Just Access

In this episode of the Just Access podcast, host Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Luca Brocca, a master's student in European Studies at KU Leuven and a long-time member of Just Access. Luca discusses his journey from academic theory to impactful practice in the human rights field through his work with Just Access.Luca has worn many hats in the organization over the past two years: from legal intern to blog author, to Just Access representative to the UNCAC Coalition (UN Convention against Corruption), and formerly to the OSCE Network. He shares insights into what these roles actually involve—from participating in working group meetings and multistakeholder projects, to contributing legal analysis on anti-corruption and global food security.Together, they explore Luca's recent blog post analyzing the European Court of Human Rights' major ruling on Italy's environmental failures in the Terra dei Fuochi case. The judgment not only addresses state obligations under Article 2 (right to life), but also signals a broader shift in climate and environmental litigation in Europe.

In Part 2 of our compelling conversation, Professors Jane Bailey and Valerie Steeves continue to unpack the complex realities of surveillance, privacy, and children's rights in the digital age. Building on their extensive research and advocacy through The eQuality Project, they explore how tech design, gender, and systemic bias intersect in online environments—and what it means for youth today.Together, we examine:The myth of the “neutral” internetHow tech platforms design for profit—not protectionThe ongoing struggle to foreground children's dignity and agencyWhy meaningful privacy rights require cultural and structural changeWhether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or digital rights advocate, this episode offers eye-opening insights into how we can push for safer, more inclusive digital futures.

In this thought-provoking episode, we speak with Professors Jane Bailey and Valerie Steeves, co-leaders of The eQuality Project, a pioneering initiative focused on young people's experiences of privacy and equality in digitally networked environments.Part 1 of our conversation dives into how surveillance is normalized in educational and social media contexts, why that matters for youth, and what needs to change in how we approach children's digital rights. Jane and Valerie reflect on how their research with young people sheds light on the disconnect between adult perceptions of digital safety and the real concerns youth express—particularly around control, visibility, and relationships of trust.

In this second part of our conversation with the Just Access Strategic Litigation team, Dr. Miranda Melcher continues her in-depth discussion with Dr. Tom Sparks and Dr. Lucas Sanchez about Just Access's groundbreaking communication to four UN Special Rapporteurs. The communication addresses critical gaps in Germany's climate change adaptation policies, specifically regarding children's rights and the inclusion of human rights-based frameworks.This episode dives deep into:Why Just Access chose this case and what makes it strategically importantHow this communication fits into Just Access's broader mission of improving access to justice for socioeconomic and environmental rightsThe function of UN Special Rapporteurs and how this international legal mechanism worksThe innovative and collaborative process behind building this communicationWhat outcomes Just Access hopes for—from influencing German policy to inspiring global actionTom and Lucas share insights into the surprising gaps in adaptation-focused human rights litigation, the under-recognized vulnerabilities of children in climate policy, and how strategic litigation can ignite systemic change.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher is joined by Dr. Tom Sparks (Director of Just Access) and Dr. Lucas Sanchez (Head of Strategic Litigation at Just Access) for the first part of a two-part conversation exploring the intersection of climate change adaptation, children's rights, and international law.Together, they break down a groundbreaking communication that Just Access is submitting to multiple UN Special Rapporteurs, challenging Germany's approach to climate adaptation for its failure to adequately protect children.You'll learn:

