Podcasts about human rights defenders

In conversation with Arudi Laurah In this episode, the African Rights Talk Podcast hosts Arudi Laurah, Programme Officer at the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), about her work in advancing the rights of SOGIE persons and human rights defenders across Africa. Arudi shares insights from the recent NHRI training held in Pretoria in April 2025, which focused on building the capacity of national human rights institutions to implement African Commission Resolutions 275 and 552. These resolutions address the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals and intersex persons from violence and discrimination. Drawing on her experience as an HRDA alumna and her sociological background, Arudi reflects on the challenges of working in politically and culturally sensitive contexts and underscores the importance of equipping NHRIs with the tools to navigate these complexities. The episode highlights a call to action for broader stakeholder engagement, emphasising collaboration, contextual strategies, and peer learning as vital for sustainable human rights advocacy in Africa. Laurah Arudi Cori is a Kenyan interdisciplinary human rights advocate currently serving as Programmes Officer for Human Rights Defenders and SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) at the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI). In this role, she leads efforts to strengthen the capacity of national human rights institutions across Africa, with a focus on implementing key African Commission resolutions, including Resolution 275 on the protection of LGBTQ+ persons and Resolution 552 on the rights of intersex individuals. Arudi holds a Master's degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa from the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, complementing her academic background in sociology and psychology. Arudi is also a dedicated researcher and writer, with a passion for promoting gender equity, sexual diversity, and human dignity through community engagement and policy advocacy. This conversation was recorded on 11 April 2025. Youtube: https://youtu.be/MpQFogU6lns Music and news extracts: Inner Peace by Mike Chino https://soundcloud.com/mike-chinoCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/0nI6qJeqFcc Limitless https://stock.adobe.com/za/search/audio?k=452592386

Susan M. Akram, Clinical Professor and Director of the International Human Rights Clinic at Boston University School of Law, discusses a significant report she co-authored and published through the University Network for Human Rights. Titled "Apartheid in Israel: An Analysis of Israel's Laws and Policies and the Responsibilities of U.S. Academic and Other Institutions," the report presents a detailed legal analysis demonstrating how Israel's treatment of Palestinians meets the internationally recognized legal definition of apartheid. Building on this conclusion, the report goes further to explore the ethical and legal obligations of academic institutions in the United States when engaging with or supporting a state accused of committing the crime of apartheid. It underscores that, rather than facing punishment, students and others who protest these injustices should be afforded protection under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders.

Research from Dr Aikaterini-Christina Koula at Manchester Metropolitan University reveals how legal systems are increasingly being weaponized to silence human rights defenders, particularly in Europe. Her work introduces a taxonomy of violations perpetrated through the legal system and demonstrates how these tactics deviate from human rights standards, offering valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and defenders alike.

You only need to look at the controversy surrounding Kneecap's appearance at the Coachella Music Festival to recognise that free speech has been and continues to be a contentious issue.Nonetheless, in democracies we recognise the principle of free speech as a central tenet of our way of life.So, why are we seeing freedom of speech being curtailed in the likes of Germany and the US?Mary Lawlor is UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Kneecap

You only need to look at the controversy surrounding Kneecap's appearance at the Coachella Music Festival to recognise that free speech has been and continues to be a contentious issue.Nonetheless, in democracies we recognise the principle of free speech as a central tenet of our way of life.So, why are we seeing freedom of speech being curtailed in the likes of Germany and the US?Mary Lawlor is UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Kneecap

In mid-January, unidentified individuals broke into the offices of a human rights organization, Nouveaux Droits de l'Homme (NDH) in Yaoundé, Cameroon taking away essential documents and office equipment. The looted materials included laptops and desktop computers, hard drives, projectors, video cameras, and other data storage devices.In this exclusive interview, NDH's executive director, Cyrille Roland Bechon, highlights the dangers faced by human rights defenders in Cameroon.The interview is conducted by Africanist Press editor, Dr. Chernoh Alpha Bah.

