The Human Rights Podcast
The Human Rights Podcast is produced by the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway. It features interviews and discussions with leading practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in human rights. The podcast also highlights the work of the Centre's academic staff, postdoctoral and doctoral scholars, and students. Episodes cover a range of topics related to human rights and associated disciplines.
Episodes
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 Mus
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
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
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 me
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
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
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 le
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 abou
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
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 top
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
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 c
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 t
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
Mental Health and Human Rights w Dr. Charles O’Mahony and Dr. Pat Bracken
On this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, LLM Master's student Jennifer Hough speaks with Dr. Charles O’Mahony, a lecturer at the University of Galway's School of Law, specialising in disability and mental health law and policy, and Dr. Pat Bracken, an independent psychiatrist who argues against the medicalisation of human distress and advocates for strengthening person-centred, community-based
Environmental Crimes and Ecocide Prosecution in Ukraine and Internationally w Maksym Popov & Richard J. Rogers
In this episode, ICHR LLM student Sonia Artesani speaks with Maksym Popov, Advisor to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, and Richard J. Rogers, a lawyer and expert in international human rights and criminal law, currently addressing businesses' impact on human rights.
Together, they discuss the prosecution of environmental crimes and ecocide in Ukraine and at the international level, analyzing th
Interview with European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly
In this episode, Dr. Ciara Smyth interviews European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly. They explore Emily's career and her experiences serving as both the Irish Ombudsman and the European Ombudsman.
The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath, Ciara Smyth and Kirsten Larson. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scale (Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 international License). Out
Human Rights and the US Election - Interview w Larry Donnelly
In this episode, LLM student Laine Stover speaks with political commentator and US attorney Larry Donnelly. The discussion focuses on the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election, with an emphasis on immigration, swing states, and Vice President picks.
The podcast was produced by Laine Stover, Gráinne McGrath and Kirsten Larson. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Suggestions' by Birds for Scal
‘Ireland and the world – appealing to international law in times of conflict’ w/ Prof. Shane Darcy
In this episode, ICHR PhD researcher Kirsten Larson introduces Professor Shane Darcy’s inaugural lecture, "Ireland and the World – Appealing to International Law in Times of Conflict." Professor Darcy explores the role of international law, with a focus ranging from Ireland to Palestine.
The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath and Kirsten Larson. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Sugg
Meet the 2023/2024 Team!
In this episode, PhD researcher Kirsten Larson speaks with Katie Davis, Julia Collins and Camina Engelhardt, the current team of LLM students working on the Human Rights Podcast.
They discuss their time at the Irish Centre for Human Rights and the work they have been doing throughout this academic year.
LLM Programmes at the ICHR:
https://www.universityofgalway.ie/irish-centre-human-rights/aca
Interview w/ the Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese: Anatomy of a Genocide.
In this Episode, LLM Student Debora Lira de Lacerda speaks with Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967. She talks about the release of her recent report Anatomy of Genocide.
Link to the report:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5573-report-special-rapporteur-situation-human-rights-palestinia
Children and Armed Conflict w/ Ray Murphy
In this Episode, LLM Student Julia Collins hosts Professor Ray Murphy, Program Director of the LLM Peace Operations and Humanitarian Law. Together, they discuss children and armed conflicts, focussing on the recruitment of children and the legal protection of children engaged with armed groups.
The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath and Kirsten Larson. Intro Music: 'Smarties Intro -FMA Podca
NEW LLM in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Human Rights w/ Dr. Róisín Mulgrew
In this episode, PhD student Kirsten Larson hosts Dr. Róisín Mulgrew, the programme director for the new LLM programme, Criminology, Criminal Justice & Human Rights. Kirsten and Dr. Mulgrew discuss the new programme commencing in September 2024 and the exciting and unique aspects of this LLM.
More information: https://www.universityofgalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/criminology-crim
Discussing the Irish Direct Provision System with Dr. Ciara Smyth
In this episode, LLM student Katie Davis speaks with Dr. Ciara Smyth, Programme Director of the LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law and Policy at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, about Ireland’s Direct Provision System and efforts to reform it.
