Voices - Conversations on Business and Human Rights from Around the World

Crises colliding: the impact of dark fleets and conflict on seafarers

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn, Mark Dickinson, Nathan Smith) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:47:05 +0000

IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn speaks to Mark Dickinson, outgoing General Secretary of Nautilus International, and Nathan Smith, a ship inspector with the International Transport Workers' Federation, to find out more about dark fleets. Together they examine the weaknesses in international maritime law that allow dark fleets to thrive, and the human cost borne by the seafarers on board.

The Dyson Case: a landmark moment for business and human rights?

comms@ihrb.org (Anna Triponel, Oliver Holland, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:48:23 +0000

A recent legal case involving Dyson and 24 migrant workers is being called a landmark moment for business and human rights—but why? After the UK Court of Appeal allowed the case to be heard in the UK, despite the alleged abuses taking place at a supplier factory in Malaysia, big questions are being raised about corporate accountability overseas. In this episode, IHRB's Salil Tripathi is joined by Anna Triponel, the founder of Human Level, and Oliver Holland, a partner at law firm Leigh Day unpack what this case means and why it matters.

Financing a just transition for farmers: a story from Brazil

comms@ihrb.org (Haley St. Dennis, Isabel Britez, Deborah Sagoe) — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 15:10:02 +0000

In this episode of Voices, IHRB’s Haley St. Dennis brings you closer to the world of agroforestry in Brazil. Haley speaks to Isabel Britez of Belterra, a B Corp working with farmers to turn climate and deforestation risks into real opportunities for resilient business and thriving rural livelihoods.

The biggest business and human rights issues in 2026

comms@ihrb.org (Brandee M. Butler, Michael Clements) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:06:19 +0000

IHRB’s new CEO Brandee Butler is joined by Michael Clements, the newly appointed CEO of the Business and Human Rights Centre, for a conversation about leadership, and the shifting landscape for business and human rights.

Catalonia’s housing revolution: where affordability meets sustainability

comms@ihrb.org (Ainara Fernandez, Haley St. Dennis) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:40:44 +0000

In this episode of Voices, IHRB’s Haley St Dennis and Ainara Fernandez discuss an emerging housing model in Catalonia, which is aligning decarbonisation efforts with solutions to address issues like affordability and extreme temperatures. Can Catalonia’s housing model be a blueprint for just transitions in other housing markets around the world?

Just transitions in the Gujarat desert: a signal of a cleaner, fairer future for informal workers

comms@ihrb.org (Reema Nanavaty, Haley St. Dennis) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 12:53:12 +0000

Solar power is reshaping life for Gujarat’s salt farmers. Haley St. Dennis talks with SEWA’s Reema Nanavaty about the partnerships and training behind this just transition—and how women like Manguben are moving from debt to becoming solar technicians and community leaders. This episode features an audio story from IHRB’s JUST Stories project.

Looking back, looking forward - the future of human rights and business (Part 2)

comms@ihrb.org (John Morrison, Brandee M. Butler) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:19:08 +0000

How can the business and human rights agenda move forward amid the climate crisis, ongoing conflicts, and growing political divides? Join Brandee M. Butler, IHRB’s new CEO, and John Morrison, founding CEO, for a reflective and inspiring conversation about the future of business and human rights.

Looking back, looking forward - lessons in human rights and business (Part 1)

comms@ihrb.org (Brandee M. Butler, John Morrison, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:14:38 +0000

In a special two-part series , join IHRB’s new CEO, Brandee M. Butler, and outgoing CEO, John Morrison, for a reflective and illuminating conversation on their work to strengthen respect for human rights in the business world - and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Are seafarers’ rights in crisis?

comms@ihrb.org (Father Stephen Thanapaul, Ben Bailer, Francesca Fairbairn) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:04:24 +0000

On World Maritime Day, join IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn and Ben Bailey and Father Stephen Thanapaul from Mission to Seafarers for a discussion on seafarers' rights. What are the most pressing challenges facing seafarers? What protections do they need? What action is needed from the maritime industry? Are there examples of shipping companies getting it right?

Are business practices intensifying water scarcity?

comms@ihrb.org (Peter Waldman, Ravi Mariwala, Salil Tripathi) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:05:35 +0000

Climate change has put a spotlight on our relationship with natural resources, especially water. In many parts of the world, the water scarcity crisis is being intensified by companies.

Salil Tripathi from IHRB speaks to Peter Waldman, a senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, and to Ravi Mariwala, the Founder and Chief Executive of an Indian water management company called Smaart Water. Peter has been documenting growing global tensions around access to water, whilst Ravi’s company provides sustainable and safe water services for businesses, governments, and consumers.

Together they discuss the impact of commodifying water; how small farmers and local communities are campaigning for greater access to water in Senegal, Australia and California; and what responsible and sustainable water management looks like in practice.

What key moments have shaped corporate responsibility?

comms@ihrb.org (Anita Ramasastry, Deborah Sagoe, Salil Tripathi) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 10:21:58 +0000

How did the business and human rights movement evolve? What important moments and historic cases have helped shape responsible business today? Anita Ramasastry, Professor of Law at the University of Washington and faculty member on IHRB’s Masters course in Business and Human Rights, joins IHRB’s Salil Tripathi to discuss the evolution of the business and human rights movement by exploring the pivotal moments that shaped it.

Human rights reporting and disclosure - what’s the view from the ground amidst evolving EU regulation?

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:30:00 +0000

IHRB's Vicky Bowman speaks to Giles Bolton from membership body Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI); Natalie Grillon from Open Supply Hub; and Emily Casswell from clothing retailer Bestseller. Together, they explore the role of voluntary standards and reporting to strengthen transparency in global supply chains and how these link to evolving regulatory requirements.

Human rights in the fishing industry: what are the pressing risks?

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn, Deborah Sagoe, Ian Urbina) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Over 60 million people make a living catching, farming and processing seafood. What are the predominant challenges they face? IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn explores human rights abuses in the global seafood industry with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ian Urbina, who has just released the second series of The Outlaw Ocean Podcast.

Collie’s just transition: a blueprint for the world’s eight million coal workers?

comms@ihrb.org (Darcy Gunning, Haley St. Dennis, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 5 Jun 2025 10:42:09 +0000

IHRB’s Haley St Dennis sits down with Darcy Gunning, the lead union organiser behind Collie’s transition negotiations, one of the world’s most successful examples of a just transition happening today. They talk about the high and lows so far, as well as insights for managers of transitions - whether working in a company, government department, union, or local community group - to replicate the most essential lessons offered by Collie’s story.

Just transitions - how can theory become reality?

comms@ihrb.org (Haley St. Dennis, John Morrison, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 22 May 2025 11:17:15 +0000

In this episode, IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, and colleague Haley St Dennis, discuss the state of just transitions in 2025, and the urgent need to tackle social, economic and environmental challenges as one, systemic challenge. John shares ideas for how to apply this thinking in practice.

Are we about to see a retreat from corporate responsibility?

comms@ihrb.org (Kenneth Roth, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:06:40 +0000

The international architecture that underpins universal human rights is under attack. What does this mean for responsible business? IHRB’s Salil Tripathi, speaks to Kenneth Roth, author, attorney and the former head of international organisation, Human Rights Watch. Ken and Salil discuss progress in corporate responsibility and accountability in recent decades, and what this might mean for the future of business and human rights.

The UK Modern Slavery Act - 10 years on where are we now?

comms@ihrb.org (Eleanor Lyons, Neill Wilkins, Deborah Sagoe) — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 08:59:22 +0000

Has the UK Modern Slavery Act introduced in 2015 been effective in eradicating modern slavery? IHRB’s Head of Migrant Workers Programme, Neill Wilkins, speaks to from Eleanor Lyons, the UK's Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. They discuss the effectiveness of the legislation; the importance of corporate accountability in the fight to end modern slavery; and the need for more robust measures to ensure greater transparency in supply chains.

How can European Chambers of Commerce support effective human rights due diligence?

comms@ihrb.org (Sarah Mostafa-Kamel, Karina Ufert, Vicky Bowman, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:52:58 +0000

IHRB Senior Advisor, Vicky Bowman, speaks to Karina Ufert from the European Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar. Against the backdrop of the EU's proposed ‘omnibus package’ of sustainability directives, Karina shares how her organisation is helping companies with their human rights due diligence on the ground. Vicky also speaks to IHRB colleague Sarah Mostafa-Kamel to discuss similar work being done by IHRB’s Gulf Sustain initiative, which is supporting responsible business practices and promoting worker welfare across the Arab Gulf States.

