Statement by United Nations Watch and Ingénieurs du Monde, delivered by intern Ariana Blumstein, before the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 1 July 2026. Agenda Item 6, Universal Periodic Review of Oman.

Full Speech:

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

We are very concerned regarding the fundamental freedoms and the treatment of vulnerable migrant workers in Oman.

Despite recent reforms, freedom of expression in Oman remains heavily restricted. Journalists, activists, and online critics continue to face intimidation and legal consequences for peacefully expressing their views. Laws criminalizing criticism of state institutions and public officials create a climate of fear that discourages legitimate public debate and weakens civil society. 

In its 2025 evaluation, Freedom House classifies Oman as “Not Free,” noting that its government “restricts virtually all political rights and civil liberties, imposing criminal penalties for criticism and dissent.”

We are also deeply alarmed by the continued exploitation of migrant workers under the kafala system. Human rights organizations have documented cases of domestic workers facing excessive working hours, physical abuse, passport confiscation, restrictions on freedom of movement, and months of unpaid wages. 

Reports from East African domestic workers describe being trapped in abusive households with little ability to seek assistance or leave their employers. These conditions can amount to forced labor.

We urge Oman to repeal laws restricting peaceful expression, protect journalists and activists from arbitrary detention, abolish the kafala system, and extend full labor protections to all domestic workers.

Finally, we are concerned by Oman’s role in enabling illegal actions by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including in regard to restrictions on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. 

As reported in The Guardian on June 15th, a senior U.S. administration official has described Omani officials as “almost like employees of the Iranians in the way that they maneuvered.”

We urge Oman not to enable those responsible for the January massacre of more than 30,000 peaceful protestors, and who continue to imprison journalists, beat women, torture dissidents, and systematically violate fundamental human rights.

Thank you.

The post UN Watch Urges Oman to Protect Fundamental Freedoms appeared first on UN Watch.

Statement by United Nations Watch, delivered by intern Issy Lyons, before the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 30 June 2026. Agenda Item 6, Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania.

Full Speech:

Thank you, Mr. President.

United Nations Watch is concerned by the gap between Mauritania’s legal commitments and the reality experienced by many of its citizens.

Despite legal prohibitions and repeated government commitments, slavery remains prevalent. According to the Global Slavery Index, as of 2023, at least 149,000 people in Mauritania remained enslaved. 

This reality has been brought to international attention by Biram Dah Abeid, one of Mauritania’s most prominent anti-slavery activists and winner of our 2020 Geneva Summit Courage Award.

Mr. Abeid has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned for his efforts to expose hereditary slavery and defend its victims. Persecution of anti-slavery activists raises serious concerns about the protection of human rights defenders and the authorities’ willingness to address slavery in practice, not only in law.

We are also concerned by severe challenges affecting children and women. According to a 2022 UNICEF report, more than half a million girls were married before the age of 18, representing roughly two in five women in Mauritania. This is particularly concerning because, despite Mauritania’s formal establishment of 18 as the minimum age of marriage, exceptions remain under national law and are justified by reference to Sharia principles.

The true measure of progress is not the number of strategies adopted, institutions created, or laws passed. It is whether those trapped in slavery are actually freed, whether women and girls enjoy equal protection under the law, and whether human rights defenders like Biram Dah Abeid can advocate for the values this council claims to strive for without fear of arrest or imprisonment.

United Nations Watch, therefore urges Mauritania to strengthen enforcement of anti-slavery laws, remove barriers to justice for victims, protect human rights defenders, and ensure that legal reforms translate into real change for all Mauritanians.

Thank you.

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Leopoldo Lopez addresses the 62nd session of the U.N. Human Rights Council on June 29, 2026, during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner’s report on the Situation of Human Rights in Venezuela.

Speech Transcript (English Translation):

Mr. President,

Right now, there are families searching for their loved ones under the rubble.

Forty-eight hours ago, two earthquakes struck Venezuela. It has been devastating. At this time, the number of victims remains unclear—estimates put the figure in the tens of thousands.

What we are witnessing in real time is a simultaneous double collapse: the collapse of the physical infrastructure and the collapse of a state incapable of addressing the magnitude of the tragedy.

That collapsed state is exactly what the report under consideration today portrays. Because, as the report presented today details, the extensive repressive apparatus remains intact. Since January 3—already under the current government—there have been at least 87 new political arrests. Three people have died in custody. Nearly 500 political prisoners remain behind bars.

The earthquake did not strike a country under normal conditions. It struck amid a complex and ongoing humanitarian crisis.

That is why we ask this Council for two specific things: complete openness to international humanitarian aid, and the opening of all channels so that civil society—which, as always, has been the first to respond—has the tools to build solidarity.

