Allison West
Senior Legal Advisor @ecchr.bsky.social | Int'l law & human rights politics & praxis, detention & NAWA (MENA), freedom dreams
- Reposted by Allison West"We are Europe's guardians", Haftar's head of countermigration tells @nissssim.bsky.social @lemonde.fr.
- Reposted by Allison West#Libya - On February 3 Saif al Islam Gaddafi was murdered in Libya. His continued freedom in Libya epitomised the powerlessness of the #InternationalCriminalCourt (ICC). And his death burries the last hopes that it would bring justice for the crimes of 2011. www.justiceinfo.net/en/155092-ga...
- Reposted by Allison WestRare for me to publish reflection pieces like this - but this one may resonate with those who’ve followed the arc of Seif al-Islam Gaddafi’s journey, and are grappling with the tangle of his legacy in Libya’s politics - & the tragedy of his killing. emadbadi.com/seif-al-isla...
- Reposted by Allison WestYes, last week’s conviction of Walid Negash in a Dutch court was a meaningful step toward justice for survivors of human trafficking. But it was a partial one, a missed chance to confront the broader detention industry built on systematic abuse across Libya and the Central Mediterranean. Here’s why:
- Reposted by Allison West#LFJL welcomes the #ICC’s recent decision to refer Italy’s non-compliance to the Assembly of States Parties (#ASP). This referral follows Italy’s failure to surrender Osama Almasri Najim—a high-ranking Libyan official wanted for crimes against humanity and war crimes—to the Court in January 2025.
- Reposted by Allison WestItaly’s decision to return ICC suspect Almasri Najim to Libya, and the Court’s muted response, undermines international justice and harms victims of crimes against humanity, most of them refugees and migrants. Such disregard for international law must have consequences, says ECCHR's Allison West.
- Reposted by Allison WestOn 1 December, German authorities surrendered Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri to the International Criminal Court (ICC). His transfer marks the first time a wanted suspect has been brought before the Court since the investigation in the Libya Situation was opened in 2011. www.ecchr.eu/en/press-rel...
- Khaled El #Hishri’s first appearance before the #ICC in The Hague is happening now. Watch it live here: www.youtube.com/live/XqbBVjO...
- Reposted by Allison WestMember countries of the ICC should intensify efforts to protect the court and human rights groups campaigning for justice from attack. HRW's 20-page report makes detailed recommendations for the annual session of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
- Reposted by Allison West#Libya’s Universal Periodic Review (#UPR) will take place tomorrow, 11 November, at the #UN Human Rights Council. This review is an important moment to assess Libya’s human rights situation and highlight the areas where action is urgently needed.
- Almasri’s detention in Tripoli is a welcome step, but accountability depends on what comes next. Libya’s GNU must now fulfill its ICC obligations, under UN Security Council Res. 1970 & its own Art. 12(3) declaration of ICC jurisdiction, by surrendering him & all others wanted by the ICC to The Hague
- In Brussels today, I was honored to support the Justice Fleet’s stand for international law in the Central Med— part of the broader struggle for justice alongside people on the move facing crimes against humanity in Libya & at sea, enabled & sustained by European policies & cooperation with Libyans👇
- After years of escalating human rights violations by the so-called Libyan Coast Guard, 13 search and rescue organizations are founding the #JusticeFleet and suspending the operational communication with the Libyan Rescue Coordination Centre 👉 www.ecchr.eu/en/press-rel... @allisonrwest.bsky.social
- Reposted by Allison West"Europa beteiligt sich in Libyen seit Jahren an Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit, ohne für seine Mittäterschaft zur Rechenschaft gezogen zu werden." Ein Gastbeitrag von ECCHRs @allisonrwest.bsky.social und Sigrun Matthiesen über die völkerrechtlichen Konsequenzen Abschottungspolitik Europas.
- Reposted by Allison WestCrimes against Humanity need to be investigated by the ICC, not funded by EU-money. This is the essence of a letter from 38 EU-MEPs to the Commission. They demand to “immediately halt all forms of support — financial, technical, or operational — to the LCG, the DCIM and any other Libyan entity.”
- Reposted by Allison WestDeutsches & Italienisches Parlament verlängern Abkommen mit Libyschen Staatsmilizen. EU-Regierungen sind Komplizen bei Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit auf dem Mittelmeer und in Libyschen Haftlagern. Wir unterstützen die Proteste in Rom mit @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social taz.de/Fluechtlings...