This podcast was recorded in mid-February discussing the accommodation crisis for asylum seekers in Ireland and by the time of its release th
Interview w/ Courtney Curran: Archival Identification & Transitional Justice
In this episode, PhD researcher Kirsten Larson speaks with her colleague Courtney Curran (4th year PhD researcher at the Irish Centre for Human Rights) on her recent blog 'The Kosovo Specialist Chambers—an insatiable creature with a preference for ICTY leftovers'.
Courtney is both a school of Law doctoral scholar at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, and an Australia qualified solicitor with exp
Slavery Crimes and International Law with Professor Patricia Sellers
In this episode, the ICHR PhD researcher Kirsten Larson introduces a presentation by Professor Patricia Sellers, which was held at the annual International Criminal Court Summer School at the University of Galway. The presentation covers a history of Slavery Crimes and International Law.
The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath and Kirsten Larson. Intro music: ”Smarties Intro -FMA Podcast Sug
Unaccompanied Migrant Children and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
In this episode, ICHR LLM student Julia Collins speaks with Dr Claire Raissian (who completed her PhD at the Irish Centre for Human Rights) about her research on the rights of unaccompanied migrant children.
The podcast was produced by Gráinne McGrath and Julia Collins. Intro music: ‘Smarties Intro – FMA Podcast Suggestion’ by Birds for Scale (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 international License). Ou
Freedom from Gender-Based Violence: From Civil Society to Human Rights
In this episode, ICHR LLM student Anna Godau speaks with Maëlle Noir and Kelsey Rhude (two PhD candidates at the Irish Centre for Human Rights) about the development of gender-based violence in international human rights law. They explore the intricate relationship of lawmakers and civil society movements – as well as the accompanying usefulness of frustration – regarding the adoption of being fre
A Black Hole in the Mediterranean? Maritime Migration, Human Rights and State Responsibility
In this episode, Giulia Dedej speaks with Dr. Aphrodite Papachristodolou (Postdoctoral Researcher at the ICHR) on her important research on maritime migration and human rights.
To keep up to date with developments from the Central Mediterranean, you can follow:
Sea-Watch International
SOS Mediterranee
Open Arms
Alarm Phone
MSF Sea
InfoMigrants
Lighthouse Reports
IOM Libya
Dr. Aphrodite Papachr
Meet the 2023 Team! (Part 2)
In this episode, Dr Gillian Kane interviews Julia Collins, Kirsten Larson, and Anna Godau, LLM students who are working on the Human Rights Podcast this year. They discuss their studies, what they are enjoying about life at the ICHR, and what we can expect to hear in upcoming episodes of the podcast.
Some resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Irish Centre for Human Rights: www.universi
Meet the 2023 Team! (Part 1)
In this episode, Dr Gillian Kane interviews Giulia Dedej, Shannon Kenny García Núñez, and Emma Kelly, LLM students who are working on the Human Rights Podcast this year. They discuss their studies, what they are enjoying about life at the ICHR, and what we can expect to hear in upcoming episodes of the podcast.
Some resources and links mentioned in this episode:
Irish Centre for Human Rights:
Interview w/ Aoife Nolan: The European Social Charter Committee
Interview with Aoife Nolan on her role and the functioning of the Eurpoean Social Charter Committee.
Ensuring Respect for International Humanitarian Law
This podcast contains a discussion of the book, Ensuring Respect for International Humanitarian Law (Routledge, 2020), including contributions from editors Eve Massingham, who works at the University of Queensland, and Annabel McConnachie, who has worked with the Australian Red Cross. International humanitarian law expert Ray Murphy leads the conversation, which also includes contributors Kelisian
How did consultancy firm, Mckinsey, shape EU asylum policy in Greece?
In the summer of 2020, Dr Ludêk Stavinoha and Apostolis Fotiadis revealed the previously unknown role that consultancy firm, McKinsey, played in shaping EU asylum policy in Greece. In this episode of the Human Rights Podcast, Niamh Keady-Tabbal, PhD researcher at the ICHR, speaks with Ludêk about their investigation, published in Balkan Insight:
https://balkaninsight.com/2020/06/22/asylum-outsou
The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Human Rights Analysis (Episode 5)
This is the final episode in our five-part series on the EU-Mercosur Agreement. In this short clip, you can listen to Saoirse McHugh, a member of Talamh Beo, explaining Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) and Investment Court Systems (ICS) in the context of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.
