The Rights of Others Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-rights-of-others How can we enable us to create social change and effective altruism while addressing the dichotomy of our modern life and values driven by markets. @BHRE 82f53ef6-b90e-583c-b961-18e0d22e6827 no en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:36:15 +0100 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:48:25 +0000 https://img.transistor.fm/gC4ZWfe31YvE7-z7GbCfMGqi_yzoHTQ8SVGkyTSx8IY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzcxMDQvMTU3OTMz/ODIxNC1hcnR3b3Jr/LmpwZw.jpg The Rights of Others episodic Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza How can we enable us to create social change and effective altruism while addressing the dichotomy of our modern life and values driven by markets. How can we enable us to create social change and effective altruism while addressing the dichotomy of our modern life and values driven by markets.. Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, Fakhar Raza No No Circular Textiles Greenwich Project - Reflections 16 16 Circular Textiles Greenwich Project - Reflections full 9492118f-e525-427a-968d-82a4c37210da https://share.transistor.fm/s/b820c842 About the Circular Textiles Greenwich Hub
Our goal is to create a space in the minds of people in the Greenwich community and beyond by creating a physical space in the University of Greenwich and a virtual platform. A place where sustainable consumption practices and knowledge is shared and promoted with a view to providing solutions which can be easily replicated and actioned at collective and individual level.

Our first step is to promote sustainable consumption in the Greenwich community by creating a hub at the University of Greenwich for swapping clothes, organising styling and repair workshops, public engagement events on sustainable consumption and production and promoting change by raising awareness on human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry.

The activities of the Sustainable Cloths Station will be based on the research undertaken by BHRE and partners.

How it works
The Hub currently showcases its work through the Clothes Swap and the Repair station.

The Clothes Swap provides individuals with the opportunity to swap their pre-loved clothing for marbles during the Hub’s collection and drop off dates. On the swap day, those marbles can be exchange for any item of pre-loved clothing, depending on the number of marbles the item is valued at.

The Repair Station provides the opportunity for individuals to learn how to repair and up-cycle their own clothing through the re-use of textiles that would otherwise be resigned to life in landfill.

]]> About the Circular Textiles Greenwich Hub
Our goal is to create a space in the minds of people in the Greenwich community and beyond by creating a physical space in the University of Greenwich and a virtual platform. A place where sustainable consumption practices and knowledge is shared and promoted with a view to providing solutions which can be easily replicated and actioned at collective and individual level.

Our first step is to promote sustainable consumption in the Greenwich community by creating a hub at the University of Greenwich for swapping clothes, organising styling and repair workshops, public engagement events on sustainable consumption and production and promoting change by raising awareness on human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry.

The activities of the Sustainable Cloths Station will be based on the research undertaken by BHRE and partners.

How it works
The Hub currently showcases its work through the Clothes Swap and the Repair station.

The Clothes Swap provides individuals with the opportunity to swap their pre-loved clothing for marbles during the Hub’s collection and drop off dates. On the swap day, those marbles can be exchange for any item of pre-loved clothing, depending on the number of marbles the item is valued at.

The Repair Station provides the opportunity for individuals to learn how to repair and up-cycle their own clothing through the re-use of textiles that would otherwise be resigned to life in landfill.

]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2021 16:51:40 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 1991 Human rights violations and environmental degradation, including climate change continue to be exacerbated by unsustainable consumption and production practices across all sectors, and particularly in fashion. Greenwich Circular Textiles team including Fakhar Raza is joined by Project Leads Ceylan Akbas, Dilara Altun, Eva Souchet and Research Lead Fatimazahra Dehbi, for a casual chat reflecting on the climate crisis, the Greenwich Circular project, and how we can all facilitate social change through small acts. Human rights violations and environmental degradation, including climate change continue to be exacerbated by unsustainable consumption and production practices across all sectors, and particularly in fashion. Greenwich Circular Textiles team including Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Heather White-Complicit. Making an impact and reaching further 13 13 Heather White-Complicit. Making an impact and reaching further full 81293a3e-4e82-4770-aa11-900bb0bfd28c https://share.transistor.fm/s/db94f321 In the photo: Yi Yeting, who is battling to survive occupation leukemia, holds a protest are part of his campaign to help other workers in similar situations, poisoned by benzene and n-hexane. Footage from the Documentary 'COMPLICIT': http://www.complicitfilm.org

Heather White is the documentary Co-Director and Producer of ‘ COMPLICIT’ - recipient of nine international film festival awards, news broadcasts worldwide. (2013-2018).