In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher continues her insightful discussion with Amy Rose, the Global Director of Litigation, Governance, and Legal Services at ClientEarth. Amy shares her expertise on the evolving landscape of climate litigation, the challenges of systemic change, and the innovative strategies used to address the world's most pressing environmental issues.From groundbreaking human rights cases to biodiversity protection and sustainable food systems, Amy reveals the intricate processes behind ClientEarth's work and highlights the role of strategic litigation in creating impactful change. The conversation also touches on gaps in access to justice and the inspiring role of younger generations in driving environmental advocacy.Key Topics Covered:•The current state and future of climate litigation (01:37)•Strategic litigation beyond climate: tackling biodiversity loss, marine ecosystems, and sustainable food systems (07:18)•The importance of collaboration and systems thinking in ClientEarth's approach (09:16)•Navigating challenges in standing, causation, and extraterritoriality in litigation (17:00)•Access to justice gaps in the EU's state aid system (23:00)•Inspiring hope: the role of younger generations in environmental advocacy (26:12)Call to Action:If you're inspired by Amy's work and want to support access to justice and environmental advocacy, consider donating to Just Access by visiting just-access.de/donate. Every contribution helps us continue our mission to make human rights effective for all.Connect With Us:•Follow us on social media and share this episode with your friends.•Email us your feedback or topic suggestions at podcast@just-access.de.•Don't forget to leave a review on your favorite podcast app – we'd love to hear your thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Just Access Podcast, host Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Amy Rose, the Global Director of Litigation, Governance, and Legal Services at ClientEarth. ClientEarth is a world-leading environmental organization that uses the law to tackle pressing environmental challenges.In this first part of their conversation, Amy shares her journey into law—from her beginnings in political science to her global career in litigation, including her impactful work at ClientEarth. They explore:•The evolution of Amy's career, from commercial litigation to environmental advocacy.•The power of strategic litigation as a tool for systemic change.•Why broad legal experience is valuable for addressing complex challenges.•Amy's advice for aspiring human rights defenders and environmental advocates.

Show Notes: Just Access Podcast, Season 3 Launch (Part 2)In this special episode of the Just Access Podcast, host Dr. Miranda Melcher dives into inspiring conversations with Dr. Tom Sparks, Director of Just Access, and Cvetanka Kiroska, Head of Projects. This episode continues the Season 3 launch in celebration of International Human Rights Day and the podcast's second anniversary.Highlights of the Episode:Cvetanka Kiroska's JourneyGrowing up during Yugoslavia's turbulent collapse and finding refuge in literature, music, and languages.Her path from translating and interpreting to working on conflict resolution and multi-ethnic education projects in Macedonia.Eye-opening experiences in international human rights, including working with families of missing persons in the Balkans and NGOs assisting refugees.Joining Just Access and shaping the organization's impactful projects.Dr. Tom Sparks' Path to LeadershipFrom participating in mock trials as a teen to studying law and specializing in international law.His advocacy journey with Amnesty International, learning human rights governance, and leading impactful initiatives.Transitioning from academia to Just Access to combine legal expertise with practical human rights work.Behind the Scenes of the PodcastThe origin story of the Just Access Podcast and the creative process behind its production.Insights into the team's vision: amplifying human rights stories and inspiring everyone to be a defender of justice.Challenges and rewards of launching a podcast from scratch.Dream GuestsGuests they aspire to feature, including global leaders like UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türck, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, and activist Omar Alshogre.Highlighting the importance of showcasing both prominent figures and everyday heroes advocating for justice.Just Access in ActionThe organization's three pillars: Strategic Litigation, Advocacy, and Education.Dr. Sparks shares how the podcast is central to educating and inspiring listeners worldwide.Ways to get involved: internships, volunteering, donations, and more.Get InvolvedInspired by this episode? Here's how you can support Just Access:Share the podcast with friends and on social media.Explore the blog and other resources on Just Access's website.Volunteer or donate to support human rights and access to justice.

