Amicae Curiae

Amicae Curiae

Hey Amicae! Every Sunday, join three law students over espresso as we dive into overlooked human rights cases and unpack global injustice with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Originally from Austria, Italy, Switzerland, we discuss international law, global standards and shortcomings. We draw from our own experience - and the occasional expert voice. Whether you are an expert of international law or just interested in learning about fascinating real life stories from around the world (and their legal context), join us for strong coffee and even stronger opinions! - Mara, Simona and Sofia

  1. MAR 1

    16. Political Prisoners in Türkiye – Silencing Opposition

    Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Türkiye — where questions of political pluralism, free expression, and state power collide. In this episode, we explore the tense and decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdish minority, the broad use of anti-terror laws, and a media landscape where critical voices risk prosecution. From dismissed mayors to jailed journalists, we look at how laws meant to protect the state can also be used to stifle pluralism and silence dissent. At the centre of it all is Selahattin Demirtaş — former presidential candidate and pro-Kurdish opposition leader — who has spent nearly a decade in prison over speeches and social media posts. His case reached the European Court of Human Rights, which delivered a rare finding: Türkiye violated Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights, meaning his detention pursued an ulterior political purpose. Despite a binding judgment ordering his release - he remains in jail. How did counterterrorism become a way to silence opposition? What does it mean to be a “political prisoner”? And what happens when a state openly defies a binding ECtHR judgment? For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: ⁠contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com

    31 min

  2. FEB 8

    15. The State of Emergency in El Salvador - Bukele’s Mano Dura

    Grab your coffee and join us for a journey to Central America – specifically to El Salvador, a small country with an outsized and deeply complex history.In this episode, we dive into colonialism, civil war, U.S. influence, and the rise of one of the world’s most notorious gangs: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). From the surreal “Football War” with Honduras to the long shadows of the Cold War, we trace how violence, migration, and politics became tightly intertwined in Salvadoran society. At the heart of the episode lies the present: the rise of President Nayib Bukele and his radical Mano Dura (“Iron Fist”) crackdown on gang violence. We unpack the state of emergency, mass arrests, mega-prisons like CECOT, and the suspension of fundamental rights – including fair trial guarantees and the detention of children. Why do many Salvadorans feel safer than ever, while international organizations warn of widespread human rights abuses? Legally, we focus on core questions of international human rights law: what is a state allowed to do during a state of emergency? Which rights can never be suspended? And how do Bukele’s policies measure up against El Salvador’s obligations under the ICCPR and the American Convention on Human Rights? This episode tells the story of an apparent success built on a dangerous paradox: security achieved at the expense of freedom. A case that reaches far beyond El Salvador – and forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about power, populism, and the true cost of safety. For any questions or corrections (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at:⁠contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com⁠

    32 min

  3. JAN 19

    14. Crimes Against Humanity in Chile - The Case of Pinochet

    Grab your coffee and join us for a deep dive into one of the most famous - and disturbing - stories in international law: the rise, rule, and arrest of Augusto Pinochet. This episode takes us from Chile’s 1973 coup d’état and 17 years of military dictatorship marked by torture, enforced disappearances, and mass repression, to an unexpected arrest in London in 1998 that shook the foundations of international law. Along the way, we unpack CIA involvement in Latin America, concentration camps in football stadiums, and a regime that perfected cruelty as a tool of governance. At the legal heart of the episode lies a groundbreaking question: can a former head of State be arrested abroad for international crimes? We break down universal jurisdiction, crimes against humanity, and the historic House of Lords decision that stripped Pinochet of immunity for acts of torture - a moment that forever changed the fight against impunity. From Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón’s arrest warrant to Pinochet’s final return to Chile, where justice arrived late, this episode explores why accountability for mass atrocities is so hard to achieve, and why it still matters today, especially as Chile continues to grapple with Pinochet’s legacy. For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com.

    28 min

  4. JAN 11

    13. Human Trafficking in Myanmar – Inside the Scam Parks

    Grab your coffee and join us at the Thai–Myanmar border, where luxury villas and high-tech infrastructure conceal one of the fastest-growing human trafficking operations in the world. In this episode, we examine the rise of cyber-scam compounds in Myanmar — sites where tens of thousands of people are trafficked, detained, tortured, and forced to scam others online. At the centre is the story is a computer scientist from Ghana who accepted a job offer in Thailand, only to be trafficked and forced into cyber fraud under threats of violence. His experience exposes the cruel irony at the heart of these crimes: victims of trafficking coerced into committing criminal acts themselves. What does human trafficking for forced criminality mean under international law? How does the non-punishment principle seek to protect trafficked persons rather than re-traumatizing them? And what legal challenges does the rapid expansion of cybercrime present? These are only some of the questions of international law explored in this episode. What emerges is a sobering picture of how globalization, technology and weak accountability intersect — and why dismantling these crimes requires far more than border raids and power cuts. For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com

    25 min

  5. JAN 4

    12. Education in the Philippines - The Struggle of Indigenous Communities

    Grab your coffee and join us as we travel to Mindanao, Philippines, to explore the ongoing struggle of the Lumad, the non-Muslim indigenous peoples of the region. This episode traces how colonial land policies, militarization, and counterinsurgency have shaped the lives of Lumad communities—from the legacy of Spanish and U.S. rule to modern laws that promise protection but often fail in practice. We focus on the closure of Lumad schools, the criminalization of teachers and human rights defenders, and the impact of military presence on indigenous children’s right to education. Through the lens of international law, we unpack key protections for indigenous peoples, including ancestral land rights, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and the right to education in conflict-affected areas. We also examine the growing gap between legal commitments and lived realities. A story about land, law, and the cost of protecting indigenous rights. For any question or correction (because yes, we may make mistakes), contact us at: contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com.

    25 min

  6. 12/21/2025

    11. Torture at Guantánamo Bay - When Accountability Gives Way to Impunity

    Grab your coffee and join us in discussing one of the darkest chapters of the “Global War on Terror.” In this episode, we tell the story of two French men detained, tortured, and abused at Guantánamo Bay, and the long legal battle that followed against the architects of an entire system. From “enhanced interrogation techniques” to indefinite detention without charge, we unpack how torture was normalized, justified, and legally dressed up after 9/11, and why international law draws a very clear line: torture is always prohibited. No exceptions. No emergencies. No excuses. Along the way, we break down the absolute ban on torture, the limits of human rights derogations in the name of counterterrorism, and one of the most controversial issues in international law today: can State officials be prosecuted abroad for international crimes, or are they shielded by immunity? This episode takes us from Guantánamo to French courts, and all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, where judges were forced to confront the question: What happens when accountability turns into State immunity? And who pays the price when justice stops at the border? For any question or correction (because yes, we may make mistakes), contact us at: contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com.

    19 min

  7. 12/14/2025

    10. Armed Groups in Colombia - Cocaine and Impunity

    Grab your coffee and join us as we explore Colombia’s fragile reality of peace after decades of armed conflict. While the 2016 peace agreement promised an end to violence, rural communities continue to face threats from armed groups, especially in regions tied to the cocaine trade. Through the story of two indigenous farmers involved in coca-crop substitution programs, we look at how peacebuilding efforts are placing civilians and social leaders at serious risk. We discuss the role of non-state armed groups, widespread impunity, and Colombia’s obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. From coca cultivation and global demand for cocaine to the protection of civilians and human rights defenders, this episode looks at why violence persists and why peace remains difficult to reach. For questions or corrections, contact us at contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com.

    24 min

  8. 12/07/2025

    9. Death Penalty in Bangladesh - Violent Protests and Deadly Consequences

    Grab your coffee and join us as we take a closer look at one of the most controversial tools of state power: the death penalty. Our starting point is Bangladesh, where a recent death sentence for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has reignited global debate. But this episode goes far beyond one case. Besides the violations of the right to protest in Bangladesh, we explore why the death penalty is still used in 2025 despite decades of international efforts to abolish it. Does it really deter crime? Why do some governments hold on to it? And how do international courts and human rights bodies react when death sentences raise concerns about fairness or political motives? From wrongful convictions and discrimination to political misuse and global abolition trends, we unpack the legal, moral, and practical reasons why many countries are moving away from capital punishment—and why others are not. Using Bangladesh as a starting point, we ask the bigger questions: Is the death penalty compatible with human rights? What does international law actually say about it? And what does it mean for the right to life today? For questions or corrections, contact us at contact.amicaecuriae@gmail.com.

    25 min
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About

Hey Amicae! Every Sunday, join three law students over espresso as we dive into overlooked human rights cases and unpack global injustice with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Originally from Austria, Italy, Switzerland, we discuss international law, global standards and shortcomings. We draw from our own experience - and the occasional expert voice. Whether you are an expert of international law or just interested in learning about fascinating real life stories from around the world (and their legal context), join us for strong coffee and even stronger opinions! - Mara, Simona and Sofia

Information

  • Creator
    Amicae Curiae
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Amicae Curiae
  • Show Website
    Amicae Curiae