Venezuela will have to rebuild itself. And not just its infrastructure. It must also rebuild its institutions, trust, and the rule of law. To do so, it needs this Council to be present—today and in the months to come.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Speech Transcript (Original Spanish):

Señor Presidenta,

En este momento, hay familias buscando a sus seres queridos bajo los escombros.

Hace cuarenta y ocho horas, dos terremotos sacudieron Venezuela. Devastador. A esta hora no hay claridad sobre el número de víctimas — las estimaciones hablan de decenas de miles.

Lo que estamos viendo en tiempo real es un doble colapso simultáneo: el colapso de la infraestructura física, y el colapso de un Estado incapaz de atender la magnitud de la tragedia.

Ese Estado colapsado es exactamente el que retrata el informe considerado hoy. Porque, como relata el informe presentado hoy, la extensa maquinaria represiva permanece intacta. Desde el 3 de enero — ya bajo el gobierno actual — al menos 87 nuevas detenciones políticas. 3 personas fallecidas bajo custodia. Cerca de 500 presos políticos siguen tras las rejas.

El terremoto no cae sobre un país en condiciones normales. Cae sobre una crisis humanitaria compleja y continuada.

Por eso pedimos a este Consejo dos cosas concretas: apertura total al apoyo humanitario internacional, y apertura de todos los canales para que la sociedad civil — que ha dado la primera respuesta, como siempre — tenga las herramientas para construir solidaridad.

Venezuela tendrá que reconstruirse. Y no solo la infraestructura. También las instituciones, la confianza, el estado de derecho. Para eso necesita que este Consejo esté presente — hoy, y en los meses que vienen.

Gracias, señor Presidenta.

The post Venezuela’s Double Collapse: Earthquakes Strike A Nation Already In Crisis appeared first on UN Watch.

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Perkins Rocha, legal coordinator of the Vente Venezuela party and representative of Comando Venezuela to the National Electoral Council, addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council by video on June 29, 2026, speaking from house arrest to explain why the regime continues to target him. 

Speech Transcript (English Translation):

My name is Perkins Rocha. I am a Venezuelan attorney and served as a national representative to the CNE during the last presidential election. I defended the validity of the election records that showed Edmundo González Urrutia—not Nicolás Maduro—as the winner.

That is why I was violently arrested on August 28, 2024, and confined to a cell by the Maduro government’s political police for 535 days, without contact with or information from my family and without legal representation.

After more than a year and a half imprisoned in darkness, I was transferred out of the Helicoide and remain under house arrest, with an electronic ankle monitor and a 24-hour police presence at my front door.

The other seven people who, like me, were charged by the same court, have been released. I alone am being denied amnesty, and requests to modify the terms of my detention—which would allow me to receive medical treatment for my ailments and physical conditions requiring specialized care—are being rejected. Everyone except me has been released.

The judge who is denying me amnesty has publicly stated his fear of granting me my freedom, as he has been threatened that if he does so, “not only would he be removed from office, but he would also go to prison.” In Venezuela, this is known as the Afiuni effect.

Today, I am the only defendant in my case; the trial has been suspended, and the higher court has not ruled on my appeal.

It is inconsistent that, for the very same offense for which seven people are charged, the decision is made to grant amnesty to six and punish only one. I am being discriminated against for having defended the electoral truth that denies Nicolás Maduro’s victory.

Speech Transcript (Original Spanish):

Mi nombre es Perkins Rocha. Soy abogado venezolano y fui representante nacional ante el CNE en las últimas elecciones presidenciales. Defendí el valor de las actas electorales que arrojaron resultados que dieron el triunfo a Edmundo González Urrutia y no a Nicolas Maduro.

Por eso fui violentamente detenido el 28 de agosto del 2024, confinado a un calabozo por la policía política del gobierno Maduro por espacio de 535 días, sin contacto ni información de mi familia y sin defensa judicial.

Después de mas de 1 año y medio preso en la oscuridad, fui trasladado fuera del Helicoide y permanezco con arresto domiciliario, con un grillete electrónico en el tobillo y un apostamiento policial las 24 horas a las puertas de mi casa.

A las otras 7 personas que al igual que yo, fueron imputadas por el mismo tribunal, se les otorgo la libertad. Solo a mi se me niega la amnistía y se niegan los pedimentos de cambio en la cautela, que me permitirían, atender medicamente mis dolencias y condiciones físicas que ameritan atención especializada. A todos menos a mi se les ha dado libertad.

El juez que me niega la amnistia, manifiesta publicamente, el temor que tiene de otorgarme la libertad pues lo han amenazado que de hacerlo, “no solo lo destituirían, sino que también iría preso”. En Venezuela a esto se le llama el efecto Afiuni.

Hoy soy el único procesado en mi causa, el juicio está suspendido y la corte superior no resuelve mi apelación.

