Conversations on Genocide

The mass deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan in 2025 has created a significant human rights crisis, raising concerns about violations of international protection standards and the safety of people returning to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Afghanistan now faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with the majority of the population dependent on aid and millions experi...

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, host Franzie sits down with Bjeen Alhassan, founder of the NGO Transfer of Knowledge (TOK), to explore the intersections of gender, genocide, and diaspora through the lens of Kurdish women in Northeast Syria. Bjeen shares her personal journey — from surviving the Assad regime and the Syrian war, to navigating discrimination and a landmark legal battle...

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Beth is joined by Michał Jagielski, Senior Iran and Central Asia Team Leader at Genocide Watch, to discuss his recent published Genocide Alert: Future Consequences of the War in Iran . Michał provides updates on the contradictory messaging from US officials about the war's objectives and analyzes three possible outcomes: an IRGC military takeover,...

Quatre ans après le début de l’invasion russe à grande échelle de l’Ukraine, quelle est la réalité des Ukrainiens qui ont décidé de rester ? Les crimes de masse perpétrés par la Russie à l’encontre de la population civile ukrainienne sont-ils constitutifs d’un génocide ? Comment les autorités russes justifient-elles ces actes de violence ? Pour répondre à ces questions, le podcast « Conversations...

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Brenda and Bhaswati speak with Rebecca Deng, a South Sudanese American author and human rights advocate who survived war, displacement, and gender-based violence as one of the 89 Lost Girls of Sudan. Rebecca shares her journey from a peaceful childhood in South Sudan through life in Kakuma refugee camp to becoming a powerful voice for women and refugee...

[English below]. Comment 75% des Juifs en France ont-ils échappé à la déportation ? Pour son premier épisode en français, le podcast « Conversations on Genocide » accueille l’historien et politologue Jacques Semelin. Encouragé par Simone Veil, Jacques Semelin commence en 2008 une décennie de recherches consacrées à la survie des Juifs en France entre 1940 et 1944. Dans cet épisode, il partage les...

Dr. Amos Goldberg, Holocaust scholar at Hebrew University, discusses why he publicly called Gaza a genocide—and the moral responsibility that comes with expertise in genocide studies. He explains how Holocaust memory is being misused to justify violence, why analogies to past genocides matter, and the personal cost of speaking truth in Israel today. This conversation explores the intersection of s...

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Emily delves into the complex topic of genocide with special guest William Schabas, a leading scholar on genocide and international human rights law. They discuss the legal definitions and interpretations of genocide, particularly in relation to Ukraine and Gaza, and the ongoing debates among scholars and professionals. They also explore the new specia...

Today's episode features a conversation with Professor Omer Bartov, a leading expert on genocide and Holocaust studies at Brown University. Areeka and Prof. Bartov discuss the unfolding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The discussion covers the events leading to the genocide, and the implications of naming it as such. Bartov addresses issues such as the use of dehumanizing rhetoric, the frami...

In this episode of "Conversations on Genocide," Michal interviews Steve Crawshaw, a leading human rights advocate and author, about his experiences confronting genocide and mass atrocities. Crawshaw discusses the evolution and challenges of international justice, the significance of survivor testimony, and the ongoing struggle against global inaction and complicity. He highlights the imp...

How does an artist representing genocide navigate the tension between respectful commemoration and critical engagement? Why does the stage lend itself particularly well to remembering stories of genocide? What does it take for ‘spectators’ to care? In this episode, our Research Director, Kolby, sits down with Legal Aliens Theatre Director Lara Parmiani to discuss their company’s stage adaptation o...

On today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Emily and Finia with our Ukraine task force sit down with two wartime photographers, Justyna Mielnikiewicz and Laurin Strele, to discuss their experiences capturing conflict on camera. Focusing on the war in Ukraine, the discussion delves into their work documenting moments of resilience and humanity, amid intense conflict and strife. Justyna Mielni...

Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, women and girls have faced systemic violence and the stripping of human rights. Women have been denied the ability to join the workforce, access education, and cannot let their voices be heard outside the house. In this episode, Raziya Masumi tells us about the brutal treatment of women and girls under the Taliban. Raziya is a legal expert, and lead...

Why is the U.N. so ineffective at preventing genocide? What changes need to be made to the U.N. for it to become an effective body in preventing, addressing, and redressing genocide? In this episode, Elia is joined by Dr. Gregory Stanton, the founder of Genocide Watch, to explore these questions, as well as outline the design flaws present in U.N. conventions addressing genocide, and what needs to...

What is the healing power of victims of genocide sharing their stories, and what challenges do victims face in sharing? How do victim testimonies affect understandings of genocide and pathways to reconciliation and forgiveness? In this episode, Bhaswati is joined by Professor Drew Kahn to discuss his experience collecting victim testimonies and transforming them into performances, as well as his w...

Peter Metzelaar, a Holocaust survivor, joins Beth on today's episode. Peter was born in Amsterdam in 1935. In 1942, when Peter was 7, the Nazis seized Peter's entire family except for Peter and his mother. He tells us his incredible story of survival, resilience, and the importance of Holocaust education. Bio: Peter was born in Amsterdam in 1935. In 1942, when Peter was 7, the Nazis seized Peter's...

What is cultural genocide? Why are acts of cultural genocide excluded from the legal definition of genocide? In this episode, Professor Jeff Bachman joins Elia to discuss his research into the history of cultural genocide and some of its present day manifestations.

In this thought-provoking episode, Genocide Watch's Ukraine Task Force dives into urgent discussions surrounding the ongoing investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. Join its members as they sit down with two distinguished lawyers from Global Rights Compliance, Maksym Vishchyk and Jeremy Pizzi, renowned for their work in international law and human rights advocacy. Our guests shed light on t...

What role do atrocity memorials play in transitional justice, and how do communities heal in the decades that follow? In today's episode, Beth is joined by Dr. Nicole Fox to explore how memorials to past atrocities contribute to the healing and reconciliation of genocide survivors. Focusing on the 1994 Rwandan genocide, they delve into the memorials dedicated to its victims and survivors, and exam...

How do we understand the psychological, mental health, and cognitive impacts on the survivors and offspring of genocide? Darya Ahmed is a clinical psychologist and scientific researcher with Koya University and specializes in psychological trauma in the context of the Kurdish Genocide. In today's episode, Darya joins Beth to discuss his research on psychological trauma during genocide, war, confli...

January 11 is the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States. Genocide Watch marks this date by highlighting the ongoing illegal transfer and abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. As a part of its genocidal champaign against the Ukrainian nation, Russia has been engaging in the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children since 2014, which has only intensified sin...

What unique challenges do children face in times of genocide and mass atrocities? How can we prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict? What would placing children at the heart of prevention and justice efforts mean for global peace and security? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Dr. Shelley Whitman, the Executive Director of the Dallaire Institu...

What challenges do Indian Muslims face in India and abroad due to the rise of Hindu nationalism? What does advocacy for the rights of Indian American Muslims look like? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Safa Ahmed, the Associate Director of Media & Communications for the Indian American Muslim Council. The IAMC is the largest US-based advocacy organization of In...

What was Libya's colonial experience under Italian fascism? Why has the genocide of Libyans been largely overlooked? And what connections exist between this dark chapter and the Nazis? In today’s episode, Maryam delves into these questions and more with Dr. Ali Abdullatif Ahmida, a professor at the University of New England and a leading expert on Libya. We uncover the history of a forgotten genoc...

How has genocide remembrance served reconciliation efforts in Cambodia? How do official and unofficial actors, from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) to everyday citizens, create memory around the Cambodian genocide? In today’s episode of “Conversations on Genocide,” Bekir speaks with Dr. Annie Rappeport, an instructor at the University of Virginia and dialogue designer a...