Amicae Curiae

Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Ethiopia - where feminism, online violence, armed conflict, and digital technology collide.In this episode, we explore the story of Yordanos Bezabih, an Ethiopian women’s rights activist and engineer who became the target of years of online harassment, deepfake abuse, stalking, and death threats because of her feminist advocacy. From coordinated Telegram campaigns to doxxing and AI-generated sexual content, we look at how online violence against women can quickly spill into the offline world.We also dive into the broader context behind her story: the devastating Tigray war, one of the deadliest conflicts of the 21st century, marked by allegations of genocide, mass sexual violence, and ethnic persecution. Why was this conflict so underreported internationally? And how has wartime violence shaped the current climate for women and activists in Ethiopia today?Alongside this, we unpack the growing phenomenon of technology-facilitated gender-based violence - from deepfakes and cyber harassment to image-based abuse and online hate campaigns. As AI-generated content becomes more convincing and social media platforms struggle - or fail - to moderate harmful content, what responsibilities do states and companies like Meta actually have?We also discuss international human rights protections, including the ICCPR and CEDAW, and ask whether existing laws are capable of protecting women in increasingly digital societies.How dangerous can online hate become when it is left unchecked? What happens when feminist activism itself becomes politicized? And are governments and tech companies doing enough to stop digital violence before it turns physical?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: ⁠[email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Türkiye — where questions of political pluralism, free expression, and state power collide.In this episode, we explore the tense and decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdish minority, the broad use of anti-terror laws, and a media landscape where critical voices risk prosecution. From dismissed mayors to jailed journalists, we look at how laws meant to protect the state can also be used to stifle pluralism and silence dissent.At the centre of it all is Selahattin Demirtaş — former presidential candidate and pro-Kurdish opposition leader — who has spent nearly a decade in prison over speeches and social media posts.His case reached the European Court of Human Rights, which delivered a rare finding: Türkiye violated Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights, meaning his detention pursued an ulterior political purpose. Despite a binding judgment ordering his release - he remains in jail.How did counterterrorism become a way to silence opposition? What does it mean to be a “political prisoner”? And what happens when a state openly defies a binding ECtHR judgment?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: ⁠[email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us for a journey to Central America – specifically to El Salvador, a small country with an outsized and deeply complex history.In this episode, we dive into colonialism, civil war, U.S. influence, and the rise of one of the world’s most notorious gangs: Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). From the surreal “Football War” with Honduras to the long shadows of the Cold War, we trace how violence, migration, and politics became tightly intertwined in Salvadoran society.At the heart of the episode lies the present: the rise of President Nayib Bukele and his radical Mano Dura (“Iron Fist”) crackdown on gang violence. We unpack the state of emergency, mass arrests, mega-prisons like CECOT, and the suspension of fundamental rights – including fair trial guarantees and the detention of children. Why do many Salvadorans feel safer than ever, while international organizations warn of widespread human rights abuses?Legally, we focus on core questions of international human rights law: what is a state allowed to do during a state of emergency? Which rights can never be suspended? And how do Bukele’s policies measure up against El Salvador’s obligations under the ICCPR and the American Convention on Human Rights?This episode tells the story of an apparent success built on a dangerous paradox: security achieved at the expense of freedom. A case that reaches far beyond El Salvador – and forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about power, populism, and the true cost of safety.For any questions or corrections (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at:⁠[email protected]⁠

