Podcasts about un special rapporteur

This episode of Speaking Out of Place is being recorded on May 15, 2025, the 77th anniversary of the 1948 Nakba, which began the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land. We talk with Lara Elborno, Richard Falk, and Penny Green, three members of the Gaza Tribunal, which is set to convene in Saravejo in a few days.  This will set in motion the process of creating an archive of Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people with an aim to give global civil society the tools and inspiration it needs to further delegitimize Israel, end its genocidal acts, help bring about liberation for the Palestinian people.Lara Elborno is a Palestinian-American lawyer specialized in international disputes, qualified to practice in the US and France. She has worked for over 10 years as counsel acting for individuals, private entities, and States in international commercial and investment arbitrations. She dedicates a large part of her legal practice to pro-bono work including the representation of asylum seekers in France and advising clients on matters related to IHRL and the business and human rights framework. She previously taught US and UK constitutional law at the Université de Paris II - Panthéon Assas. She currently serves as a board member of ARDD-Europe and sits on the Steering Committee of the Gaza Tribunal. She has moreover appeared as a commentator on Al Jazeera, TRTWorld, DoubleDown News, and George Galloway's MOAT speaking about the Palestinian liberation struggle, offering analysis and critiques of international law.Richard Falk is Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law at Princeton University (1961-2001) and Chair of Global Law, Faculty of Law, Queen Mary University London. Since 2002 has been a Research Fellow at the Orfalea Center of Global and International Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Between 2008 and 2014 he served as UN Special Rapporteur on Israeli Violations of Human Rights in Occupied Palestine.Falk has advocated and written widely about ‘nations' that are captive within existing states, including Palestine, Kashmir, Western Sahara, Catalonia, Dombas.He is Senior Vice President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, having served for seven years as Chair of its Board. He is Chair of the Board of Trustees of Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. He is co-director of the Centre of Climate Crime, QMUL.Falk has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times since 2008.His recent books include (Re)Imagining Humane Global Governance (2014), Power Shift: The New Global Order (2016), Palestine Horizon: Toward a Just Peace (2017), Revisiting the Vietnam War (ed. Stefan Andersson, 2017), On Nuclear Weapons: Denuclearization, Demilitarization and Disarmament (ed. Stefan Andersson & Curt Dahlgren, 2019.Penny Green is Professor of Law and Globalisation at QMUL and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. She has published extensively on state crime theory, resistance to state violence and the Rohingya genocide, (including with Tony Ward, State Crime: Governments, Violence and Corruption, 2004 and State Crime and Civil Activism 2019). She has a long track record of researching in hostile environments and has conducted fieldwork in the UK, Turkey, Kurdistan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel, Tunisia, Myanmar and Bangladesh. In 2015 she and her colleagues published ‘Countdown to Annihilation: Genocide in Myanmar' and in March 2018 

Israel continues to maintain a blockade on Gaza and today the World Health Organisation warned that hunger in the territory could have a lasting impact on "an entire generation". Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, speaks to Drivetime.

Lester Kiewit speaks to Francesca Albanese, an international lawyer and UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to get her response to the recent announcement by the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of an expanded operation in Gaza, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots”. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live – Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit is broadcast weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/good-morning-cape-town-with-lester-kiewit/audio-podcasts/good-morning-cape-town-with-lester-kiewit/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violence against women and girls is a persistent and escalating crisis and remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. From femicide and domestic abuse to online harassment and conflict-related sexual violence, the scale and severity of gender-based violence continues to deepen across every region. Despite international commitments to gender equality, many legal frameworks are still insufficient, impunity persists, and survivors are too often met with stigma rather than support. In her address to the IIEA, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, explores global trends in the fight to end such violence, highlighting both promising practices and persistent gaps. About the Speaker: Ms. Reem Alsalem was appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences in July 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council. She is an independent consultant on gender issues, the rights of refugees and migrants, transitional justice, and humanitarian response. She has consulted extensively for United Nations departments, agencies, and programmes such as UN-Women, OHCHR, UNICEF, and IOM, as well as for non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and academia. Previously, she worked as an international civil servant, serving with the UNHCR in thirteen countries. During her service, she planned, implemented, and monitored programmes that served to protect persons that were survivors of gender-based violence, particularly women and girls. She was also a visiting professional with the Prosecutor's Office of the ICC from January to March 2009 and a visiting Researcher with the Feinstein International Centre of Tufts University in December 2008. She holds a Master's in International Relations from the American University in Cairo and a Masters in Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford.