Call for Ramaphosa to Prioritize Human Rights Defenders in SONA by Radio Islam

In this series of radio programs Sujan Sunuwar (Sunuwar) and Uttam Sunuwar (Sunuwar) talks about the status of Human Rights Defenders and their challenges in Nepal, specifically the Sunuwar Indigenous Peoples. 'Burn your village to the ground', by The Haluci Nation, used with permission.

Mayalu Tamang (Tamang) presents the challenges faced byIndigenous Tamang Human Rights Defenders, with emphasis on their defence of a high-voltage transmission line in Bojheni, Tamang Settlement. 'Burn your village to the ground', by Haluci Nation, used with permission.

In this series of radio programs Sujan Sunuwar (Sunuwar) and Uttam Sunuwar (Sunuwar) talks about the status of Human Rights Defenders and their challenges in Nepal, specifically the Sunuwar Indigenous Peoples. 'Burn your village to the ground', by The Haluci Nation, used with permission.

Dolma Tamang (Tamang), talks about the challenges faced by Tamang Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defenders, mainly defending a high-voltage transmission line in Bojheni, Tamang Settlement. 'Burn your village to the ground', by Haluci Nation, used with permission.

Who Defends the Defenders? In many countries, the state response to peaceful environmental protest is increasingly to repress rather than to enable and protect those who wish to speak up for the environment.Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Who Defends the Defenders? In many countries, the state response to peaceful environmental protest is increasingly to repress rather than to enable and protect those who wish to speak up for the environment.Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Who Defends the Defenders? In many countries, the state response to peaceful environmental protest is increasingly to repress rather than to enable and protect those who wish to speak up for the environment.Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“My mandate focuses on the protection of those trying to protect the planet. Protection of defenders is my main topic. When I'm speaking to states or companies, it's always related to cases of defenders facing threats, attacks, or penalization by companies or governments, like the recent case of Paul Watson (founder of Sea Shepherd) in Denmark… When I travel to places like Peru, Colombia, or Honduras and meet Indigenous people, I realize they have a relationship with nature that we don't have anymore. They express that the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe goes beyond just air and food; it represents what they call Pachamama or Mother Earth. This is a cosmovision shared across various communities, not only in Latin America but globally.”Michel Forst is a prominent human rights advocate and the UN Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention. He previously served as the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2014–2020) and has worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, championing protections for activists worldwide. Forst's career is marked by his unwavering commitment to defending those at risk for advancing justice, environmental protection, and human rights globally.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Le 31 octobre 2000, le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies a adopté à l'unanimité la résolution 1325, reconnaissant l'agenda Femmes, Paix et Sécurité (FPS). Aujourd'hui, 32 pays africains ont adopté des plans d'action nationaux pour mettre en œuvre le programme FPS, en mettant l'accent sur la participation, la protection, la prévention, les secours et le relèvement. Dans cet épisode du podcast « She Stands for Peace », nous nous penchons sur le pilier de la protection, en examinant les menaces auxquelles sont confrontées les femmes artisanes de la paix et les défenseures des droits humains, de la violence physique aux défis économiques et émotionnels. Nous écoutons Chantal Mutamuriza, une défenseure féministe des droits humains, Clément Voule (Togo), SP de l'ONU pour la liberté d'association, Ghita El Khyari, responsable du Fonds pour la paix et l'action humanitaire d'ONU Femmes, et Dr Fatima Aliku, directrice exécutive de la Fondation Neem, qui partagent leurs idées et leurs expériences. Nous discutons également du rôle des acteurs internationaux et de la nécessité d'un changement de paradigme dans le soutien et la protection des femmes artisanes de la paix. Invités Chantal Mutamuriza, directrice exécutive et fondatrice, Light for All (L4A) Clément Voule, SP de l'ONU sur la liberté d'association, Ghita El Khyari, Directrice du Fonds pour la paix et l'action humanitaire d'ONU Femmes Dr Fatima Aliku, directrice exécutive de la Fondation Neem

