UN Human Rights Podcast

VOICES OF DIGNITY: Defending the defenders with Hassan Shire

Networking is an important tool in protecting human rights defenders, says Hassan Shire. Hassan is the chair of the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network, a group of five African sub-regional organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights defenders.  In this episode of the UN Human Rights Podcast, Hassan talks about how connections can save lives. 
 

VOICES OF DIGNITY: Voices of Change with Farida Shaheed, UN expert on the right to education

"Unfortunately, human rights as they're applied today, as they're implemented today, are not universal or indivisible," says Farida Shaheed. In this episode of the UN Human Rights Podcast Voices of Dignity, Farida , the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education.,  takes us on a wide-ranging discussion encompassing education, cultural rights, and how technology could be causing fundamental harm to very young children. 

VOICES OF DIGNITY: Pathways to Justice with Eleanor Kennedy

"I think its a false premise that human rights are dead." This edition of Voices of Dignity focuses on pathways to justice with Eleanor Kennedy from the Open Society Foundation (OSF). In late 2023. OSF published its first groundbreaking study looking into attitudes toward human rights. Its findings proved both groundbreaking and thought-provoking, demonstrating that human rights are still valuable but concrete action is needed to enact them. 

VOICES OF DIGNITY: Epsy Campbell Barr on the Intersection of rights and culture

"We have to open the doors to put the perspective in  human rights in all areas that we are working on." Espy Campbell Barr is no stranger to activism and opening doors. As the former vice president and Minister of Foreign Affairs in her native Costa Rica, she has advocated for the rights of communities on the margins from inside the government. A self-described Afro-feminist, she has worked at the intersections of the rights of women and people of African descent as part of several activists organizations, including the Centre for Afro-descendant Women, the Afro-descendant Institute for Study, Research and Development, and the Black Parliament of the Americas. She talks about how human rights is essential in the fight against racism, discrimination and intolerance. 

VOICES OF DIGNITY -- Foundations of Freedom with Attiya Waris

"Human beings can declare bankruptcy, really easily, but you cannot have a country declare bankruptcy."  Since 2021 Attiya Waris of Kenya has been the UN Independent Expert on Foreign debt, financial obligations and human rights. She sat to discuss with us foreign debt, finances and human rights and how these seemingly disparate concepts are connected and necessary for human development and happiness. 

Youth + climate action = positives for the planet

The impacts of climate change are one of the triple planetary crises that are already being felt today (the other two being biodiversity loss and pollution). And it is young people and future generations who will bear the brunt of inaction.  Yet, it is also young people who have stepped forward, with commitment and creativity, to demand immediate and ambitious action from governments, businesses, indeed all of us, in the face of this unprecedented crisis for the planet and for human rights. In A Closer Look, High Commissioner Volker Türk is in conversation with two young climate activist at the forefront of climate action and justice. Sophia Li, award winning journalist, advocate and public speaker and Saoirse Exton, an 18-year-old climate justice activist  and the youngest member of the UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change.

Women and girls’ rights are human rights

November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It also signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign.  The 16 Days is a global movement to aims to end violence against women and girls. In this special episode of “Dignity, freedom and justice for all” podcast, High Commissioner Volker Turk is in conversation with feminist, activist and human rights defender Kamala Chandrakirana of Indonesia.  They discuss concrete grassroots actions being taken on the issue and why women's (and girls') rights are human rights.

Young human rights activist make a difference

Young people are at the forefront of much human rights activism. Think climate change, LGBTQI rights, education, and usually there is a young person leading the charge. As part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, and to ensure that young people are part of all discussions throughout the year on the future of human rights, UN Human Rights established a Youth Advisory Group. This group of 12 extraordinary young activists come from across the globe and across rights areas. In this episode, listen to the stories from five of them: Mario Galbert, Venus Aves, Rachel Kalinaki, Milena Rusu and Tala Odeh. Be inspired by their courage, dedication and their commitment to human rights for all.