Network Fellow, Harvard University, Edmond B. Safra Center for Ethics (2011-2014). Researched social auditing’s failure to protect workers in global apparel and tech manufacturers. Press interviews and coverage in over 300 news outlets globally re Apple Computer’s labor challenges in the U.S. and European media: NY Times, Bloomberg, CNN, The Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, and European newspapers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html. 


President, New-Standards (2007-2011) Advised U.S. and European companies and campaigns on reputational risk related to labor rights violations and global supply chain practices. International team performed legal research, factory audits, in-factory trainings for US and European pension funds, public/private sector clients. https://www.responsibleinvestor. 

Founder / President Verité (http://www.verite.org) 1995-2005. Non-profit global labor rights supply chain monitoring organization working in 60 countries for unions, pension funds and 300 + global brands. Managed 70 staff and consultants; budget of $3.1 million. Raised over $8 million from public and private sector. Recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative ; Social Entrepreneurship awards: Skoll Foundation, Schwab Foundation, "Scientific American 50”, Fast Company magazine. Major grants from MacArthur and

Ford Foundations.

]]> In the photo: Yi Yeting, who is battling to survive occupation leukemia, holds a protest are part of his campaign to help other workers in similar situations, poisoned by benzene and n-hexane. Footage from the Documentary 'COMPLICIT': http://www.complicitfilm.org

Heather White is the documentary Co-Director and Producer of ‘ COMPLICIT’ - recipient of nine international film festival awards, news broadcasts worldwide. (2013-2018).

Network Fellow, Harvard University, Edmond B. Safra Center for Ethics (2011-2014). Researched social auditing’s failure to protect workers in global apparel and tech manufacturers. Press interviews and coverage in over 300 news outlets globally re Apple Computer’s labor challenges in the U.S. and European media: NY Times, Bloomberg, CNN, The Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, and European newspapers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-human-costs-for-workers-in-china.html. 


President, New-Standards (2007-2011) Advised U.S. and European companies and campaigns on reputational risk related to labor rights violations and global supply chain practices. International team performed legal research, factory audits, in-factory trainings for US and European pension funds, public/private sector clients. https://www.responsibleinvestor. 

Founder / President Verité (http://www.verite.org) 1995-2005. Non-profit global labor rights supply chain monitoring organization working in 60 countries for unions, pension funds and 300 + global brands. Managed 70 staff and consultants; budget of $3.1 million. Raised over $8 million from public and private sector. Recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative ; Social Entrepreneurship awards: Skoll Foundation, Schwab Foundation, "Scientific American 50”, Fast Company magazine. Major grants from MacArthur and

Ford Foundations.

]]> Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:02:54 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega and Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega and Fakhar Raza 3780 In this episode we talk to Heather White, labour rights expert and researcher about human rights in China, massive and systematic violations of the rights of the Uyghur community, funding Verité and moving on in search for more impact to protect workers' rights. We talk about her globally acclaimed documentary ‘COMPLICIT’ and her next projects in fiction. We even get a preview of the script she has been working on in the past months! In this episode we talk to Heather White, labour rights expert and researcher about human rights in China, massive and systematic violations of the rights of the Uyghur community, funding Verité and moving on in search for more impact to protect workers' Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Mauricio Lazala- Strategising the future of corporate justice 15 15 Mauricio Lazala- Strategising the future of corporate justice full 6457fe2d-b93a-4a31-bc78-a9112bd80548 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2b489e5f Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director & Head of Europe Office (based in Frankfurt) of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
 Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director & Head of Europe Office (based in Frankfurt) of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Mauricio joined the Resource Centre in 2006. As part of the senior management team, he is involved in strategic, operational and financial decisions at the organization. Mauricio manages various regions and programmes. Since 2014, Mauricio is also a member of the Board of the EIRIS Foundation – Empowering Responsible Investment. In 2018 he was invited to join the Advisory Committee of the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, and from 2017-2020 he sat on an Advisory Panel of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Previously, he served as law clerk at International Criminal Court, Programme Manager at Mexican Commission for the Protection & Defence of Human Rights, and Outreach Coordinator at B'Tselem (Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories). Mauricio has published various articles on business & human rights. Mauricio has a Law degree (honours) from the University of Cambridge, and a BA in Political Sciences and History from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
IMG Credit