En incongruente que por el mismo hecho que se imputan a 7 personas, se decida, amnistiar a 6 y castigar solo a uno. Se me discrimina por haber defendido la verdad electoral que niega el triunfo de Nicolas Maduro.

The post Speaking from House Arrest: Venezuelan Lawyer Confronts the Maduro Regime at the U.N. appeared first on UN Watch.

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At the UN Human Rights Council, UN health rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng presented her final report, receiving praise from South Africa, Palestine, The Arab Group, and multiple NGO’s including Amnesty International. However, UN Watch’s recent report, From Watchdogs to Idealogues, exposed her unprofessionalism and ideological radicalism. Hillel Neuer took the floor to call out her misconduct.

Highlights from the UN Human Rights Council, June 17, 2026:

Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng: “The failure of states to adopt an anti racist, anti-colonial, and dignity-based approaches through extractive capitalistic practices, pillaging of resources, coloniality, genocides, and then crushes people under the weight of indignity. Health cannot be realized without dignity.”

South Africa: “South Africa commends her distinguished tenure grounded in dignity, equality, and inclusion.”

Palestinian Delegation (PLO): “We thank the Special Rapporteur for her principled voice and solidarity.”

The Arab Group: “The Arab group thanks the Special Rapporteur and we commend her prioritization.”

Center for Reproductive Rights: “We celebrate the incredible legacy of Dr. T. She has made clear the intersectional links between colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and power.”

Planned Parenthood Federation: “We also commend your courage in documenting genocidal acts perpetrated in Gaza.”

Amnesty International and 36 NGOs: “I’m a proud African trans woman delivering this statement on behalf of 37 feminist organizations. We commend the Special Rapporteur for calling for the decriminalization of abortion and sex work.

She has recognized Israel’s genocide. We call on this Council and its Special Rapporteurs to build progressively on Dr. Mofokeng’s considerable legacy of body of work.”

UNHRC President: “Thank you. I call on United Nations Watch.”

Hillel Neuer, UN Watch: “Special Rapporteur Mofokeng, your report focuses on human dignity, including protection from exploitation.

Now, on page 21, you refer to sex workers. In that regard, you’ve published an article for Teen Vogue magazine encouraging adolescents to view prostitution as legitimate work.

Given the widespread exploitation, trafficking, and abuse in the prostitution industry, do you still stand by those remarks?

On page 2, you write that health cannot be realized without dignity. Do you believe your own conduct reflects that principle?

As documented in UN Watch’s latest report, you have repeatedly used profane and abusive language against those with whom you disagree.

On July 1st, 2024, you called former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “filthy.” In a tweet about him on December 8th, 2023, you wrote “f’ed up.” Is this dignified behavior?

On pages 1 and 3, your report opposes stigma and racism. Yet, when I criticized your conduct, you called me “evil scum white man.”

As a result, South Africa’s health authority found you guilty of bringing the medical profession into disrepute. Do you now regret those remarks?

Special Rapporteur, you were elected chair of the UN Human Rights Experts. Is your conduct setting the right example?

Finally, South Africa gave the world Nelson Mandela, who taught that human dignity belongs to every person, including one’s political opponents.

Special Rapporteur, do you believe that Nelson Mandela would have approved of your conduct? I thank you.”

Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng: “And in the face of fierce, personal, targeted attacks, incitement of violence against me, escalating into domestic spaces as professional harassment and intimidation, both in real life and in online spaces… I stand here today with very few answers to the grand scale of human suffering.”

The post Hillel Neuer Confronts U.N. Official Who Called Him “Evil Scum” appeared first on UN Watch.

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On March 25, 2026, at the United Nations, Hillel Neuer recalled an old truth. The measure of any society is simple: Are Jews safe? Across the West, that answer grows uncertain. Neuer asked Australia, Britain, Canada, France: “How many of your Jews are now thinking of leaving?”

Video Transcript:

UNHRC Vice-President: Next, I give the floor to United Nations Watch.

Hillel Neuer (UN Watch): History teaches: The health of a society may be assessed by a simple test.

Is it safe for Jews?

Sadly, today we need to pose this question to the West’s proudest democracies.

Australia:

Synagogues firebombed in Melbourne. “Gas the Jews” shouted in your streets. A terrorist massacre of Jews in Bondai. You rejected visas for Israeli lawmakers while rewarding Hamas by recognizing a non-existent state.

Australia, you have more than 100,000 Jews. How many now think of leaving?

Britain:

Mass marches chanting for Intifada and destruction of the Jewish state. Jewish ambulances torched in Golders Green. You impose an arms embargo on Israel, yet refuse to proscribe the IRGC.

Britain, you have 300,000 Jews. How many now think of leaving?

Canada:

Synagogues riddled with bullets. Jewish schools under siege. Your minister promotes an internet hoax that Israel bombed a hospital.

