Just Access

In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher continues her conversation with Skylar Thompson, Deputy Director, and Jennifer Connet, Legal Advisor, at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). They discuss how HRA documents human rights violations inside Iran, preserves evidence, and protects victims, witnesses, and sources in a high-risk environment.The conversation explores HRA’s extensive network inside Iran, including its relationships with people across the country and inside prisons. Skylar explains how information is verified and corroborated, then analysed to identify patterns, responsible institutions and individuals, and broader systems of repression. She also discusses the security considerations involved in deciding what can safely be published.Finally, Skylar and Jennifer share advice for people interested in human rights work: remain curious, humble and open to learning, build relationships with people you respect, and recognise that careers often develop in unexpected ways.👤 Guest BioSkylar ThompsonDeputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA).Joined HRA in 2020 as its first advocacy officer.Previously worked on criminal justice reform in the United States.Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.Jennifer ConnetLegal Advisor at HRA.Human rights and international humanitarian law specialist.Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.Previously worked with USAID and in humanitarian aid.Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA)Founded in Iran in 2006.Based in Washington, DC, with a global team.Documents human rights violations and preserves evidence for future accountability.📚 Resources & LinksJust Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcastDonate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donateContact the show – [email protected] Rights Activists in Iran (HRA)🗒️ Key Take-AwaysDocumentation: HRA combines on-the-ground information, verification, analysis, and secure archiving to document violations.Protection: Protecting victims, witnesses, sources, and their families is central to HRA’s documentation work.Accountability: Careful evidence preservation can support future investigations and accountability efforts.Sustained attention: The challenges facing people in Iran continue beyond periods of international media attention.Human rights careers: Curiosity, humility, openness to learning, and strong professional relationships can shape non-linear career paths.📢 Call to ActionSubscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes.Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Iran, human rights and international justice.Listen to Part 1 of the conversation with Skylar Thompson and Jennifer Connet.Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.Support Just Access’s work at https://just-access.de/donate.Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Skyler Thompson, Deputy Director, and Jennifer Connet, Legal Advisor, at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). They discuss HRA’s origins, its work documenting human rights violations in Iran, and its submission to the German Federal Prosecutor requesting a structural investigation into crimes committed in Iran. Skyler and Jennifer share their journeys into human rights work and introduce HRA, founded inside Iran in 2006 by student activist Keyvan Rafie. They explain how its network of on-the-ground documenters remains central to its work today.The conversation explores the structural investigation requested in Germany, including how it can support evidence collection, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command for potential future prosecutions. Jennifer discusses the repression of nationwide protests in December 2025 and January 2026, including arrests, forced confessions, and executions. She explains why Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework and experience with structural investigations make it an important jurisdiction for accountability.The episode also examines the limitations of pursuing justice in Iran and through the International Criminal Court, the importance of realistic expectations for victims and survivors, and the role of documentation in preserving a historical record. Finally, the guests discuss next steps, including continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions.👤 Guest BioSkyler ThompsonDeputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA).Joined HRA in 2020 as its first advocacy officer.Previously worked on criminal justice reform in the United States.Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.Jennifer ConnetLegal Advisor at HRA.Human rights and international humanitarian law specialist.Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.Previously worked with USAID and in humanitarian aid.Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA)Founded in Iran in 2006.Based in Washington, DC, with a global team.Documents human rights violations and international crimes in Iran.Works to preserve evidence and support future accountability.📚 Resources & LinksJust Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcastDonate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donateContact the show – [email protected] Rights Activists in Iran (HRA)German universal jurisdiction and structural investigationsInternational Criminal Court (ICC)🗒️ Key Take-AwaysHuman rights work often begins with education, mentorship, and following one’s interests.HRA’s network of documenters helps bring information about violations inside Iran to the outside world.Structural investigations can support evidence preservation, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command.Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework provides an important pathway toward accountability for international crimes.Documentation preserves a historical record and supports future prosecutions.Realistic expectations and meaningful engagement with victims and survivors are essential.Continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions are important for accountability.📢 Call to ActionSubscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes.Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Iran, international criminal law, and human rights.Listen to Part 2 of the conversation with Skyler Thompson and Jennifer Connet.Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.Support Just Access’s work at [https://just-access.de/donate](https://just-access.de/donate).Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Episode OverviewIn this episode, Dr Miranda Melcher speaks with Mossaad Mohamed, a human rights lawyer, conflict resolution specialist, and Executive Director of the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS). Mossaad shares his personal journey into human rights work and the experiences in Darfur that shaped his commitment to fighting for justice.Mossaad explains ACJPS's work documenting human rights violations and international crimes in Sudan, pursuing strategic litigation, and advocating at national, regional, and international levels. He discusses the organization's work with UN mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council, and its efforts to ensure that violations are documented for future accountability.The conversation focuses particularly on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sudan and the joint submission by ACJPS and Just Access. Mossaad explains why the UPR is important and examines what has—and has not—changed since Sudan's previous review in 2021.The discussion also explores the dramatic deterioration of Sudan's human rights situation since the outbreak of war in April 2023, including torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, sexual and gender-based violence, child recruitment, and attacks on peaceful protesters.Finally, Mossaad reflects on what needs to happen next, identifying an end to the war as the most urgent priority and emphasizing the importance of continued documentation, advocacy, and accountability for those responsible for atrocities.