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

 Protecting our environmentThe blue skies and warm weather of recent days is a reminder that spring will soon give way to summer. Everywhere the trees and flowers are coming into bloom and the dark evenings are retreating as our daylight hours increase. Regrettably, this change in weather also brings with it acts of vandalism, in particular the setting of wildfires that present a real danger to hill walkers, animals, local wildlife and the natural fauna.  Build Casement NowThe delay in building the new Casement Park is totally unacceptable. Like many Gaels of my age I grew up with Casement. I played there for our school teams and enjoyed sports days as well. I have watched umpteen games over the decades. Until 2013. That was the last time Casement Park hosted a game. On 10 June 2013. International Palestinian Child DayFirst, let me congratulate Francesca Albanese who despite a despicable campaign by Israel and its allies to have her sacked, will continue in her role as UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories until 2028. She has been a champion for the people of Palestine as Israel's genocide continues to kill and wound hundreds every day.  Trade War Demands United responseThe U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated the most dangerous trade war of modern times. His widespread imposition of tariffs threatens untold damage to the world's economies. In the USA the stock market has declined sharply and senior economists are warning of a deep recession. These too will adversely impact world economies. There is no indication that President Trump intends to change direction. On the contrary he appears to be digging in. Campaign for Moore Street Continues.

This episode features a conversation with Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, who details the legal and political realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She argues that Israel's 57-year occupation is unlawful and functions as a vehicle for annexation and repression, characterizing it as apartheid. Albanese asserts that Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza, as part of a long-term plan to create a Greater Israel devoid of Palestinians, and that this is increasingly extending to the repression of Jewish citizens who oppose the occupation. She critiques the international community's insufficient response, highlighting the need for accountability through sanctions and divestment, and stresses the importance of recognizing Palestinian rights – including the right to self-determination, an end to apartheid, and reparations – before pursuing political solutions like a two-state solution. Ultimately, she emphasizes the urgent need to halt the ongoing destruction and potential erasure of the Palestinian people and to shift focus towards protecting their fundamental human rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-palestine/francesca-albanese Ms. Francesca Albanese is an international lawyer, specialised in human rights and the Middle East. Since May 2022, she has served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 (oPt).

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This podcast is the first in a series of episode on Civilian Harm in Conflict - hosted by Mae Thompson, advocacy officer at Ceasefire. The podcast is an output of the AHRC funded 'Reparations during Armed Conflict' project with Queen's University Belfast, University College London and Ceasefire, led by Professor Luke Moffett.Mark Lattimer, Executive Director of Ceasefire joins the podcast. Ceasefire have written a number of reports on civilian harm, in particular on the case for the UK to adopt a reparation scheme for overseas military operations and more recently on arbitrary detention in Ukraine.  Professor Fionnuala ní Aólain has written extensively on the issue of counter-terrorism and in one of her final reports as UN Special Rapporteur highlighted the impact of new technologies on civilians.Professor Luke Moffett has called for a harm based approach to reparations in the midst of ongoing hostilities, such as in Ukraine.Our colleagues on the CIVCOM project have written this

At least 1,600 people have died in the earthquake in Myanmar. Meanwhile, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar has condemned the military government's continued attacks in areas controlled by ethnic rebel groups. Tom Andrews told Newshour at least three airstrikes were carried out in the Sagaing region - the epicentre of the quake and a rebel stronghold. He called on the ruling junta to stop. Also in the programme: Hundreds of thousands of Turks have attended a rally in Istanbul in support of the city's jailed former mayor; and why did a Polish presidential candidate appear on TV in disguise? (Photo: Rescue personnel work at the site of a building that collapsed, following a strong earthquake, in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 29, 2025. Credit: Reuters)

Tensions in the Middle East were raised again yesterday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that hostage talks would take place “under fire”, leading to doubts that another ceasefire might be reached.Joining Kieran to discuss this conflict and her role within it is Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur to Occupied Palestinian Territories.