In this insightful continuation of our conversation with Bora Un and Anna Schroeder from Art Works Projects (AWP), we delve deeper into the organization's impactful work in human rights storytelling. Building on the foundation set in the previous episode, we explore their current projects, collaborative processes, and lessons learned from years of advocacy through visual storytelling.Key Highlights:Current Projects at AWP: Bora and Anna share updates on AWP's latest initiatives, including their collaborations with photographers and storytellers tackling global issues such as migration, forced displacement, and cultural preservation.Collaborative Storytelling: insights into how AWP fosters meaningful partnerships with communities, photographers, and global networks to amplify underrepresented voices in human rights narratives.Measuring Impact: Anna explains how AWP uses tools like community feedback and mentorship programs to evaluate the social and personal impact of their projects on both audiences and collaborators.Lessons Learned: Reflections on the challenges and successes encountered in their mission to create change through visual advocacy.Why Listen?This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, advocacy, and impact. Learn how AWP empowers storytellers and communities alike while driving awareness on pressing human rights issues.Links & Resources: • Art Works Projects: artworksprojects.org • Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: artworksprojects.org/emerging-lensSupport the Podcast:Enjoy the episode? Don't forget to rate, share, and recommend it! You can also support us by donating at: https://just-access.de/donate/Let us know your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more conversations on storytelling and justice! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher sits down with Bora Un, the Managing Director, and Anne Schroeter, the Impact Consultant, from Art Works Project (AWP), a nonprofit dedicated to visual advocacy and human rights storytelling. Bora and Anne share their passion for visual storytelling as a tool for change and provide insights into how AWP works on various impactful projects.Key Highlights::Introduction to Art Works Project (AWP): Bora and Anne explain the mission of AWP, which produces high-impact human rights campaigns through various forms of visual storytelling, including photography exhibitions, interactive websites, and large-scale public installations.Human Rights Through Visual Storytelling: Bora discusses how AWP's storytelling campaigns tackle global human rights issues such as forced displacement, immigration, and migration, with particular focus on the U.S. context and sanctuary cities.Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: Bora explains how AWP fosters emerging storytellers from within the communities they aim to highlight, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships and professional development in the documentary field.Current and Future Projects: Bora and Anne give an overview of AWP's ongoing projects, including collaborations with photographers like Oscar Castillo and Will Sands on deportation and migration, as well as a cultural preservation project by rising star Astrig Agopian.Strategic Decision-Making at AWP: Bora elaborates on AWP's decision-making process when selecting project focuses, balancing thematic relevance, social impact, and resource capacity. She also discusses how AWP measures impact through collaboration with communities, photographers, and global networks.The Role of Impact Assessment: Anne delves into AWP's approach to assessing the impact of its projects, using tools like surveys, community feedback, and the mentorship of emerging photographers to ensure both the personal and social benefits of their work.Key Takeaways: • AWP emphasizes long-term relationships with collaborators, photographers, and affected communities. • Visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and creating change in human rights issues. • AWP's work goes beyond traditional documentary filmmaking to include mentorship, field guides, and best practices for other storytellers. • Impact is not just about how the audience receives the work, but also how it contributes to the careers of photographers and the communities involved.In the next episode, we'll continue our conversation with Bora and Anne, diving deeper into specific projects and how AWP's approach to collaboration and storytelling is improving access to justice worldwide.Links & Resources: • Art Works Project: https://www.artworksprojects.org/ • The Prosecutors Documentary: https://www.artworksprojects.org/our-work/the-prosecutors/ • Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: https://www.artworksprojects.org/emerging-lens/ Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, our host, Dr. Miranda Melcher, speaks with Dana Rösiger, a talented photographer and human rights advocate, who collaborates with NGO's like DISCOVER FOOTBALL, Equal Playing Field or Women Win, fighting for a world in which girls and women can do sports without being discriminated against. Dana shares her unique perspective on documenting human rights issues through photography and the powerful role that visual storytelling plays in advocating for justice.Dana's work brings the stories of those affected by human rights abuses to a broader audience, illuminating the realities faced by vulnerable communities. In her conversation with Dr. Melcher, Dana discusses the challenges and responsibilities of capturing sensitive subjects, her creative process, and how photography can be a vital tool in raising awareness and inspiring change.Why Listen?Tune in to gain insight into the world of human rights photography, learn how images can drive advocacy, and understand the impact of storytelling on justice and public perception.Key Highlights:• The Power of Photography in Human Rights Advocacy: Dana describes the emotional and societal impact of her work and how photographs can convey complex issues to the public, prompting empathy and action.• Challenges in Documenting Sensitive Topics: Dana discusses the ethical and logistical challenges she faces in her work, especially when photographing subjects in vulnerable situations. She also explains how she ensures that her work respects the dignity and privacy of those she captures.• Connecting with Audiences through Visual Storytelling: Dana and Dr. Melcher explore the ways in which photography can bridge gaps in understanding and make human rights issues more relatable and urgent for a global audience.Additional Information:• Learn More about Dana Rösiger here: https://www.danaroesiger.com/profil/Keywords: Human Rights Photography, Visual Storytelling, Advocacy, Just Access e.V., Human Rights Documentation, Photography Ethics, Justice, Empathy in Photography.