- Reposted by Allison WestOn Monday, I had the pleasure to moderate a powerful panel with @allisonrwest.bsky.social/ @ecchr.bsky.social, David Yambio/ @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social & Phoebe Walton/Forensis at the 5th “Understanding Prison” session by MENA Prison Forum—this time on Libya’s prison industry & EU complicity.1/6
- Reposted by Allison WestDanke Berlin! #AllEyesOnGaza
- Reposted by Allison WestI’m deeply disappointed that there’s no outrage or news coverage about the violent xenophobic attacks happening in Libya. Black African “migrants” are being looted and beaten to death, with many being driven out of sight and into concentration camps for extortion.
- Reposted by Allison WestJoin us? 💥Workshops w/ @papertrailmedia.de @amnesty.de @interseclab.bsky.social 💥Dig. Security Clinic w/ @accessnow.org, @pressefreiheit.bsky.social&Tact. Tech 💥Panel w/ @donncha.is @sophieintveld.bsky.social @davidyambio.bsky.social @anjaosterhaus.bsky.social &Art by @forensicarchi.bsky.social
- Reposted by Allison West#ECREWeekly updates on EU MARITIME BORDERS: ▪️ Tragedies in Med ▪️ Footage of Libyan militiamen in people smuggling ▪️ Spanish Navy chief issues stark reminder about the Law of the Sea ▪️ Fatal accident in the Aegean ▪️ French police accused of causing deaths in Indian Ocean 🔗 shorturl.at/UsD4A
- Join us on Monday, 6 October in Berlin for a film screening and talk about Libya’s Detention Industry & Italy’s Complicity👇 @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social @de-criminalize.bsky.social @medico2.bsky.social @forensicarchi.bsky.social @libyanjustice.bsky.social
- Save the date: 6 Oct - MENA Prison Forum in Berlin #5 Libya The Berlin premiere of the documentary „Escaping Libya’s Detention Industry“ will be followed by a discussion on international crimes committed against migrants and refugees in Libya and the Mediterranean. www.ecchr.eu/en/event/men...
- Reposted by Allison WestOur #DiaryFromTheSea series closes with reflections - shifting from sea to land, lessons carried forward, and a mission that continues. The diaries end here, but the work to protect the dignity & human rights at sea goes on. #LFJL #SOSHumanity #Libya @sos-humanity.bsky.social
- Reposted by Allison WestAlaa Abdelfatah ist frei, doch Ägyptens Repressionsapparat bleibt. Stephan Roll erklärt, warum Sisis Schritt weniger Reformsignal ist als ein Versuch, innen-& außenpolitischen Druck zu mindern. Hier lesen 👇 www.nzz.ch/internationa...
- Microsoft has terminated the Israeli military’s access to technology it used to operate a powerful surveillance system that collected millions of Palestinian civilian phone calls daily in Gaza & the West Bank, saying Unit 8200, the military’s elite spy agency, violated the company’s terms of service
- Reposted by Allison WestEU Commission: Stop Funding Abuse in Libya — Joint Letter from 42 Humanitarian and Civil Society Groups www.refugeesinlibya.org/post/eu-comm...
- Reposted by Allison WestDeaths in the Mediterranean and along other routes are preventable. But political will is lacking to stop them.
- Reposted by Allison WestA criminal complaint against German Government officials and arms trade executives was filed today by a collective of lawyers in Berlin with the support of the European Legal Support Center (ELSC), Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD) and Law for Palestine elsc.support/de/the-time-...
- Reposted by Allison WestExclusive: In early August, Germany announced a freeze on weapons exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza. But in the weeks since, hundreds of shipments bound to the Israeli F-35 fighter jet airbase have been shipped through Cologne. By @yossibartal.bsky.social thediasporist.de/the-bomb-on-...
- Reposted by Allison WestAll Eyes on Gaza - Stoppt den Genozid ❗️ 📣 Großkundgebung 🗓️ Samstag, 27.9., 17 Uhr 📍 Großer Stern, Straße des 17. Juni, Berlin Wir sehen uns nächste Woche! Weitere Infos: all-eyes-on-gaza.de #AllEyesOnGaza #StopTheGenocide #CeasefireNow
- Reposted by Allison WestDer neue ECCHR-Bericht “The Pretense of Justice” belegt, dass das israelische Rechtssystem seit Jahrzehnten von Straflosigkeit geprägt ist. Israels Verweis auf das eigene Justizsystem, um internationale Haftbefehle gegen politische und militärische Verantwortliche abzuwehren, ist nicht haltbar.