]]> Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director & Head of Europe Office (based in Frankfurt) of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
 Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director & Head of Europe Office (based in Frankfurt) of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Mauricio joined the Resource Centre in 2006. As part of the senior management team, he is involved in strategic, operational and financial decisions at the organization. Mauricio manages various regions and programmes. Since 2014, Mauricio is also a member of the Board of the EIRIS Foundation – Empowering Responsible Investment. In 2018 he was invited to join the Advisory Committee of the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, and from 2017-2020 he sat on an Advisory Panel of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Previously, he served as law clerk at International Criminal Court, Programme Manager at Mexican Commission for the Protection & Defence of Human Rights, and Outreach Coordinator at B'Tselem (Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories). Mauricio has published various articles on business & human rights. Mauricio has a Law degree (honours) from the University of Cambridge, and a BA in Political Sciences and History from Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
IMG Credit

]]> Tue, 08 Jun 2021 15:00:13 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3667 In this episode Olga and Seema talk to Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre about how the BHR field has evolved and the role of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre in inserting the environmental dimension and bringing the voices and leadership from the Global South to the fight against corporate abuse. Mauricio tells us about his fascinating journey from activism in Israel to his current role as one of the strategic leaders setting up the agenda for corporate justice. In this episode Olga and Seema talk to Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre about how the BHR field has evolved and the role of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre in inserting the environmental dimen Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Salil Tripathi - Power, Accountability and Impact of your Voices 14 14 Salil Tripathi - Power, Accountability and Impact of your Voices full 66e2b8d3-b8ea-4754-8292-713b8bd34db6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/546e5525 Expertise

Salil is a writer and policy adviser with experience in researching corporate activities in diverse environments and applying international human rights standards to identify human rights abuses and and working with all sectors and stakeholders to build accountability and advocate positive change. 

Current Work

Salil works on human rights themes such as discrimination, protection of human rights defenders, and emerging issues for business and human rights. He is also engaged in researching potential impacts of investments in countries opening up for investment after a long period of political or economic isolation. He also conducts podcasts with human rights experts and practitioners, and writes commentaries. He has also worked on issues related to land, conflict, and the information and communication technologies. 

Before IHRB

Salil was at Amnesty International (1999-2005) where he conducted research missions to Nigeria and Bosnia, and developed policies and thinking on complicity, privatisation, and corruption. He represented AI in the forming of the Global Compact, the Kimberley Process, and the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights. At International Alert (2006-2008) he worked on projects in Colombia and was part of the team that developed the Red Flags Initiative. He is also an award-winning journalist and author of three works of non-fiction, and chairs PEN International's Writers-in-Prison Committee. Salil graduated with Masters in Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and holds Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in India.  

]]> Expertise

Salil is a writer and policy adviser with experience in researching corporate activities in diverse environments and applying international human rights standards to identify human rights abuses and and working with all sectors and stakeholders to build accountability and advocate positive change. 

Current Work

Salil works on human rights themes such as discrimination, protection of human rights defenders, and emerging issues for business and human rights. He is also engaged in researching potential impacts of investments in countries opening up for investment after a long period of political or economic isolation. He also conducts podcasts with human rights experts and practitioners, and writes commentaries. He has also worked on issues related to land, conflict, and the information and communication technologies. 

Before IHRB

Salil was at Amnesty International (1999-2005) where he conducted research missions to Nigeria and Bosnia, and developed policies and thinking on complicity, privatisation, and corruption. He represented AI in the forming of the Global Compact, the Kimberley Process, and the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights. At International Alert (2006-2008) he worked on projects in Colombia and was part of the team that developed the Red Flags Initiative. He is also an award-winning journalist and author of three works of non-fiction, and chairs PEN International's Writers-in-Prison Committee. Salil graduated with Masters in Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and holds Bachelor of Commerce degree from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in India.  

