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. 6d ago

    The Intersections of Islamophobia and Sexism Against Muslim Women: The Case of Emela Mujanović’

    In this episode, LLM student Marlene Kulmus speaks to Ðermana Kurić, a research associate at the BILQIS project at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and former adviser on combatting racism, xenophobia and discrimination, about the intersections of Islamophobia and sexism and its impact on Muslim women’s access to justice. The conversation centres around the case of Emela Mujanović, a Bosniak Muslim woman and member of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina who was denied the ability to wear her headscarf with her uniform and has faced adverse and discriminatory treatment since she started wearing her headscarf. This includes being prevented from advancing through the military ranks, facing intrusion to her privacy, and even being transferred to barrack located 90km away from her place of residence and her family. She has sought various legal avenues over the past thirteen years, including a case before the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and culminating in a case brought before the European Court of Human Rights, and has faced setbacks in the form of rulings which uphold the ban. Ðermana Kurić provides the insightful framework of intersectionality, a concept coined within academia by Kimberlé Crenshaw, and explains how this applies to the experiences of discrimination many Muslim women face. She further gives relevant background information into the regional context of this case, taking place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conversation is based on a lecture given by Ðermana Kurić at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, titled: ‘Exploring Intersectionality: Headscarf in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina’, which was part of a lecture series on Gender and Human Rights. She has also explored this topic in some of her academic works, including her article: ‘Blaming Muslim Women: Intersectionality and the Headscarf in the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina’, published in 2023. This podcast episode was produced by Gráinne McGrath, the team of CELT Recording Studio, and Marlene Kulmus. 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).

    36 min

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Ratings & Reviews

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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
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Human Rights Podcast

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