Libya Matters

"Violence against women and girls is a political question"This week, hosts, Mae Thompson and Marwa Ben Abderrezak are joined by Hala Al-Karib to discuss the patterns and normalisation of violence against women and girls in the Horn of Africa region. They explore the roles, and failings, of international humanitarian frameworks on this topic and ask who has the power to unbuild and rebuild traditions. Hala Al-Karib is a women’s rights defender, researcher and the Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network (SIHA). If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter: @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_Thomps, @Marwa_Babd  This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo  Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

"We have more hope, we have less fear..."How did the 2011 Libyan uprising impact the rights of Imazighen (Amazighs) people? This week, hosts Elham and Mae are joined by Tuza Hasairi to dive into Libya's pre- and post-2011 political and social landscape for Imazighen people. In this conversation, they also explore what inclusion looks like for Imazighen women within Libya's political processes.Tuza Hasairi is the co-founder of the Tafat Foundation for Media and Culture, based in Libya.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter: @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_Thomps, @Marwa_Babd  This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo  Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

"It’s not about religion, it’s about freedom of choice…"This week, human rights advocate Shadi Sadr joins hosts Elham and Marwa Ben Abderrezak to explore the current system of gender apartheid in Iran. Together, they examine the years, context and warning signs leading up to the current reality for women, and ask how accountability plays a major role in Iran's 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. Shadi Sadr is an Iranian lawyer, journalist and human rights advocate and is the co-founder and executive director of Justice for Iran, a London-based human rights NGO. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter: @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_Thomps, @Marwa_Babd  This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo  Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

"We say those women's names over and over again..."In this episode, hosts Marwa and Mae are joined by Shuvai Busuman Nyoni to shift our understanding of leadership as a collective movement, rather than focusing on individuals. Shuvai explores examples from across the continent including Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.Shuvai Busuman Nyoni is a gender, peace and security expert and is the Executive Director of the African Leadership Centre (ALC), based in Nairobi, Kenya. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter: @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_LFJL, @Marwa_Babd  This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo  Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL). Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

"Be honest…"What has the Taliban takeover meant for women in Afghanistan today? Former Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hasina Safi, shines a light on her experiences in Afghan politics and the erasure of women in public, social and political life under Taliban rule, with hosts, Marwa Ben Abderrazek and Marwa Mohamed. Together, they also explore the responsibility of the international community on women’s rights in Afghanistan today.Hasina Safi is a human rights advocate and was Afghanistan’s former Minister for Women’s Affairs, until the takeover by the Taliban in 2021.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.  Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter: @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_LFJL, @Marwa_Babd  This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo  Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).  Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

"Solidarity is not just a warm fuzzy feeling…"This week, hosts, Mae and Marwa Mohamed, together with Kaavya Asoka, explore how we build global solidarity between women in civil society. They discuss reprisals against women human rights defenders and activists and the role of the UN in bringing accountability into the picture of global women’s rights.Kaavya Asoka is the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, based in the U.S.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcastFind our hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_LFJL and  @Marwa_Babd.This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.officialArtwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).  Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

“I don’t want to stop even when I’m 100 years old…”In our first guest episode, hosts Elham and Marwa are joined by Dr. Farida Allaghi to explore her experiences and lessons learnt as an activist growing up in Tripoli, Libya. She also delves into the current realities for women in Libyan politics today. Dr. Farida Allaghi is a renowned Libyan human rights activist and advocate for democracy and social development with extensive expertise in civil society, women’s rights, and youth empowerment.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcastFind our hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_LFJL and  @Marwa_Babd.This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.officialArtwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).  Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

To ease into this new season of Libya Matters, join our hosts Elham and Mae as they set the scene for the next nine episodes, delving into what we mean when we say Women, Peace and Security (WPS). They explore the significance of situating the WPS agenda within the contexts and perspectives of women from the Global Majority and highlight important themes that come up this season, including solidarity and allyship.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcastFind our hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL, @Marwa_LFJL, @Mae_LFJL and  @Marwa_Babd.This season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media: @damiri.officialArtwork by Agata Nowicka: @pixelendo Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).  Visit our website.Subscribe to our mailing list.Support our work with a single or regular donation.