]]> Tue, 04 May 2021 08:36:38 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3642 In this episode we talk to Salil Tripathi, a pioneer on corporate accountability work about his journey, how the field has grown and what are the many challenges that remain. In it Olga finally has the chance to tell him how starstruck she was the first time she met him and what an inspiration he has always been for the business and human rights community. In this episode we talk to Salil Tripathi, a pioneer on corporate accountability work about his journey, how the field has grown and what are the many challenges that remain. In it Olga finally has the chance to tell him how starstruck she was the first t Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Sheung So-Protecting workers' rights in China 12 12 Sheung So-Protecting workers' rights in China full 2938631c-952c-446a-abb6-c8baeb399dc1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3e6c8d3a Sheung so is a labour activist and Chief Executive of Labour Education Services Network in Hong Kong, where she is also the Senior Trainer. Sheung has extensive experience working on labour issues in China. Her expertise includes labor dispute hotlines and support services, empowerment programme design and execution, labour rights and worker representation training for workers, student worker rights, vocational school curriculum development and teacher trainings, and Corporate Social Responsibility projects with companies and multi-stakeholder initiatives. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Electronics Watch, and has been its first President (2015-2020). 

]]> Sheung so is a labour activist and Chief Executive of Labour Education Services Network in Hong Kong, where she is also the Senior Trainer. Sheung has extensive experience working on labour issues in China. Her expertise includes labor dispute hotlines and support services, empowerment programme design and execution, labour rights and worker representation training for workers, student worker rights, vocational school curriculum development and teacher trainings, and Corporate Social Responsibility projects with companies and multi-stakeholder initiatives. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Electronics Watch, and has been its first President (2015-2020). 

]]> Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:59:40 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 4608 In this episode Sheung So shares with Olga and Raza her journey from mainland China to working to protect human rights in global supply chains from Hong Kong. She tells us about how the law and context has changed and how rights of workers get eroded and organsiations struggle to support them as China tightens its restrictions on civil society. In this episode Sheung So shares with Olga and Raza her journey from mainland China to working to protect human rights in global supply chains from Hong Kong. She tells us about how the law and context has changed and how rights of workers get eroded and Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Makmid Kamara-Leading justice and human rights from Africa 11 11 Makmid Kamara-Leading justice and human rights from Africa full 9af7c87a-403e-4ab4-92af-8f193957e6d2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/be62fecb Makmid is a human rights campaigner, researcher and development communications practitioner, with almost twenty years experience working with national and international development and human rights organisations in Africa and the United Kingdom.
See some of his work: Here

]]> Makmid is a human rights campaigner, researcher and development communications practitioner, with almost twenty years experience working with national and international development and human rights organisations in Africa and the United Kingdom.
See some of his work: Here

]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2020 11:12:11 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3784 In this first episode of Season 2 we talk to Makmid Kamara, Project Director of the MacArthur Foundation Fund about corporate accountability and transitional justice, African leadership in fighting COVID and discrimination and racism in the civil society sector. In this first episode of Season 2 we talk to Makmid Kamara, Project Director of the MacArthur Foundation Fund about corporate accountability and transitional justice, African leadership in fighting COVID and discrimination and racism in the civil society Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Olga, Seema & Raza-Reflections on the Path towards the Rights of Others 10 10 Olga, Seema & Raza-Reflections on the Path towards the Rights of Others full 644f8f4e-37e6-433b-a34b-e086f995a9b5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/227b2c34 In this episode, the final one of Season 1, Olga, Seema & Raza reflect on the journey of the Rights of Others Podcast and what we have learnt during this season. We conclude we need to hear the voices of those on the ground, doing the work that ultimately leads to the protection and promotion of the rights of others. Season 2 is coming very soon! 

]]> In this episode, the final one of Season 1, Olga, Seema & Raza reflect on the journey of the Rights of Others Podcast and what we have learnt during this season. We conclude we need to hear the voices of those on the ground, doing the work that ultimately leads to the protection and promotion of the rights of others. Season 2 is coming very soon! 