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us, and share this episode to spread the word about the power of photography in human rights advocacy.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, our host, Dr. Melcher, is joined by Dr. Christopher Robertson, a professor at Boston University, and Dr. Louise King, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Together they explore groundbreaking research recently published by these two co-authors in the Emory Law Journal. The article, titled "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It", delves into the systemic challenges and legal implications faced by gynecology patients.They discuss their motivations for researching this topic, their main findings, and the shocking realities faced by gynecology patients. The conversation highlights actionable steps listeners can take to contribute to solving these issues.Why Listen?Tune in to learn more about structural discrimination in gynecology and the legal strategies that can lead to better healthcare outcomes for all.Key Highlights: • The inspiration behind the article and why gynecology patients often face avoidable injuries. • Insights into the systemic discrimination within gynecology and how legal frameworks can evolve to offer better protection and care. • Personal experiences shared by Dr. Louise King on how these issues impact her work and the broader medical community.Additional Information: • Read the Full Article: Published in 2024 in the Emory Law Journal here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4800783, or here: https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/3797/Keywords: Structural Sex Discrimination, Gynecology Patients, Avoidable Injuries, Legal Frameworks, Human Rights Advocacy, Access to Justice, Health Policy, Emory Law Journal, Medical Discrimination.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In the first part of the interview, we discussed her career and work in this field, and in this episode we talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.Key Highlights:Negotiation skills: What are the main skills negotiators need to develop? Major challenges: What are the key challenges that come up in negotiation and mediation? Examples of successful negotiationsJust Access Gaps: what are the major gaps in access to justice?Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In this first part of the interview, we discuss her career and work in this field, and in our second episode with Ida, we will talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.Key Highlights:First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Ida Manton and her journey to becoming a negotiation expert.Negotiation and Mediation: What is the difference?Gaining negotiation skills: how can one learn to negotiate?Applying negotiation skills: what are the different fields where negotiation sills can be useful?Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Mary Lawlor, who is currently Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2020. She is also the founder of Frontline Defenders and has had various positions with Amnesty International. We talk about her remarkable career and and everything she's done for human rights.Key Highlights:What are Human Rights Defenders: Learn about the human rights activism and the risks it may entail.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Mary Lawlor and her day-to-day work as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights: how cases are prioritised and how they communicate with each other.Special Procedures: how effective are they?Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for human rights defenders and human rights in general due to lack of political will of member states and impunity as major obstacle.Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in being a human rights defender, understanding special procedures and the challenges of the mechanism.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Ida Manton, international negotiations specialist.Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Please visit Frontline Defenders if you might want to help or support with a donation.Keywords: Human rights defenders, special rapporteur, special procedures, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with Dr. Ashfaq Kalfan, who is the Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA. We continue our conversation from the previous episode, where we talked more about his career, focusing on socio economic human rights, and moving into strategic climate litigation. And here we go into more detail about climate justice, what is happening in the world of strategic climate litigation, as well as his perspectives on human rights and how they can be improved to increase access to justice for all. We hope you enjoy the second part of our conversation.Key Highlights:Learn About Strategic Climate Litigation: Learn about the international laws and courts governing climate change and strategic litigation as means of holding states accountable.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan with working on climate change litigation and socio-economic rights, i.a. with Amnesty International, Oxfam USA and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law.Social Justice Issues: empowering, equipping change-makers around the world to be able to understand how international law can be used in their work.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate change through strategic litigationWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, strategic litigation, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, where we continue the conversation with Ashfaq Khalfan!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, socio-economic rights, sustainable development law, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan, who is the Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA. In this first part of our conversation, we speak about his interest in human rights, specifically socioeconomic human rights, and his career so far, including a current focus on climate change strategic litigation. In the second part of our conversation, we will talk more about what's happening in the world of strategic climate litigation, all the way up at the level of the International Court of Justice, what his team is working on for this, and what he thinks Areas might be to look out for in the future on this topic.Key Highlights:Learn About Strategic Climate Litigation: Learn about the international laws and courts governing climate change and strategic litigation as means of holding states accountable. First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan with working on climate change litigation and socio-economic rights, i.a. with Amnesty International, Oxfam USA and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law. Social Justice Issues: empowering, equipping change-makers around the world to be able to understand how international law can be used in their work.