The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Human Rights Analysis (Episode 4)
Episode 4: Interview with Gerry Loftus, an Irish beef farmer
In this episode, you can listen to Emma Kelly, an LLM candidate at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, and Saoirse McHugh, a member of Talamh Beo, interviewing Gerry Loftus, an Irish beef farmer. He explains the situation and the problems that Irish farmers are faced with nowadays and talks about the impacts, which EU-Mercosur will have
The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Human Rights Analysis (Episode 3)
Episode 3: Interview with Juliana Sassi, a member of the Brazilian Left Front
In this episode, you can listen to Reshma Das and Simon Seitz, LLM candidates at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, and Saoirse McHugh, a member of Talamh Beo, talking to Juliana Sassi, a member of the Brazilian Left Front. She describes the development of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement from the viewpoint of the Mercos
The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Human Rights Analysis (Episode 2)
Episode 2: Interview with Helmut Scholz, MEP with GUE/NGL
In this episode, you can listen to Saoirse McHugh, a member of Talamh Beo, and Simon Seitz, an LLM candidate at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, interviewing Helmut Scholz, a member with GUE/NGL and a member of the German ‘Die Linke’ party. He explains the stages of negotiations on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. He also talks about sus
The EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Human Rights Analysis (Episode 1)
Episode 1: Interview with Dr Laura Kehoe, a conservation scientist
In this episode, you can listen to Emma Kelly, an LLM candidate at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, and Saoirse McHugh, a member of Talamh Beo, interviewing Dr Laura Kehoe, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford. She talks about the impacts of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on the environment and human rights.
Hate speech targeting of minorities, with UN Special Rapporteur, Fernand de Varennes
In this episode of the Human Rights podcast, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Professor Fernand de Varennes speaks to the Irish Centre for Human Rights on "why hate speech targeting of minorities must be named and emphasized."
Interview w/ Adam Wagner: A human rights perspective on the UK’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic
Welcome to the Human Rights Podcast, hosted by the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway. At the Centre, we are fortunate to hear presentations from an array of international leading practitioners, policymakers, and researchers within the field of human rights and various other disciplines.
Today we have the pleasure of hearing from Mr. Adam Wagner, a practi
'Imagining Justice for Syria' with Prof Beth Van Schaack
'Imagining Justice for Syria' with Prof Beth Van Schaack by Irish Centre for Human Rights
'Transforming our Sexual Lives' with Prof. Linda Martín Alcoff
Keynote lecture by Prof. Linda Martín Alcoff at the Sexual Politics of Freedom conference at the Irish Centre for Human Rights [18/09/2020].
Ireland's Anti-Fracking Movement
This episode was created by Colin Carney, Sophie Fitzpatrick and Cassie Roddy-Mullineaux, LLM students in the Human Rights Law Clinic at the Irish Centre for Human Rights. The episode investigates the anti-fracked gas movement in Ireland and on the international stage.
In this episode, Colin, Sophie and Cassie interview Johnny McElligott, a leading member of the North Kerry-based grassroots envir
Human Trafficking in Uganda
Recorded on 28/01/2020
The Arts and Human Rights
On 16th October 2019, musicians Lisa Knapp and Gerry Diver visited NUI Galway to give a lunchtime concert as part of NUI Galway's Arts in Action programme. Arts in Action is the brainchild of renowned singer and NUI Galway lecturer, Mary McPartlan, and Mary joined Lisa and Gerry towards the end of their performance.
For this podcast episode, all three musicians met with Dr Maeve O'Rourke, Lectur
Trafficking in Persons with Maria Grazia Giammarinaro
Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Human Rights at the Irish Centre for Human Rights in June 2019.
In September 2019, she delivered her first lecture as Adjunct Professor to incoming LLM students. The recording of the lecture is available on the ICHR's YouTube channel:
Climate Justice with Sadhbh O'Neill
This podcast was recorded on 23rd September 2019 during the global week of climate action. In this episode, Sadhbh O'Neill, political theorist, environmental activist and representative of Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), discusses the concept of climate justice. She also explains two recent judgments of the Irish High Court in cases brought by FIE, and she refers to ongoing activism by the
Policing and Human Rights in Ireland with Donncha O'Connell
In this pilot episode of The Human Rights Podcast from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway, we speak to Professor Donncha O'Connell about Ireland's progress towards a human rights-based approach to policing.
Among the many topics we discuss are community policing, state security and access to justice. This episode is published on the first anniversary
