Podcasts about human rights defenders

Ralph welcomes Andy Shallal of Busboys and Poets to discuss his new memoir, “A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets.” Then, Ralph speaks to business consultant and activist Bennett Freeman about why Big Business isn't standing up to the Trump Administration.Andy Shallal is an activist, artist and social entrepreneur. Mr. Shallal is the founder and proprietor of Busboys and Poets restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area, which feature prominent speakers, poets and authors and provide a venue for social and political activism. He is also co-founder of The Peace Cafe and a member of the board of trustees for The Institute for Policy Studies. He is the author of the new book A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets.I've called Andy Shallal “democracy's restaurateur”, and he really fits the bill.Ralph NaderActivism is the best antidote to depression. It's really hard to be able to sit back—and especially now with social media and everything else that's right at your fingertips, to be able to watch the little babies being snipered and their limbs being chopped up. And it just feels so, so horrific. And the only way you can really be able to make sense of it—if there's any way to make sense of it—is to continue to fight for a better world.Andy ShallalSince, of course, October 7th opened up a whole new thing for activists and really exposed in a very stark way the myth of “Western civilization,” the idea of how obvious the lies and the deceit that's been happening, and the power of the military industrial complex that we've been warned about over the years I think [a new understanding is] taking shape right now, and we're starting to understand it more and more. And as I think we are trying to free Gaza and free Palestine, at the same time I think Gaza and Palestine are freeing us to be able to understand our system better.Andy ShallalOne of the things that I find is necessary for movements to be sustained is to have joy. You've got to have opportunities for joy. You got to have opportunities for people to actually have fun together, really feel like they're part of a community. Because a lot of times, the work we do isn't—well, it's soul-sucking work, you know, and you need to have those opportunities to be able to refuel and re-energize.Andy ShallalBennett Freeman is principal of Bennett Freeman Associates, where he advises multinational corporations, international institutions, and NGOs on policy and strategy related to human rights and labour rights. Mr. Freeman was founding chair of the advisory board for Global Witness (an investigative, campaigning organisation that challenges the power of climate-wrecking companies). He was also founding trustee of the Institute for Human Rights and Business, co-founder of the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark, and co-founder of the Global Network Initiative. He served on the governing board of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, as well as the board of Oxfam America. Mr. Freeman was the lead author of “Shared Space Under Pressure: Business Support for Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders.”[Ralph,] you correctly characterize the silence and obeisance of much of corporate America (not least the tech CEOs) so far this year. I would use another pair of words as well to characterize their stance, which I think during the campaign last year in 2024 was: complacency, [and] I think the complacency now has become complicity in a dramatic, historic, democratic backsliding in the United States with the erosion of rule of law and our constitutional democracy.Bennett FreemanAt the end of the day, I'm much more interested in democratic governance based on rule of law and fair elections than I am in what corporate America has to say. But they have a stake now. And I think that those of us who have tried to promote corporate responsibility (and in Ralph's case and many others, to impose corporate accountability) have to continue this work. And we've got to engage corporate America without illusions, but with still aspirations to try to get them back to support—in a nonpartisan or bipartisan way—the fundamentals of what our country is supposed to be about.Bennett FreemanNews 10/10/25* Two polls came out this past week which reveal key data points about Americans' views on Israel. First, a Washington Post poll of American Jews, published October 6th and covering September 2-9th, shows that 61% say Israel has committed “war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.” This nearly two-thirds majority should put the lie to the canard that American Jews monolithically support Israel's actions in Gaza. They don't. Furthermore, 39% say Israel has committed “Genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.” Some contend these numbers might be higher if the question was worded slightly differently, for example asking in the present tense whether Israel is committing genocide, rather than in the past tense. Regardless, while this result is slightly less than a majority, it certainly proves that a substantial share of American Jews do believe that Isreal is guilty of the crime of genocide. Astute politicians should take note.* Another survey that shrewd pols should consider is the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project (IMEU) poll released October 3rd. In this poll, 43% of respondents identified “U.S. foreign policy and relations with Israel” as an issue that will play a role in their 2026 Democratic primary vote. As for more ambitious Democrats, 71% said they would be more likely to vote for “A candidate for president who voted to withhold weapons to Israel,” compared to just 10% who said the same about “A candidate who voted against withholding weapons to Israel.” The numbers are cut and dried.* Last week, CBS confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu “directly approved military operations on two vessels,” in the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. According to this report, Netanyahu ordered Israeli forces to “[launch] drones from a submarine and [drop] incendiary devices onto the boats that were moored outside the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said.” As this report notes, “Under international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict, the use of incendiary weapons against a civilian population or civilian objects is prohibited in all circumstances.” Put simply, this attack amounted to a war crime. In a statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote “Confirmation of Israeli involvement…simply lay[s] bare a pattern of arrogance and impunity so grotesque that it cannot escape eventual reckoning.” The flotilla was intercepted off the coast of Gaza last week and over 400 activists were detained in Israeli custody. Many have alleged mistreatment, with Turkish activist Ersin Çelik claiming guards “dragged [Greta Thunberg] by her hair before our eyes, beat her, and forced her to kiss the Israeli flag.”* Unfortunately, this is the last news critical of Israel we can expect to see from CBS for a long time. On October 6th, CNN reported that Paramount will officially acquire The Free Press for $150 million and appoint its founder, Bari Weiss, the editor-in-chief of CBS News. This position was created specifically for Weiss. According to Paramount, in this role, Weiss will “shape editorial priorities, champion core values across platforms, and lead innovation in how the organization reports and delivers the news.” In an interview with Democracy Now!, journalist David Klion of the Nation and Jewish Currents, said Weiss, “has presented herself as a champion of free speech…But in reality, she has a 20-year history of suppressing speech that she finds objectionable, especially when it's speech championing the rights of Palestinians and criticizing the state of Israel.”