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate change through strategic litigationWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, strategic litigation, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, where we continue the conversation with Ashfaq Khalfan!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, socio-economic rights, sustainable development law, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with two fabulous guests who I've been talking about climate protest in the Netherlands, Germany, and beyond in our previous episode. One of our guests is Mirjam Hermann, a climate activist and law student. Our second guest is Juanita van Lunen, an attorney at The Hague working on criminal law and demonstration rights. In this second part of our conversation, we continue discussing their experiences with climate protests, as well as their recommendations for how law students, lawyers, and the general public can get involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, join host Dr Miranda Melcher as we delve into the fraught and controversial world of climate change protests, with expert guests Juanita van Lunen, an attorney based in The Hague, where she specialises in criminal law and demonstration rights in the Netherlands, and Mirjam Herrmann, a climate activist and law student in Germany, and member of the association Rückendeckung für eine aktive Zivilgesellschaft (RAZ) e.V., which provides legal and psychological support to Letzte Generation and other climate activist groups.In this first part of our conversation, we discuss how they got involved with the climate movement and some of their experiences so far.Key Highlights:Learn About Climate Protests: Learn about the fraught and controversial world of disruptive protests on climate change.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Juanita van Lunen and Mirjam Herrmann and legal advisors to protestors.Environmental Catastrophe: Understand the urgency which leads climate protestors to pursue increasingly disruptive forms of protest to demand action on climate change.Social Justice Issues: Gain a deeper understanding of the difficult balance which must be struck between the right to protest and the rights of others to go about their lives without undue disruption.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate protestors who have increasingly been criminalised, brutalised, and even cast as terrorists in their pursuit of climate justice.About Our Guests:Juanita van Lunen is a criminal law attorney in the Hague, and specialises in demonstrations law. She regularly advises climate protestors, both before and during protests, and following arrest.Mirjam Herrmann is a law student and climate activist, and one of the first climate protestors in Germany to be imprisoned under anti-climate-protest laws. She is a member of the association Rückendeckung für eine aktive Zivilgesellschaft (RAZ) e.V., which provides legal and psychological support to Letzte Generation and other climate activist groupsWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, as well as our next podcast conversation: with Ashfaq Khalfan, Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Please visit https://raz-ev.org/unterstuetzen/ if you might want to help or support with a donation.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, climate protest, right to protest, freedom of speech, Klimakleber, Extinction Rebellion, Letzte Generation, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Dr Miranda Melcher, discussing her recently published book about peace treaties and how to improve outcomes coming out of civil wars. Last time we talked a bit about how I got into this research and some of the main findings of the book and today we go into more detail and discuss ways in which this links to access to justice.If you would like to order the book, you can find it here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/securing-peace-in-angola-and-mozambique-9781350407930/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have something special for you. We have placed our podcast host, Dr. Miranda Melcher, on the other side of the microphone, to allow our audience to get to know her and her academic work better. Dr Melcher is interviewed by Nalenhle Moyo, the new Donor and Communication Specialist at Just Access.Dr. Melcher recently published a book titled Securing Peace in Angola and Mozambique, where she delves into the role of access to justice and the resolution of civil conflict. In this first episode of our conversation, we'll discuss a bit about how I got into this research and some of the big picture findings of the book before, while in the next episode, we'll be talking about those specifics more and discussing implications for access to justice.If you would like to order the book, you can find it here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/securing-peace-in-angola-and-mozambique-9781350407930/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jocelyn Zuckerman, who is a writer and editor and has written a number of pieces in magazines and for other publications. She has a strong focus on environmental and social issues, and questions of international development. One of the things that we're talking about today is her book titled Planet Palm, which was published in 2021 and was a powerfully written exposé of the abuses of many kinds of the global palm oil industry.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the Show.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with Donatella Rovera, who is Senior Crisis Response Advisor at Amnesty International. For more than 20 years, she has been a key member of Amnesty's on the ground investigative efforts in war, crisis, and other situations of human rights abuse. Listen to this episode as Donatella discusses insights from her career, including on some less discussed conflicts, and about access to justice globally.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the Show.