]]> Sun, 22 Nov 2020 10:35:37 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3040 In this episode, the final one of Season 1, Olga, Seema & Raza reflect on the journey of the Rights of Others Podcast and what we have learnt during this season. We conclude we need to hear the voices of those on the ground, doing the work that ultimately leads to the protection and promotion of the rights of others. Season 2 is coming very soon! In this episode, the final one of Season 1, Olga, Seema & Raza reflect on the journey of the Rights of Others Podcast and what we have learnt during this season. We conclude we need to hear the voices of those on the ground, doing the work that ultima Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Ceylan Akbas & Dilara Altun-Next Generation and the Future of Fighting for the Rights of Others 9 9 Ceylan Akbas & Dilara Altun-Next Generation and the Future of Fighting for the Rights of Others full 79ef76da-f228-4843-9076-0b1135105505 https://share.transistor.fm/s/35b90467 Ceylan Akbas and Dilara Altun are graduates of the School of Law and Criminology of the University of Greenwich and have co-lead the Greenwich Amnesty International Society and the Eco-team. They have interned at the Business, Human Rights and the Environment Research Group (www.bhre.org) working with Olga In corporate accountability projects. Dilara is currently studying her LLM at King’s Colleague London and Ceylan is working at BHRE on the DATUM project to promote sustainable consumption through technology.
In this fascinating episode, we about their activism, educating ourselves and influencing others, social media, the climate emergency, fast fashion, war crimes, intrinsic inequality, technology and dealing with so much pain in the world. They demonstrate they are a key generation to build a better society and fight for the rights of others. They finally get Olga to admit she is an activist!
IMG credit: Open Global Rights

]]> Ceylan Akbas and Dilara Altun are graduates of the School of Law and Criminology of the University of Greenwich and have co-lead the Greenwich Amnesty International Society and the Eco-team. They have interned at the Business, Human Rights and the Environment Research Group (www.bhre.org) working with Olga In corporate accountability projects. Dilara is currently studying her LLM at King’s Colleague London and Ceylan is working at BHRE on the DATUM project to promote sustainable consumption through technology.
In this fascinating episode, we about their activism, educating ourselves and influencing others, social media, the climate emergency, fast fashion, war crimes, intrinsic inequality, technology and dealing with so much pain in the world. They demonstrate they are a key generation to build a better society and fight for the rights of others. They finally get Olga to admit she is an activist!
IMG credit: Open Global Rights

]]> Fri, 30 Oct 2020 17:07:16 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3697 In this fascinating episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk to Ceylan Akbas and Dilara Altun about their activism, educating themselves and influencing others, the climate emergency, social media, fast fashion, war crimes, intrinsic inequality, technology and dealing with so much pain in the world. They demonstrate they are a key generation to build a better society and fight for the rights of others. They finally get Olga to admit she is an activist! In this fascinating episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk to Ceylan Akbas and Dilara Altun about their activism, educating themselves and influencing others, the climate emergency, social media, fast fashion, war crimes, intrinsic inequality, technology and d Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Dan Leader-Activist Lawyers in the midst of Goliaths 8 8 Dan Leader-Activist Lawyers in the midst of Goliaths full 791a6850-9d9f-4392-949c-e1cc238272d8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f49ebfad In this episode we talk to Dan Leader, partner in the British law firm LeighDay. Daniel specialises in international human rights and environmental law, with a particular focus on business and human rights. He has extensive experience of cases against parent companies, complex group actions and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues.  He has was external expert member of the UK Government Steering Board which oversees the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2014-17).  Since 2018 he has been a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE) and is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the comparative law project on civil liability for human rights violations at the Bonavero Institute, Oxford University and a member of the Advisory Board of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law’s Human Rights Due Diligence Forum.  He writes and speaks widely about business and human rights issues at conferences and universities in Britain and internationally.  
 