Grab your coffee and join us for a deep dive into one of the most famous - and disturbing - stories in international law: the rise, rule, and arrest of Augusto Pinochet.This episode takes us from Chile’s 1973 coup d’état and 17 years of military dictatorship marked by torture, enforced disappearances, and mass repression, to an unexpected arrest in London in 1998 that shook the foundations of international law. Along the way, we unpack CIA involvement in Latin America, concentration camps in football stadiums, and a regime that perfected cruelty as a tool of governance.At the legal heart of the episode lies a groundbreaking question: can a former head of State be arrested abroad for international crimes? We break down universal jurisdiction, crimes against humanity, and the historic House of Lords decision that stripped Pinochet of immunity for acts of torture - a moment that forever changed the fight against impunity.From Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón’s arrest warrant to Pinochet’s final return to Chile, where justice arrived late, this episode explores why accountability for mass atrocities is so hard to achieve, and why it still matters today, especially as Chile continues to grapple with Pinochet’s legacy.For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us at the Thai–Myanmar border, where luxury villas and high-tech infrastructure conceal one of the fastest-growing human trafficking operations in the world.In this episode, we examine the rise of cyber-scam compounds in Myanmar — sites where tens of thousands of people are trafficked, detained, tortured, and forced to scam others online.At the centre is the story is a computer scientist from Ghana who accepted a job offer in Thailand, only to be trafficked and forced into cyber fraud under threats of violence. His experience exposes the cruel irony at the heart of these crimes: victims of trafficking coerced into committing criminal acts themselves.What does human trafficking for forced criminality mean under international law? How does the non-punishment principle seek to protect trafficked persons rather than re-traumatizing them? And what legal challenges does the rapid expansion of cybercrime present? These are only some of the questions of international law explored in this episode.What emerges is a sobering picture of how globalization, technology and weak accountability intersect — and why dismantling these crimes requires far more than border raids and power cuts.For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us as we travel to Mindanao, Philippines, to explore the ongoing struggle of the Lumad, the non-Muslim indigenous peoples of the region.This episode traces how colonial land policies, militarization, and counterinsurgency have shaped the lives of Lumad communities—from the legacy of Spanish and U.S. rule to modern laws that promise protection but often fail in practice. We focus on the closure of Lumad schools, the criminalization of teachers and human rights defenders, and the impact of military presence on indigenous children’s right to education.Through the lens of international law, we unpack key protections for indigenous peoples, including ancestral land rights, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and the right to education in conflict-affected areas. We also examine the growing gap between legal commitments and lived realities.A story about land, law, and the cost of protecting indigenous rights.For any question or correction (because yes, we may make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us in discussing one of the darkest chapters of the “Global War on Terror.” In this episode, we tell the story of two French men detained, tortured, and abused at Guantánamo Bay, and the long legal battle that followed against the architects of an entire system.From “enhanced interrogation techniques” to indefinite detention without charge, we unpack how torture was normalized, justified, and legally dressed up after 9/11, and why international law draws a very clear line: torture is always prohibited. No exceptions. No emergencies. No excuses.Along the way, we break down the absolute ban on torture, the limits of human rights derogations in the name of counterterrorism, and one of the most controversial issues in international law today: can State officials be prosecuted abroad for international crimes, or are they shielded by immunity?This episode takes us from Guantánamo to French courts, and all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, where judges were forced to confront the question: What happens when accountability turns into State immunity? And who pays the price when justice stops at the border?For any question or correction (because yes, we may make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us as we explore Colombia’s fragile reality of peace after decades of armed conflict. While the 2016 peace agreement promised an end to violence, rural communities continue to face threats from armed groups, especially in regions tied to the cocaine trade.Through the story of two indigenous farmers involved in coca-crop substitution programs, we look at how peacebuilding efforts are placing civilians and social leaders at serious risk. We discuss the role of non-state armed groups, widespread impunity, and Colombia’s obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.From coca cultivation and global demand for cocaine to the protection of civilians and human rights defenders, this episode looks at why violence persists and why peace remains difficult to reach.For questions or corrections, contact us at [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us as we take a closer look at one of the most controversial tools of state power: the death penalty. Our starting point is Bangladesh, where a recent death sentence for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has reignited global debate. But this episode goes far beyond one case.Besides the violations of the right to protest in Bangladesh, we explore why the death penalty is still used in 2025 despite decades of international efforts to abolish it. Does it really deter crime? Why do some governments hold on to it? And how do international courts and human rights bodies react when death sentences raise concerns about fairness or political motives?From wrongful convictions and discrimination to political misuse and global abolition trends, we unpack the legal, moral, and practical reasons why many countries are moving away from capital punishment—and why others are not.Using Bangladesh as a starting point, we ask the bigger questions: Is the death penalty compatible with human rights? What does international law actually say about it? And what does it mean for the right to life today?For questions or corrections, contact us at [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us for a journey into one of today’s deadliest - and least talked-about - conflicts. This episode takes us to Sudan, where power struggles between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have spiraled into mass displacement, ethnic killings, and unimaginable violence, especially against women and girls.We break down how a country with 20 coup attempts, decades of civil war, and a former president indicted for genocide ended up in its current nightmare, and why the world barely pays attention. Along the way, we unpack the basics of genocide, women's rights and international