In this episode, we have the huge pleasure of speaking to Donatella Rovera, who is Senior Crisis Response Advisor at Amnesty International. Her focus has primarily been the Middle East, and she has investigated abuses in Gaza, Syria, Iraq under the control of the Islamic State, and numerous other trouble spots. Her work routinely puts her in a position of significant personal risk.  Listen to this episode to find out from Donatella about how she plans, conducts, and thinks about investigating human rights violations in conflict zones.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the show

In this episode, we have an extra special interview about the just-decided European Court of Human Rights cases on climate change. We have an incredible expert with us to help us understand these decisions that came out just a few hours ago by the time of the recording. Judge Professor Helen Keller is Chair of International and Public Law at the University of Zurich, and a member of the Bosnian Constitutional Court. Crucially for our discussion today, she was also formerly a judge on the European Court of Human Rights. She currently leads a project at the University of Zurich on climate rights and remedies, and in fact has a pretty big conference on the topic coming up this week, and is herself both Swiss and based in Switzerland.For more on her work and resources on climate rights and remedies cases, visit: https://www.climaterights.uzh.ch/en.htmlEnjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the show

In this episode, we get to talk to Amy Kaslow.  She is a writer and photographer with a lens on at-risk societies worldwide. She's spent the past four decades writing, broadcasting, and photographing in the world's trouble spots, chronicling the immediate aftermath of conflict and well into the post-war period. She also does work within the United States, as well as with art and information today. We speak about how her career began and how she thinks about storytelling across time, place, and mediums. You can find out more about Amy's work in her gallery and with Know Now at: www.amykaslow.comEnjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we have the opportunity to speak to Dunja Mijatović, the outgoing Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe, a position she served in from 2018 to 2024.Listen to this episode to find out about her thoughts on the position and the state of human rights in Europe today. Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Professor Fernand de Varennes, who has just finished serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues and is currently a visiting professor at the Université Catholique de Lyon and the University of Sarajevo.Our discussion in this episode builds on our conversation from the previous episode when we discussed the role of Special Rapporteur and some recent trends in this area. In this episode, we continue our conversation and think about ways to improve access to justice for minority rights.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

 In this episode, we get the opportunity to speak to Professor Fernand de Varennes, who just finished his role of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, and served from 2017 to 2023.Professor Fernand de Varennes is currently visiting professor at the Université Catholique at Lyon and at the University of Sarajevo. In this first episode, we focus on the role of Special Rapporteur and the professor's assessment of challenges facing minorities around the world. In the next episode, we'll continue our conversation to focus on problems with current tools for protecting human rights and discuss ways to improve access to justice and especially how grassroots efforts can help motivate reforms. Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Marina Aksenova. She's a professor of comparative and international criminal law at the IE University in Madrid. In this discussion, we go over her research background, her research interests that bring together not just international criminal law as is traditionally thought of, but many more aspects as well, and talk about gaps she sees in the international justice system and ways perhaps of addressing them.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Nani Jansen Reventlow, who is an award-winning human rights lawyer specializing in strategic litigation at the intersection of human rights, social justice, and technology. Our discussion in this episode builds on our conversation in the previous episode, where we discussed Nani's background and her current work at systemic justice. In this episode, we discuss international law and rights more broadly, both in terms of problems and possible ways forward. For more info on Nani Jansen Reventlow go to: https://www.nanijansen.org/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we talk to Nani Jansen Reventlow who is an award winning human rights lawyer specializing in strategic litigation at the intersection of human rights, social justice, and technology. In this first episode, we focus on her background and the organization she's founded called Systemic Justice, and the work that she and her organization do. In the second episode, we talk more about digital rights more broadly, about how the legal system works, some of the biggest gaps for justice she's identified, and some possible solutions.For more info on Nani Jansen Reventlow go to: https://www.nanijansen.org/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