- Reposted by Allison West"This is bulletproof evidence: the Libyan Coast Guard is not a legitimate SAR actor", says ECCHR's @allisonrwest.bsky.social. "It enforces Europe’s border externalization policies through violence — with European equipment and backing. Both Libyan and European officials bear legal responsibility."
- Reposted by Allison West"Macht sich die EU im Mittelmeer strafbar?" Moritz Matzner @tagesspiegel.de hat sich auf die Suche nach Antworten im Luftraum zwischen Libyen und Lampedusa begeben und mit ECCHR-Juristin @allisonrwest.bsky.social über die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Frontex und der sog. libysche Küstenwache gesprochen.
- Reposted by Allison WestAbdul and Mohamed* share their experiences of fleeing across the Mediterranean. In the report ‘Borders of (In)humanity,’ they and other survivors describe the systematic violence in Libya, Tunisia, and the Central Mediterranean. 1/2 *Names changed to protect the individuals.
- El Hishri’s arrest in Germany a major development for the International Criminal Court’s Libya investigation & long‑overdue breakthrough for survivors of grave crimes in detention in Libya, at Mitiga & beyond. Next step must be prompt surrender to the Court. See our @ecchr.bsky.social press release👇
- Reposted by Allison WestNew indictment for crimes committed in #Syria by the former regime. Biggest UJ trial in #Germany since the al-Khatib / Koblenz case, this time concerning #Yarmouk neighborhood. As we are witnessing very worrying escalation of violence in today`s Syria, justice for past crimes remains quite relevant.
- SPIEGEL confirms Khaled al‑Hishri “al‑Buti”, senior in Libya’s Rada militia running Mitiga Airport & its brutal detention sites, arrested @BER on ICC request for intl crimes against prisoners. A key step for victims/justice, let’s hope his transfer to The Hague is smoother than Elmasry’s from Italy.
- Now also confirmed by the International Criminal Court's Office of the Prosecutor 👇 "The Office looks forward to Mr El Hishri’s transfer to the ICC in due course... This is an important moment. We can now look towards the first judicial proceedings in the Libya situation before the Court."
- Reposted by Allison WestScoop by @nelloscavo.bsky.social (who also broke the story of Almasri's arrest in Italy) according to which a key figure in Rada' - the Tripoli militia that controls the city's Mitiga airport & prison - and close associate of Almasri has been arrested in Germany, possibly on an ICC arrest warrant.
- Italy’s Ministry of Interior boasts 12,338 migrants intercepted by Libya since January—backing crimes against humanity. Italian & other EU and Member State officials are complicit in these crimes, for funding, training & cooperating with the Libyans. The ICC must hold them to account: bit.ly/46JvQKi
- The Italian Minister of Interior celebrates 12,338people intercepted by sc #Libyan authorities just numbers to them.In reality: men,women,and children pushed back to torture,abuse,and militia-run camps Italy funds these forces,knowing they operate with zero respect for human rights #StopPushbacks
- Reposted by Allison WestKinsa case update: It's the end of a long legal struggle and an important day for those seeking justice at borders. People cannot be criminalized for exercising their fundamental rights! @ecchr.bsky.social @borderline-europe.bsky.social @iuventa-crew.org
- Reposted by Allison WestECCHR's @allisonrwest.bsky.social about the Kinsa Case and our ICC Communication on responsibility of EU and Member State officials for crimes against humanity in Libya (in Italian):
- Reposted by Allison West⚖️ One of the most despicable things in this world has been the historical trend of doctors weaponizing their medical knowledge to carry out torture. In a landmark case today, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court has sentenced former Syrian doctor Alaa M. for doing just this. (1)
- New ECCHR & RiL position paper on the #ICC #Libya Situation 👇 Despite Libyan GNU's recent acceptance of jurisdiction (2011-2027), we urge the OTP to keep investigations open & address key accountability gaps – esp re crimes against migrants & the role of EU & Member State officials in those crimes
- As the ICC-NGO Roundtables 2025 kick-off today in the Hague, ECCHR and @refugeesinlibya.bsky.social share our new position paper on the Libya Situation: www.ecchr.eu/fileadmin/25...