👤 Guest BioMossaad MohamedHuman rights lawyer and conflict resolution specialist.Executive Director of the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) since 2015.Has worked on human rights and access to justice since the early 2000s, including in Darfur.Works on documenting human rights violations and international crimes, strategic litigation, and advocacy at national, regional, and international levels.ACJPS is a partner of Just Access in efforts to strengthen accountability and access to justice for victims and survivors in Sudan.📚 Resources & LinksJust Access Podcast homepage – https://just-access.de/podcastDonate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donateContact the show – [email protected] Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS)UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR)🗒️ Key Take-AwaysDocumenting violations is essential for future prosecutions and accountability.Strategic litigation can help challenge unjust laws and promote institutional reform.The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) provides an important mechanism for monitoring and addressing human rights concerns in Sudan.Many recommendations made during Sudan's 2021 UPR have not been implemented, while the human rights situation has dramatically deteriorated since 2023.Ending the war is an urgent priority for reducing further violations and creating conditions for accountability.Individuals and organizations can contribute through advocacy, documentation, and financial or logistical support for those working to protect human rights and pursue justice in Sudan.📢 Call to ActionSubscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes.Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Sudan, international criminal law, and human rights.Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform to help others discover the show.Support Just Access's work by donating at https://just-access.de/donate.Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Just Access Podcast, host Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Alexa Magee, a human rights and international criminal law practitioner supporting Just Access’s work on Sudan. They discuss the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the devastating impact on Sudanese civilians, and why documenting violations committed by the SAF is a particular focus of the Just Access project.Alexa explains how the project works with survivors to document their experiences and submit individual cases to UN human rights mechanisms, while also identifying broader patterns of violations that can support future accountability efforts. The conversation explores the importance of survivor protection, strategic litigation, and building a credible record of violations that can be used when opportunities for legal accountability arise. The episode also highlights the vital role of Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) — grassroots, community-led networks that have stepped in to provide humanitarian assistance and essential services following the collapse of state services. Alexa discusses Just Access's advocacy for their recognition and protection, including their inclusion in future peace processes.Finally, Alexa discusses some of the innovative legal arguments emerging from survivor testimonies, including efforts to strengthen protections for mothers experiencing gender-based violence, Sudanese tribal communities, and older persons.In this episode, we discuss:The scale of the humanitarian crisis in SudanDocumenting violations committed against survivorsSubmissions to UN human rights mechanismsPatterns of violations and strategic litigationSurvivor protection and supportThe role of Emergency Response RoomsExpanding legal protections through survivor testimonyLong-term pathways towards accountabilityHow listeners can support and collaborate with the Sudan projectGet involved:If you are interested in collaborating with or supporting Just Access's work on Sudan, contact [email protected] or visit the Just Access Sudan Project page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Just Access Podcast, we continue our conversation with Paula Vargas, Associate at the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) in Bogotá, where she leads the organisation’s transitional justice work in Colombia and Latin America.Paula discusses her work at IFIT, a think tank and NGO supporting countries moving from conflict to peace and from authoritarian rule to democracy. She explains how IFIT combines research, expert networks, policy advice, and practical support to help local actors address complex challenges related to peacebuilding and transitional justice.The conversation explores how international expertise can support local peace processes without imposing external solutions. Paula reflects on why comparative experiences are most useful when they provide lessons, questions, and options rather than models to copy. Drawing on Colombia’s experience, she discusses how countries can learn from both achievements and challenges when designing transitional justice mechanisms.Paula also explains how IFIT brings together experts from different disciplines and regions to respond to crises and develop practical recommendations. She highlights the importance of dialogue between international actors and local communities and why effective support must be grounded in local realities. The episode also explores the concept of the “presumption of conformity” in peace agreements: the idea that agreements reached through legitimate processes and containing safeguards for victims, accountability, truth, and reparations should be presumed consistent with international law.Finally, Paula reflects on the opportunities and challenges of working as an NGO in conflict and post-conflict settings and shares advice for those interested in careers in human rights, peacebuilding, and transitional justice.What will you learn?• How IFIT supports peacebuilding and transitional justice processes• Why international support must complement local expertise• What Colombia’s experience can teach other countries• Why comparative lessons are more valuable than one-size-fits-all solutions• What the “presumption of conformity” means for peace agreements• The role of NGOs in conflict and post-conflict settings• Advice for future human rights practitioners🧠 Topics Covered• Transitional justice• Peacebuilding• Colombia’s peace process• International law• Human rights and accountability• NGOs and conflict settings👤 About the GuestPaula Vargas is an Associate at the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) based in Bogotá, Colombia, where she leads IFIT’s transitional justice work in Colombia and Latin America. Her work focuses on peace implementation, transitional justice, international law, and human rights. Before joining IFIT, she worked at Colombia’s Ministry of Defense during the implementation of the peace agreement with the FARC.📚 Resources & Links• Just Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcast• Learn more about Just Access – https://just-access.de/• Learn more about IFIT – https://ifit-transitions.org/• Support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donate• Contact the show – [email protected]⏱ Key Moments• 01:00 – Paula’s work at IFIT• 04:00 – Responding to crises through expert networks• 07:00 – Balancing international support and local ownership• 10:00 – Lessons from Colombia’s transitional justice experience• 13:00 – The presumption of conformity• 16:00 – The role of NGOs in peace processes• 20:00 – Advice for future practitionersCall to ActionHelp Just Access continue creating conversations about human rights, justice, and accountability by sharing this episode, leaving a review, and supporting our work:👉 https://just-access.de/donateBecause everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.