* Meanwhile in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum called for the immediate repatriation of the six Mexican nationals among the Gaza aid flotilla participants following their detention by Israeli forces, per Mexico News Daily. Following a speech by the Mexican president, the foreign ministry wrote that Mexican Embassy officials had gone to Ashdod, where the activists were being held, to “directly verify the conditions on the ground, request consular access, and ensure that … [the] safety and integrity [of the Mexicans] is respected, in accordance with applicable international law.” Notably, President Trump has made no such moves to publicly demand the return of, or even lawful treatment of, the Americans on board these vessels. Perhaps this is a contributing factor to Sheinbaum's stunning 78% approval in a recent El País poll, which shows her not just overwhelmingly popular among her own party's base but even among those registered to competing parties. According to this poll, 73% of PAN members, 72% of PRI members, 70% of MC members, and 59% of voters with no party preference approve of her performance in office. These numbers are frankly unimaginable in America, but so are the achievements Sheinbaum has delivered in her short time in power.* Turning to Congress, Representatives Mark Pocan, Pramila Jayapal and Jared Huffman have authored a letter expressing “grave concerns,” regarding President Trump's executive order designating “Antifa” as a Domestic Terrorist Organization, calling for the order and accompanying memorandum, known as NSPM-7 to be “immediately rescinded,” according to the related press release. In the letter, the members warn “the sweeping language and broad authority in these directives pose serious constitutional, statutory, and civil liberties risks, especially if used to target political dissent, protest, or ideological speech.” The members also note that the memo “characterizes ‘anti-capitalism' as a hallmark of violent behavior without explaining the term…[allowing] officials to potentially treat Americans as domestic terrorists for something as routine as organizing a local boycott or operating an employee-owned business.” Perhaps most critically, they write “These actions are illegal, and…We stand ready to take legislative action should you fail,” to rescind the order.* In St. Louis, former Congresswoman Cori Bush is running to take back her seat. Bush, who came to prominence as an activist during the 2014 Ferguson protests and eventually primaried 10-term incumbent Congressman Lacy Clay, was ousted in a close 2024 primary by prosecutor Wesley Bell. According to POLITICO, Bell received $8 million dollars from AIPAC during that campaign; the pro-Israel PAC had identified Bush, along with former Congressman Jamaal Bowman, as key targets because of their pro-Palestine positions.* Of course, for the time being, Congressional deadlock is keeping the federal government in a shutdown. One symptom of this shutdown surfaced in Los Angeles this week, when dozens of flights into and out of Hollywood Burbank Airport were delayed or canceled because its air traffic control tower was temporarily unstaffed, the LA Times reports. Staffing shortages also caused delays at Newark Liberty International Airport, Denver International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. This report added that the Federal Aviation Administration “warned of more disruption at airports due to staff shortages as a result of the government shutdown.” Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said in a joint press conference with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, “We need to bring this shutdown to a close, so that the [FAA] and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction behind us and completely focus on their vital work…We do not have the luxury of time.”* More troubling signs are emerging in the economy as well. For months now, analysts have warned that the U.S. is not just on the brink of a recession, but rather already in one – it is just being masked by the massive speculative bubble of AI. Back in August, Axios reported that “excitement over artificial intelligence…is clouding recessionary signals in more cyclical corners of the market,” citing longer lengths of unemployment and slower hiring. Now, the AI bubble is reaching epic proportions. According to the Financial Times, “AI spending by companies now accounts for a 40 per cent share of US GDP growth this year,” while the Financial Post reports AI companies have accounted for 80 per cent of the gains in U.S. stocks so far in 2025. Given the market's reliance on AI speculation, the economic damage if that bubble bursts whilst the economy is on such unstable footing could be catastrophic.* Finally, for some good news, a new California law is aiming to regulate the noise level of advertisements on streaming services. The Guardian reports the new legislation, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, “forces the powerful streaming platforms to comply with existing regulations that have barred television broadcasters from bombarding the eardrums of viewers with overly loud commercials since 2010.” According to this story, the bill was sponsored by State Senator Tom Umberg, whose newborn child was consistently awoken by overloud ads. As the Guardian notes, “Since so many of the streaming platforms are based in California, the new state bill could set a national standard and lower volumes across the country.” Rest assured industry will strike back at this law somehow, but it remains to be seen how they will argue for their right to blast ads at consumers at outrageous volumes.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In this episode, human rights expert and senior policy advisor Brian Dooley joins Sarah to share his experience of working in conflict zones and supporting human rights defenders as they work under extremely challenging circumstances.  This episode explores the intersection of activism and policy while offering insights into working in the human rights sector more generally. As Senior Advisor, Brian supports Human Rights First's work with human rights activists in hostile environments. Prior to serving as Senior Advisor, Brian directed Human Rights First's engagement with the U.S. government and other partners to end threats and obstacles to human rights defenders. From 2020 to 2023, he served as Senior Advisor to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. Prior to joining Human Rights First, Brian spent twenty years working for U.S., Irish, and international NGOs. He led Amnesty International's work on partnering with national NGOs in the global South. Brian has also worked as Head of Media for Amnesty International in London and in Dublin and as Director of Communications for Public Citizen in Washington, D.C. He is the author of several books about civil rights and U.S. politics. He had early experience on Capitol Hill, serving as a legislative researcher for Senator Edward Kennedy in the mid-1980s when he contributed to what ultimately became the 1986 Anti-Apartheid Act. In 1981 and 1982, Brian lived and worked as an English teacher and community organizer in a black township in South Africa, which was prohibited under apartheid's racial segregation laws. Brian earned a PhD in the transnational history of rights from the University of East Anglia, an MPhil in Government and Politics from The Open University in London, and a B.A. with honours in Political Science from the University of East Anglia.