- Reposted by Allison WestBorder and Rule is available for free download! I wrote a book spanning ICE & borders, Palestine & policing, colonialism & global fascism - in service to internationalist struggles. I can no longer travel to US, but this book (as well @silkys13.bsky.social & @micahh.bsky.social 's) can come to you
- Reposted by Allison WestReem Zeidan was shot and killed by Israeli forces while trying to get food for her family in Gaza, particularly her starving 5 year old daughter. This is the legacy of the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
- Reposted by Allison WestThe Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire on Wednesday because of one veto. It is time for the UN General Assembly to do the right thing and authorize peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian convoys.
- My newest piece on how to end starvation and famine in Gaza. The UN General Assembly must authorize peacekeepers to accompany humanitarian convoys. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- Reposted by Allison WestWie hart die #Madleen an der #FestungEuropa segelt zeigt diese PM: Erst von 🇬🇷 Drohne verfolgt, dann Notruf von #Frontex-Drohne desselben Typs gefolgt, dann 4 Geflüchtete vor libyscher Miliz gerettet, diese via Frontex wieder an HCG ausliefern müssen. freedomflotilla.org/2025/06/05/m...
- Reposted by Allison WestIn his report Unpaid Debt, Dutch peace activist Egbert Wesselink claimed that 12,000 were killed and 160,000 displaced between 1997 and 2003. As the #Lundin trial unfolds in Sweden, a key question remains: can prosecutors prove what company executives knew? 🔗 www.justiceinfo.net/en/145647-lu...
- Reposted by Allison WestThe Greek government wants to pass legislation that would strip irregular migrants of the possibility to apply for residency. The new law would also increase penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries. www.infomigrants.net/en/post/6486...
- Reposted by Allison West⏰ Apply by tomorrow! ⏰ 🚨 Opportunity to support our work investigating and exposing the use of data and technology in the migration context. If you are a legal researcher interested in migration, please apply before EOD 30th May 2025: privacyinternational.org/opportunitie...
- Reposted by Allison WestMy latest piece with @ecfr.eu unpacking the stark decline Tunisian President Qais Saied is trying to distract from with mass show trials against his opposition, activists, journalists and aid workers - showing why Europe has to broaden its engagement, before it's too late ecfr.eu/article/bord...
- Reposted by Allison WestThe cynical criminalisation of rescuers at sea continues. But what a powerful response by Mediterranea, who announce today that they will launch a new ship! "The power of those who save lives is greater than the power of those who let them die." mediterranearescue.org/en/news/maer...
- Excellent, must-read analysis of unfolding events in Libya by @emadbadi.bsky.social and @wlacher.bsky.social 👇
- After a gambit by #Libya's Dabeiba to consolidate control in #Tripoli backfired, the capital has entered a state of suspended conflict - a tenuous standoff unlikely to hold. In our latest @newlinesmag.bsky.social , @wlacher.bsky.social & I trace the breakdown, aftermath, & potential paths forward.
- Reposted by Allison WestEx-PM Olmert: "What we are doing in Gaza is a war of extermination: indiscriminate, unrestrained, brutal, and criminal killing of civilians." "We are doing this not because of an accidental loss of control ..., but as a result of a policy dictated by the government"
- Reposted by Allison WestOn this #EUDayAgainstImpunity, the Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI) and #NGOVoices from around the world issue a strong and urgent call to action. As international justice mechanisms face increasing threats, silence is complicity. 🗣️➡️ coalitionfortheicc.org/news/giai-st...
- Reposted by Allison WestLCW has been closely following the ICC’s announcement confirming the GNU’s acceptance of its jurisdiction over crimes committed in Libya between 2011 and 2027. Full statement: cutt.ly/wrc0sl45
- Reposted by Allison WestThe criminalisation of solidarity with migrants is rooted in the criminalisation of migrants themselves. Read more about findings from our report and from other civil society organisations on contextnewsroom.bsky.social
- Reposted by Allison WestMy latest for @mecouncil.bsky.social unpacks how a bid to rein in militias in #Tripoli unraveled into a war of militias, & what is now at stake. International policy must now pivot from managing dysfunction to enabling transition before #Libya's history repeats itself.