How can companies respect human rights while pursuing profits?

comms@ihrb.org (Michael Posner, John Morrison, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 4 Mar 2025 10:40:25 +0000

The adoption of the UNGPs in 2011 was a seminal moment and acknowledgement of the influence of business on people’s rights. In the years that have passed since then, what have we learned about whether and how companies can respect human rights while pursuing profits? To help answer this question IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, speaks to Mike Posner, a human rights lawyer, former Assistant Secretary of State under Hilary Clinton, and founder of the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York University.

Global challenges in 2025 - what do they mean for responsible business?

Wed, 5 Feb 2025 14:09:47 +0000

IHRB’s CEO, John Morrison, sits down with three colleagues, Salil Tripathi, Francesca Fairbairn, and Haley St. Dennis, to discuss a wide range of topics, from the backlash to DEI, to the value of international norms and standards, to how a second Trump term could impact just transitions.

Could a Fair Work Agency help enforce worker rights in the UK?

comms@ihrb.org (Joanne Young, Neill Wilkins) — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 10:09:06 +0000

The organisations and government bodies responsible for enforcement of labour rights in the UK are fragmented - as they are in many countries around the world. Could proposals to create a single labour enforcement body - a Fair Work Agency - help improve business compliance with labour laws? In this episode, Neill Wilkins (Head of IHRB’s Migrant Workers Programme) delves into UK labour regulation with Joanne Young, CEO of the Association of Labour Providers (ALP).

40 years later: what are the lessons from the Bhopal gas disaster?

comms@ihrb.org (Tahira Sultan, Usha Ramanathan, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:09:59 +0000

40 years since the Bhopal gas disasters, which killed thousands and injured millions more, what have been the lessons for corporate accountability? IHRB’s Salil Tripathi speaks to survivor, Tahira Sultan, as well as Dr Usha Ramanathan, a human rights and legal scholar who has studied and worked on the Bhopal case extensively.

Just Energy Transition Partnerships, or JETPs - what are they and why do they matter?

comms@ihrb.org (Yuri Ramkissoon, Haley St. Dennis, Deborah Sagoe) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:10:23 +0000

What is a JETP and why is it so important to the just transition agenda? And what can we learn from South Africa’s JETP progress? IHRB’s Haley St Dennis talks to Yuri Ramkissoon from South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, who is deeply involved in South Africa’s JETP. Together, they unpack the JETP and explores how this form of climate finance is supporting a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

Real-world examples of just transitions - what can we learn?

comms@ihrb.org (Leonardo Sakamoto, Haley St. Dennis, Deborah Sagoe) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:31:28 +0000

What can we learn from real-world examples of transitions as they play out in countries at the centre of climate action, such as Brazil – home to the Amazon rainforest and host of COP30 in 2025? In this episode IHRB’s Haley St Dennis is joined by Brazilian journalist Leonardo Sakamoto to discuss the human rights impacts of the Brazil's climate action.

Turning soft law into hard law - what are the implications of the EU CSDDD?

comms@ihrb.org (Heidi Hautala, John Morrison, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 3 Oct 2024 09:59:19 +0000

Heidi is the former Vice President of the European Parliament and has also recently joined IHRB's International Advisory Council.

What does the recent ruling against Chiquita mean for human rights?

comms@ihrb.org (Marco Simons, Deborah Sagoe, Vicky Bowman, Salil Tripathi) — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:51:43 +0000

This episode discusses a recent ruling in Florida that has found the company Chiquita liable for killings committed by a paramilitary group that was on the company's payroll in Colombia. It also explores the broader implications for businesses worldwide and the importance of adhering to international standards and codes of conduct when engaging private security companies.

Preventing ‘Greenlash’: what can we learn from positive climate action?

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:10:47 +0000

IHRB’s Head of Built Environment, Giulio Ferrini and host Deborah Sagoe have been speaking to people working on green transitions in cities around the world. They all share challenges and successes of green initiatives, from problems with ‘renovictions’, to pioneering housing developments driven by the right to housing.

The ESG backlash: where do we go from here?

comms@ihrb.org (David Shilling, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe, Vasuki Shastry) — Mon, 1 Jul 2024 09:04:02 +0000

David Schilling from the Interfaith Centre on Corporate Responsibility discusses the history and evolution of ESG with author and ESG expert Vasuki Shastry and IHRB’s Salil Tripathi. They discuss the role of ethical investors; the current backlash to ESG and the importance of regulatory frameworks in promoting responsible business practices.

Working in a warzone: what risks do seafarers face?

Thu, 23 May 2024 13:00:43 +0000

In this episode, IHRB’s Francesca Fairbairn talks to John Attenborough from Mission to Seafarers and Ian Ralby, an expert in maritime law, about the safety and security of seafarers during times of conflict. Listen for accounts from seafarers caught in attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea; insights into the complexities of maritime law that can leave seafarers vulnerable; and how shipping companies' response to attacks on their ships and crew has evolved over the years.

How should companies respond to snap military drafts?

comms@ihrb.org (Vicky Bowman, Nabi Abdullaev, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:33:17 +0000

When a state announces snap military conscription, how might companies respond to protect its employees?

In this episode, IHRB’s Salil Tripathi and Vicky Bowman, explore the delicate balance companies must strike between compliance and resistance, and the creative strategies employed to protect their workforce. Salil is also joined by Nabi Abdullaev from Control Risks, a risk management consultant covering Russia.

How can companies respect the rights of Indigenous peoples impacted by renewable projects?

comms@ihrb.org (Robie Halip, Frances House, Deborah Sagoe, Prabindra Shakya) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:34:26 +0000

In the rush for renewable energy, what are the impacts on Indigenous peoples?

In this episode, IHRB’s Frances House sits down with two human rights defenders, Robie Halip from the Philippines and Prabindra Shakya from Nepal. Robie is the coordinator of The Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development. Prabin is convenor of Asia Indigenous Peoples Network in Extractive Industries and Energy and also the founder of the Community Empowerment and Social Justice Network in Nepal.

Robie and Prabin share examples of renewable energy projects from Norway to Nepal and how Indigenous people have been directly affected. You’ll also learn how the use of human rights conventions and concepts like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) can protect rights through better engagement and partnerships between companies and Indigenous people, which are essential to help minimise social resistance to the green energy transition.

What are the major challenges for business when it comes to human rights in 2024?

comms@ihrb.org (Usha Ramanathan, Deborah Sagoe, Salil Tripathi) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:08:12 +0000

IHRB’s Salil Tripathi sits down with renowned human rights scholar Usha Ramanathan to explore the balance of rights and responsibilities for both states and business.

They discuss everything from data, surveillance and privacy, to climate change, agriculture - and even space. Usha offers a profound analysis of how businesses and states shape the lives of the vulnerable and shares her vision for a more equitable future, where human rights are not just recognised but respected.

How can Ukraine start a green recovery in the midst of war?

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:15:00 +0000

‘Measuring the environmental effects of war breaks new ground’

Is it possible to rebuild Ukraine in a greener, fairer way and can this be done while the country is still immersed in war?

Two years have now passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands have been killed and the fighting has caused immense damage to the environment. A groundbreaking new report has catalogued the environmental damage and outlined the essential steps needed for a green recovery.

In this episode, IHRB’s CEO John Morrison sits down with Margot Wallström, who is co-chair of the group behind the report: the High-level Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War. Margot is also chair of IHRB's International Advisory Council, a former minister for foreign affairs in the Swedish government, and former Vice President of the European Commission.

With the cost of environmental damage estimated to be 56 billion Euros, John and Margot discuss accountability; how environmental damage might now be viewed by international courts as a war crime; and the report's call for a green rebuild of Ukraine’s infrastructure.

The report's recommendations have the health and wellbeing of the Ukrainian people at its heart. Its findings will be of paramount interest to businesses looking to invest in the recovery of Ukraine.

Why must companies listen to indigenous communities?

comms@ihrb.org (Johnson Jament, Tulika Bansal, Frances House) — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 11:06:45 +0000

This episode discusses the impacts of corporate activity on fishing communities in Kerala, and the imperative for businesses to listen to the voices of indigenous communities and take proactive remedial action when things go wrong.

How can tech companies tackle misinformation and disinformation in this record election year?

comms@ihrb.org (Iain Levine, Priyanka Motaparthy, Deborah Sagoe, Salil Tripathi) — Mon, 5 Feb 2024 16:24:31 +0000

2024 is a record year for elections. Across the globe nearly four billion people will be heading to the polls - half the world’s population.

In the digital age, misinformation and disinformation can spread easily, with big implications for human rights. How can social media companies protect truth and mitigate these risks?

To answer this question, IHRB’s Salil Tripathi sits down with Priyanka Motaparthy, Director of the Armed Conflict, Counterterrorism, and Human Rights Project at Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute, and Iain Levine, director on the human rights policy team at Meta.

