Who Gets Protected — And Who Gets Left Behind? | Wendy Isaack on Human Rights & International Law

What does international law actually mean for ordinary people?And when justice feels selective — who gets protected?In this episode of Context, Sebenzile Nkambule sits down with international human rights lawyer Wendy Isaack for a deeply personal and intellectually rich conversation on the politics of justice.Drawing on over 20 years of work across Africa, the United Nations, and Palestine, Wendy reflects on her journey into human rights law and unpacks the systems that shape accountability, freedom, and dignity globally.The conversation explores:Free speech and harmful speech in South AfricaViolence against women and the politics of accountabilityApartheid as an international crime and unfinished justice in democratic South AfricaThe role of civil society in holding governments accountableWhy international law matters, even to ordinary citizens navigating difficult livesAfrica’s historic solidarity movements and lessons for todayAt its core, this episode asks:What happens when justice and power collide?A compelling and accessible conversation on law, politics, history, identity, and the human cost of inequality.