David Kaye is a clinical professor of law at the University of California, where he teaches international human rights law and international humanitarian law. David works at the intersection of technology, freedom of speech and democratic deliberation. He was also the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression up until 2020. He shares his insights into the state of the United States and the implications of the "mindless pillage" on the rest of the world.

As Donald Trump's second presidency enters its third week, Elon Musk is center stage as the Department of Government Efficiency moves to gut federal agencies. In this episode, Justin Hendrix speaks with two experts who are following these events closely and thinking about what they tell us about the relationship between technology and power:David Kaye, a professor of law at the University of California Irvine and formerly the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, andYaël Eisenstat, director of policy impact at Cybersecurity for Democracy at New York University.

Michael Lynk, a former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, talks with guest host David Burke about a vision for the future of Gaza that seems not to have room in it for Gazans.

“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

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

In this compelling episode of The International Risk Podcast, we are joined by Professor S. Michael Lynk, renowned legal scholar and former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory. Together, we dive deep into the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) landmark ruling in the South Africa v. Israel case, which declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and highlighted violations of international law, including apartheid.Professor Lynk unpacks the legal, humanitarian, and geopolitical implications of this decision, its impact on Palestinian rights, and its broader significance for global accountability mechanisms. We also explore the role of the Global South, the challenges of enforcing international rulings, and the evolving power of international law in addressing state conduct and systemic inequality.Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on one of the most pressing international legal issues of our time!Tell us what you liked!

In this episode, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Professor of Law at Queen's University, Belfast, and former UN Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights, interviews Mansoor Adayfi, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay. They discuss Mansoor's experiences at Guantanamo, his work as an author and human rights advocate, and his memoir 'Don't Forget Us Here'. Mansoor shares stories about his writings, art, and his campaign to close Guantanamo. The conversation explores themes of resistance, the human spirit, and the ongoing struggles of former detainees. Mansoor emphasises the need for justice, accountability, and the closure of Guantanamo Bay.You can find the discussed images on the LawPod Blog. https://lawpod.org/dont-forget-us-here-an-interview-with-mansoor-adayfi/

*) Israel's Gaza invasion amounts to ethnic cleansing — report Israel's invasion in northern Gaza, including the destruction of hospitals, amounts to "ethnic cleansing," says the Tel Aviv-based media outlet-Haaretz. In its editorial article, the paper criticised the Israeli army's tactics as an effort to depopulate the area, violating the Fourth Geneva Convention's wartime hospital protections and forcing displaced Palestinians south for medical care. *) UN official urges global medical professionals to boycott Israel Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, is urging global medical professionals to cut ties with Israel, condemning the destruction of Gaza's healthcare system. Albanese also called for the release of detained Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, amplifying the Free-Doctor-Hussan-Abu-Safiya-campaign. *) Court issues arrest warrant for South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol A South Korean court has issued an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol over his brief and contentious bid to impose martial law. The Seoul Western District Court approved the warrant, requested by the Joint Investigation Headquarters, marking the nation's first-ever arrest warrant for an incumbent leader. Yoon now faces criminal investigation for possible insurrection charges. *) Russia and Ukraine swap 300 prisoners of war Russia and Ukraine have exchanged three-hundred prisoners of war, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. One-hundred-fifty-Russian servicemen have been returned and are receiving medical and psychological support in Belarus. The exchange, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates-saw the return of One-hundred-fifty-Ukrainian personnel as well. While Moscow has announced the exchange, Ukrainian authorities have yet to confirm the news. *) Syria appoints first female to hold keys to the money Syria's interim government has appointed the first female governor of the central bank in over 70 years. Maysaa Sabrine steps into the role after Bashar Assad's December 8 ousting, replacing Mohammed Issam Hazime. Since then, the bank has taken steps to liberalise an economy that was heavily controlled by the state, including cancelling the need for pre-approvals for imports and exports and tight controls on the use of foreign currency. Despite holding 26 tonnes of gold, foreign reserves have plunged to two-hundred-million dollars, a far cry from pre-war levels of eighteen-billion-dollars—all under the shadow of US sanctions.