His recent cases include:

  • Rihan v EY Global Ltd [2020].  A whistle-blowing claim on behalf of a former EY partner who refused to sanction a cover up of audit findings of money laundering and conflict minerals in the Dubai Gold trade.
  • Lungowe v Vedanta plc [2019] (with Martyn Day and Oliver Holland).  Claims on behalf of 1,826 Zambian farmers arising out of damage to the environment caused by harmful discharges from the Konkola copper mine.  The Supreme Court set out the jurisdictional principles in cross-border claims against parent companies.   
  • Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2018].  Claims on behalf of two Nigerian communities arising from systemic oil pollution by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary.  
  • AAA v. Unilever plc [2018].  A case on behalf of 218 Kenyan tea workers who contend that Unilever failed to protect them from the foreseeable risk of ethnic violence in 2007.  
  • AAA v. Gemfields Ltd [2019]  A claim by 300 individuals for personal injury arising out of serious human rights abuses on and around a ruby mine in northern Mozambique. 
  • The Bodo Community v. Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd [2015] (with Martyn Day). A claim by a community of 30,000 Nigerians for compensation and remediation of their lands arising out of extensive oil spills in the Niger Delta which settled for £55m in 2015. 

 Other cases include the landmark “Mau Mau litigation” (Mutua v FCO [2013])  which resulted in reparations for 5,000 victims of colonial era torture at the hands of the British colonial authorities, the Baha Mousa Inquiry [2010] into torture by the British Army in Iraq and claims by UK residents detained in Guantanamo Bay against airlines for complicity in rendition (Binyan Mohamed v Jeppesen [2009]). 

Img Credit: AllOurStock

]]> In this episode we talk to Dan Leader, partner in the British law firm LeighDay. Daniel specialises in international human rights and environmental law, with a particular focus on business and human rights. He has extensive experience of cases against parent companies, complex group actions and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues.  He has was external expert member of the UK Government Steering Board which oversees the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (2014-17).  Since 2018 he has been a Board Member of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition (CORE) and is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the comparative law project on civil liability for human rights violations at the Bonavero Institute, Oxford University and a member of the Advisory Board of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law’s Human Rights Due Diligence Forum.  He writes and speaks widely about business and human rights issues at conferences and universities in Britain and internationally.  
 
His recent cases include:

  • Rihan v EY Global Ltd [2020].  A whistle-blowing claim on behalf of a former EY partner who refused to sanction a cover up of audit findings of money laundering and conflict minerals in the Dubai Gold trade.
  • Lungowe v Vedanta plc [2019] (with Martyn Day and Oliver Holland).  Claims on behalf of 1,826 Zambian farmers arising out of damage to the environment caused by harmful discharges from the Konkola copper mine.  The Supreme Court set out the jurisdictional principles in cross-border claims against parent companies.   
  • Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2018].  Claims on behalf of two Nigerian communities arising from systemic oil pollution by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary.  
  • AAA v. Unilever plc [2018].  A case on behalf of 218 Kenyan tea workers who contend that Unilever failed to protect them from the foreseeable risk of ethnic violence in 2007.  
  • AAA v. Gemfields Ltd [2019]  A claim by 300 individuals for personal injury arising out of serious human rights abuses on and around a ruby mine in northern Mozambique. 
  • The Bodo Community v. Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd [2015] (with Martyn Day). A claim by a community of 30,000 Nigerians for compensation and remediation of their lands arising out of extensive oil spills in the Niger Delta which settled for £55m in 2015. 

 Other cases include the landmark “Mau Mau litigation” (Mutua v FCO [2013])  which resulted in reparations for 5,000 victims of colonial era torture at the hands of the British colonial authorities, the Baha Mousa Inquiry [2010] into torture by the British Army in Iraq and claims by UK residents detained in Guantanamo Bay against airlines for complicity in rendition (Binyan Mohamed v Jeppesen [2009]). 

Img Credit: AllOurStock

]]> Thu, 17 Sep 2020 09:02:00 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2843 In this episode Seema, Raza and Olga talk to Dan Leader, partner at LeighDay about his exceptional work to protect the rights of communities and individuals against corporations which disregard, and have been doing for decades, life, welling and livelihoods and the legal and personal choices involved in this work. In this episode Seema, Raza and Olga talk to Dan Leader, partner at LeighDay about his exceptional work to protect the rights of communities and individuals against corporations which disregard, and have been doing for decades, life, welling and livelihoo Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Gemma Freedman-Rebalancing relations in the workplace to claim human rights 7 7 Gemma Freedman-Rebalancing relations in the workplace to claim human rights full 7a9ae6f6-574e-46fa-82d9-8145a147cc87 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bd913331 Gemma works as Assistant International Officer at Unison and she is responsible for Business and Human Rights as well as Unison's relationships with Asian trade unions. This includes coordinating UK civil society UN Binding Treaty Group; working through CORE Coalition on a duty to prevent corporate abuse of human and environmental rights and for remedy to be provided should harm occurs.

