Matthew Smith
@matthewfsmith
Founder & CEO @FortifyRights. We investigate human rights violations, engage people w/ power, & strengthen HRDs. Fellow at Harvard's @CarrCenter '19-20.
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/opi…
Myanmar 🇲🇲 “If we die, we will return to earth. If we live, we must raise the golden parasol. And if we return to earth, then those of our generation who remain must raise the golden parasol.” -Ma Wutt Yee Aung irrawaddy.com/opinion/guest-…
What happened to @bradlander today is outrageous, un-American, and deeply alarming. I’ve known Brad for years, as a friend, a public servant, and a fierce advocate for justice. He was arrested not for breaking the law, but for standing up for it. For doing what every decent…
Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad's wife. While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely.
A brilliant, well-reasoned, well-argued, excellent article by my courageous friend and @FortifyRights colleague @matthewfsmith on why he is suing @realDonaldTrump to stop him helping #HumanRights violators. nytimes.com/2025/06/06/opi…
The U.S. government has helped the International Criminal Court on cases involving Russia, Libya, Darfur, and Congo, but one-dimensional Trump has now banned such cooperation, violating the First Amendment, because the ICC prosecutor charged two Israelis. trib.al/17h8RPA
In the Gambia v Myanmar case, the International Court of Justice will have a chance to clarify that genocide can be a means to the end of forced displacement. The same ruling can then be applied in the South Africa v Israel case to Israeli conduct in Gaza. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
So proud of my friend, colleague and @FortifyRights founder and Chief Executive @matthewsmith👇
🇺🇸 NEW: A U.S. federal court granted a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit brought by @FortifyRights CEO @matthewfsmith and human rights advocate Akila Radhakrishnan challenging the Trump administration’s executive order imposing sanctions on officials of the International…
New investigation by @FortifyRights reveals that the Arakan Army (AA) has committed serious violations of the laws of war against #Rohingya civilians in ad-hoc detention centers and villages under its control in #Rakhine State. fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2025-0…
🇲🇲 NEW: A new investigation by @FortifyRights finds that the Arakan Army (AA) has committed serious violations of the laws of war against #Rohingya civilians in ad-hoc detention centers and villages under its control in #Rakhine State. The International Criminal Court should…
🇺🇦 Russia launched massive overnight airstrikes across #Ukraine, hitting Kyiv with drones and missiles and killing at least one person. Over the past two months, Russia has reportedly carried out drone attacks in Ukraine almost daily, with 741 aerial strikes reported in July 9…
🙌 For our followers in South Korea 🇰🇷 @FortifyRights’s documentary "𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬", will screen in Gwangju, South Korea, as part of the Myanmar Film Tour 2025 by SEM. The film follows @OmalKha, @azimulhas and @Dilkayas2 as they learn to document their lives through a camera's…
Will ASEAN welcome democratic Timor-Leste 🇹🇱 or support the criminal Myanmar military regime 🇲🇲? In this op-ed, @benedictrogers from @FortifyRights calls on #ASEAN to suspend the junta’s participation and recommit to advancing human rights. Read more 👇 ucanews.com/news/aseans-te…
📽️ On June 27, at the U.N. Human Rights Council, @FortifyRights addressed the ongoing atrocities committed by the Myanmar military junta, including deadly airstrikes on civilians. U.N. member states should impose a jet fuel and arms embargo to end the junta’s human rights…
Join @TheFortSpace and @FortifyRights next week for a conversation with @Miraajripon to mark one year since the monsoon revolution in Bangladesh 🇧🇩. thefort.space/events-collect…
As the crisis in #Myanmar deepens, the international community appears to be turning its back. UN expert @RapporteurUn calls for urgent action to stand with the people of Myanmar, support those under siege & uphold fundamental human rights. ohchr.org/sites/default/…
#FreeJimmyLai British Politicians Call Upon Pope Leo XIV To Stand Up For Jimmy Lai via @forbes forbes.com/sites/ewelinao…
Time has come to choke off junta financing altogether: sanction the Central Bank, all the state owned banks, the leading private banks in the pockets of the regime, declare Myanmar debt as odious (along with the capital subscribed to the aforementioned private banks)…
“I repeat my call for an arms embargo, coupled with sanctions consistent with international law – including on jet fuel and dual-use goods – to better protect the people of #Myanmar.” – UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk at #HRC59 🔗 bit.ly/449UlyS
“When the people of #Myanmar need the support of the intl community the most, that support is being drastically reduced.” @RapporteurUn warns of severe consequences as humanitarian funding collapses. #HRC59 💰 Only 12% of $1.14B response plan funded bit.ly/45Jjxxh
Art can be a powerful force for revolution and positive social change but is often overlooked. Watch this short film from @FortifyRights profiling the inspiring Ma Hnin and @anewburma.
“We don’t know how long this fight will take, but we know that we are not going to give up.” Ma Hnin, founder of @anewburma, shares her journey of resistance in exile, using art and advocacy to stand up to Myanmar’s military junta. #EverydayRights
Myanmar is not on a path to 'self-destruction' as UN Envoy Julie Bishop states, it is being destroyed by the Myanmar military. That she would frame it this way shows a serious lack of understanding about the country. webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1b/k…
#HRC59: Despite the worsening #HumanRights situation since the 2021 military coup, the people of #Myanmar🇲🇲 hold onto hopes for a better, more democratic future. ✊💬 🗣️Listen to their voices in our quote card series—where they told us hopes & dreams in the @UN_HRC report to be…