The concept of human rights, that was once central to international relations and domestic policy making across the world, is facing a profound test in the form of global retreat from democracy and rising populism. States disregarding international legal obligations has become the norm, rather than exception and “expressions of deep concern” and “need for maintaining a dialogue” echo today as empty moral imperatives that make little difference to those suffering from gross violations.
Yet we believe that today human rights ideas and values have both the potential and resilience to be as (if not more) successful as they were in the decades following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 by the UN General Assembly.
But how can we ensure that human rights survive and thrive in the 21st century? Which mechanisms can we create to make states and large corporations respect the fundamental rights of citizens? What can global civil society do today? Is there a reliable human rights toolkit to use?
International Partnership for Human Rights presents the Human Rights Survival Guide – a series of podcasts aimed at tackling these questions. The IPHR team will interview experts, human rights defenders, journalists and civic activists to discuss how you, your local NGO, your state can use the existing human rights instruments and principles to empower citizens or to bring perpetrators to justice.
Episode 1
Legal or not? Human rights restrictions during Coronavirus.
In the first episode we discuss the possible impact of COVID-19 on human rights. In particular, the legality of human rights restrictions during the pandemic from the international law perspective.
Our guests are Alex Prezanti, international lawyer and partner at Global Diligence LLP, and Maran Turner, executive director at Freedom Now.
Episode 2
When autocracy meets pandemic: the case of Azerbaijan
In this episode we explore how Covid-19 restrictions are affecting human rights in Azerbaijan, one of the most autocratic countries in Eurasia.
We are joined by Rasul Jafarov, a prominent activist and director of the NGO Human Rights Club (HRC), and Ramute Remezaite, legal consultant at the European Human Rights Advocacy Center (EHRAC).
Episode 3
Prisoner’s dilemma: Rights of persons kept in detention during COVID-19
This time we discuss the situation with rights of persons kept in detention during the pandemic and touch upon possible ways to respond to the challenges in the context of current crisis.
We are joined by Natalia Taubina, Director of the human rights NGO Public Verdict Foundation, and Mushegh Yekmalyan, Senior Human Rights Advisor at OMCT – World Organization against torture.
Episode 4
Unsupportive lockdown: rights of LGBTQI during the crisis
In this episode we are focusing on the situation with the rights of LGBTQI community during the pandemic.
Our expert guests are: Mari Kurtanidze, Strategic Litigation Coordinator at IPHR and a Gender Rapporteur for the Joint Council on Youth at the Council of Europe. Olave Basabose, Membership Officer at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO).
Episode 5
Matter of fact: disinformation during COVID-19
Lukas Andriukaitis, Associate Director at the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFR Lab), and Roman Osadchuk, Research Assistant for Eurasia at the Atlantic Council’s DFR Lab.
Episode 6
Long shot: implementation of international human rights law
Together with our guests we explore the limitations and possibilities of existing instruments of the international human rights law, compare the ECHR model with the UN Treaty Body model, and discuss how civil society can impact the enforcement of international legislation in their countries.
Our invited experts are:
Anastassiya Miller, Senior Legal Officer at PILnet, and Kirill Koroteev, Human Rights Lawyer, who specialises in taking cases to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Episode 7
По ту сторону близости: Бытовое насилие в Казахстане во время COVID-19 (часть 1)
На этой неделе у нас специальный выпуск для вас на русском языке, посвященный проблемам домашнего и гендерного насилия в Казахстане, и влиянию COVID-19 на ситуацию в этих сферах.
Гости выпуска:
Диана Березовская, сотрудник Казахстанского бюро по правам человека и соблюдению законности, Роза Акылбекова, заместитель директора Бюро и координатор Коалиции НПО Казахстана против пыток и Зульфия Байсакова, председатель правления Союза кризисных центров в Казахстане.
Первая часть выпуска посвящена кризисным центрам и их важнейшей роли для защиты прав женщин в Казахстане.
Episode 8
По ту сторону близости: Бытовое насилие в Казахстане во время COVID-19 (часть 2)
Вторая часть выпуска, посвященного проблемам бытового и гендерного насилия в Казахстане. На этот раз мы обсуждаем правовые аспекты бытового насилия, в частности вопрос декриминализации бытового насилия в Казахстане, а также культурные аспекты проблемы.
Гости выпуска:
Диана Березовская, сотрудник Казахстанского бюро по правам человека и соблюдению законности, Роза Акылбекова, заместитель директора Бюро и координатор Коалиции НПО Казахстана против пыток, Кундыз Утебекова, адвокат и юрист по делам женщин и Лейла Зулейха Махмудова, эксперт в области программ гендерного и неформального образования.
Episode 9
Out of spirits: OSCE leadership crisis and its impact on human rights
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe Helsinki Final Act, and the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris for a New Europe. Instead of celebrating these anniversaries and recapturing a common purpose in challenging times, the OSCE is in serious trouble. The 57 member states failed to reach a consensus on extending the mandates of four of the OSCE’s top officials. Since then the OSCE has been de facto leaderless.
We speak with Walter Kemp, an editor of Security and Human Rights Monitor and Senior Adviser to the Cooperative Security Initiative, to find out the potential impact of the current crisis on human rights and the future of the OSCE.
Episode 10
A storm is brewing: mass protests in Belarus (Interview with Yevgeniya Andreyiuk)
In this episode we are covering the events happening in Belarus.