 In this episode, we continue the conversation with Dr. Virginie Collombier and Dr. Wolfram Lacher, who are the editors of the recent book, 'Violence and Social Transformation in Libya', published by Hurst in 2023. In the first episode, we focused on how the book came to be and some of its core arguments and contributions. In this second part of our conversation, we discuss what the book might help us understand about the present and future of Libya.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we speak with Dr. Virginie Collombier and Dr. Wolfram Lacher, who are the editors of the recent book, 'Violence and Social Transformation in Libya', published by Hurst in 2023. In this first episode, we focus on how the book came to be and some of its core arguments and contributions.In the second episode, we will focus on what the book might help us understand about the present and future of Libya.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Phil Lynch, the Director of the International Service for Human Rights. Our discussion builds on our conversation in the last episode, when we discussed his career and explored some of the behind the scenes work of the organization. In this episode, we discuss institutional interactions and access to justice more broadly.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we talk with Phil Lynch, the Director of the International Service for Human Rights. In this first episode, we focus on Phil's background and his work at the International Service for Human Rights. In the second episode, we look at the organization's interactions with the United Nations and Phil's perspective on justice and access more widely. Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Mirjana Lazarova Trajkovska. She is currently nominated as a judge candidate to the International Criminal Court, as she serves as a judge on the Supreme Court of North Macedonia, and she formerly was a judge on the European Court of Human Rights, and at the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia, among many other things.This discussion builds on our conversation in the previous episode where we discussed her background, her work on corruption and access to justice, especially within the context of the European Court on Human Rights. In this episode, we talk about her candidacy for the International Criminal Court and her thoughts on the future of international law.Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we talk to Mirjana Lazarova-Trajkovska. She is nominated as a judge candidate for the International Criminal Court. She currently serves as a judge on the Supreme Court of North Macedonia, and she formerly was a judge at the European Court of Human Rights and at the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia among many other career accolades.In this first episode, we focus on her background, and her work on corruption and access to justice, especially within the European Court on Human Rights. Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg, who are the hosts of the Asymmetrical Haircuts Podcast. Their podcast covers all sorts of topics, including justice for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and international law more broadly seeking especially to highlight the voices of female experts and people involved in the field. In the first episode, we focused on the behind-the-scenes of creating and running their podcast. In this episode, we speak more about what they've learned from doing the Asymmetrical podcast and over the course of their careers.To hear the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, go to: https://www.asymmetricalhaircuts.com/category/episodes/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we talk to Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg, who are the hosts of the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, which speaks to mainly female experts and commentators about topics including justice for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and much, much more.  In this first episode, we focus on some of the behind-the-scenes of creating and running their podcast and what brought them to create it in the first place. In the next episode, we'll discuss the podcast further as well as Janet and Stephanie's thoughts about international law and how it's developed over their time in the field.To hear the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, go to: https://www.asymmetricalhaircuts.com/category/episodes/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Andreas Schüller, Director of the International Crimes and Accountability Program at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, the ECCHR. Our discussion in this episode builds on our conversation in the last episode when Andreas explained what he does at the organization and how the organization works to improve access to justice. We discuss the ECCHR's engagement with states, and Andreas helps us understand where some of the gaps are in the current international legal system and ideas for how access to justice could be improved.For more on the  ECCHR and Andreas' work, go to: https://www.ecchr.eu/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this and our following episode, we speak with Andreas Schüller. He's the Director of the International Crimes and Accountability Program at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, the ECCHR. In this episode, we focus on the ECCHR and his work there to understand how the organization works and what kinds of efforts they're making to improve access to justice.In the second episode, we'll focus more on thinking about the international system overall, where some gaps might be for access to justice, and ways that things could be improved.For more on the  ECCHR and Andreas' work, go to: https://www.ecchr.eu/Enjoy listening!Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Dr. Iva Vukušić about her work. She is an Assistant Professor in International History at the Center for Conflict Studies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and a visiting Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London.  Our discussion in this episode builds on our conversation in the last episode when we discussed her work and some of the main findings of her book titled "Serbian Paramilitaries and the Breakup of Yugoslavia - State Connections and Patterns of Violence" published in 2022.In this episode, we go further into our discussion about the politics of archives, access to memories, and access to justice. Enjoy listening!For more on Dr. Vukušić's book go to: https://www.routledge.com/Serbian-Paramilitaries-and-the-Breakup-of-Yugoslavia-State-Connections/Vukusic/p/book/9781032044453For her article on the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia: "Archives of Mass Violence: Understanding and Using ICTY Trial Records" Comparative Southeast European Studies, vol. 70, no. 4, 2022, pp. 585-607  (open access), go to: https://doi.org/10.1515/soeu-2021-0050Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

