The No Walls Podcast

We're back!!Trump's executive actions have been described by Amnesty International as “harmful, racist - an anti-immigrant agenda”. We see here in the UK, our own Prime Minister's rhetoric is becoming more and more extreme. This episode delves into Trump's recent decisions and we hear from the incredible Karen Tumlin, Founder and Director of the Justice Action Centre and a nationally recognised attorney in the US focusing on immigrants' rights.Also more personally, Sophie Lucas joins the NWP team as a new host!! She is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers with considerable experience in complex human rights challenges against public bodies, having previously worked as a solicitor. Sophie was named ‘Times Lawyer of the Week' following the Court of Appeal's ruling that the Rwanda policy was unlawful.

We're back! Amid a world of increasing conflict and suffering, this episode shines a light on international justice and the ongoing efforts to seek accountability for human rights violations. We cover the ICC arrest warrants in relation to Palestine, and the recent developments in Syria. We speak to two brilliant guests: Yasmine Ahmed, the UK Director of Human Rights Watch with two decades of experience in international law and human rights advocacy, and Isabella Kirwan, ex-Duncan Lewis turned international law barrister at Guernica 37 chambers who represents in cases before international criminal tribunals in The Hague. Enjoy!

In this episode we hear two brilliant interviews on climate justice and migration.  First from the heavyweight barrister Jessica Simor KC, covering her remarkable career and role in the landmark ECtHR case of Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland.  Then from Yumna Kamel, Legal Education Officer at Right to Remain and the co-founder and executive director of Earth Refuge, the planet's first legal think tank dedicated to climate migrants.   Enjoy.      Resources referenced by Yumna for further reading: ICAAD report on the Right to Life with Dignity for Climate Displaced Persons: https://icaad.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ICAAD-RTLWD-Policy-Brief.pdf  Kerilyn Schewel's in/voluntary im/mobility work: https://mixedmigration.org/staying-put-why-its-time-to-pay-more-attention-to-mixed-immobility/ UNHCR statement on 'Legal considerations regarding claims for international protection made in the context of the adverse effects of climate change and disasters': https://www.refworld.org/policy/legalguidance/unhcr/2020/en/123356  Annalisa Savaresi and Joana Setzer from LSE's Grantham Institute have identified more than 100 climate cases that rely on human rights arguments to promote action on climate change: https://www.lse.ac.uk/granthaminstitute/news/a-first-global-mapping-of-rights-based-climate-litigation-reveals-a-need-to-explore-just-transition-cases-in-more-depth/   Earth Refuge website: https://earthrefuge.org/ Socials: @earthrefuge

Sheroy and Toufique are back discussing the last few years of the Tory government through the lens of some of their cases, Toufique's recent award success and a little on the EUROs.

The latest conflict has plunged Sudan into "one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history", according to the UN who also warn it may trigger the world's largest hunger crisis. UNICEF says some communities in Sudan have been pushed to the brink of famine. We speak to Mark Townsend, a senior global development reporter at the Guardian who has recently visited neighbouring Chad, home to Sudanese refugees. He talks about evidence of ethnic cleansing, in "Darfur's unfolding dystopian nightmare". We also speak to the Co-Directors at Waging Peace, an NGO based in the UK dedicated to building better lives for Sudanese refugees.

This episode shines a light on a formidable human rights defender, Helen Duffy, a Scottish international lawyer and academic. She is a Professor of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the University of Leiden and runs her own international law practice ‘Human Rights in Practice (HRiP)' specialising in strategic litigation – with cases from Guantanamo Bay to Palestinian land rights.  A particularly inspiring listen to mark International Women's Day 2024. Enjoy. 

