Talking Human Rights

In this episode, Badee Dwaik tells us about what life is currently like in Palestine. He speaks of the violence happening in Gaza and in his home town. Daily life is marked by violence, invasions and restricted freedom of movement. Badee talks about how hard it is for Palestinians to keep going under the circumstances and how meaningful it is that people all over the world finally mobilising for P...

In this episode, feminist and LGBTQIA+ rights activist Malala shares her experiences with us. Malala and Leens explore the stigmatisation and violence queer people encounter in Kenya, the criminalisation of same-sex relations in the law, and the power in community support. Malala then tells us about her organisation which supports women and queer persons experiencing intimate partner violence. Lis...

In this episode, Antoine Buyse tells us about the importance of protecting human rights defenders and civil society. Antoine and Leens explore why and how civic space is decreasing globally, what role large companies have in suppressing civil society voices, how laws, regulations, and negative discourses undermine human rights work, and why solidarity and storytelling is the way forward. Tune in n...

In this episode, barrister Monica Feria-Tinta as well as two of the LSE7 shed light on their case. First, Monica and Leens explore how the freedoms of assembly and expression apply to peaceful demonstrations. Then, Emily and Anna share how they were banned from campus after a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration requesting divestment by LSE. Listen now for the perspective of the protestors and a c...

In this Human Rights Defender Special, Perpetua Kariuki tells us about her work to protect Kenyan communities from police abuse of power. Pesh and Leens talk about the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances happening in informal communities, how the Kayole Community Justice Center has denormalized this violence and is now offering the community a voice to achieve justice for their rel...

In this Human Rights Defender Special, Shi Alarcón sheds light on their work to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth in Costa Rica. Shi and Leens explore their personal story, the rise of authoritarianism in their country, and the position of queer people. Next, Shi tells us about how their organisation Casa Rara is offering support to LGBTQIA+ youth who need the support of a new ‘family’. Tune i...

In this Human Rights Defender Special, Sylvain Obedi shares his impressive work to improve the protection of person’s with disabilities in the DRC. Sylvain and Leens talk about his personal experiences growing up as a person with a disability, the effect of the Congolese war on persons with disabilities, and how his organisation Enable the Disable Action is empowering young people and fighting for...

In this episode, Pauline and Hanneke introduce us to the European Elections, happening on 6 to 9 June. They explore how the human rights law framework in the European Union developed, how democratic the European system actually is, what the most important elections themes are, what Festival Europa is, and why we all have to go vote. Tune in now! https://www.instagram.com/talkinghumanrights/

In this episode, Salvo sheds light on the human rights of migrants, especially in the EU context. Salvo and Leens explore what the real ‘migration crisis’ is, the human right to seek asylum, pushbacks in the Mediterranean and the struggle to hold Frontex accountable, the human rights dimensions of the EU’s external border policy (incl. the New Pact), and how to remain hopeful for the future when w...

www.instagram.com/talkinghumanrights/

In this episode, Karin and Viola from the Meijers Committee share their expertise on the rule of law. Based on the Committee’s commentary on the Dutch coalition negotiations , they signal dangers in some of the proposals by political parties which breach international and EU law: revoking the citizenship of people convicted of crimes, leaving the 1951 Refugee Convention, and treating minors as gro...

In this episode, Medes Malaihollo shares his expertise on the rights of Indigenous communities. Leens and Medes talk about what makes a community Indigenous, how the narrative of international law historically excluded Indigenous Peoples, and why improving their right to self-determination is the way forward. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkinghumanrights/

Yendri Velásquez tells us about his work as a human rights defender in Venezuela, standing up for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. He gives us insight into his personal story, how the discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people pushes him towards activism, what his Observatorio De Violencias LGBTIQ+ is hoping to change, and why it is important to build networks to progress human rights. Instagram:...

In this episode, Julie Fraser and Dona Anyona shed light on the human rights dimensions of climate change. They explore how certain groups are particularly affected in the Australian, Kenyan, and global context, why climate change is an intersectional issue, how it relates to FGM, and how progress is made in court. Tune in now!

In this episode Tina Stavrinaki, member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, offers her expertise on the right to health. Leens and Tina explore what health is understood to mean, how racial discrimination affects the enjoyment of the right to health, and in what way this prevents midwives from providing important care. Tune in now!

In this episode Leens talks to Janneke Gerards, Professor in Fundamental Rights Law. Prof. Gerards tells us how technology can affect human rights. She explores how biases in algorithms can lead to discrimination, what this has to do with children's dolls, and how the law can regulate the challenges posed by new technologies. Tune in now!