Bienvenue dans la cinquième saison du podcast She Stands for Peace, une série du Bureau des Nations Unies auprès de l'Union africaine, soutenue par le ministère norvégien des Affaires étrangères. Dans cet épisode, nous sommes rejoints par Carole Baudoin, chef de la réforme du secteur de la sécurité (RSS) à la Mission multidimensionnelle intégrée des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en République centrafricaine (MINUSCA). Ensemble, nous explorons l'intersection entre la réforme du secteur de la sécurité et l'agenda FPS. Carole partage sa vaste expérience en République centrafricaine, discutant du rôle essentiel du secteur de la sécurité dans la mise en œuvre de l'agenda FPS. Elle souligne les défis liés au changement des perceptions sur la sécurité, qui est souvent considérée de manière étroite comme le domaine des forces de défense nationales. Carole souligne l'importance de la bonne gouvernance, de la réforme institutionnelle et de l'appropriation nationale pour parvenir à une paix et une stabilité durables. Nous nous penchons sur les complexités de l'intégration de l'agenda FPS dans les politiques et pratiques du secteur de la sécurité, en explorant la nécessité de cadres de sécurité stratégiques et normatifs. Carole souligne l'importance de l'inclusion et de la responsabilité, plaidant pour un passage d'une approche purement institutionnelle à une approche de gouvernance plus large qui inclut les communautés locales et les organisations de femmes. À l'approche du 25e anniversaire de la résolution 1325 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies, nous réfléchissons aux priorités futures pour renforcer l'impact du programme FPS dans les cadres de la RSS en Afrique. Carole appelle à la normalisation de la participation des femmes, exhortant la communauté internationale à donner l'exemple et à intégrer les perspectives de genre dans tous les aspects de la gouvernance de la sécurité. Rejoignez-nous pour explorer ces questions cruciales et célébrer les progrès réalisés en matière de parité des sexes, tout en reconnaissant le chemin à parcourir. Défendez la paix avec le programme Femmes, Paix et Sécurité de l'Afrique !

On Daybreak Africa: Armored vehicles manufactured by the United Arab Emirates and equipped with French defense systems have been captured by the Sudanese army during the civil war in Sudan, Amnesty International says. Plus, stark differences over financing are emerging at the UN climate change summit, also called COP29. Mozambique's political unrest is costing the Southern Africa region. An estimated 4,000 illegal miners remain trapped inside a closed mine in South Africa's Northwest province. Vote counting from Wednesday's breakaway Somaliland's presidential election continues. We'll have an analysis. Roman Catholic Bishops in Kenya criticize President Ruto's government for what they called unexplained killings and abductions. Nigeria launches 'Human Rights Defenders' forum. For these and more tune in to Daybreak Africa!

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.

With UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We were all appalled to witness yet another atrocity carried out by the Israeli Occupation Forces, this time targeting and killing staff of an internationally recognised and lauded organisation, World Central Kitchen. But again we are left asking what will it take for the international community to act to stop the slaughter? Joining us on the tortoise shack is UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor. She talks about it all and the dangerous position HRD's are finding themselves in Gaza and, sadly, many other places across the globe. RTE not so Upfront Podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-101412091

In Inside Geneva this week we get an eyewitness account of a mission to supply Gaza's hospitals. Chris Black, World Health Organisation: ‘People have told me oh you must be very brave for going to Gaza. I don't think so, I think what's brave is the people who have been doing this work since early October, and who go back every day, to do it again and again and again.' Aid agencies say nowhere is safe in Gaza Chris Black, World Health Organisation: ‘A woman with her young child saying to me, are we safe here? And I wanted to say to her ‘You're in the grounds a hospital, this is a protected space, you should be safe here'.  But I couldn't say to her ‘you're safe here.''And we hear from human rights defenders who have come to Geneva, hoping for support. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, human rights defender, Belarus: ‘I really believe that the democratic, powerful world will its teeth and will show to dictators that they will not prevail. We are not asking you to fight instead of us, we are asking you to help us fight the dictators.' Are democracies letting human rights defenders in autocratic states down?Host: Imogen FoulkesProduction Assistant: Claire-Marie GermainDistribution: Sara PasinoMarketing: Xin ZhangGet in touch! Email us at insidegeneva@swissinfo.ch Twitter: @ImogenFoulkes and @swissinfo_en Thank you for listening! If you like what we do, please leave a review or subscribe to our newsletter.