Over the next two episodes, we talk to Dr. Iva Vukušić, an Assistant Professor in International History at the Center for Conflict Studies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and a visiting research fellow at the Department of War Studies at Kings College London. In this first episode, we focus on some of the main findings of her book titled "Serbian Paramilitaries and the Breakup of Yugoslavia - State Connections and Patterns of Violence", published in September 2022.In the second episode, we'll focus on the politics of archives and access to information and how it could be access to justice. Enjoy listening!For more on Dr. Vukušić's book go to: https://www.routledge.com/Serbian-Paramilitaries-and-the-Breakup-of-Yugoslavia-State-Connections/Vukusic/p/book/9781032044453For her article on the archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia: "Archives of Mass Violence: Understanding and Using ICTY Trial Records" Comparative Southeast European Studies, vol. 70, no. 4, 2022, pp. 585-607  (open access), go to: https://doi.org/10.1515/soeu-2021-0050Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Dr. Stacey Philbrick Yadav, an associate professor of international relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Our discussion in this episode builds on our conversation in the previous episode. In that episode, we talked about her research practice and some of the main findings of her book titled "Yemen in the Shadow of Transition, Pursuing Justice Amid War", published by Hurst in 2022. In this episode, we continue talking with Stacey to understand conflict and justice in Yemen more broadly.For more on the Bus of Hope, by Rim Mugahed go to: https://www.yemenpolicy.org/bus-of-hope/Support the show

In this episode we talk with Dr. Stacey Yadav. She's an Associate Professor of International Relations at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. We focus on her research practice and some of the main findings of her recently published book. The book is titled "Yemen in the Shadow of Transition, pursuing Justice Amid War", and it came out in 2022 from Hurst. In the next episode, we'll focus on understanding conflict and justice in Yemen more broadly from her extensive work on the country and conflict. Hope you enjoy the conversation. Support the show

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Kate Cronin-Furman, an Associate Professor of Human Rights at the University College of London - UCL. We focus on some of the main findings of her book, recently published by Cornell University Press in 2022 and titled Hypocrisy and Human Rights - Resisting Accountability for Mass Atrocities.  We talk about quasi-compliance, the relationship between quasi-compliance and aid dependency, the causal connection between victim groups' power and the attention that governments after atrocities pay to crimes that have happened, the ratifications of the Rome statute in general, and in terms of the idea of quasi compliance,  and discuss international justice in practice. Enjoy it and Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show

In this episode we speak with Olexandra Romantsova from the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL) in Ukraine - the NGO that won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022.One of her key responsibilities is working to document war crimes and advocate for victims of human rights violations in Ukraine. We focus on introducing Olexandra and her career, as well as her recommendations for improving access to justice, especially at and via the International Criminal Court, the ICC.For more on the CCL go to: https://ccl.org.ua/en/To support the work of the CCL you can:a) make a donation at: https://flandings.io/DonateCCL/#/b) join as a volunteer at: https://ccl.org.ua/volunteers/  Don't forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!Support the show