IMG Credit - Terence Faircloth / Flickr

]]> Gemma works as Assistant International Officer at Unison and she is responsible for Business and Human Rights as well as Unison's relationships with Asian trade unions. This includes coordinating UK civil society UN Binding Treaty Group; working through CORE Coalition on a duty to prevent corporate abuse of human and environmental rights and for remedy to be provided should harm occurs.

IMG Credit - Terence Faircloth / Flickr

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:07:11 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3837 In this episode we talked with Gemma Freedman about cheery picking in the CSR movement, the role of local and international trade unions and the mobilisation of workers down the supply chain, why public buyers have a responsibility towards those who produce the products they buy and provide the services they contract and how they don't want to be saving the life of COVID-19 patience knowing that the ventilator they are using has components being made by lives ruined by exploitation. In this episode we talked with Gemma Freedman about cheery picking in the CSR movement, the role of local and international trade unions and the mobilisation of workers down the supply chain, why public buyers have a responsibility towards those who produ Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Amol Mehra-Philanthropy: Deciding who gets to sit at the table 6 6 Amol Mehra-Philanthropy: Deciding who gets to sit at the table full 3a940726-d597-488c-bf89-f0ebbe6c60c0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/913d20d0 Amol Mehra, Esq. is the Director of Industry Transformation at the Laudes Foundation where he oversees programmes relating to transformation of the fashion and built environment sectors to address the dual crises of inequality and climate change.

Previously, Amol served as Managing Director of the Freedom Fund, a leader in the global movement to end modern slavery, and as Executive Director of the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR), a leading human rights organisation

(Illustration by Kimberly Salt.) 

]]> Amol Mehra, Esq. is the Director of Industry Transformation at the Laudes Foundation where he oversees programmes relating to transformation of the fashion and built environment sectors to address the dual crises of inequality and climate change.

Previously, Amol served as Managing Director of the Freedom Fund, a leader in the global movement to end modern slavery, and as Executive Director of the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR), a leading human rights organisation

(Illustration by Kimberly Salt.) 

]]> Fri, 10 Jul 2020 16:16:51 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2658 In this episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk to Amol Mehra about the differences between advocacy and philanthropy, having the ability to decide which organisations and projects get funding and shaping the civil society agenda. They reflect over how to decide who to work with and for, who to invite to the table and the microphone. In this episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk to Amol Mehra about the differences between advocacy and philanthropy, having the ability to decide which organisations and projects get funding and shaping the civil society agenda. They reflect over how to decid Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Meghna Abraham-Covid-19, global inequalities and companies 5 5 Meghna Abraham-Covid-19, global inequalities and companies full 16b130ec-37fe-47c1-82de-88c385b5c0f7 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1f5341a Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. She currently works as an international human rights consultant and as an Interim Asia-Pacific Director at the Natural Resource Governance Institute. Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. We talked to Meghna during lockdown and discussed her work in human rights and development, the inequalities the pandemic has highlighted and increased and how to take these into account moving forward. 

]]> Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. She currently works as an international human rights consultant and as an Interim Asia-Pacific Director at the Natural Resource Governance Institute. Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. We talked to Meghna during lockdown and discussed her work in human rights and development, the inequalities the pandemic has highlighted and increased and how to take these into account moving forward. 

]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0100 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2626 Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. We talked to Meghna during lockdown and discussed her work in human rights and development, the inequalities the pandemic has highlighted and increased and how to take these into account moving forward. Meghna Abraham is a lawyer who worked on human rights issues for close to two decades. She is an accomplished investigator, policy expert, advocate, campaigner, and trainer. We talked to Meghna during lockdown and discussed her work in human rights and de Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Marilyn Croser-Putting People and Planet at the Core of Business 4 4 Marilyn Croser-Putting People and Planet at the Core of Business full de4a0726-ca5d-4a6d-b111-5697181442ab https://share.transistor.fm/s/ccd37613 Marilyn had served as Director of CORE, She led the UK Refugee Council’s parliamentary advocacy and campaigning prior to joining CORE, and worked for Oxfam GB on the Make Poverty History and Control Arms campaigns firstly as a campaigner and then as policy advisor.