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this Reboot Republic, Rory talks with Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders about her assessment of the war on Gaza, and the role of human Rights Defenders in highlighting human rights violations. She highlights that what Israel is doing in Gaza is a form of collective punishment and is at risk of becoming genocide. We discuss how important international solidarity and public action is. Ms Lawlor is an Adjunct Professor of Business and Human Rights in the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), School of Business, Trinity College Dublin. She has worked extensively with and on the situation of human rights defenders. In 2001 she founded Front Line Defenders - the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign is holding a national protest in Dublin this Saturday at 1pm starting at the Garden of Remembrance Palestinian Pop Star, Bashar Murad, joined us for a chat. It's out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-92885508 And make sure you subscribe to the PalCast now:https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ds0A1iqsArKTeNEOiRWEE

Whistleblowers are “agents of justice”, but in South Africa, they are more likely to be persecuted and assassinated than honoured and protected. Now civil society has had enough: 27 international and local civil society groups have joined forces to demand that the South African government protects its “Human Rights Defenders”. Today (19 October) the Human Right Defenders (HRD) Gathering hands over its memorandum to government. One of those organisations is groundWork whose Robby Mokgalaka tells BizNews that just one grass roots organisation has lost about 25 members, “shot and killed in execution style”. Another activist was killed in cold blood in her own house by five men in front of a 13-year old nephew. Yet another was killed by two men impersonating police officers “in his own house in front of his seven-year-old”. He speaks of an entire community living in fear because they do not know if the hitmen live among them.  “...they have eyes and ears...friends. So the moment one person…speaks out and says I want to reveal or I want to tell who actually did what, that person might disappear."

Mary Lawlor, the founder of Front Line Defenders, is currently the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. This year marked 25 years of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Mary shares invaluable insights into the achievements for human rights defenders over the last 25 years, how the landscape has changed and evolved in terms of the protection of HRDs. She also shares her story of how Front Line Defenders came into being, and special moments she has had through her career with HRDs, as well as what it means to be a Special Rapporteur to HRDs.

Today Annie and Elena from the Border Violence Monitoring Network join the show to discuss their work on the borders of the European Union. We discuss the criminalisation of solidarity work, how people on the move are treated by the racist border regime, the impact of climate on the border regime and much more! If you want to support the show and get it sent direct to your phone a few days early than the public release then support us on Patreon: patreon.com/12rulesforwhat Some useful BVMN links: BVMN website: https://borderviolence.eu/ Pushback database on the website: https://borderviolence.eu/testimonies/ Monthly reports on the database: https://borderviolence.eu/databases/monthly-reports/ Here you can learn how you can get involved with BVMN: https://borderviolence.eu/get-involved/work-with-us/ Link to our twitter: https://twitter.com/border_violence Link to our facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borderviolencemonitoring/ Criminalisation toolkit (practical guide to legal means and advocacy tools for criminalised Human Rights Defenders in Europe): https://borderviolence.eu/reports/in-defence-of-defenders/ Report on incidents of criminalisation happening to BVMN, it's member organisations and people carrying out BVMN work in 2021: https://borderviolence.eu/reports/criminalisation-report-accused-of-solidarity/

UN chief, humanitarians concerned over Israeli military operation in JeninEl Niño onset likely to bring surging record temperaturesTajikistan: rights experts' concern over sentencing, torture of human rights defenders