In this episode our guests discuss the importance of free speech, what constitutes hate speech, the difference between misinformation and disinformation, and the serious repercussions for elections in an era of ‘fake news’, and what social media companies are doing to counter these issues.

What has the Universal Declaration of Human Rights meant for worker rights?

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 6 Dec 2023 05:45:00 +0000

”The UDHR is the heart and soul of the United Nations”

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is clear that "all organs of society" need to respect human rights, and Eleanor Roosevelt spoke about making these rights a reality "on the farm, in the factory and in the office".

As we mark 75 years of the UDHR, how has this foundation of human rights guided and improved the fulfilment of worker rights?

In this episode of Voices, IHRB’s CEO John Morrison sits down with Sharan Burrow, former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, to get a trade unionist perspective on the UDHR’s legacy to improve conditions for workers, in particular for women and marginalised groups, and how collective bargaining and freedom of association are still critical.

Is the ‘decoupling’ phenomenon just hot air or a human rights concern?

comms@ihrb.org (Isabel Hilton, Vasuki Shastry, Salil Tripathi, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 12:56:48 +0000

What is the phenomenon of ‘decoupling’ and how is it affecting human rights and business? IHRB’s Salil Tripathi, along with guests Vasuki Shastry and Isabel Hilton, unpack what ‘decoupling’ is, whether it’s just hot air, how it’s more than an economic phenomenon, and why human rights practitioners should pay close attention.

Advancing people and planet agendas in the GCC - how can it be done?

comms@ihrb.org (Tamara Juburi, Tariq Al Olaimy, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:45:08 +0000

How do you transform GCC economies to a new system that’s both sustainable and takes into account the welfare of workers? IHRB’s Tamara Juburi discusses this question with Tariq Al Olaimy, as well as the challenges and opportunities in this process, and how the role of finance can incentivise this change.

Why do human rights matter when it comes to transition minerals?

comms@ihrb.org (Dr Isokelo Munyuku Fama, Francesca Fairbairn, Deborah Sagoe) — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:23:24 +0000

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries where these materials are mined. Often the mining of these commodities isn’t regulated, or regulation around this mining isn’t enforced. IHRB's Deborah Sagoe speaks to Francesca Fairbairn about her conversation with Dr Isokelo Munyuku Fama, a Doctor and human rights defender in the area of South Kivu Province in DRC, where a lot of mining takes place. They discuss the lack of adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by companies working in the area and how South Kivu would welcome with open arms companies that adhere to these principles.

Protecting the workforce in the 'wild watery west'

comms@ihrb.org (Ian Urbina, Francesca Fairbairn, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 8 Jun 2023 08:19:52 +0000

Hear from Ian Urbina, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has been reporting on environmental and human rights crimes on the high seas for many years. In this episode of Voices he talks to IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn about maritime human rights violations and what governments and companies can do to improve respect for human rights on the ocean.

What is labour mobility and what impact do migrant workers have on the global economy?

comms@ihrb.org (Carmen Pedraza, Rebekah Smith, Deborah Sagoe) — Tue, 6 Jun 2023 09:09:03 +0000

‘We could build a future with shared prosperity’

Migration has become a highly politicised issue. Yet labour mobility is hugely important to the future health of the global economy.

OECD countries are rapidly ageing and unfilled jobs cost the global economy 3 - 7 billion dollars every day. At the same time, migration is one of the most powerful anti-poverty tools in the world today, with benefits from remittances - the money that migrant workers send back to their origin countries - far outstripping foreign aid.

Voices host Deborah Sagoe and Carmen Pedraza from IHRB’s migrant workers programme, hear from Rebekah Smith, the Executive Director at Labour Mobility Partnerships. Lamp is an organisation that believes in the power of movement to address some of the biggest issues we face in the global economy.

Rebekah shares some startling statistics on the benefits that labour mobility brings to both origin and receiving countries.

She and Carmen also discuss the best ways to address these issues, given the major challenges that exist in current migration systems, and where as a migration community, we can help.

Rebekah will be appearing as the keynote speaker at The Global Forum for Responsible Recruitment. To find out more head to:

gfrr.org

What does one of the first corporate just transition strategies look like?

comms@ihrb.org (Rachel McEwan, Haley St. Dennis, Deborah Sagoe) — Mon, 15 May 2023 08:19:15 +0000

In this episode of Voices, you will learn about one of the world’s first corporate just transition strategies from Rachel McEwan, Chief Sustainability Officer at energy company SSE, who talks with IHRB’s Haley St. Dennis about how SSE had to learn by doing.

What is the responsibility of business during armed conflict?

comms@ihrb.org (Mark Taylor, Deborah Sagoe, Salil Tripathi) — Thu, 11 May 2023 11:44:30 +0000

In this episode of Voices, you’ll meet Mark Taylor, an expert in human rights and business, and senior program manager with the Clooney Foundation of Justice’s Docket Initiative. Mark talks with IHRB’s Salil Tripathi about the risk of corporate complicity when operating in zones of conflict, as well as the need for greater company transparency, and more investigative power for civil society to hold complicit companies to account.

What is the built environment and how does it impact human rights in Lagos?

comms@ihrb.org (Kenny Aderogba, Annabel Short, Deborah Sagoe) — Thu, 4 May 2023 13:10:25 +0000

In this episode of Voices you will hear from Kenny Aderogba from Spaces for Change - a non profit organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria. Kenny talks with IHRB’s Annabel Short about how her organisation is improving the city’s built environment. Lagos is a megacity, with a population of 24 million. Two thirds of its inhabitants live in informal housing. Annabel discovers how Kenny’s work with Spaces for Change is supporting the voices of marginalised people to be heard when it comes to decision making that affects their built environments. They discuss the impact of climate change on Lagos and the importance of building sustainable housing that’s accessible to all.

Rana Plaza disaster: what are the lessons for human rights and business?

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 10:45:50 +0000

April 24 marks the ten-years since the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh. What did we learn from this disaster about how businesses and governments can better protect the rights of workers? Salil and Sanchita examine the impacts of the disaster and consider the renewed action needed to stop a similar tragedy from happening again. You will also hear Salil speak to Nazma Akter, a former child worker, garment factory worker, labour organiser, and Director of AWAJ Foundation, which Nazma founded in 2003 to protect workers’ rights in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh.

Constructive or Confrontational Dialogue? Engaging business in human rights, with Peter Frankental from Amnesty International UK

comms@ihrb.org (Frances House, Peter Frankental, Salil Tripathi) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:32:34 +0000

In this episode you’ll meet Peter Frankental, an expert in human rights and business, and the Economic Affairs Programme Director at Amnesty International UK. Having marked 25 years at Amnesty, Peter shares his reflections and lessons about attitudes of business towards human rights since the 90s.

Muetter Iliqud on the Use of Uyghur Forced Labour

comms@ihrb.org (Muetter Ilqud, Francesca Fairbairn) — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:58:31 +0000

Muetter is a project analyst at the Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD), based in Norway. The UTJD is an ongoing project that focuses on the registration of the disappeared and extrajudicially interned Uyghurs in East Turkistan. The UTJD project was founded by the Norwegian Uyghur Committee (NUC) in 2018; Muetter has served as the Head of Communications for the NUC, and as project analyst for the UTJD since 2020. Muetter’s recent work at the UTJD has included testimony collection, data gathering, and data analysis, as well as authoring books and reports about the current Uyghur Genocide. Muetter is a master's student in International Human Rights Law at the Kent Law School, the University of Kent.

Sources cited in this podcast include research by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (including “Uyghurs for sale: ‘Re-education’, forced labour and surveillance beyond Xinjiang”) and the End Uyghur Forced Labour Coalition.

Eli Friedman on the Urbanization of People

comms@ihrb.org (annabel short, eli friedman) — Wed, 5 Oct 2022 17:52:41 +0000

China has seen large-scale migration of workers from rural into urban areas. While the phenomenon of “left behind children” in rural areas has been widely reported, many children travel with their parents to cities. Given barriers to accessing public services that rest on a residency-status policy known as “hukou”, many of these migrant worker children are educated in privately-run migrant schools outside of the main public school system. A lack of investment means that these schools are often poorly constructed, with limited protection against excessive heat, cold, rain and air pollution. The students experience continuous disruption and turmoil: widespread school demolitions and closures take place as a combined result of government policy and rising land values.

Adriano Nuvunga on Being an Anti-Corruption Human Rights Defender

comms@ihrb.org (Adriano Nuvunga, Salil Tripathi) — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:32:26 +0000

Adriano Nuvunga is a courageous anti-corruption activist from Mozambique who has played a leading role in building civil society institutions in Mozambique. At the Centre for Public Integrity, he raised many challenging questions about corruption in Mozambique. A keen critic of the extractive sector and how it affects political systems, he has been threatened personally but he continues to advocate for transparency and integrity.