As the UK's House of Lords currently debates the 'Safety of Rwanda Bill', this episode returns to Rwanda. We hear from Michela Wrong, an award-winning journalist and author who has spent over two decades writing about Africa. She has written for Reuters, the BBC and the Financial Times, amongst others. She has also written several books, including ‘Do Not Disturb' - a scathing assessment of Rwanda under President Kagame which brought our attention to her. We hope you enjoy.  Link to the transcript of Baroness Hale's comments in the House of Lords as mentioned in the introduction: https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2024-02-19/debates/69F06855-C925-4753-9277-D92C1BEB6CD0/SafetyOfRwanda(AsylumAndImmigration)Bill

This episode dives into International Criminal Law, including the avenues for international criminal accountability and the role and power of the International Criminal Court. We hear a fascinating interview with Toby Cadman, barrister and co-founder of The Guernica 37 Group and Joint Head of Guernica 37 Chambers, and an experienced international criminal and humanitarian law specialist. However, first our co-hosts speak more on the government's proposed plans for Rwanda following the Supreme Court's Judgment. Note: our interview with Toby Cadman was recorded on 23 November 2023 and therefore some facts and statistics may be slightly out-of-date.

This episode dives into International Humanitarian Law, specifically in the context of what is happening right now in Gaza especially as Israel resumes its offensive. We hope to provide you with a clear overview of the international legal position through insights from two highly-informed guests: Clive Baldwin, Senior Legal Advisor at Human Rights Watch, and Professor Andrew Clapham, Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute.

We are back for Season 3! On Wednesday 15 November, the UK Supreme Court unanimously held the Secretary of State's Rwanda policy to be unlawful. Tune in to hear our co-hosts plus solicitor Sophie Lucas debrief on the judgment, discuss the process running up to it and what it was like to be in the Courtroom when Lord Reed read out those words.

Music plays a central role in the lives of so many, not least those who want to express their views of protest and resistance through the medium of art. The No Walls Podcast is back, this time with two extremely gifted guests: Nick Armstrong KC of Matrix Chambers - one of the country's leading barristers, and Bumi Thomas - an inspirational musician with lived experience of standing up to the Home Office. Bumi was kind enough to let us feature one of her original songs at the end of the episode, and both have been kind enough to provide us with playlists of the songs that they refer to. Follow the link below to listen to their selections! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2NHe2RxowpUrgGCL13QvhZ?si=EC9u5TE1Qz6rx6Ub6GYM6g

With 21 episodes and an increasing audience, The No Walls Podcast is continuing to grow! If you're interested in listening, we've put together a short trailer so you can hear some of the conversations we've had over the past 16 months and the kind of content you can expect going forward! The trailer includes the following clips: 1. Toufique Hossain, one of our co-hosts, talking about his most moving moment over his extensive career (S01E02). 2. Dr Emilie McDonnel, Advocacy Coordinator at Human Rights Watch, talking about the UK's Rwanda policy (S01E07). 3. Alphonsine Kabagabo, the director of the NGO Women for Refugee Women and survivor of sexual violence & the Rwandan genocide, talking about the impact of gender-based violence and Home Office shortcomings (S01E10). 4. Michael Etienne, barrister at Garden Court Chambers, talking about the role of racial prejudice and bias in the legal profession (S01E09). 5. Bella Sankey, director at the time of the NGO Detention Action, talking about myths in the sphere of immigration and asylum (S01E03).

It's been an interesting few months! This episode attempts to summarise the latest issues that are keeping those working in the immigration and asylum fields very busy...and worried. Toufique and Sheroy talk Rwanda, Rule 39 interim measures, ECHR, asylum accommodation on barges and the dreaded Illegal Migration Bill. Tune in!!

Spanish Version of S02 Special - Part 2 En este episodio, entrevistamos a Adil Jose Meléndez Marquez, un extraordinario abogado colombiano de derechos humanos. Es uno de los pocos abogados que trabaja en casos de restitución de tierras y enjuiciamiento de (para)militares en la región norte de Bolívar. Representa principalmente a personas desplazadas e indígenas. Adil Meléndez sobrevivió a tres intentos de asesinato por parte de cicarios (asesinos). A pesar de las amenazas, está decidido a continuar con su trabajo para evitar que ciertos grupos de ciudadanos no tengan acceso a la justicia.¡Es una escucha inspiradora! Un agradecimiento especial a Carme Clavel Arcas, Coordinadora de la Caravana Colombiana, por facilitar y traducir.