]]> Marilyn had served as Director of CORE, She led the UK Refugee Council’s parliamentary advocacy and campaigning prior to joining CORE, and worked for Oxfam GB on the Make Poverty History and Control Arms campaigns firstly as a campaigner and then as policy advisor.

]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2733 We talked to Marilyn Croser about how to empower ourselves and the society to deal with debilitating guilt of being the participants in unfair markets which were build by corporations. Importance of law in effectively putting checks over parasitical power of various agents in our global world. We talked to Marilyn Croser about how to empower ourselves and the society to deal with debilitating guilt of being the participants in unfair markets which were build by corporations. Importance of law in effectively putting checks over parasitical power Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No William Rook-Human Rights and Sports 3 3 William Rook-Human Rights and Sports full cbcfcf57-45b9-4413-87ce-4b171ae9aeb5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e6ae00c2 - Centre for Sports and Human Rights - 
William’s experience includes leading initiatives to promote responsible business practices and human rights in emerging sectors and geographies. William established IHRB’s presence in the Middle East in 2015, liaising closely with governments, embassies, state entities and major companies across the region, facilitating corporate engagement with issues such as worker welfare and risks around human trafficking and forced labour.

]]> - Centre for Sports and Human Rights - 
William’s experience includes leading initiatives to promote responsible business practices and human rights in emerging sectors and geographies. William established IHRB’s presence in the Middle East in 2015, liaising closely with governments, embassies, state entities and major companies across the region, facilitating corporate engagement with issues such as worker welfare and risks around human trafficking and forced labour.

]]> Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 3280 In this episode we had William Rook talking about a novel institute called - Centre for Sports and Human Rights - What is its place in the world of human rights and our inclination towards monumental phenomena called sports. We discussed some of the difficult trade offs which are being made in the world of sports when it comes to safety and freedom. In this episode we had William Rook talking about a novel institute called - Centre for Sports and Human Rights - What is its place in the world of human rights and our inclination towards monumental phenomena called sports. We discussed some of the dif Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Olga, Seema & Raza-Mirror of Our Clean Energy Revolution 2 2 Olga, Seema & Raza-Mirror of Our Clean Energy Revolution full 2727394d-b689-406b-9efc-c952bad3b0f8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2db11723 Seema have 20 years of professional experience working globally in law, policy and human rights. Most recently, she was Programme Director of Global Thematic Issues at Amnesty international. For many years, as Head of Business and Human Rights, she has led the organisation's investigative and advocacy work on corporate accountability.
 She is specialised in areas ranging from: combating abuses in global supply chains, environmental justice and corporate crimes.
IMG: yuumeiart.com

]]> Seema have 20 years of professional experience working globally in law, policy and human rights. Most recently, she was Programme Director of Global Thematic Issues at Amnesty international. For many years, as Head of Business and Human Rights, she has led the organisation's investigative and advocacy work on corporate accountability.
 She is specialised in areas ranging from: combating abuses in global supply chains, environmental justice and corporate crimes.
IMG: yuumeiart.com

]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:00:00 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2366 In this episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk about Seema's work on energy and the human rights impacts of corporate activities in oil, gas and natural resources, as well as how to think about the impact of new technologies and clean energies which are not so clean when it comes to human rights abuses. In this episode Olga, Seema and Raza talk about Seema's work on energy and the human rights impacts of corporate activities in oil, gas and natural resources, as well as how to think about the impact of new technologies and clean energies which are not so Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No Pilot - Discovering a Pathway to Human Rights 1 1 Pilot - Discovering a Pathway to Human Rights full dee9aa3a-5f47-41fa-8215-3e00e67f5e46 https://share.transistor.fm/s/50dc46a5 Fri, 17 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000 Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza Olga Martin-Ortega, Seema Joshi, Fakhar Raza 2974 Exploring the motivations which lead to care about human rights and then what kind of compassionate paths these individuals took in their life. Exploring the motivations which lead to care about human rights and then what kind of compassionate paths these individuals took in their life. Human Rights, Society, Humanity, Activists, Social Change, No