Anton Mifsud-Bonnici on the Role of Business in Conflict

comms@ihrb.org (Anton Mifsud-Bonnici, Salil Tripathi) — Fri, 8 Jul 2022 16:17:33 +0000

Anton Mifsud-Bonnici is a Mediterranean-based independent business advocate. He specialises in ESG master strategy related to the low carbon energy transition. He is a thought leader on governance and an expert in stakeholder management and relationship building. He serves as a Commissioner overseeing the ongoing review of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights multi-stakeholder initiative. He has earlier worked with the UN and BP. He advises on peace making in Mozambique and gender fairness in Sierra Leone.

Egbert Wesselink on Corporate Crime and Sudan

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi, Egbert Wesselink) — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 16:01:07 +0000

Egbert Wesselink is a historian by training and serves as Senior Advisor with PAX, the Dutch peace movement. Before joining PAX he worked at the Dutch parliament, as a teacher in a French Lycée d’État, as Human Rights officer with UNTAC, and as a Russia/Caucasus expert with the UNHCR. He has been deeply involved with civil society in Russia and continues to be so today.

At PAX, he leads the programme on Natural Resources, Conflict and Human Rights, focussing on the impacts of business enterprises on the rights and interests of communities in general and in Sudan, South Sudan, DRC and Colombia in particular. He has been actively involved in multi-stakeholder initiatives, including the Dutch Coal Dialogue and Bettercoal, and serves on the Steering Committee of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. His report Unpaid Debt instigated a Swedish war crimes investigation into the oil company Lundin Energy AB that led to the indictment of two executive managers and is expected to go to court in 2022.

in Toronto on the sidelines of the Voluntary Principles Plenary Meeting in May,

Mark Dickinson on the Updated Maritime Labour Convention

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 7 Jun 2022 23:04:02 +0000

Mark Dickinson began his maritime career at age 16 and has been advocating for seafarers for several decades. He was instrumental in the original drafting of the Maritime Labour Convention, and leads the seafarers' representatives delegation at the STC in pushing for improvements to the convention.

SO8E20 Spenser Bomholt Fain on the Digital Training Platform Quizrr

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 05:00:00 +0000

In this Voices Podcast Neill Wilkins from IHRB talks to Spenser Bomholt Fain, Global Programme Manager at Quizrr a digital training platform which is used in the supply chains of a growing number of International Brands.

Jump-to points:

(1:00) What is Quizrr?

(3:34) How does Quizrr work?

(5:20) User centricity in Quizrr’s work

(6:00) Suppliers gain from Quizrr

(9:00) Quizrr and Responsible Recruitment

(11:00) Sectors covered by Quizrr

SO8E19 Transparentem on Social Audit Deception

comms@ihrb.org (Guna Subramaniam) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Jump-to:

(00:45) The case of labour rights in the apparel industry

(1:30) What is Transparentem?

(2:50) What does the Transparentum report cover?

(4:35) Audits beyond the apparel industry

(7:00) Suppliers and their methods to conceal labour abuses

(8:00) Why would workers lie during audits?

(11:10) Concerning examples of recruitment agencies methods for extortion

(15:30) Do legislations on supply chains impact audit practices?

(18:40) Next steps for Transparentem

S08E18 Saul Díaz on the Reintegration of Returning Migrants

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 07:00:00 +0000

S08E17 On Utopias and the Climate Crisis with Danilo Palazzo

comms@ihrb.org (Haley St Dennis, John Morrison, Danilo Palazzo) — Mon, 1 Nov 2021 13:32:36 +0000

The dystopian mood music surrounding the United Nations 26th annual climate change conference (COP26) is stark. Government and business leaders are not meeting the targets set in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, and humanity is quickly running out of time to correct course. In this special episode of Voices, IHRB’s Haley St. Dennis and John Morrison unpack the concept and study of dystopian and utopian thinking throughout history, in search of guidance for how to think about and tackle the climate crisis. Feeding into the discussion is Dr. Danilo Palazzo, an academic expert on the subject of utopias, who emphasises the usefulness of utopian thinking as a response to dystopian realities, particularly their value in crafting blue-sky solutions and forcing problem-solvers to think beyond present generations’ needs.

S08E16 Archana Kotecha on Access to Remedy for Migrant Workers

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 07:00:00 +0000

S08E15 Sophia Kagan on Technology for Responsible Recruitment

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 6 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0000

S08E14 Nissara Spence on Employer Obligations and Cultural Sensitivity

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 10:50:00 +0000

S08E13 Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna on Malaysia, Migrants, and the Pandemic

comms@ihrb.org (Guna Subramaniam, Sumitha Shaanthinnni) — Wed, 4 Aug 2021 07:16:00 +0000

Jump-to points:

(03:20) The work of Our Journey in Malaysia

(4:40) The impact of the pandemic on migrant workers in Malaysia

(07:00) The additional burden on women

(8:44) The risks for businesses in the absence of effective enforcement of migrant workers' rights

(12:00) The active role of businesses and what businesses should do to avoid unethical recruiting

(24:45) The need to strengthen the collaboration between civil society and business

S08E12 Marketing Students on Reframing Negative Portrayals of Migrant Workers

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 10:11:14 +0000

PART I: #InvisibleHeroes Team

(02:46) Why Singapore?

(07:23) A pronged strategy: Social media + cultural fairs + employee engagement

(09:34) Scaling migrant workers stories on social media

(12:50) The power of cultural fairs in making human connection

(16:04) Breaking down silo’s across employees through mentoring

(20:15) The importance of branding and messaging to tell stories effectively

PART II: #NFTs Team

(24:29) What are non-fungible tokens (NFTs)?

(26:13) How to connect NFTs, art, and migrant workers

(27:45) The disruptive potential of NFTs

(29:55) Artists uptake of NFTs

(33:36) Using NFTs to elevate migrants’ stories

(35:52) A London showcase - an arts and migrant hub

S08E11 Andrew Stephens and Simon Bennett on Delivering on Seafarers’ Rights

comms@ihrb.org (Simon Bennett, Andrew Stephens, Francesca Fairbairn) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 11:07:50 +0000

This Day of the Seafarer podcast brings together Andrew Stephens of the Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI), and Simon Bennett of Swire Shipping to reflect on the ongoing maritime crew change crisis and wider human rights issues among the world’s 1.6 million seafarers. In conversation with IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn, they discuss the impact on seafarers of being unable to disembark ships, sometimes for many months beyond the end of their contract, due to national government-imposed COVID port restrictions.

S08E10 Emily Kenway on The Truth About Modern Slavery

comms@ihrb.org (Neill Wilkins, EMily Kenway) — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 10:59:16 +0000

Emily Kenway is an activist and author who was involved with the establishment of the office of the UK and slavery, Commissioner, where she was responsible for private sector engagement and has also worked for a number of organisations focused on Labor rights in both the UK and abroad.

Find out more about the book

S08E09 Chrik Poortman and Maria da Graça Prado on Corruption in Infrastructure

comms@ihrb.org (Annabel Short, Maria da Graça Prado, Chrik Poortman) — Tue, 25 May 2021 18:08:41 +0000

Chrik Poortman has chaired the CoST Board since 2011. In addition to his role with CoST, he is Senior Adviser at Transparency International, where he was Director of Global Programmes for the International Secretariat until 2010. Prior to TI, Chrik worked for the World Bank in many regions.

Maria da Graça Prado is CoST’s Senior Policy & Research Adviser. She is a legal professional whose experience has focused on construction and infrastructure, and has advised on contract management, compliance and dispute resolution.

S08E08 Felicitas Weber on Benchmarking Responsible Recruitment

comms@ihrb.org (Neill Wilkins, Felicitas Weber) — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:12:00 +0000

Know the Chain is a resource for companies and investors that ranks the 180 largest global ICT, food, and apparel companies on their efforts to address forced labour in their supply chains.

S08E07 Francesca Mangano on Addressing the Crew Change Crisis

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Mangano, Francesca Fairbairn) — Mon, 10 May 2021 18:03:39 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of seafarers are still stranded at sea due to port restrictions. The global crew change crisis, one of the Top 10 Business and Human Rights Issues for 2021, is now well into its second year.

About Francesca Mangano and TFG London

Francesca Mangano is the CSR and Sustainability Executive at TFG London. As head of the CSR and Sustainability Department, and with over 15 years' experience in human rights, ethical trading and sustainability, she is leading the development of TFG London corporate social and environmental responsibility strategy aimed at guiding the business to work within its sphere of influence towards human rights, labour rights and environmental responsibility.

TFG London is part of The Foschini Group Limited (TFG), a South African retail business. TFG entered the UK market in 2015 with the acquisition of Phase Eight, since then adding additional womenswear brands Whistles, Hobbs, Studio 8 and Damsel in a Dress to its portfolio. TFG London global supply chains are distributed across approximately 20 countries.