We now bring you Part 3 of our mini-series within Season 2, where each episode will focus on a different human rights defender in a different country across the world. We hope it inspires you and provides hope to all who stand up for people's rights...you are not alone! This episode interviews Milica Svabic, a Serbian human rights lawyer who works for the NGO KlikAktiv, the Center for Development of Social Policies in Belgrade, Serbia. She discusses the political and media landscape in Serbia towards migrants, her critical work providing legal advice to asylum-seekers in Serbia and the dire situation for those living in settlement camps on the border with Hungary. A fascinating listen.

We cannot wait for you all to listen to Part 2 of our mini-series within Season 2, where each episode will focus on a different human rights defender in a different country across the world. We hope it inspires you and provides hope to all who stand up for people's rights...you are not alone! This episode interviews Adil Jose Meléndez Marquez, an extraordinary Colombian human rights lawyer. He is one of the few lawyers working on land restitution cases, and the prosecution of the (para)military in the northern Bolivar region. He mainly represents displaced and indigenous peoples.Adil Meléndez survived three attempted assassination attempts by cicario's (assassins). Despite the threats, he is determined to continue his work to prevent certain groups of citizens from having no access to justice at all. It is an inspiring listen! A special thanks to Carme Clavel Arcas, the Co-ordinator at the Colombian Caravana, for facilitating and translating!

This our second International Women's Day episode with two new faces. Sophie Lucas, a solicitor in the public law team interviews the formidable Phillippa Kaufmann KC, a leading silk at the top of her field. In this candid conversation we discuss Phillippa's career, the challenges surrounding gender equality in the judiciary and why police are failing to protect women's rights. Phillippa has fascinating insights from her career at the bar and inspiring words of advice for women in law.

Happy International Women's Day! In celebration, we're releasing two episodes this week each one interviewing an incredibly inspiring woman working in this field. First up is Cristel Amiss, Joint Coordinator at Women Against Rape. Cristel has had a remarkable three-decade career, where she has consistently and fearlessly advocated for marginalised women and survivors of gender-based violence seeking asylum and in detention. This is a fascinating interview, filled to the brim with her unrivalled passion, activism and advice for how we can mobilise and fight against this together. A must listen.  If you want to get involved in Women Against Rape's work or read more about them: https://womenagainstrape.net/what-you-can-do/

We're very excited to release Part 1 of a mini-series within Season 2, where each episode will focus on a different human rights defender in a different country across the world. We hope it inspires you and provides hope to all who stand up for people's rights...you are not alone! This episode interviews Cecillia Wang, the deputy legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union, director of the Center for Democracy, civil rights & criminal defense lawyer with two decades of experience and lecturer at Stanford and University of California at Berkeley. This episode is not one to miss.

We're back!! We resume series 2 with a recap of our team's work in 2022 and a specific focus on three chosen cases. We speak to the brilliant Ahmed Aydeed about a landmark case on trafficking; the formidable Hannah Baynes (Baynesy) about her work on Resettlement cases and finally, our very own Sheroy Zaq reminds us of the Home Office's lawlessness in running Manston House- a short term holding facility, detaining asylum seekers.

This episode of the No Walls Podcast, hosted by Toufique and Sheroy, is an episode dedicated to journalism in the immigration and asylum sphere. Not enough journalists dedicate careers in raising awareness as to the policies of the Home Office, as well as the impact that these policies have upon those in need of protection. We speak to two! We have very special guests for our listeners this week: Nicola Kelly (Freelance Journalist, who frequently writes for The Guardian, The Observer and The Independent) and May Bulman (Investigations Editer at Lighthouse Reports, previously Social Affairs Correspondent at The Independent), both of whom continue to play an invaluable role in ensuring that the government is held to account and the truth is told. Another one not to be missed!