Canada, you have 400,000 Jews. How many think of leaving?

France:

Rabbis attacked in Paris. A Holocaust memorial defaced with graffiti. State-sponsored media whitewash the UN’s Hamas apologist.

France, you have half a million Jews. How many now think of leaving?

History teaches: Nations that welcomed Jews grew stronger. Those that drove them out diminished themselves.

Prime Ministers Albanese, Starmer, Carney, President Marcon: You failed to confront the hate. Worse, by applying a constant double standard to the Jewish state, you sent signals to the mob.

A society may be judged by a simple test. We ask the leaders of the West:

Are your countries safe for Jews?

At the United Nations I recalled an old truth. The measure of any society is simple: Are Jews safe?

Across the West, that answer grows uncertain. I asked Australia, Britain, Canada, France: How many of your Jews are now thinking of leaving?

History will render its judgment. pic.twitter.com/717h9NItoC

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) March 25, 2026

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In a historic and emotionally charged moment at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Jasem Aljuraid (representing United Nations Watch) delivered a speech that flipped the script on “Agenda Item 7″—the UN’s permanent item targeting Israel.

Aljuraid, an Arab political refugee, challenges the room on the true meaning of “colonization,” pointing to the 3,000-year history of the Jewish people in Judea. He pulls no punches, calling Israel’s fight against terror a “gift to humanity” and demanding the UN end its “ritual of condemning” the only Jewish state.

Highlights from the UN Human Rights Council, March 24, 2026:

UNHRC President: I declare open Agenda Item 7, entitled “Human rights situation in Palestine.”

Cuba: Israel has institutionalized a systematic regime of torture with a genocidal intent against the Palestinians…

Venezuela: Israel’s policy of extermination…

Iraq: Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes…

Pakistan: Settler-colonial apartheid, and genocide…

Kenya: Colonialism, oppression, and apartheid…

Jasem Aljuraid, joint statement for UN Watch: Mr. Chair, as I speak, my mother is dying. I cannot be with her because I am a political refugee who risked everything for the truth.

This is why I came here. To admit the truth. I heard the term “colonizers” but who are the real colonizers? A Jewish kingdom ruled in Judea for a thousand years.

We, the Arabs, took this land. Who Arabized Egyptians, Phoenicians, Persians, and Amazighs? It was us, the Arabs.

So why does the Council enshrine a lie by keeping a permanent agenda item on Palestine while ignoring the indigenous heart of Israel returning home?

Let us be clear who is actually defending our sovereignty: Today, Israel is a fighter for peaceful nations, freeing Gaza from Hamas and saving Iranians from the Islamic Republic.

What Israel is doing to the IRGC is a gift to humanity. There are 57 Islamic countries and only one Jewish state, Israel.

Despite the ongoing hateful desire to eliminate it, Israel has not only survived, it has thrived. I don’t believe in miracles, but this is one.

So I ask the UN, when will you end the ritual of condemning Israel?

Is it not time instead to learn from Israel how to defeat terror, defend free societies, and pursue peace?

🔥 BEST VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Rare moment of truth at the UN from brave Kuwaiti dissident @JJJuraid, invited by UN Watch:

Mr. Chair,

I heard the term “colonizers.” But who are the real colonizers? A Jewish Kingdom ruled in Judea for a thousand years. We, the Arabs, took this land.… pic.twitter.com/dUiG5PH58U

— UN Watch (@UNWatch) March 25, 2026

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Mohamed “Moin” Mansour El Kikhia, a Libyan pro-democracy activist, addresses the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 23, 2026. Having worked at the forefront of relief efforts and political transition since the fall of the Gaddafi regime, he calls on the UN to safeguard human rights for all Libyans.

Full Speech:

As Libyans, we welcome this review at a time when our country remains affected by more than a decade of division and fragmentation.

This process brings us back to what many Libyans demanded and fought for in 2011: Dignity, freedom, and justice.

I would like to focus on the freedom of expression, which is critical for a legitimate and inclusive political process.

Yet today, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders continue to face intimidation and arbitrary arrest, especially when they criticize those in power.

We call for an independent and transparent investigation into these violations and for an end to the detention and harassment of those exercising their rights to speak freely.

Libya must continue its commitment under international human rights agreements and move forward with real transitional justice.

There can be no lasting stability without accountability, reconciliation, and trust.

Human rights protections must apply to everyone living in Libya without exception.

This includes migrants, asylum seekers, women, men, children, people with disabilities, and communities still struggling to access basic services such as safe water, education, and security.

It’s now essential that the recommendations from this UPR are implemented in practice so that Libya’s future can move closer to what many hoped for in 2011:

A country that’s united, governed by law, and respectful of the rights of all.

Thank you.

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