Journalist David Sirota talks about why Biden's debt ceiling "victory" is actually a failure. But first Ajamu Baraka talks about war, imperialism and why the United States of America is a "gangster state." Ajamu Baraka is human rights defender whose experience spans four decades of domestic and international education and activism, with roots are in the Black Liberation Movement and anti-apartheid and Central American solidarity struggles. He was the Founding Executive Director of the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) from July 2004 until June 2011. Before that, Baraka worked with Amnesty International USA where he was the Southern Regional Director and also directed Amnesty's National Program to Abolish the Death Penalty. In 1998, Baraka was one of 300 human rights defenders from around the world who were brought together at the first International Summit of Human Rights Defenders commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2001, Baraka received the “Abolitionist of the Year” award from the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The following year, Baraka received the “Human Rights Guardian” award from the National Center for Human Rights Education. Baraka has also served on the boards of various national and international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International (USA), the Center for Constitutional Rights, Africa Action, and the Mississippi Workers' Center for Human Rights. He's a national organizer for Black Alliance For Peace and was the Green Party nominee for Vice President of the United States in 2016. His writing has appeared in Black Agenda Report, Common Dreams, Dissident Voice, Pambazuka News, and CounterPunch. Link to The Black Alliance For Peace website - https://blackallianceforpeace.com/ Link to The Black Alliance For Peace Zone of Peace campaign - https://blackallianceforpeace.com/zoneofpeace DAVID SIROTA is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author living in Denver, Colorado. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his work helping Adam McKay create the story for the blockbuster film DON'T LOOK UP. Sirota is the founder and editor of The Lever, an editor at large at Jacobin Magazine and a columnist at The Guardian. He served as Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign speechwriter in 2020. He also created Audible's financial crisis podcast series MELTDOWN, which was named one of the best podcasts of the year by The Atlantic and Uproxx. Link to The Lever - https://www.levernews.com/ Get your Katie Halper Show Merch here! https://katiehalper.myspreadshop.com/all Eventbrite link for the live taping with Briahna Joy Gray in NYC on June 10, 2023! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/katie-halper-show-live-with-briahna-joy-gray-tickets-643828447217 ***Please support The Katie Halper Show *** For bonus content, exclusive interviews, to support independent media & to help make this program possible, please join us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thekatiehalpershow Follow Katie on Twitter: @kthalps Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/rkEk75Emhy

In today's episode I talk to Vincent Lyn. Vincent is a Composer, Author, Actor, Filmmaker, Humanitarian and World Martial Arts Expert. He has appeared in many well known films, amongst them Tiger Cage and Operation Condor as well as working with high profile film directors, one of them being Yuen Woo Ping. Yuen has been involved in movies such as The Matrix and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Jackie Chan has been quoted as saying that Vincent was one of the best fighters he had ever worked with. As well as being an actor Vincent is an acclaimed musician who has performed in prestigious establishments with Grammy award winning artists and his most recent concert was in Carnegie Hall. In 2019 his humanitarian work, led him to be voted in the 'Top 100 Human Rights Defenders' by the International Human Rights Commission. He has completed many dangerous missions and of them while he was a bodyguard for a VIP in Ghana, Vincent visited a shelter where 20 children had just been rescued from slavery. He risks his life to save children around the world. Whether these children are orphans, refugees, or poverty-stricken, the goal is to protect and provide aid to help them survive. Vincent's work is making a life-saving difference by helping save children from slavery, trafficking and starvation. He has founded a nonprofit organisation called We Can Save Children whose mission is to rescue and recover children in Africa and the Middle East. A humbling conversation that sheds light on some of the extreme journeys that Vincent has taken and the life threats he has encountered by trying to help those less fortunate. Heroic yet highly dangerous work that enables others to lead their lives in safety and without fear. An inspirational encounter with someone who has dedicated their life for the higher good of others. For more information on Vincent Lyn visit https://www.wecansavechildren.org

Hina Jilani is one of the world's leading human rights lawyers. She has played several prominent roles for the UN, including eight years as the Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders. Despite attempts on her life, nothing will stop her from fighting injustice to help make a better world.