humanitarian law.At the centre of this episode is Samia, a mother of four whose story reflects the experience of millions of Sudanese civilians caught between armed groups who ignore every humanitarian rule on the books.What can the international community actually do? Why is humanitarian aid blocked? This episode tries to make sense of a crisis the world cannot afford to overlook - and of the women who continue to carry the heaviest burden.For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Sri Lanka, where constitutional protections for Buddhism collide with the rights of religious minorities.In this episode, we dive into the story of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Menzingen, a Catholic order active in Sri Lanka since the 1930s. Their challenge? Getting legally recognized by the Sri Lankan state. We unpack how the Sri Lankan Constitution gives Buddhism a “foremost place”, how this affects religious minorities, and how a simple request for incorporation ended up in front of the United Nations Human Rights Committee. From the Sri Lankan civil war to rising Buddhist nationalism, online hate campaigns and land disputes, we look at the context of tensions between Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians.Can a state prevent a religious group from helping vulnerable people on the grounds that it might “convert” them? What happens when the Human Rights Committee rules in your favour — but your country refuses to implement the findings?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us as we head into the heart of the Amazon, where the world's largest rainforest, Indigenous rights, and international law collide - just as COP30 kicks off in Belém, Brazil.In this episode, we step back from our usual single-case deep dive and zoom out to explore the bigger picture: What is COP actually about? Why is Brazil at the centre of global climate discussions? And how is international law responding to the escalating climate crisis?We revisit the Paris Agreement, unpack this year’s groundbreaking advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and talk about the first major climate judgment of the European Court of Human Rights.From there, we turn to Brazil: a country celebrated for its promise to curb Amazon deforestation, yet simultaneously expanding oil drilling. We look at the violent reality faced by Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities defending their lands, from the Yanomami crisis to the landmark case of the Quilombola Communities of Alcântara before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.We also explore one of the biggest proposals on the COP30 agenda - the Tropical Forest Forever Facility, a 125-billion-dollar fund aimed at supporting over 70 tropical forest nations. Will it help save the Amazon, or risk fuelling corruption and conflict?We want to understand what is at stake and what the future of the Amazon means for the Paris Agreement and the planet.For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: ⁠[email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us on a sinking island in the middle of the Pacific, where the shoreline is moving faster than international law.In this episode, we follow the story of Ioane Teitiota, a man from Kiribati, one of the world’s lowest-lying island States, who asked New Zealand for protection when his home quite literally began to disappear under rising seas. Along the way, we unpack why there is still no such thing as a “climate refugee” in international law, and how States are dealing with the issue: From the principle of non-refoulement, to bilateral agreements, to digital twins in the metaverse. And we raise a question that international law is still struggling to answer: what happens when your life is at risk not from a dictator or a war, but from climate change?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where oil spills, lawsuits, and the fight for justice collide…And go all the way to the Hague. In this episode, we unravel the decades-long battle between local communities and one of the world’s biggest oil giants — Texaco (now Chevron) — accused of turning parts of the rainforest into a toxic wasteland. From open waste pits and contaminated rivers to billion-dollar lawsuits and a David vs. Goliath fight that reached courts from Quito to The Hague, this case reveals how international law can both empower and betray those it’s meant to protect.Along the way, we unpack how investment treaties and ISDS tribunals play a role in one of the most shocking environmental and human rights sagas of our time.What happens when the pursuit of justice meets corporate power? And what happens when a frog sues a mining company? 🐸For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us for a case that takes us from a quiet Italian lakeside town to the frontlines of the global war on terror - a story where one man’s name on a UN sanctions list raised a difficult question: Can the global fight against terrorism justify compromising human rights? In this episode, we explore the unbelievable story of Youssef Moustafa Nada - an elderly businessman who ended up trapped in a tiny Italian enclave surrounded by Switzerland after being placed on a UN sanctions list.Cut off from the outside world for years, Nada’s life became a legal paradox: a man imprisoned not by walls, but by international law. His case exposed the tension between global security measures and fundamental freedoms and forced courts to ask whether following UN orders can ever excuse violating human rights.What started as one man’s fight for freedom turned into a landmark moment in international law. Join us as we unpack how Mr. Nada’s story changed the rules of the game and why it still matters in today’s world of sanctions, security, and human rights.For any question or correction (because, yes we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

Grab your coffee and join us for a journey from the waters of Somalia to the courtrooms of Paris and Strasbourg, where modern-day pirates meet international law.In this episode, we dive into the story of a French couple kidnapped by Somali pirates in 2008, and explore how that adventure ended up before the European Court of Human Rights. Along the way, we unravel the tangled history of Somalia, the roots of modern piracy, and what the law of the sea actually says about crimes committed on the high seas.From toxic waste dumping to universal jurisdiction, from the myth of the romantic pirate to the real human consequences of global inequality, this episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about pirates.For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected].

Grab your coffee and join us to explore Mauritania: The country with expansive anti-slavery legislation - and one of the highest rates of slavery in the modern world.In this first episode, we dive into the unbelievable story of two boys, Said and Yarg Salem, born into hereditary slavery in a country that still denies slavery exists. From vanishing defendants and systemic discrimination to laws that look perfect on paper but crumble in practice, we unpack the contradictions of a case that reached the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.And we ask the question: If the law calls slavery a crime against humanity, why are its victims still struggling to find justice?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]

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