The Thinking Muslim Iran and Gaza: Was Human Rights Always a Lie? | Omar Shakir
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Mar 27, 2026 Omar Shakir, human rights advocate and former HRW Israel-Palestine director now leading DAWN, reflects on selective application of international law. He discusses blocked reports, double standards between conflicts, Western protection of allies, and how law, advocacy, and ethics might be rebuilt. Short, direct conversation about power, accountability, and practical paths for change.
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Rules Based Order Exists But Enforcement Is Selective
- International law still exists as a normative framework even when powerful states shield allies and undermine enforcement.
- Omar Shakir notes the post‑WWII rules were damaged after October 7 and allies prioritized shielding Israel over upholding the law, eroding the order.
Resignation Over A Shelved Right Of Return Report
- Omar Shakir resigned after Human Rights Watch leadership shelved a vetted report on the Palestinian right of return.
- He explains the report was vetted, coded to the website and translated, but pulled over fears of challenging the Jewishness of the state.
Israel Palestine Work Faces Extra Scrutiny Inside HRW
- Israel‑Palestine work at Human Rights Watch is subject to extraordinary internal scrutiny compared with other countries.
- Kenneth Roth personally reviewed most Israel‑Palestine products, so novel legal findings face higher barriers despite precedent like the Rohingya and Chagos reports.