S08E06 James Cockayne on The Sustainable Development Case for Ending Modern Slavery

comms@ihrb.org (Neill Wilkins, James Cockayne) — Wed, 5 May 2021 10:21:00 +0000

A new report Developing Freedom from the UN University suggests a new way of understanding and addressing slavery may be helpful. If slavery is a systemic issue deeply embedded in economic models which deny people any agency, how could improved development outcomes and the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals be used to understand the drivers and leverage better responses to prevent exploitation?

About James Cockayne

James Cockayne is Professor of Global Politics and Anti-Slavery at the University of Nottingham in the UK, and a Senior Fellow at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research. He currently chairs the US Council on Foreign Relations Study Group on Trafficking in Persons and is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Futures Council for the New Agenda on Equity and Social Justice.

S08E05 Bibek Dhakal on Supporting Migrant Workers in the Gulf

comms@ihrb.org (Neill Wilkins) — Fri, 9 Apr 2021 16:33:40 +0000

About Shramik Sanjal

Shramik Sanjal is a membership-based, worker-led network of migrant workers. Most members are low-income migrants in the Gulf states and Malaysia. Shramik Sanjal work to educate, empower, and support migrant workers and advocate for the right of migrant workers to live and work abroad with dignity and with respect for rights.

S08E04 Miranda Sissons on Facebook's First Human Rights Policy

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 14:31:19 +0000

In March 2021, social media giant Facebook released its first human rights policy. Given the multiple challenges the company faces on a range of human rights issues, the announcement has generated great interest and questions about how it will be implemented. Few companies have an impact on society as vast as Facebook does. By offering a social network that brings together 2.8 billion users, it reaches more people than the population of China and India put together. While it offers its service for free, it gets access to users’ data – their images, words, likes, and dislikes – and tailors content to ensure users return again and again.

Ostensibly to safeguard human rights, it has removed a sitting US President from its platform, suspended Myanmar's army from its pages, and spotted suspicious activity by Chinese interests against Uyghur activists. At the same time, human rights groups and UN experts have accused the company of allowing its platform to be used to facilitate mass violence, as well as permitting the dissemination of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and promoting hatred.

Miranda Sissons, formerly of the International Centre for Transitional Justice and Human Rights Watch, joined Facebook in 2019 as the company’s first-ever Director for Human Rights. Sissons spoke with IHRB's Salil Tripathi about why the company has developed the new policy, what it means, and how it will be implemented. In a wide-ranging conversation that also deals with some of the thorny dilemmas the company faces, Sissons points out the limits of what she feels Facebook can and cannot do; where it can push back on government demands to take down content and those orders that it must comply with; and how it hopes to work with experts to protect freedom of expression and privacy online.

S08E03 Rosey Hurst on Repaying Recruitment Fees

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:12:56 +0000

About Impactt:

Founded in 1997, Impactt were founded in 1997 specialises in ethical trade, human rights, labour standards and international development – working with organisations to improve working conditions and livelihoods, across global supply chains.

Read more about Impactt's standards for maximising the impact of repayment of recruitment fees here: https://impacttlimited.com/standards-for-repayment-of-migrant-worker-recruitment-fees-and-related-costs/

S08E02 Kate Pike on the Mental Health of Stranded Seafarers

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn) — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 10:24:42 +0000

Dr Kate Pike is Associate Professor Emeritus at Solent University and Director of Field Research, a company specialising extensively on the social science and human elements of the maritime industry. Kate is an experienced maritime researcher with applied expertise and project experience in seafarer’s welfare, gender equality and diversity, management and leadership and on-board safety cultures. Kate is currently leading the research element of the Social Interaction Matters Project, an ISWAN initiative and sponsored by the MCA and the Red Ensign Group.

S08E01 Mairead Lavery on Export Finance and Just Transitions

comms@ihrb.org (John Morrison) — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:53:37 +0000

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip them with the tools they need – the trade knowledge, financial solutions, equity, insurance, and connections – to grow their business with confidence.

S07E16 Halina Ward on Just Transitions

comms@ihrb.org (John Morrison, Halina Ward) — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Climate action needs to happen fast. But it also needs to be participatory and fair. This is where the growing agenda around a ‘just’ transition to a zero-carbon future comes in. In this episode of Voices, IHRB CEO John Morrison speaks with Halina Ward, author of IHRB's latest report, about the ways that business and human rights good practice can strengthen implementation of just transitions.

S07E15 (Ken Saro Wiwa tribute) The View from an Ally (Richard Booele)

comms@ihrb.org (salil tripathi, richard boele) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:54:26 +0000

S07E14 (Ken Saro Wiwa tribute) The View from the Ground (Noo Saro Wiwa, Ledum Mitee, Austin Onuoha)

comms@ihrb.org (noo saro wiwa, ledum mitee, salil tripathi, austin onuoha) — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:49:17 +0000

To mark the 25th year of the deaths of the Ogoni Nine - nine men who were executed by a brutal military regime in Nigeria in response to their activism against oil extraction in Ogoniland - IHRB presents a series of conversations about the significance of their struggle and impact of their leader Ken Saro Wiwa. In this episode - The View from the Ground - Salil Tripathi talks with Ledum Mitee, who was Saro-Wiwa’s lawyer, detained with him, and mobilised international opinion for the Ogoni people, Noo Saro-Wiwa, Ken’s daughter and distinguished writer based in London, and Austin Onuoha, a peace activist who works towards reconciliation in the Niger Delta. They examine what Ken Saro Wiwa meant to people in the Niger Delta and within the country. They focus on the struggle he built, the challenges he faced, the impact on his family, the family's view on the struggle, and how it impacted the movement for corporate accountability in the Niger Delta.

S07E13 (Ken Saro Wiwa tribute) The View from Beyond (Nnimmo Bassey, Bronwen Manby, Bennett Freeman)

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:04:41 +0000

To mark the 25th year of the deaths of the Ogoni Nine - nine men who were executed by a brutal military regime in Nigeria in response to their activism against oil extraction in Ogoniland - IHRB presents a series of conversations about the significance of their struggle and impact of their leader Ken Saro Wiwa. In this episode - The View from Beyond - Salil Tripathi speaks with Nnimmo Bassey, Rafto Laureate, human rights defender, poet, and environmental activist; Bronwen Manby who co-authored The Price of Oil, Human Rights Watch’s path-breaking research report on the violence in the Niger Delta; Paul Hoffman, who argued the Wiwa case before the US Supreme Court under the Alien Tort Statute; and Bennett Freeman, who was a senior US State Department official who brought together oil and mining companies, governments, and international human rights groups to prepare the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights. They discuss how the Ogoni struggle in Nigeria shaped the modern business and human rights movement; the litigations that followed; the lack of political and corporate accountability in an oil-rich nation where the military was a major factor, and; the state of human rights.

S07E12 Margot Wallström on her Role as Chair of IHRB

comms@ihrb.org (John Morrison) — Tue, 3 Nov 2020 15:12:26 +0000

For more information about IHRB's work on human rights and business, visit: ihrb.org and follow the institute on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

S07E11 Kiran Pereira on the Global Sand Crisis

comms@ihrb.org (Annabel Short) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 14:02:57 +0000

For more information, see www.sandstories.org and UNEP’s report “Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance of global sand resources”

S07E10 Jacqueline Smith on the 300,000 Seafarers Stranded at Sea

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 08:53:23 +0000

Current conservative estimates put the number of seafarers stranded on board ships between 300,000. COVID-19 restrictions have meant that many ports' ship operators are unwilling or unable to allow crew to come ashore, resulting in an ever-increasing numbers of crew overdue for relief but unable to be repatriated. In this episode, IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn speaks to Jacqueline Smith, Maritime Coordinator at the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). Their conversation covers the urgent need for governments to address the seafarers’ humanitarian crisis, and for companies - be they cargo owners, charterers, or ship owners and operators themselves – to use their leverage to ensure this vast, vital, but often invisible workforce is protected, prioritised, and given safe passage home.

S07E09 Deep Dive: William Gois on an Urgent Justice Mechanism for Migrant Workers

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 1 Sep 2020 15:28:09 +0000

Find out more about the urgent justice mechanism on: justiceforwagetheft.org

S07E08 Richard Howitt on the Record and Future of the Movement

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:07:07 +0000

In this Voices deep dive, former Member of the European Parliament and CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), Richard Howitt speaks with IHRB’s John Morrison about his own experience battling an intense case of COVID-19 as well as his reflections on the track record and future of the business and human rights movement. Scanning the horizon, Howitt and Morrison share their prognoses on global trade and the peculiar case of the UK post-Brexit, the warming reception to mandatory human rights due diligence regulation, and the wake up call that business should be heeding from the Black Lives Matter movement.