Developing countries are in a vicious debt cycle with little relief in sight, undermining social progress. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Some 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments in their debt, than on either education or health. In 2023, a record 54 developing countries allocated 10 per cent or more of government revenue just to pay off interest on their debt - reducing funds available to provide basic services from schools to hospitals, for their populations. Public debt thus becomes a human rights crisis, as well as an environmental crisis as most debt is denominated in foreign currencies. Countries then often have to export their way out of debt - which in many cases, such as in that of Laos, means exploiting their natural resources. The crisis is worsened by the fact that for many developing countries, it is more costly to borrow than for rich countries - because their credit ratings are worse. For example, the average African country may be paying almost 10 per cent while the United States and Germany may be paying less than 3 per cent, because the latter have higher credit ratings. In Laos' case, there is a geopolitical dimension as well; about 50 per cent of Laos's external debt is owed to China. There is wide consensus that this is a full blown crisis, but the solutions to it are hard to implement. Part of the reason is many creditors are private lenders. Yet solutions are critical if developing countries are to be able to dig themselves out from under the mountain of debt they are burdened with. In this episode of Asian Insider, Olivia De Schutter, professor of law and UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, and Keith Barney, Associate Professor at the Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy, share with host Nirmal Ghosh insights into the fundamentally unjust situation many developing countries are trapped in. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:52 Global debt: From $51 trillion in 2010 to $97 trillion in 2023 4:01 The Pact for the Future acknowledges the issue, but much public debt is owned by private creditors 5:53 Why Laos debt crisis is also an environmental crisis; China's role in this 10:04 Since the debt is in foreign currencies, countries must export to repay it 13:59 China offers debt deferrals, not relief, just delaying the issue 16:01 Debt burden is driving the international community to consider debt-for-nature or debt-for-climate swaps Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Developing countries are in a vicious debt cycle with little relief in sight, undermining social progress. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Some 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on interest payments in their debt, than on either education or health. In 2023, a record 54 developing countries allocated 10 per cent or more of government revenue just to pay off interest on their debt - reducing funds available to provide basic services from schools to hospitals, for their populations. Public debt thus becomes a human rights crisis, as well as an environmental crisis as most debt is denominated in foreign currencies. Countries then often have to export their way out of debt - which in many cases, such as in that of Laos, means exploiting their natural resources. The crisis is worsened by the fact that for many developing countries, it is more costly to borrow than for rich countries - because their credit ratings are worse. For example, the average African country may be paying almost 10 per cent while the United States and Germany may be paying less than 3 per cent, because the latter have higher credit ratings. In Laos' case, there is a geopolitical dimension as well; about 50 per cent of Laos's external debt is owed to China. There is wide consensus that this is a full blown crisis, but the solutions to it are hard to implement. Part of the reason is many creditors are private lenders. Yet solutions are critical if developing countries are to be able to dig themselves out from under the mountain of debt they are burdened with. In this episode of Asian Insider, Olivia De Schutter, professor of law and UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, and Keith Barney, Associate Professor at the Australian National University's Crawford School of Public Policy, share with host Nirmal Ghosh insights into the fundamentally unjust situation many developing countries are trapped in. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:52 Global debt: From $51 trillion in 2010 to $97 trillion in 2023 4:01 The Pact for the Future acknowledges the issue, but much public debt is owned by private creditors 5:53 Why Laos debt crisis is also an environmental crisis; China's role in this 10:04 Since the debt is in foreign currencies, countries must export to repay it 13:59 China offers debt deferrals, not relief, just delaying the issue 16:01 Debt burden is driving the international community to consider debt-for-nature or debt-for-climate swaps Follow Nirmal Ghosh on X: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's articles: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our homes hold our memories and hopes for the future. But today, our homes have become commodities. Leilani Farha, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing, considers what happens when humanity is stripped out of housing — and what it means for us to collectively ‘return home.' *This episode is part of our IDEAS at Crow's Theatre series.