Read the transcript of this podcast: https://therealnews.com/ugandas-draconian-new-anti-lgbtq-law-includes-life-in-prison-and-the-death-penaltyA new law in Uganda broadly criminalizing the LGBTI* community has captured global attention. The law includes provisions against "Aggravated Homosexuality" that criminalize the sexual activity of HIV+ people with life in prison or even the death penalty. Other loosely defined activities such as "abetting homosexuality" and "conspiracy to engage in homosexuality" are also criminalized. TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez speaks with renowned Ugandan LGBTI activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera to discuss the origins of Uganda's recent turn towards politicized homophobia and transphobia, as well as the consequences of the new law.*LGBTI stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex—this is the preferred acronym used in Uganda.Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera is a founder of the LGBTI movement in Uganda, and the founder of Freedom & Roam Uganda, a prominent human rights organization that addresses discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people. Nabagasera opened Uganda's first gay bar and organized the country's first pride parade. She's also the first LGBTI rights activist to be awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, and additionally received the Right Livelihood Award for his activism in 2015. She currently resides in Massachusetts.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer: Donate: https://therealnews.com/donate-podSign up for our newsletter: https://therealnews.com/newsletter-podLike us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnewsFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews

Hiba sheds light on the situation for human rights defenders in Syria in the aftermath of the recent earthquake - expressing how HRDs have been detained and harassed by authorities for speaking out about the corruption with humanitarian aid to Syrians, as well as how WHRDs have been absurdly blamed for the earthquake.

Investment needed to improve working conditions for essential workers - ILOHumanitarian needs soar in Syria soars as conflict enters 13th yearCountries must stop undermining the work of human rights' defenders: rights expert

First UN aid convoy reaches Syria's quake-hit northwest since disasterMalawi in grip of deadliest cholera outbreak in the country's history: WHOItaly: Criminalization of sea-rescue activists must end, says rights expert

Greece urged to halt trial against human rights defenders who helped migrantsWHO updates COVID isolation guidanceIndonesia: President's apology for past rights violations welcomed: OHCHR

This year will be remembered as one of the worst for human rights in Tajikistan. Authorities imprisoned activists, journalists, bloggers, lawyers, and members of the Shi'ite Pamiri community in the country's eastern Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Mary Lawlor, the UN's special rapporteur for human rights defenders, visited Tajikistan from November 28 to December 9. On this week's Majlis, she joins host Bruce Pannier to discuss her concerns about the situation there.

UNCTAD chief welcomes solution to unblock Russian fertiliser exportsDRC: UNHCR calls for ban on forced returns of asylum seekersUN experts alarmed by harassment of climate activists at COP27

In episode 45 of The Watchdog podcast, Lowkey explores the issue of life inside Israeli prisons. Currently, 30 Palestinians are on hunger strike, protesting the Israeli government's policy of indefinitely detaining their political enemies without trial or evidence. Last week, 900 further prisoners refused their meals as a sign of solidarity.“We will continue with our struggle, knowing what awaits us of repression, abuse, isolation, confiscation of our clothes and pictures of our children, thrown into concrete cells devoid of everything, except for our bodies and our pain,” the prisoners said in a statement.The most high profile of the hunger strikers is Salah Al-Hamouri, a French-Palestinian human rights defender. Detained without charge or trial for six months, Al-Hamouri has refused all food since September 25. In response, Israeli authorities unleashed a series of punitive measures, including transferring him to solitary confinement. He is now isolated in a 2x2 meter cell with little to no ventilation.This, according to Milena Ansari, is par for the course for Palestinians who object to Israeli domination. “I don't think there is any violation that hasn't taken place on Salah,” she told Lowkey today, noting that he was detained while still a schoolboy, shot at, and arrested six times. Milena Ansari is the international advocacy officer for Addameer, a prisoner support and human rights association. Addameer monitors the treatment of people arrested in the West Bank and Gaza by both the Israeli police and by the Palestinian Authority.Also joining us on the Watchdog podcast today is Rula Jamal LLM, head of monitoring and documentation at al-Haq, an independent Palestinian human rights organization based in Ramallah. Al-Haq was established by a collective of human rights lawyers in 1979.Last year, the Israeli government designated both Addameer and al-Haq as terrorist groups, a move that was condemned by Amnesty International and other leading organizations.Jamal explained that Al-Hamouri's case was far from unusual, except in the worldwide attention it was receiving, telling Lowkey that,...The Israeli occupation detains Palestinians solely upon ‘secret evidence' that is neither disclosed to the detainees themselves, nor their lawyers. Palestinians under administrative detention can be held for an indefinite time, without ever receiving any charges or evidence against them for their detention, or ever standing a fair trial.”Lowkey is a British-Iraqi hip-hop artist, academic and political campaigner. As a musician, he has collaborated with the Arctic Monkeys, Wretch 32, Immortal Technique and Akala. He is a patron of Stop The War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Racial Justice Network and The Peace and Justice Project, founded by Jeremy Corbyn. He has spoken and performed on platforms from the Oxford Union to the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury. His latest album, Soundtrack To The Struggle 2, featured Noam Chomsky and Frankie Boyle and has been streamed millions of times.Support the showThe MintPress podcast, “The Watchdog,” hosted by British-Iraqi hip hop artist Lowkey, closely examines organizations about which it is in the public interest to know – including intelligence, lobby and special interest groups influencing policies that infringe on free speech and target dissent. The Watchdog goes against the gr...