S07E07 Mary Lawlor on Human Rights Defenders

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi, Mary Lawlor) — Wed, 27 May 2020 15:52:01 +0000

Mary Lawlor teaches at the Centre for Social Innovation at the School of Business at Trinity College Dublin. She founded Front Line Defenders, the international foundation for the protection of human rights defenders in 2001, which has concentrated on supporting human rights defenders at risk. Front Line Defenders (with whom IHRB collaborated and published a joint report on business and human rights defenders in 2015), has received the King Baudoin International Prize in 2007 and the UN Human Rights Prize in 2018. Prior to that, she headed Amnesty International’s Irish Section from 1988-2000, and was its chair 1983-1987.

S07E06 Vani Saraswathi on Migrant Domestic Workers

comms@ihrb.org (Vani Saraswathi, Salil Tripathi) — Tue, 26 May 2020 08:16:00 +0000

In this conversation, Vani Saraswathi of Migrant-Rights.org tells IHRB's Salil Tripathi why companies should be actively engaged with the workers' conditions, even if they are not their direct employers, and why they should take the responsibility seriously. She calls for the pressing need for improved national labour protections for domestic workers in the Gulf and globally, because their risks have increased dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of them out-of-work and stranded. She offers practical steps that can be taken to safeguard their rights.

About Vani Saraswathi:

Vani Saraswathi is the Associate Editor and Director of Projects, Migrant-Rights.org and the author of Stories of Origin: The Invisible Lives of Migrants in the Gulf.

Vani moved to Qatar in 1999, working with several local and regional publications, and launching some of Qatar’s leading periodicals during her 17-year stint there.

Since 2014, in her role with Migrant-Rights.org she reports from the Gulf states and countries of Origin. She organises advocacy projects and human rights training targeting individual employers, embassies, recruitment agents and businesses in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

She also contributes as an expert commentator on issues related to human rights in the GCC for various international publications and at international forums, including those hosted by UN agencies and is a member of the Policy Advisory Committee of the ILO Regional Office for Arab States.

Migrant-Rights.org is a one of its kind bi-lingual content-based advocacy platform that focusses on the GCC states and the corridors of migration, Asia & Africa. It was started 13 years ago by activist Esra’a El Shafei.

S07E05 Antoine Bernard on Business in Times of Fragility

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 16:21:00 +0000

As the world comes to grips with the pandemic Covid-19, governments are acting in an uncoordinated manner and the international community is looking to companies to act responsibly. In this conversation with IHRB's Salil Tripathi, Antoine Bernard, who has headed the International Federation for Human Rights, known by its French acronym FIDH, and has examined the role of business with regard to human rights, speaks of the pressing need for companies to adhere to international standards.

The pandemic, he notes, comes at a time when business credibility has been tested severely, because globalisation has enabled companies to operate without clear rules regarding their responsibility. In situations of armed conflict or heightened tensions, for example, the dissemination of hate speech is enabled by technology, and groups and communities subject to attacks have few remedies available to safeguard their rights.

S07E04 Amina Bouayach on Business and Human Rights in Morocco

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 09:59:00 +0000

President of the National Human Rights Council in Morocco, Amina Bouayach, speaks with IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the need for greater corporate accountability for human rights in Morocco.

S07E03 Jason Ng on Protest and Free Speech in Corporations

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:09:46 +0000

Jason Ng is a corporate lawyer who worked at a leading international bank. A blog he wrote, critical of proposed Hong Kong extradition law, caught the eye of the authorities in Beijing, and the situation escalated, leading to Ng leaving the bank.

S07E02 Morten Kjaerum on Human Rights Cities

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 17:17:46 +0000

Social, political, and economic issues come into being, policies are translated into concrete actions, rights are vindicated at the local level. So how can the human rights framework empower all involved?

S07E01 Susan Kaplan on Social Equity as Buildings "Go Green"

comms@ihrb.org (Annabel Short) — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:33:00 +0000

As buildings go “green” to reduce their climate impacts, how do you advance social equity and the priorities of local communities? Susan Kaplan of BuildingWrx discusses with IHRB's Annabel Short.

S06E14 Debbie Fordyce on Migrant Workers in Singapore

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn) — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:15:00 +0000

In this podcast, TWC2's Debbie Fordyce talks to IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn about how large recruitment fees paid by migrant workers for low paid jobs in Singapore can lead to excessive overtime that can undermine their health and safety.

S06E13 Rohini Lakshané on Internet Shutdowns in India

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 19:04:00 +0000

In this podcast, Rohini Lakshané talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about state-ordered internet shutdowns in India - in particular in Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur, and of the adverse human rights impacts that result, particularly for women.

S06E12 The State of Business and Human Rights in 2019 (Marcela Manubens, Mark Taylor, Froydis Cameron, Pia Rudolfsson)

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 11:53:00 +0000

In this podcast, IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Mark Taylor, Froydis Cameron, Marcela Manubens and Pia Rudolfsson Goyer about the state of business & human rights, and what is now needed from business, government and the proposed BHR treaty.

S06E11 Scott Edwards on AI and Data Use

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 02:01:00 +0000

In this podcast IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Scott Edwards about how human rights groups can use technology more effectively and why it is important to make tech companies understand and be accountable for their impacts.

S06E10 Erik Hagen and Asria Mohamed on Lack of Corporate Consent in Western Sahara

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 12:06:00 +0000

In this podcast, Erik Hagen and Asria Mohamed of Western Sahara Resource Watch talk to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about foreign companies operating in Western Sahara and how they should seek consent of the Sahawari people themselves.

S06E09 Deepika Rao on Female Crew Aboard Merchant Oil Tankers

comms@ihrb.org (Francesca Fairbairn) — Tue, 5 Nov 2019 12:57:00 +0000

In this podcast, IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn talks to Deepika Rao about her experiences as a female marine engineer among almost exclusively male crew on board merchant oil tankers.

S06E08 Natalie Galea and Louise Chappell on Human Rights in the Built Environment

comms@ihrb.org (Haley St Dennis) — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 09:41:00 +0000

IHRB's Haley St Dennis speaks with Natalie Galea and Louise Chappell of the University of New South Wales, who are leading new research on dignity across the built environment lifecycle and the particular role of the Australian construction sector.

S06E07 Abduweli Ayup on Government Use of Facial Recognition Technology

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 09:03:00 +0000

In this podcast, Abduweli Ayup talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the Chinese government's use of facial recognition technology to surveil the Uygher population of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

S06E06 Mohna Ansari on Human Rights Issues in Nepal

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Thu, 8 Aug 2019 13:30:00 +0000

In this podcast, Mohna Ansari talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the major human rights issues in Nepal, and how companies must respect the environment and local indigenous culture when investing in the country.

S06E05 Agnes Callamard on Corporate Responsibility in Saudi Arabia

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:10:00 +0000

In this podcast, Agnes Callamard talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the responsibility of communications and surveillance companies when conducting business with states that commit human right violations.

S06E04 Han Dongfang on Labour Rights in China

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Wed, 1 May 2019 13:00:00 +0000

In this podcast, Han Dongfang talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about labour rights in China, and how the situation has changed over the last thirty years.

S06E03 (Pt 2) Jennifer Zerk on Human Rights Impacts Assessments of International Trade Agreements

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 10:50:19 +0000

In this podcast, Jennifer Zerk talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about research she conducted for Chatham House on the benefits of including human rights impact assessments in international trade agreements. The podcast is in two parts.

S06E03 (Pt 1) Jennifer Zerk on Human Rights Impacts Assessments of International Trade Agreements

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 07:48:00 +0000

S06E01 Deepika Rao on Garment Workers in Bangalore

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Mon, 4 Feb 2019 08:46:00 +0000

In this podcast, Deepika Rao talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the living and working conditions of female migrant workers in the garment industry in Bangalore.

S05E10 Juan Pablo Salazar on Disability and Sport

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 19:22:41 +0000

In this podcast, Juan Pablo Salazar talks to IHRB's Guido Battaglia about the role of sport as a platform and catalyst for fostering the inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities in society.

S05E09 Maryam Al Khawaja on Businesses Operating in Saudi

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 14:45:00 +0000

IHRB"s Salil Tripathi talks to Bahraini human rights defender Maryam Al Khawaja about what journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder in the Saudi Consulate in Turkey means for business relationships with Saudi Arabia's current regime.

S05E08 Damion Thomas on the 1968 Olympic Protest

comms@ihrb.org (Haley St. Dennis) — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:53:00 +0000

IHRB's Haley St. Dennis talks to Damion Thomas of the National Museum of African American History and Culture about the iconic protest by Tommie Smith, Peter Norman, and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics.