Host Sabrina Nelson sits down with Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories, to discuss her findings in her most recent report “Genocide as Colonial Erasure” and her analysis, from an international law perspective, of the current Israel-Gaza war.

✨Big thanks to our sponsors:  Palestine Drinks Shop: https://www.palestinedrinksshop.com/ | @palestinedrinks_shop on Instagram Visualizing Palestine: https://visualizingpalestine.org/ | @visualizing_palestine on Instagram

Giles Fraser meets Stephen Schneck, Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, to explore the impact of globalisation on religious freedom.Restrictions on religious freedom are increasing. What impact has the spread of religious traditions had on freedom of belief? How does the secularisation of religion contribute? Should states be forced to adopt norms of religious rights and freedoms to meet international pressure? And what can be done about the perceived threat communities feel when they are exposed to other religions?To discuss Giles is joined by HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the UK, Dr Nazila Ghanea, an Iranian-born Professor in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford and UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, and, Juan Sebastián Chamorro, an exiled Nicaraguan politician and economist.Producer: Alexa Good Assistant Producer: Linda Walker Editors: Chloe Walker

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, recently returned from a week-long trip to Canada. She was given standing ovations at sold-out speaking events, yet also faced backlash from groups who called for the Canadian government to condemn her, and advocated for the UN to remove her from her position.Today, a wide-ranging conversation with Francesca Albanese.For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts

“Israel aims to cancel and erase Palestinian life!” UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, and director of Forensic Architecture, Eyal Weizman, expose the mechanics of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Speaking to Palestinian journalist from Gaza, Ahmed Alnaouq, Francesca references her new UN report titled “Genocide as Colonial Erasure”, which documents how Israel is wielding its genocide as part of a broader, systematic and intentional state-organised forced displacement and replacement of the Palestinians. A new 800 page report published by Forensic Architecture titled “A Spatial Analysis of the Israeli Military's Conduct in Gaza since October 2023”, uses innovative digital technology to illustrate Israel's wholesale destruction of the Gaza Strip which has left “no safe place” for Palestinians under siege and bombardment, according director Eyal Weizman. Ahmed Alnaouq is a Palestinian journalist from Gaza co-founder of We Are Not Numbers.

Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese landed in Canada, setting off a firestorm of controversy that Canadian politics was not ready for. She's been accused of antisemitism, refused meetings by government officials, and had her talks protested.She's been calling the war in Gaza a genocide, but the big question isn't what she has to say, but whether or not she was someone anyone should even be listening to.This week, we sit down with Albanese to discuss the genocide, the accusations against her, and the power of the UN.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Francesca AlbanesePhoto credit: AFP picBackground reading:UN rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories says she was ‘snubbed' by Canadian government - Toronto StarCanada refuses to comment on US sale of Canadian-made weapons to Israel - Al JazeeraCalls mount for Canada to bar UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese over antisemitic remarks - National Post UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories holds news conference30 Jewish Organizations: We Support UN Human Rights Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandAudible: Listen now at Audible.ca/bestoftheyearCanada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese landed in Canada, setting off a firestorm of controversy that Canadian politics was not ready for. She's been accused of antisemitism, refused meetings by government officials, and had her talks protested.She's been calling the war in Gaza a genocide, but the big question isn't what she has to say, but whether or not she was someone anyone should even be listening to.This week, we sit down with Albanese to discuss the genocide, the accusations against her, and the power of the UN.Host: Noor AzriehCredits: Aviva Lessard (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Host/Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor and Technical Producer), Max Collins (Production Manager) Jesse Brown (Editor), Tony Wang (Artwork)Guests: Francesca AlbanesePhoto credit: AFP picBackground reading:UN rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories says she was ‘snubbed' by Canadian government - Toronto StarCanada refuses to comment on US sale of Canadian-made weapons to Israel - Al JazeeraCalls mount for Canada to bar UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese over antisemitic remarks - National Post UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories holds news conference30 Jewish Organizations: We Support UN Human Rights Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Sponsors: Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today at douglas.ca/canadalandAudible: Listen now at Audible.ca/bestoftheyearCanada needs rigorous, deeply reported independent journalism now more than ever. Go to canadaland.com/join to become a yearly Canadaland Supporter today and get three months of perks and benefits for free. You can listen ad-free on Amazon Music—included with Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Obsession with growth is enriching elites and killing the planet. That's the message of this week's guest, Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and author of The Poverty of Growth. Highlights include: Why poverty is about more than low income and how unequal economic growth creates greater social exclusion and status anxiety for the majority of people that growth leaves behind; How global trade practices benefit corporations over workers, especially in low-income countries, driving inequality and limiting worker protections; Why ‘green growth' is a myth and that economic growth continues to be tied to both resource depletion and environmental damage; How the commodification of life drives consumption and inequality, with more services that were once free or communal now privatized, creating a need for income rather than creating greater wellbeing; How adopting norms of sufficiency could shift economies to focus on collective wellbeing and fair resource distribution over perpetual growth. See episode website for show notes, links, and transcript:  https://www.populationbalance.org/podcast/olivier-de-schutter ABOUT US The Overpopulation Podcast features enlightening conversations between Population Balance executive director Nandita Bajaj, researcher Alan Ware, and expert guests that draw the connections between pronatalism, human supremacy, social inequalities, and ecological overshoot. Population Balance's mission to inspire narrative, behavioral, and system change that shrinks our human impact and elevates the rights and wellbeing of people, animals, and the planet. Learn more here: https://www.populationbalance.org/ Copyright 2024 Population Balance

Send us a textMichael Lynk, professor of law at the University of Western Ontario and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied by Israel since 1967, discusses international law, Israel's defiance of it and its recent attack on U.N. peacekeeping troops in Lebanon. He notes that undergirding Western support for Israel is the residue of colonialism and the influence of a powerful pro-Israel lobby in the United States.

Access to high-quality education is a human right that not only greatly benefits individuals but also uplifts entire communities.Millions of children, however, remain out of school due to a variety of factors including gender, location, social background or conflict.With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Farida Shaheed, has prepared a report to the General Assembly exploring the challenges and benefits of incorporating AI in school settings.With a third of the world still offline or without access to devices, she told UN News's Ana Carmo that AI is “bound” to increase inequality, intensifying the so-called digital divide. 

With more than 120 armed conflicts in the world right now, there is a high prevalence and intensity of sexual forms of torture being committed.That's according to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, who was in New York on Friday, to present her report to the General Assembly.Expressing alarm over the situation, Alice Edwards told UN News's Nargiz Shekinskaya that with torture, “the likelihood of peace becomes more and more remote because it instils, and it's caused, by hate”. 

The Big Story is happy to present the second season of Africville Forever. Season 1 told the story of the destruction of a community, season 2 is telling the story of its rebirth. If you enjoy, please check out the rest of the episodes here.-------------------------------------For too long, the Africvillian survivors and descendents have been divided, hampering our efforts to take back the land and rebuild our unique community. Solutions exist, so we are looking around the world for stories, experts and activists who have helped displaced communities rebuild, in an effort to learn. We'll be speaking to people like Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur, Human Rights Lawyer and a Forced Displacement Expert, UN Special Rapporteur and Kavon Ward, Founder of Where Is My Land. We will also be looking inward, speaking to the next generation of Africvillians who are making waves and fighting their own battles in the name of advancement.So join us as we explore practical, inclusive solutions to unite our people. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or by calling 416-935-5935 and leaving us a voicemailOr @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