The Presidential elections on the 9 August were marred by mass falsification. Alexander Lukashenko’s proclaimed victory was met by unprecedented peaceful public protest across the country. the law enforcement responded by detaining and ill-treating hundreds of protesters. As the escalation continues, we asked experts in Brussels and on the ground to comment on the situation.
Our first guest is Yevgeniya Andreyiuk, Expert at the Anti-Discrimination Centre Memorial
Episode 11
Forced love does not last: mass protests in Belarus (Interview with Yan Avseyushkin)
IPHR continues to cover the events happening in Belarus.
In this interview we spoke with Belarusian journalist Yan Avseyushkin.
Episode 12
No room for nostalgia: mass protests in Belarus (Interview with Volga Siakhovich)
As IPHR continues to follow the events happening in Belarus, we spoke to Volga Siakhovich, legal expert for the Belarusian Association of Journalists. This time special focus has been put on the role of women in opposition and persecutions of journalists and bloggers during the protests.
Episode 13
Как это понимать: расширение понятия пропаганды терроризма в российской риторике и правоприменительной практике
Вместе с Александром Верховским, Директором Информационно-Аналитического Центра СОВА в Москве, будем разбираться:
- Все ли в порядке с определением терроризма в российском законодательстве?
- Как с этим связано резонансное дело Светланы Прокопьевой?
- Как нынче применяется статья УК о пропаганде/оправдании терроризма?
- Чего следует ожидать в будущем?
Episode 14
Leadership on the line: human rights in the United States, BLM and its echoes in the FSU region
In this episode we are going to focus on the situation with human rights in the United States and possible implications recent events may have for the human rights community worldwide. We will also explore some parallels and linkages between what is currently going on in the US and violations that we observe in the Former Soviet Union region.
Our guest is Kate Watters, Executive Director at Crude Accountability, an environmental and human rights nonprofit organization based in the United States.
Episode 15
Twists and turns: the alarming state of the healthcare system in Tajikistan
Thanks to infamous Covid-19 crisis, shortcomings in healthcare systems around the world are more visible than ever. Yet, in some countries, the poor state of the healthcare system is part of a much deeper and long-standing problem. And people in Tajikistan know it firsthand. One of the poorest countries in Asia, with the 9.5 million population and only $ 55 per capita investment in the healthcare sector – is in our focus today.
Our guest is Sebastien Peyrouse, Research Professor at the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, Central Asia Program at George Washington University.
Episode 16
Targeted sanctions: Everything you wanted to know about GMA but were afraid to ask
Who was Sergey Magnitsky and why are sanctions named after him? How are Magnitsky sanctions different from other sanctions? What role do civil society play vis-à-vis sanctions?
In this podcast episode we answer these and other equally informative and compelling questions together with Melissa Hooper, Director of Foreign Policy and Accountability at the NGO Human Rights First and international expert in the field of sanctions.
This is the first podcast in our “accountability series”, which will also include discussions on concepts of universal jurisdiction and climate justice.
Episode 17
Universal jurisdiction: myths and realities
What is universal jurisdiction (UJ) and why it is increasingly discussed in human rights circles and among international stakeholders recently?
What is hidden behind the overhyped UJ concept, how did it emerge, what’s the scope of it and how could it evolve in the years to come?
In the second episode of our “accountability series” Alexandre Prezanti, International Lawyer and Partner at Global Diligence LLP and Simon Papuashvili, Programme Director at IPHR discuss these questions and spice them up with examples, which will motivate you to learn more and who knows, maybe even litigate a UJ case.
Episode 18
Human rights and environment: tying the knot
In the third episode of our accountability series Richard J Rodgers, International Lawyer and Partner at Global Diligence LLP and Noa Roque, Legal Officer at IPHR discuss the relationships between human rights and environment through the lens of environmental justice, climate justice and climate litigation.
They explore how can the law be used to enhance the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, how effective current instruments are in practice and what role does civil society play in environmental and climate justice.
Episode 19
Georgia v. Russia: Does the ECHR protect in the times of war?
In this episode we reflect on legal aspects of the European Court judgment in the case of Georgia v. Russia II. Our distinguished guests are Philip Leach, a Professor of Human Rights Law at Middlesex University, a solicitor, and Director of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC); and Vanessa Kogan, a Director of Stichting Justice Initiative – an organisation dedicated to the legal protection of victims of human rights violations connected to armed conflict and counter-terrorism operations, torture and gender-based violence in the post-Soviet region.
The judgment in the cases of Georgia v Russia (II) that has steered controversy, has been delivered by the European Court on 21 January of this year. It concerns human rights violations committed in 2008 in the context of an armed conflict between Georgia and Russia, which resulted in at least 400 civilian deaths, large scale destruction of civilian property and displacement of over 20.000 ethnic Georgians from South Ossetia. Systemic human rights violations continued long after the cessation of hostilities.
The most controversial aspect of it concerns the Court’s refusal to extend Convention protection to events that occurred during the active phase of hostilities, from 8 to 12 August.
Episode 20
Громкое молчание: разрушительное воздействие пыток на жертв и членов их семей
26 июня по всему миру отмечается Международный день в поддержку жертв пыток. В этом эпизоде подкаста мы беседуем с Гулчехрой Холматовой – Директором Общественной организации “Мир права” и Руководителем группы правовой помощи Коалиции гражданского общества против пыток и безнаказанности в Таджикистане, о ситуации в Таджикистане в контексте противодействия пыткам и жестокому обращению, о работе с семьями жертв пыток и о том, как помочь себе и своим близким пережить столкновение с пытками и помочь восстановить справедливость.
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