S05E07 Lazarus Tamana on the Ogoni struggle in Nigeria

comms@ihrb.org (Salil Tripathi) — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 15:26:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Lazarus Tamana of MOSOP's ongoing struggle for remedy for the Ogoni people whose lands and people have been devastated by oil operations in the Niger Delta since the early 1990s.

S05E06 (Int'l Women's Day) Virginia Bras Gomes on Remedies for Gender-based Human Rights Abuses

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 14:57:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Virginia Bras Gomes of the challenges and obligations of companies in developing remedies for gender-based human rights abuses in varying jurisdictions.

S05E05 (Int'l Women's Day) Sanyu Awori on Gender and Racial Discrimination in the Workplace

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 11:15:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to feminist human rights advocate Sanyu Awori about what companies need to do to overcome issues facing women and people of colour in the workplace – from CEOs to the bottom of the supply chain.

S05E04 (Int'l Women's Day) Laya Vasudevan on the Progress of Transgender Rights in India

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 10:56:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to campaigner Laya Vasudevan about the progress of transgender and hijra rights in India, and the landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2014 that granted all trans people the status of 'third gender'.

S05E03 (Int'l Women's Day) Nazma Akter on Mistreatment of Women Workers in the Supply Chain

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:22:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Bangladeshi labour leader Nazma Akter about how corporates and consumers alike undermine women's rights with cheap goods, and how much remains to be done to enable women's empowerment down the supply chain.

S05E02 (Int'l Women's Day) Harpreet Kaur on Business and Gender in Southeast Asia

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 17:20:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to gender equality expert Harpreet Kaur about how businesses need to work with NGOs to improve gender equality at a societal level.

S05E01 (Int'l Women's Day) Srilatha Batliwala on Gender-Based Harassment in the Workplace

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 7 Mar 2018 15:04:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to gender equality expert Srilatha Batliwala about what needs to be done deep within organisational cultures to remove gender-based harassment in the workplace.

S04E16 Maryam Al-Khawaja on Technology Companies

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:20:00 +0000

In this podcast with IHRB's Salil Tripathi, Al-Khawaja shows the inadequacy of non-judicial remedies to deal with incidents that cause grave harm to human rights, and the failure of companies to do anything about the adverse impacts of their technologies.

S04E15 (2018 Top 10) Doug Cassel on an International Treaty

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:50:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with academic Doug Cassel about efforts underway to draft and negotiate a binding treaty on business and human rights.

S04E14 (2018 Top 10) Anita Ramasastry on Corporate Crime

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:40:00 +0000

The law exists to investigate and prosecute companies when their activities cause grave harm to human rights, but the issue gets complicated when multiple jurisdictions are involved, and where political will is lacking.

S04E13 (2018 Top 10) Richard Meeran on Civil Litigation for Grave Abuses

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:35:00 +0000

In this podcast, Richard Meeran, who has represented clients who have grievances against corporate conduct, talks to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the challenges and offers ways in which the process can be simplified.

S04E12 (2018 Top 10) Claes Cronstedt on Arbitration

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:30:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to international lawyer Claes Cronstedt about creating new mechanisms to resolve business and human rights disputes.

S04E11 (2018 Top 10) Frode Elgesem on OECD National Contact Points

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:25:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Norwegian NCP Frode Elgesem about strengthening dispute settlement mechanisms between companies and rights-holders.

S04E10 (2018 Top 10) Usha Ramanathan on Big Data

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:20:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Indian human rights scholar Usha Ramanathan about issues around remedy in relation to big data.

S04E09 (2018 Top 10) Nnimmo Bassey on Community Injustices

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:15:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey about addressing injustices in interactions with communities.

S04E08 (2018 Top 10) Charles Radcliffe on LGBTI+ Rights

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:10:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Charles Radcliffe of the UN Human Rights Office in New York about eradicating discrimination against women and LGBTI rights.

S04E07 (2018 Top 10) Ajda Cevc on Responsible Recruitment

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:05:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Ajda Cevc of Inter Ikea Group about ensuring responsible recruitment throughout IKEA's supply chain.

S04E06 (2018 Top 10) Sanchita Saxena on Worker Safety

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 07:00:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi talks to Sanchita Saxena about mitigating risks to worker safety.

S04E05 Julia Coburn on CDM and Mexican Migrant Workers

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 18:01:00 +0000

IHRB's Neill Wilkins speaks with Julia Coburn of CDM about its Contratados initiative, a worker-facing workers' rights platform for low-wage Mexican migrant workers in the US.

S04E04 Anneke Van Woudenberg on Anvil Mining in the DR Congo

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 7 Aug 2017 17:08:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Anneke Van Woudenberg of RAID about the African Commission's Landmark $2.5 Million Award to DR Congo Massacre Victims

S04E03 Gopinath Parakuni on Tamil Nadu’s Informal Shoe Stitchers

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:00:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Gopinath Parakuni of Cividep about his work with shoe workers in Tamil Nadu, Southern India

S04E02 Andy Hall on Campaigning for Migrant Workers in Thailand

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 11:39:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Andy Hall about his campaigns on behalf of migrant workers in Thailand.

S04E01 Karamat Ali on the 2012 Pakistan Factory Fire

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:50:00 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Karamat Ali about a pivotal case in Pakistan, when a large fire at a garment factory killed more than two hundred workers.

S03E16 Surya Deva on the UN Working Group’s Plans for 2017

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 18:41:53 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Professor Surya Deva, of the City University of Hong Kong, on his recent appointment to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the Working Group's current plans for improving access to remedy.

S03E15 (Pt 2) Meghna Abraham on Palm Oil

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 20:23:41 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Meghna Abraham of Amnesty International on their new report "The Great Palm Oil Scandal: Labour Abuses behind big brand names" documenting the conditions in which workers work at oil palm plantations in Indonesia.

S03E15 (Pt 1) Seema Joshi on Palm Oil

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 20:10:50 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks with Seema Joshi of Amnesty International on their new report "The Great Palm Oil Scandal: Labour Abuses behind big brand names" documenting the conditions in which workers work at oil palm plantations in Indonesia.

S03E14 John Sherman on the Legal Profession

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 07:00:00 +0000

In London to launch the IBA's Practical Guide on Human Rights for Business Lawyers, John Sherman talks to IHRB about the purpose and significance of the guide, as well as the mainstreaming of human rights due diligence in the thinking of more companies.

S03E13 Mercia Silva on Brazil’s “Dirty List”

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 4 Nov 2016 10:00:26 +0000

IHRB's Neill Wilkins talks to InPacto's Executive Secretary Mercia Silva about Brazil's "Dirty List" to to highlight exploitation in company supply chains.

S03E12 Arnold Kwesiga on Corporate Accountability in Uganda

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 18:11:00 +0000

The Coordinator of the Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability (UCCA) talks with IHRB's Salil Tripathi about their baseline study on the state of business, human rights and corporate accountability in Uganda's extractive sector and beyond.

S03E11 Parmesh Shahani on Equality in the Workplace and the LGBTI Movement

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 21:15:45 +0000

In this IHRB podcast, Parmesh Shaman of Godrej Industries (a large Indian business group) talks about the importance of equality in the workplace, why Godrej has been a leader in supporting the LGBT movement in India and what other companies can learn.

S03E10 (UNGPs+5) Chris Bennett on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Multistakeholderism in Post-Conflict Areas

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 06:45:00 +0000

In a wide-ranging conversation about the applicability of multistakeholder initiatives on business and human rights in post-conflict societies, Bennett spoke to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the Bosnian situation.

S03E09 (UNGPs+5) Nityanand Jayaraman on Activism and the Struggle for Justice in India

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 06:30:00 +0000

In a conversation with IHRB's Salil Tripathi, Jayaraman talks about the struggle for justice from mercury contamination near a former thrermometer factory in Kodaikanal, India, as well as the long campaign for justice following the Bhopal gas disaster.

S03E08 (UNGPs+5) Rizwana Hasan on Bangladesh and Preventing Impacts in Weak Governance Areas

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 06:15:00 +0000

In a conversation with IHRB's Salil Tripathi, Hasan talks of the gap between declared intentions of international standards and the reality on the ground in many countries, where governments are unwilling or unable to implement laws that protect rights.

S03E07 (UNGPs+5) John Ruggie on the State of Business and Human Rights

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 06:06:00 +0000

Prof. Ruggie reflects on the experimentation and practice over the last 5 years to elaborate the application of the UN Guiding Principles as extremely positive, but highlights the need for further breadth and depth moving forward.

S03E06 Kathryn Dovey on OECD National Contact Points

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 6 Jun 2016 06:34:00 +0000

In a conversation with IHRB's Salil Tripathi, the OECD's Kathryn Dovey discussed the reach of OECD National Contact Points (NCP), the potential NCPs represent, and how they could provide a way to ensure that companies act responsibly.