The No Walls Podcast is back again, with the insight of three leading barristers: Alex Goodman (Landmark Chambers), Chris Buttler KC (Matrix Chambers) and Camila Zapata Besso (Doughty Street Chambers). Each of our guests delve into a particular judgment that resonates. We hear about how the cases shaped the law, their personal experiences of litigation and why those judgments matter in the current legal landscape. Get your tofu at the ready and tune in!

The No Walls Podcast is back for another season, and what better place to start than the tenure of our previous Home Secretary? Our hosts Toufique Hossain and Sheroy Zaq discuss how they will remember Priti Patel, delving into a handful of legal challenges that the Duncan Lewis Public Law Team pursued throughout her time in office. This episode also attempts to envisage what might be awaiting us in the coming months and years following Suella Braverman's latest comments at the Conservative Party Conference.

This episode brings our first season to a close. The direct and relentless attacks that this sphere has had to face since we started this Podcast have been frightening, and it has been an honour for us to try and spark some useful discourse around all of those topics. We will be back after the summer with our second season, but for now, our three hosts look back at some of their favourite moments from S01, and as a thank you to all of our loyal listeners, we end with some of our embarrassing outtakes!

TW: Sexual violence, gender-based violence  A huge proportion of the women we represent have sadly suffered gender-based violence. This episode raises awareness of the symptoms experienced by survivors & informs practitioners how they can best avoid re-traumatisation & advocate for their clients' specific needs.  However, this episode also reminds us that gender-based violence is not just pervasive amongst refugees & trafficking survivors. Women all over the world continue to face assault, violence & harassment every single day. This episode therefore also shines a light on a rarely discussed topic: the difficulties of working in this field when you are a survivor yourself.  Our host Anna Spivack is joined by two brilliant guests: clinical psychologist Dr Yasmin Pethania & the director of Women for Refugee Women & a survivor of the Rwandan genocide herself Alphonsine Kabagabo. Both of these women provide such important insights into a topic which is so often silenced by social stigma & shame.

Race impacts the way that people are treated throughout society. The legal profession is no different. This episode delves into the impact that racial prejudice, bias and the intersection of race and class have had upon solicitors and barristers, and tries to assess whether things will ever change for the better. As ever, the No Walls Podcast does not hold back. Our very own Toufique Hossain and Sheroy Zaq discuss their experiences as South Asian men, from studying law all the way up to their experiences post-qualification, including what can only be described as a horrific, life-changing moment in 2020. They are joined by two powerhouse guests from Garden Court Chambers: Sonali Naik QC & Michael Etienne, both of whom provide a candid and thought-provoking insight into their experiences within one of the least diverse professions in the UK.

It is Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 and as such, The No Walls Podcast in this episode delves into the significant impact that comes with being a legal aid asylum lawyer. Whether it's vicarious trauma, being targeted by the Government and the media, professional pressures, or a combination of them all - this episode shines a light on the difficulty that comes with working in this area, and hopefully, gives others in the field or wanting to enter the field an understanding and some hope. In this episode, our hosts candidly open up about the impact this work has had on them, from Gillian Hughes (consultant Clinical Psychologist and Systemic Psychotherapist) about Vicarious Trauma, what it is and its prevalence in this field, and finally from our colleague Nicholas Hughes who discusses the mental health impact on him, in particular in relation to the Brook House Inquiry, and the steps he has taken to make it a bit more manageable.

The UK's latest shocking attack on asylum seekers is, put simply, an agreement to send them to Rwanda in exchange for money. There is a lot of misinformation being spread by those in favour of this agreement and, as such, the No Walls Podcast wants to set the record straight. We are extremely grateful to be joined by two revered guests, both of whom provide an invaluable insight into the terrifying reality that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda will likely face. Our first guest is Dr Emilie McDonnell, the Advocacy Coordinator at Human Rights Watch. Emilie sets out the grave concerns with Rwanda's historic and recent human rights record, as well as discussing the horrific failings of previous attempts at externalised migration control. Our second guest, referred to throughout as ‘N' for his own safety, is a previous client of the firm and now has refugee status in the UK. He was a national of Rwanda, and as such, provides first-hand insight into the disparity between the way that the Rwandan government portrays itself, and the frightening reality for those who live there.