The election is nearing, and students are going back to school. What does this mean for student organizers demanding a ceasefire in Gaza? For the uncommitted movement? In this episode, Julia facilitates an intergenerational conversation about anti-war organizing. Guests Phyllis Bennis and Roua Daas reflect on campus demonstrations in the spring and share their thoughts on what lies ahead for the ceasefire now movement.Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) Fellow Phyllis Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at IPS, focusing on the Middle East, U.S. militarism, and UN issues. She is also a fellow of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. In 2002, she co-founded United for Peace and Justice, a coalition against the Iraq war. In 2001, she helped found the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights and more recently spent six years on the board of Jewish Voice for Peace, where she now serves as its International Adviser. She works with many anti-war and Palestinian rights organizations, writing and speaking widely across the U.S. and around the world. She has served as an informal adviser to several top UN officials on Middle East issues and was twice short-listed to become the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.Phyllis has written and edited 11 books. Among her latest is the 7th updated edition of her popular Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, published in 2018. She is also the author of Before & After: U.S. Foreign Policy and the War on Terror and Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy U.S. Power.Roua Daas is a Palestinian organizer with Students for Justice in Palestine. She attended Butler University for undergrad, where she co-founded the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter and led several campaigns, including a successful defeat of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which falsely conflates anti-Zionism and antisemitism, and a campaign against an authoritarian university administration decision to cancel a student-led event featuring abolitionist, scholar, and activist Angela Davis. Currently, she is a graduate student in Pennsylvania State University's Clinical Psychology and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program, where she organizes with Penn State Students for Justice in Palestine.Their recent work:How we passed a cease-fire resolution in our town, Roua Daas, American Friends Services CommitteeUncommitted voters sending a clear message to Biden about slaughter in Gaza, Phyllis Bennis, Institute for Policy Studies

This is a devastating interview with Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-owen-jones-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on January 26, 2022. None of the dates or references from that time have been changed.  Julian Assange has waged a long fight against extradition from the UK to the US, and after years, a final decision is imminent. But when UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer was asked to look into his case in 2018, he found himself surprisingly uninterested. One allegation after another had come to cloud the narrative of Assange, liberator of state secrets. But Melzer has since investigated them all – and he discovered that the level of deception is staggering. In this episode:  Nils Melzer, (@NilsMelzner) author of “The Trial of Julian Assange” Episode credits: This episode was updated by Sonia Bhagat with Tamara Khandaker.  The original production team was Alexandra Locke, Amy Walters, Negin Owliaei, Priyanka Tilve, Ruby Zaman, Ney Alvarez, Tom Fenton, Stacey Samuel, and Malika Bilal.  Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take's executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Abby Martin is joined by Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestine, to discuss the mounting legal case against Israel, ICC issuing arrest warrants, and her UN report "The Anatomy of a Genocide" that compiled the evidence of Israeli crimes in Gaza. WATCH the video version of this episode :: https://youtu.be/RSYCsBr1ajg?si=VFqcupSsfBaQfX71 VIDEOS + MERCH + SOCIALS + PATREON + EXCLUSIVE CONTENT :: https://linktr.ee/empirefiles TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO EMPIRE FILES :: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/754f1a9c-c2cf-4dd5-8f55-05f4604944c0

Jonah ruminates on the UN Special Rapporteur's report alleging genocide in Gaza and the minimization of sexual violence on October 7. And if you weren't day-drinking yet, he then kvetches about lousy concepts of social justice, the Ronna McDaniel-NBC News controversy, and the growing urge to oversimplify complex topics with monocausal explanations.Show Notes: —UN Special Rapporteur's report —ABC News report on random punching incident —Protests at Vanderbilt —Jonah's LA Times article on October 9 —John Spencer —The Remnant with Jonathan Haidt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah ruminates on the UN Special Rapporteur's report alleging genocide in Gaza and the minimization of sexual violence on October 7. And if you weren't day-drinking yet, he then kvetches about lousy concepts of social justice, the Ronna McDaniel-NBC News controversy, and the growing urge to oversimplify complex topics with monocausal explanations. Show Notes: —UN Special Rapporteur's report —ABC News report on random punching incident —Protests at Vanderbilt —Jonah's LA Times article on October 9 —John Spencer —The Remnant with Jonathan Haidt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices