The Human Rights Podcast

• Push-Backs in the Aegean and the ECtHR’s failure to hold states accountable for systemic human rights violations

  On this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM student Alessandra Cao speaks with Dr Niamh Keady-Tabbal about the topic of “Drift-backs” in the Aegean, the role of Frontex, and the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) failure to hold Greece accountable for serious human rights violations committed in the Aegean during systematic push-back operations. The conversation first introduces the topic of push-backs at the external borders of the EU, the relatively new phenomenon of “drift-backs” in the Aegean Sea and their relation to European “migration management” strategies as well as human rights concerns arising from these practices. The speakers then dive into the recent European Court of Human Rights decision in the case of GRJ v Greece – a push-back case decided in January 2025, in which Niamh was closely involved – to discuss the evidentiary difficulties arising for applicants in push-back cases, and evaluate the way in which the ECtHR – despite explicitly acknowledging them – has failed to adequately accommodate these difficulties. During the conversation, we referenced a number of cases and academic works. You can read more about the various topics in the links below: #1 Journal Article “Weaponising Rescue: Law and the Materiality of Migration Management in the Aegean” by Niamh Keady-Tabbal and Itamar Mann (Leiden Journal of International Law, 2023): access https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/leiden-journal-of-international-law/article/weaponizing-rescue-law-and-the-materiality-of-migration-management-in-the-aegean/068B225CF16390CCBA5FFD10FC3CEF8C?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=bookmark #2 Blog Post “Tents at Sea: How Greek Officials Use Rescue Equipment for Illegal Deportations” (Just Security, 2020): access https://www.justsecurity.org/70309/tents-at-sea-how-greek-officials-use-rescue-equipment-for-illegal-deportations/ #3 Forensic Architecture study about the practice of “drift-backs”: access https://forensic-architecture.org/investigation/drift-backs-in-the-aegean-sea #4 Journal Article “The Enforced Disappearance of Migrants” by Valentina Azariva, Amanda Danson Brown, and Itamar Mann (Boston University International Law Journal, 2022): access https://www.bu.edu/ilj/files/2022/08/Vol.-40.1-Azarova-et-al.-online-unprinted.pdf #5 European Court of Human Rights Judgment in GRJ v Greece: access the original judgment in French , and the official summary in English https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-243431%22]} https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre-press?i=003-8124872-11378023 #6 European Court of Human Rights Judgment in ARE v Greece: access the original judgment in French , and the official summary in English https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-238636%22]} https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre-press#{%22itemid%22:[%22003-8124877-11378031%22]} The podcast was produced by Alessandra Cao, Gráinne McGrath 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).

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• Investigating Historic Human Rights Violations w Emily Williams (Policing and Justice Policy Officer at ICCL)

  On this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM Student Emily Donnellan speaks with Emily Williams (Policing and Justice Policy Officer at ICCL) about a cross-border report calling on the Irish government to establish a Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) to investigate unresolved deaths and incidents of torture and ill-treatment, including (but not limited to) cases related to the Troubles. The report also seeks the establishment of a system of robust and independent public inquiries and inquests, and an all-Ireland truth commission to examine themes and patterns relating to conflict-related violations. This discussion covers why the measures outlined in the report are so urgently needed, what the State's obligations are under human rights law and how these key reforms can be implemented. About the ICCL: The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland’s oldest independent human rights body. It has been at the forefront of every major rights advance in Irish society for over 40 years. ICCL helped decriminalise homosexuality, divorce and contraception. We drove police reform, defending suspects' rights during dark times. In recent years, we led successful campaigns for marriage equality, data protection and reproductive rights. Policing for Peace project: The Policing for Peace project is a collaboration between ICCL and the Committee on the Administration of Justice. It was developed in 2023 to build on the learning from a series of conferences and to delve deeper into specific thematic areas identified as key priorities. The project has been advanced through a series of North-South expert roundtables and events. The objective is to convene stakeholders to discuss identified areas for increased police oversight and reform, with a view to producing specific recommendations in each area, for both jurisdictions. Note: This episode was recorded at the beginning of May, 2025. Since this episode was recorded, the Minister for Justice has apologised to the family of Shane O'Farrell, for the State's responsibility for failings in the criminal justice system. Shane O'Farrell was killed while out for a cycle by Zigimantas Gridziuska, a man who had breached bail conditions and should have been in jail. As a result, the Minister for Justice has asked Senior Counsel Lorcan Staines to review bail laws in Ireland. Additionally, the government has announced the formal establishment of a Commission into the handling of historical child sex abuse in schools. The Commission will examine the handling of allegations, suspicions and concerns of historical sexual abuse in schools, and consider all primary and post-primary schools. The podcast was produced by Emily Donnellan and Gráinne McGrath. 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).

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• Corporate Accountability, Transitional Justice and BHR: A Conversation with Dr. Hannah Franzki

  In this episode, ICHR LLM student Sonia Artesani speaks with Dr. Hannah Franzki, Senior Legal Advisor at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at the Frei Universität Berlin. Together, they discuss corporate accountability for human rights violations in both transitional justice processes and contemporary international law. The conversation explores the legal tools available to hold businesses accountable, the role of civil society, and the impact of recent developments at the European and international levels. Dr. Franzki also sheds light on the structural challenges of enforcing human rights obligations in the context of global supply chains and corporate influence. The podcast was produced by Sonia Artesani. 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).

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• Social Change Lawyering and Strategic Human Rights Litigation w Gearoid Ó Cuinn from GLAN

  On this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM student Alessandra Cao speaks with Gearóid Ó Cuinn, the founder and current director of the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN). GLAN is an independent organization founded in 2016, which identifies and pursues legal action to tackle power actors involved in serious human rights violations and environmental harms. The conversation first introduces the topic of social change lawyering, strategic human rights litigation and transnational public interest lawyering. The speakers then dive into the work of GLAN and discuss three different cases which the organization has recently taken on in the areas of climate change, supply chains and environmental crime. During the conversation, we referenced a number of cases. You can read more about the various topics in the links below: #1 The Youth4ClimateJustice case before the European Court of Human Rights: https://www.glanlaw.org/youth4climatejustice #2 The Uyghur Cotton Case before the UK Court of Appeal: https://www.glanlaw.org/uyghur-forced-labour #3 Mining and Environmental Crime – The London Metal Exchange Case https://www.glanlaw.org/dirty-metals For more information on GLAN’s work and opportunities for engagement or support, see also GLAN’s website: https://www.glanlaw.org/ The podcast was produced by Alessandra Cao, Gráinne McGrath 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).

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• Interview w Dr. Shelly Whitman and Dr. Julie Marie Hyde (Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security)

  On this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, PhD researcher Kirsten Larson speaks with Dr. Shelly Whitman (Executive Director) and Dr. Julie Marie Hyde (Director of Research and Knowledge Mobilization) of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security. They discuss the history of the Institute and share insights into their latest research on moral injury. Learn more about the work of the Dallaire Institute here: https://www.dallaireinstitute.org/ Vancouver Principles: https://www.dallaireinstitute.org/vancouver-principles Moral Injury: https://www.dallaireinstitute.org/research

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