🙏