S03E05 Michael Sandel on Business, Ethics and Morality

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:23:27 +0000

Recently in Cambridge, MA, IHRB's Salil Tripathi talked to Dr Sandel about business and human rights. To what extent does morality guide markets? Is it enough for business to comply with existing laws, or should it strive to do more?

S03E04 Richard Boele on the Role of Corporate Advisors

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 10 May 2016 08:58:00 +0000

For more than two decades, Boele has advised companies dealing in natural resources, retail, and property on human rights and social impacts. Recently he spoke to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the changing landscape of business and human rights.

S03E03 Tony Henshaw & Vidya Tikoo on Developing a Corporate Sustainability Framework

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Fri, 1 Apr 2016 10:19:42 +0000

In Mumbai in February, Henshaw and Tikoo spoke to IHRB's Salil Tripathi about the rationale behind embedding human rights within the sustainability framework, the path the company has chosen, the need to align the framework with the UN Guiding Principles

S03E02 Brynn O’Brien on the Privatisation of Asylum Facilities

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:22:29 +0000

Australia has a long history of accepting refugees and asylum seekers. But in recent years Australian governments have tightened laws, including producing videos sternly warning potential asylum seekers not to attempt to reach Australia.

S03E01 Aruna Chandrasekhar on the Business & Human Rights Landscape in India

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 4 Jan 2016 10:48:16 +0000

Aruna Chandrasekhar is a senior researcher at Amnesty International in India, where she has been working on business impacts on human rights. She has led advocacy campaigns and participated in mass mobilisation around mining and other large projects.

S02E24 David Bilchitz on a Business & Human Rights Treaty

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 16:54:32 +0000

IHRB's Salil Tripathi met Professor Bilchitz during the UN Forum in Geneva where he made the case for a treaty for business and human rights.

S02E23 Nnimmo Bassey on Ken Saro-Wiwa

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 12:45:54 +0000

Nnimmo Bassey is a renowned Nigerian poet, architect and environmental activist. He has been the chair of Friends of the Earth Internatoinal and executive director of Environmental Rights Action.

S02E22 Mariam Memarsadesghi on Access to the Internet

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 9 Nov 2015 15:41:58 +0000

Mariam Memarsadeghi is co-founder and co-director of the E-Collaborative for Civic Education, running the Tavaana and TavaanaTech projects.

S02E21 Helani Galpaya on Net Neutrality

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 12:11:26 +0000

Helani Galpaya is the chief executive at LIRNEasia, a think tank that works across Asia-Pacific, believing that markets can work to help the poor. She has focused on the delivery of electricity and govt. services for urban poor and small entrepreneurs.

S02E20 Gilles Carbonnier on Humanitarian Aid and Economics

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 16:47:11 +0000

Can humanitarian aid and economics mix? Are there lessons from the way the humanitarian aid sector operates that business can learn from? Are there business skills and techniques that the humanitarian sector should adopt, so that it is more effective?

S02E19 Lara White on Migrant Worker Recruitment

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:03:39 +0000

Neill Wilkins, Project Manager: Migrant Workers and Work With Dignity, speaks to Lara White, Senior Labour Migration Specialist at IOM in Geneva, Switzerland.

S02E18 Jessica Evans on Human Rights Defenders at Risk by the World Bank

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 7 Jul 2015 07:55:43 +0000

Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently published a report which highlights the risks of reprisals human rights defenders face when they oppose projects financed by the World Bank.

S02E17 Caio Borges on the BRICS Bank

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:24:28 +0000

The creation of the BRICS Bank has drawn the attention of not only international financial institutions and governments, but also international civil society.

S02E16 Robin McDowell on Human Trafficking on the Andaman Sea

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:51:43 +0000

Thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees are stranded in the Andaman Sea, victims of human trafficking. Countries in the region - Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia - are unwilling to let them enter their territory.

S02E15 Colin Jackson on Mega-Sporting Events and Human Rights

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 12 May 2015 14:08:00 +0000

Colin Jackson is a champion athlete who has been an Olympic silver medalist for Britain, and has been the world champion in 110m hurdles thrice, and held the world record for the race for over a decade.

S02E14 Rayyan Hassan on the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 4 May 2015 14:05:00 +0000

Rayyan Hassan is a Bangladeshi development expert based in the Philippines, who is the executive director of the NGO Forum at the Manila-based multilateral financial institution, Asian Development Bank.

S02E13 Baone Twala on the BRICS Bank

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:59:00 +0000

Baone Twala is a candidate attorney at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), a human rights organisation and law clinic based at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.

S02E12 Hiroshi Ishida on Human Rights and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 13:57:00 +0000

Hiroshi Ishida is the executive director at the Caux Round Table Japan, a non-for-profit think-tank and network that promotes social responsibility and sustainability among businesses.

S02E11 Priya Pillai on India, Coal Mining and Dissent

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:04:00 +0000

In January, Indian officials at Delhi airport prevented Priya Pillai, a campaigner at Greenpeace India, from boarding a flight to London, where she was invited to speak to an All-Party Parliamentary Group in the UK about a controversial coal-mining projec

S02E10 Bill Browder on Human Rights and Financial Transparency

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:02:00 +0000

Bill Browder is an investor whose London-based firm Hermitage Capital Management was an early investor in Russia and was highly profitable. Over time, Browder led campaigns for greater transparency in financial statements of Russian companies.

S0209 Alex Budden on Oil & Gas Companies' Community Engagement

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Mon, 9 Mar 2015 14:03:00 +0000

Alex Budden is the Vice-President of External Relations at Africa Oil Corp which is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 45% equity interest in Horn Petroleum Corporation.

S02E08 Christof Heyns on ICTs and the Right to Life

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 15:00:00 +0000

Dr Christof Heyns is Special Rapporteur of the United Nations on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. He is Professor of Human Rights Law and Co-director of the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa...

S02E07 Linda Piirto on National Action Plans on Business & Human Rights

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:59:00 +0000

Linda Piirto is a Senior Advisor in CSR at the Finnish Ministry of Employment and Economy, where she oversaw the preparation of Finland's National Action Plan. In 2012 she coordinated the work producing the Finnish government's CSR Action Plan.

S02E06 Ikal Angelei on Oil & Gas Exploration and Community Engagement

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 14:57:00 +0000

Ikal Angelei is the Director of Friends of Lake Turkana, a civil society group in Northern Kenya, in an area where companies are prospecting for oil. Oil exploration in the region will have major implications for the communities along the project sites.

S02E05 Chris Jochnick on Business, Human Rights and Taxation

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 9 Feb 2015 15:01:00 +0000

Chris Jochnick is the Director of the Private Sector Department at Oxfam America. He has worked for two decades on issues of human rights, development and corporate accountability.

S02E04 Sadaf Saaz Siddiqui on Rana Plaza

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 2 Feb 2015 14:59:00 +0000

Sadaf Saaz Siddiqi is a director at Sidko Limited, a Bangladeshi garment exporter. She is also one of Bangladesh's leading poets in English. Her recent publication, Sari Reams, offers a poignant glimpse of Bangladesh's life, covering a range of topics.

S02E03 Javier Moro on Bhopal

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:54:00 +0000

Javier Moro is co-author of "Five Past Midnight in Bhopal: The Epic Story of the World's Deadliest Industrial Disaster".

S02E02 V Suresh on India, Land and Accountability

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 14:52:00 +0000

Dr V Suresh is a human rights lawyer who is the national general secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), one of India's major human rights organisations.

S02E01 Usha Ramanathan on India, Land and Accountabilty

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 14:55:00 +0000

Usha Ramanathan lives in New Delhi, India, where she works on the jurisprudence of law, poverty and rights.

S01E04 Nazma Akter on Rana Plaza

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 14:53:00 +0000

The Bangladeshi activist Nazma Akter started working at a garment factory in 1984 at the age of 11. Three years later, she protested against the conditions garment workers faced.

S01E03 Ma Thida on Freedom of Expression in Myanmar

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:52:00 +0000

Ma Thida is a writer, human rights activist, physician, and a former political prisoner in Myanmar. She has received numerous international human rights awards and Amnesty International adopted her as a prisoner of conscience.

S01E02 Sara Hossain on Rana Plaza

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:52:00 +0000

Sara Hossain is a leading human rights lawyer in Bangladesh. She is a barrister practising in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on constitutional, public interest, and family matters.

S01E01 Daw Khine Khine Nwe on Reform in Myanmar

comms@ihrb.org (Institute for Human Rights and Business) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 14:49:00 +0000

Daw Khine Khine Nwe is the secretary of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association and the chief executive of Best Co., a garment manufacturing company in Myanmar.