We’re back! This is Libya Matters – Season 4. New season, new guests, new hosts… and so much to discuss!More than a decade after the 2011 uprising, we’ll be taking a look at what justice really means in Libya and for Libyans, and how we go about achieving it. With a dazzling line up of guests, we grapple with the topics of truth-seeking, criminal accountability, victim participation, reparations, amnesties and much more.From this Wednesday, join Elham Saudi, Marwa Mohamed, and special guest hosts Juergen Schurr and Mae Thompson, as they talk with some of the most distinguished names in the field of human rights and transitional justice.Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Follow us:  Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast Find our hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJLThis season of Libya Matters was produced by Damiri Media @damiri.official Artwork by Agata Nowicka @pixelendo Libya Matters is brought to you by Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL).  Visit our website Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation  

This episode presents the second Annual Justice Lecture delivered by Mr Hanny Megally in October 2020.  Mr Megally examines lessons learned from past Commissions of Inquiry and the key elements of a successful investigative mechanism to facilitate accountability.  Mr Megally’s lecture, delivered virtually, was followed by a discussion with Elham Saudi (Director, LFJL) and an audience Q&A with contributions from Pablo de Greiff, Stephen Rapp, Mervat Rishmawi and others. The full recording of the event can be found here. Highlights can be found here. Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by Damiri Media.  The 2020 Annual Justice lecture was made possible by the Centre for Human Rights Law at SOAS, the International Center for Transitional Justice, ICTJ and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This episode of Libya Matters is made possible by our partnership with International Media Support (IMS). Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. Follow LFJL at:  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram:@ lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation  

How does the international media cover Libya? Are they held accountable? How should they report on conflict and political instability? In this special episode, we look at the challenges and opportunities for the media covering the Libyan story with Ahmed Gatnash, Raghda Ibraheem, Asma Khalifa and Patrick Wintour. This episode showcases the first instalment of Libya Matters Live, a live event which was recorded in December 2020.  Check out our recent work on the rights of migrants and refugees.Visit our Reporting Libya resource hub.Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review on your platform of choice. Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by Damiri Media.  This episode of Libya Matters is made possible by our partnership with International Media Support (IMS).Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. Follow LFJL at:  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation   

In the final episode in this season, our producer Tariq Elmeri goes deeper into Salwa’s family’s pursuit for justice, and why an independent investigation is very important to her sister Iman. We will also hear from activists and journalists, who will bring us closer to understanding what it’s like to work in these fields in Libya today, and what that means for Salwa’s legacy. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. LFJL is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who have given us their time and trust to tell this story.   LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.    Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri. Thanks to Iman Bugaighis, Raghda Ibraheem, Ghazi Gheblawi and Libya Idres El-Mesmary for contributing to this episode. Artwork by @OzDominika.  Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:    Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation 

In this episode, we celebrate the achievements and resilience of Libya’s civil society movement over the last 10 years, which Salwa Bugaighis played an important part in creating. We discuss the challenges that civil society actors continue to face and ways to move forward. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. LFJL is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who have given us their time and trust to tell this story.   LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.    Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri. Thanks to Shahrazad Kablan, Abdelsalam and Emad Regea for contributing to this episode. The voiceovers in this episode were by Karim El Bouri and Mohammed Zlitny. Artwork by @OzDominika. Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:    Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation 

In this episode, we take a deeper look at the rights to freedom of expression and association. Ten years on from the protests that started the Libyan uprising and in the year in which elections are supposed to take place, where are we in protecting and promoting these rights? And why are they so important for accountability, peace and democracy? We explore why it is important that these rights are available equally, what they mean for diversity and inclusion, and what has changed  since 2011. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. LFJL is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who have given us their time and trust to tell this story.   LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.    Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri.  Thanks to Shahrazad Kablan and Ghazi Gheblawi for contributing to this episode. Artwork by @OzDominika.   Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:    Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation 

In today’s episode, we look back at the role of women in the 2011 uprising and the birth of #Libya's civil society movement. Salwa Bugaighis was seen by many to be one of the leaders of that movement and she was a role model for many women who were perhaps entering the public and political space for the first time. We discuss what has happened to the women who were so prominent in Libyan civil society in 2011 and how the landscape for women has developed since, including their ability to participate freely and meaningfully in public and political life. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. LFJL is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who have given us their time and trust to tell this story.   LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.    Follow us: Twitter: @Libyamatterspod Facebook: @Libyamatters Instagram: @libyamatterspodcast  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri. Thanks to Shahrazad Kablan, Ghazi Gheblawi, Libya Idres El-Mesmary, Heba Aoun and Fatma Hawas for contributing to this episode. The voiceovers in this episode were by Belqees Riyadh and Ghouson Mesai. Artwork by  @OzDominika. Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:   Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing list Support our work with a single or regular donation 

