The Human Rights Podcast

Irish Centre for Human Rights

Welcome to The Human Rights Podcast from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway. Here at the Centre, we are fortunate to be visited each year by an array of world-leading practitioners, researchers and policy-makers in the field of human rights and its associated disciplines. We also have a vibrant community at the ICHR and more broadly in the University of Galway's academic staff, postdoctoral and doctoral scholars, and postgraduate and undergraduate students focusing on human rights. We want to bring you some of their insights and invite you in to some of the debates and discussions that go on here during the year. We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast. Please visit our website and contact us at humanrights@nuigalway.ie with your thoughts or queries.

  1. May 18

    Venezuela’s January 3rd Operation: Maduro, Trump and the International Law Questions with Dr Justina Uriburu

    In this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM student Eduarda Boni speaks with Dr Justina Uriburu, Assistant Professor in International Law at the University of Manchester and Co‑Director of the Manchester International Law Centre. Together, they examine the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, focusing on the events surrounding the 3 January military operation and the apprehension and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. Dr Uriburu unpacks the political, legal and human rights implications emerging from these developments, offering insight into what they mean for international law and the broader regional landscape. The discussion builds on her recent article, Trump’s Illegal Attack on Venezuela and Its Consequences, published on the Blog of the European Journal of International Law: https://www.ejiltalk.org/trumps-illegal-attack-on-venezuela-and-its-consequences/ The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath and Eduarda Boni. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scale (Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 international License). Outro Music 'Smarties Outro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scale (Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 international License).

    34 min

  2. May 11

    Transitional Justice Archives: Documenting Human Rights Violations in Latin America, a book discussion with co-editor Dr. Anita Ferrara

    In this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM student Paula Cordova speaks with Dr. Anita Ferrara, Transitional Justice scholar based at the Irish Centre for Human Rights about her new book Transitional Justice Archives: Documenting Human Rights Violations in Latin America, which she co-edited with Dr. Beatrice Canossi. This episode guides listeners through the key concepts, definitions, and challenges related to transitional justice archives, which have documented atrocities and mass human rights violations across various Latin American countries. Dr. Anita Ferrara will discuss the chapters on the book related to the traditional case studies of Chile, Peru, and Argentina, and the current innovations taking place in the transition process in Colombia. To register for the upcoming events, please visit the Irish Centre for Human Rights website https://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/newsevents/ Register for the public lecture with Judge Oscar Parra in Galway May 20th https://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/newsevents/public-lecture-restorative-justice-and-peace-in-colombia-lessons-for-the-world.html Register for the book launch in Dublin May 22th https://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/newsevents/book-launch---transitional-justice-archives-documenting-human-rights-violations-in-latin-america-routledge-2025.html This podcast was produced by Paula Cordova, student at the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, in collaboration with CELT studio. Intro music: “Smarties Intro – FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Outro music: “Smarties Outro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License).

    31 min

  3. Apr 13

    The Promise of the African Union Protocol on the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa: Its Strengths and Limitations in Addressing Statelessness within Africa

    In this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM student Joshua Musana speaks with Thandeka Chauke, an international human rights lawyer and the advocacy lead of the Global Movement Against Statelessness, a community of stateless people, activists and civil society allies dedicated to the eradication of statelessness and the promotion of human rights of all stateless persons. Thandeka is also a member of both the Southern African and Pan African Nationality Networks. The episode discusses statelessness within Africa while considering the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Relating to the Specific Aspects of the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa (referred to as the African Union Protocol on the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa). To learn more about Thandeka’s work, visit the following websites: Global Movement Against Statelessness: https://www.againststatelessness.com/ Lawyers for Human Rights: https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/an-advocacy-toolkit-for-civil-society/ Southern African Nationality Network: https://sann.africa/ Pan African Nationality Network: https://www.instagram.com/pan_african.nationalitynetwork/ Eastern African Nationality Network: https://statelessnessalliance.org/members/eastern-africa-nationality-network-eann/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ The podcast was produced by Joshua Musana in collaboration with the CELT Studios. Intro music: “Smarties Intro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Outro music: “Smarties Outro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License).

    25 min

  4. Mar 16

    Child Criminal Exploitation in Northern Ireland : An Interview with Dr. Gillian Kane

    On this episode of The Human Rights Podcast, LLM Student Paula Córdova speaks with Dr. Gillian Kane, current Lecturer in Law at Ulster University co-chairing the Human Trafficking Research Network, Research Affiliate at the Refugee Law Initiative and trustee at Chab Dai UK. Join us as we explore Dr. Gillian's research on child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland and displacement caused by organised crime, and discuss how legal frameworks and human rights responses can better protect vulnerable communities. To learn more about Dr. Gillian's work at: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/persons/gillian-kane/ Key Acronyms mentioned in this episode: IOM (International Organization for Migrations) and NRM (National Referral Mechanisms). The podcast was produced by Paula Cordova in collaboration with the CELT Studios. Intro music: “Smarties Intro – FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Outro music: “Smarties Outro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License).

    44 min

  5. Feb 23

    From Protest to Accountability: Iran's Path Forward with Prof. Roja Fazaeli and Saeede Mokhtarzade

    In this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, Saeede Mokhtarzade, PhD candidate at ICHR speaks with Prof. Roja Fazaeli, professor of Law and Islamic Studies at ICHR. The discussion explores the current human rights crisis in Iran, with a focus on the nationwide protests that began in December 2025. The conversation explores the roots of the uprising, the government’s violent crackdown on protestors, and the responses of the international community. Drawing on human rights expert analysis and firsthand accounts, the conversation examines the roots of the uprising, the role of international human rights bodies, and the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in Iran. The episode highlights systematic violations of human rights in Iran, including the gravest violations of human rights, such as extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, and considers the challenges of pursuing legal remedies through international mechanisms. The episode highlights the urgent need for accountability, justice, and international solidarity, while emphasising the importance of documenting and supporting victims. The discussion is informed by the latest resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council, which extends the mandates of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur on Iran. For more information, you can access the following links: - https://www.ohchr.org/en/media-advisories/2026/01/human-rights-council-adopts-resolution-extending-mandates-fact-finding - https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/ffm-iran/index The podcast was produced by Saeede Mokhtarzade in collaboration with the CELT Studios. Intro music: “Smarties Intro – FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Outro music: “Smarties Outro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License).

    25 min

  6. Feb 10

    Housing as a Human Right with Prof. Padraic Kenna

    In this episode, Irish Centre for Human Rights LLM student Rebecca Shannon speaks with Professor Padraic Kenna, lecturer of land, property and housing law and policy from the School of Law at the University of Galway, delving into the concept of housing as a fundamental human right, exploring relevant legal framework, policy challenges and the future of housing rights in Ireland and beyond. To learn more about Padraic’s work, visit the University of Galway website at: https://research.universityofgalway.ie/en/persons/padraic-kenna/ The podcast was produced by Rebecca Shannon in collaboration with the CELT Studios. Intro music: “Smarties Intro – FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License). Outro music: “Smarties Outro - FMA Podcast Suggestion” by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License).

    38 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    TALKING IMMIGRATION: Prof. Ciara Smyth - The Mick Clifford Podcast

    This episode of the Human Rights podcast features a rebroadcast of “TALKING IMMIGRATION: Prof. Ciara Smyth,” originally published on The Mick Clifford Podcast on 27 November 2025. In this conversation, Professor Ciara Smyth, an expert in Irish and EU immigration and asylum law at the University of Galway, examines recent Irish government measures on immigration, challenges dominant narratives about population change, and unpacks common myths around asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland.​ The episode is shared here with the permission of the original producer. All rights in the original recording remain with The Mick Clifford Podcast and the relevant rights holders. Listeners can access the original publication at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1htpxntARPIpU1VbbL7Jxx and are encouraged to follow and support the original show

    43 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    Voices that won’t be silenced: In conversation with Dr. Maeve O’Rourke and Dr. Mary Harney of the CLANN Project

    This episode offers an unflinching and deeply insightful exploration of one of Ireland’s darkest chapters—its 20th-century system of “Mother and Baby Homes” and related institutions, and the wider regime of enforced family separation. Joining us are Dr. Maeve O’Rourke and Dr. Mary Harney of the CLANN Project, a renowned survivor-led initiative that continues in its tenacity to challenge the Irish Government’s ongoing failure to uphold the human rights of those affected. Listeners will hear how, despite overwhelming evidence of gross human rights violations, the Irish State continues to deny survivors’ rights to truth, justice, access to information, and meaningful reparation. A decade after the establishment of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation (MBHCOI) in 2015—and years after the State’s official apology in 2021—the government’s response remains gravely inadequate and in clear violation of international human rights law. The CLANN Project has played a central role in documenting evidence of gross human rights violations and exposing the deeply flawed processes that led to the Commission’s wrongful conclusions that effectively contradicted its own evidence and the reports that came from survivor testimony. We also discuss the Government’s Mother and Baby Institution Payment Scheme (MBIPS), a redress payment scheme that finally opened in 2024, and yet excludes tens of thousands of survivors through arbitrary and unjust eligibility rules. The CLANN campaign continues to advocate for the scheme to be expanded in line with human rights law. (More information at llmclann.com.) Beyond redress, our conversation explores CLANN’s broader work—supported by the Human Rights Law Clinic at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway—including campaigns for legislative reform, access to identity and birth information, record-keeping in compliance with EU law, memorialisation, and public education ensuring that these injustices are never forgotten. We consider how movement lawyering, survivor-led advocacy, and international legal mechanisms have been mobilised to challenge ongoing State violations. https://clannproject.org/ https://jfmresearch.com/ https://openheartcitydublin.ie/seanmcdermottstreet/ https://adoption.ie/ https://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/humanrightslawclinic/ The podcast was produced by Lisa Murray and Kirsten Larson. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scale (Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 international License). Outro Music 'Smarties Outro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scale (Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 international License).

    1h 22m
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Human Rights Podcast from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway. Here at the Centre, we are fortunate to be visited each year by an array of world-leading practitioners, researchers and policy-makers in the field of human rights and its associated disciplines. We also have a vibrant community at the ICHR and more broadly in the University of Galway's academic staff, postdoctoral and doctoral scholars, and postgraduate and undergraduate students focusing on human rights. We want to bring you some of their insights and invite you in to some of the debates and discussions that go on here during the year. We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast. Please visit our website and contact us at humanrights@nuigalway.ie with your thoughts or queries.

Information

  • Creator
    Irish Centre for Human Rights
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Human Rights Podcast

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