Black Sea exports ramp up, bringing food to the most in need Africa: bid begins to stop the spread of invasive malaria-carrying mosquito  Reprisals continue against people cooperating with the UN 

We are closing in on the 100th Episode Celebration. Today's conversation is about a woman finding her was back to herself.  Margaret Chideme is an author, poet, content creator and a blogger. She has a blog called Maggie's Diary where she pours out her thoughts and memories about her life. She is an author of the book called First Thirty which is a collection of a woman's poems about love and lust, pain and abuse, womanhood, divorce, searching and rediscovery. She has worked with Lafarge Cement Company to bring awareness to the plight of the girl child as part of a top 20 in a poetry slam. She has also performed at the Prevalentine Love Shouldn't Hurt Dinner which brought awareness to domestic violence. She has also taken part in the Mwala campaign with Word Smash Poetry in solidarity with the Woman's Human Rights Defenders in partnership with IMATTER. An anthology was published after that called Mwala, poems by Women Human Rights Defenders where her poem Silent Cries is featured. She has also performed her poem The Rain Dance in the SADC Human Rights and Poetry 2021 Virtual Festival in partnership with Accountability Lab to also bring awareness to human rights. She is seen as a feminist by many but she defines herself as a woman passionate about encouraging self love, truth and humanity. Connect with Margaret: FB, Twitter, Tiktok : Margaret Chideme FB: Margaret Chideme the Author Blog : maggiesdiary.com   REBIRTH course, Level Up your Personal Brand: https://africanawoman.gumroad.com/l/AWVNetwork   KNOW your Roots, Grow your Purpose   LINKS: Message Africana Woman with Chulu on WhatsApp. https://wa.me/message/E3N7TH7RZSS4P1 +260978470395 Email: africanawoman@gmail.com    Website: https://www.africanawoman.com/    REBIRTH course, Level Up your Personal Brand: https://africanawoman.gumroad.com/l/AWVNetwork   100th Episode Live Recording: Guest RSVP: click here Sponsor Form: click here   Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chulu_bydesign/  https://www.instagram.com/africanawoman/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricanaWoman_    Join the Africana Woman Visionaries: https://africanawoman.gumroad.com/l/AWVNetwork   Africana Woman Blog: https://www.africanawoman.com/blog

Vital programmes in DR Congo cut due to funding shortfall: UNHCR Horn of Africa's ‘catastrophic' food insecurity -- WHO Harassment of rights defenders in West Bank must end: UN experts

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP's Sarah Anne Minkin speaks with Sameeha Hureini, an activist and university student from A-Twani village in Masafer Yatta in the South Hebron Hills. Sameeha is one of the founders of Youth of Sumud and, together with her brother Sami, was recognized with the 2021 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.