On 25 June 2014, Libyan human rights activist and lawyer Salwa Bugaighis celebrated casting her vote in parliamentary elections. Hours later, she was brutally murdered in her own home, a crime which sent shockwaves through Libya’s civil society movement. In the first episode of a special new season marking the tenth anniversary of Libya's 2011 uprising and the birth of that civil society movement, we speak to Salwa’s family and friends to remember that day and reflect on what Salwa's assassination meant for Libya, and what has changed since. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who gave us their time and trust to tell this story.   LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.    Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri. Thanks to Iman Bugaighis for contributing to this episode. Artwork by @OzDominika.Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:  Twitter: @LibyanJusticeFacebook: @LibyanJusticeInstagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibyaSubscribe to our mailing listSupport our work with a single or regular donation

Libyan human rights activist and lawyer Salwa Bugaighis was assassinated on 25 June 2014. Nobody has been held accountable. To many, Salwa embodied all that is positive about the civil society movement that emerged from the 2011 uprising which she helped lead, and she remains an inspiration to this day. 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of that uprising. To mark this historic milestone, we have produced a special season inspired by Salwa’s life and activism, and what it tells us about developments since 2011 and the key challenges that Libya faces today. We examine her family’s fight for justice and issues that Salwa was passionate about and that impacted her life and work, including civil society space, women’s rights, attacks against human rights defenders and accountability. This is a story of tragedy and triumph, and one we are honoured to tell. LFJL is sincerely grateful to Salwa’s family and friends, and all of our friends and partners in Libyan civil society who gave us their time and trust to tell this story. LFJL created the Ali Nouh Fund to provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who are at risk due to their work. To donate, visit https://alinouhfund.ly/. Every penny you donate will go to support human rights defenders in Libya.  Follow us:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave us a review.  Find our regular hosts on Twitter @Elham_LFJL and @Marwa_LFJL. Libya Matters is produced by @telmeri. Artwork by  @OzDominika.Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.  Follow LFJL at:  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our mailing listSupport our work with a single or regular donation

In previous episodes we’ve explored avenues for accountability, but what about legal measures that may prevent it? In our season finale we discuss amnesties, which are rather popular in Libya (there have been at least four since 2011 that we know of). We’re joined by Rupert Skilbeck, barrister and Director of REDRESS, an organisation focused on seeking redress for victims of torture.  We discuss the prohibition against blanket amnesties for gross human rights violations under international human rights law and some key victims’ rights including the right to a remedy; the right to an investigation; the right to truth; the right to cessation and guarantees of non-repetition; and the right to restitution, compensation, rehabilitation and satisfaction.** You can find Rupert on Twitter at @RupertSkilbeck **Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. Find us at: Info@libyanjustice.org  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our Newsletter** Support our work with a single or regular donation**Find Libya Matters at:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast

According to the UN, as of September 2020 there were 392,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Libya. Each one has a story, and each one has rights, but what are they? This week we talk with one of the world’s foremost experts on this often-misunderstood subject, Cecilia Jimenez-Damary. Cecilia is a human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience as an advocate for human rights in the Asia-Pacific region, a leading expert on forced displacement and migration, and since 2016 she has been the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons. You can find Cecilia on Twitter at @cejjimenezLearn more about the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons here.**Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. Find us at: Info@libyanjustice.org  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our Newsletter** Support our work with a single or regular donation**Find Libya Matters at:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast

The Libyan media scene has exploded since 2011, but from established international outlets to fake news churned out by armies of Twitter bots, how can we navigate it? To guide us, we’re joined by Ahmed Gatnash, co-founder of the Kawaakibi Foundation, an accelerator for thinkers and doers focused on the future of liberty in Arab and Muslim societies, host of the Arab Tyrant Manual podcast and co-author of the forthcoming book The Middle East Crisis Factory. You can find Ahmed on Twitter at @gatnashFind the Kawaakibi Foundation at https://kawaakibi.org/Listen to the Arab Tyrant Manual podcast at https://arabtyrantmanual.com/podcast/**Libya Matters is a production of Lawyers for Justice in Libya. Find us at: Info@libyanjustice.org  Twitter: @LibyanJustice Facebook: @LibyanJustice Instagram: lawyersforjusticeinlibya Subscribe to our Newsletter** Support our work with a single or regular donation**Find Libya Matters at:Twitter: @LibyamatterspodFacebook: @LibyamattersInstagram: @libyamatterspodcast