In this episode, Khushi and Samjhana spotlight the often-unseen struggles and strengths of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs): community activists at the forefront of resisting environmental harm and advocating for human rights. They unpack the multifaceted challenges EHRDs face, from threats by powerful actors to the weight of social barriers. They explore gaps in national policy, the crucial role of support systems, and the potential for change through global intervention.  Samjhana Bista is a researcher and practitioner of sustainable consumption, nature-based adaptation to climate, and local policy solutions to climate change impacts. With 20+ years of experience in natural resource management, policy development, and programme leadership, she has supported government institutions across countries like Germany, Ghana, and Tanzania, and held senior roles in national and international NGOs, including the Country Director at  DCA Nepal.If you liked the episode, hear more from us through our free newsletter services, PEI Substack: Of Policies and Politics ( ⁠⁠https://policyentre.substack.com/welcome⁠⁠ ), and click here ( ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/podsbypei⁠⁠ ) to support us on Patreon!!  

Mmeli Dube is a Politics and Urban Governance Research Group (PUG) researcher and Programme Lead for the Africa Hub for Human Rights (Africa Hub). Views and News with Clarence Ford is the mid-morning show on CapeTalk. This 3-hour long programme shares and reflects a broad array of perspectives. It is inspirational, passionate and positive. Host Clarence Ford’s gentle curiosity and dapper demeanour leave listeners feeling motivated and empowered. Known for his love of jazz and golf, Clarrie covers a range of themes including relationships, heritage and philosophy. Popular segments include Barbs’ Wire at 9:30am (Mon-Thurs) and The Naked Scientist at 9:30 on Fridays. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Views & News with Clarence Ford Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 (SA Time) to Views and News with Clarence Ford broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/erjiQj2 or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BdpaXRn Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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.

“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

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!

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

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 

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