It is no secret that starting a new life in a country that is not your own is very difficult. As a result, for all people seeking protection in the UK, remembering and retaining their heritage is of heightened importance. There are many ways in which this can be done, and this episode delves into one of them: food! We have the pleasure of interviewing three previous clients of ours, all of whom share a passion for food and excel at preparing it! Listen in to find out what food means to them, how it has helped with their process of feeling at home in a foreign country, and some top-tips for preparing their favourite dishes! Through that lens, our guests Yusuf, M and Chef Momo speak about cuisines from all over the world. DISCLAIMER: This episode will almost certainly make you hungry!

This is an episode dedicated to the tragic events that are unfolding in Ukraine. The situation is fast-moving, as is the legal landscape within the UK with regard to ensuring that Ukrainians are afforded the protection that they require. This episode, thanks to our three esteemed guests, seeks to set out the available routes to protection for Ukrainians who are trying to reach the UK, whilst also highlighting what can only be described as a real disparity in treatment between Ukrainian refugees and those in need of protection from elsewhere – more specifically, through the lens of the Government's Nationality and Borders Bill. Our guests this week are Sarah Dobbie (Barrister at 5 Essex Court), Kate Higgins (Operations Director at RefuAid) and Hannah Marwood (Head of Legal Access Team at Care4Calais). 

It's International Women's Day 2022! To celebrate, our focus in this special episode is on migrant women. Four of our clients talk about what being a woman means to them. All are survivors of gender-based violence but today they share with us their proudest moments, the women who have inspired them the most, the advice they would give their younger selves and their aspirations for the future. This episode is about strength, survival and hope from four truly inspiring women.

The No Walls Podcast is a podcast about all things human rights and refugee law, including the people working within it and the clients we represent. It is hosted by three colleagues at Duncan Lewis Solicitors: Toufique Hossain, director of our Public Law team, Sheroy Zaq, solicitor and supervisor and Anna Spivack, a trainee solicitor in the team. There is a lot of public discourse surrounding asylum seekers, their reasons for coming to the United Kingdom, and their lawyers. Sadly, much of it is based upon misinformation. Join our hosts, along with Clare Moseley (Founder of Care4Calais), Bella Sankey (Director of Detention Action) and ‘Z' (an anonymised expert by experience), all of whom address this misinformation head-on.

The No Walls Podcast is a podcast about all things human rights and refugee law, including the people working within it and the clients we represent. Representing refugees and migrants is both an honour and a privilege. Our clients are why we do this work. It can so often have a profound effect on you - to have been able to assist someone in standing up against power, in changing their lives. This episode is hosted by Toufique Hossain and Anna Spivack and provides you with a snapshot of some of the moving moments we've experienced whilst working in this field, those moments we have that motivate and drive us to continue representing our clients. Anna, Toufique & three of our colleagues in the public law team, Tom Nunn, Jeremy Bloom and Maria Thomas speak about the most moving moment in their legal career so far.

The fearless Duncan Lewis Public Law team, known for their groundbreaking challenges to government policies, ranked 1 in Immigration and Human Rights work in the Legal 500, now brings you The No Walls Podcast! This is a podcast about all things human rights and refugee law, including the people working within it and the clients we represent. It is hosted by three colleagues at Duncan Lewis Solicitors: Toufique Hossain director of our Public Law team, Sheroy Zaq, solicitor and supervisor and Anna Spivack, a trainee solicitor in the team. This is a short introductory episode, explaining a bit about who we are as your co-hosts, why we got into this field of immigration and asylum law and what kind of content you can expect to come in this podcast. Make sure to tune in for our first official episode coming out on Wednesday 9 February 2022!