Conversations on Genocide

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, host Franzie sits down with Bjeen Alhassan, founder of the NGO Transfer of Knowledge (TOK), to explore the intersections of gender, genocide, and diaspora through the lens of Kurdish women in Northeast Syria. Bjeen shares her personal journey — from surviving the Assad regime and the Syrian war, to navigating discrimination and a landmark legal battle in Germany, to being detained in Turkey for speaking out about Kurdish rights. Together, they discuss what empowerment truly means for women in conflict zones, the challenges of building grassroots organizations without institutional support, and the resilience required to fight for recognition and justice when the world looks away. This conversation is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of Kurdish women and the importance of refusing silence in the face of oppression.Bjeen Alhassan, born in 1992 in Qamishli, Rojava in northeastern Syria. She studied economics in Damascus. In 2014, she fled the Syrian war and came to Germany with her family. She completed a master's degree in 2019. Bjeen established the Facebook group "Lernen mit Bijin," in which she helps refugee women find their way in Germany. In 2020, she received the German Integration Award from chancellor Angela Merkel for her commitment. https://www.facebook.com/groups/533614240656505   Despite discrimination, war, loss, racism and sexism in her life she has never given up. She has not stopped fighting for independence, self-determination and justice for women. In 2021, Bjeen founded transfer of Knowledge TOK e.V. An NGO that empowers Women in the economic and social spheres.  TOK e.V. is a team of young, talented, diverse and educated members, who all participate for society in different sectors but with the same goal: to share knowledge and enable disadvantaged people to gain fair access to Information. "Because we don’t take information for granted."  As a former refugee, Bjeen aspires to be a role model for refugee women. She seeks to provide them with a safe space that empowers them to express themselves and their pain, and to tell their stories. To be a person they can look up to, yet shares the same background as them.

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Beth is joined by Michał Jagielski, Senior Iran and Central Asia Team Leader at Genocide Watch, to discuss his recent published Genocide Alert: Future Consequences of the War in Iran. Michał provides updates on the contradictory messaging from US officials about the war's objectives and analyzes three possible outcomes: an IRGC military takeover, complete regime change, or regime survival. All scenarios present significant dangers to the civilian population through increased executions, sanctions, displacement, and humanitarian crisis. The conversation highlights how the US, Israel, Iran, and all U.N. member states have the responsibility to protect Iranian civilians and do everything possible to end this war--and how you can take action. Michał JagielskiCentral Asia Team LeaderSudan and North-Central Africa Team Co-LeaderAlliance Division Michał Jagielski is a recent graduate of Lund University in Sweden, where he majored in Middle Eastern Studies, defending his master’s thesis on the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s framing strategies in exile. Previously he received his bachelor's degree in Iranian Studies from the University of Warsaw, Poland. Michał has experience working for NGOs and INGOs where he participated in projects focusing on humanitarian aid, advocacy and human rights protection.​At Genocide Watch he is co-leader of the Sudan and North-Central Africa Team and leader of the Central Asia Team. He is also a member of the Research Division and Alliance Division and the Middle East and North Africa, and Central Africa Teams.​His current research interests include the remnants of colonial mentality in international law and geo-politics, political persecution, state building and resolving generational traumas and prejudices.

Quatre ans après le début de l’invasion russe à grande échelle de l’Ukraine, quelle est la réalité des Ukrainiens qui ont décidé de rester ? Les crimes de masse perpétrés par la Russie à l’encontre de la population civile ukrainienne sont-ils constitutifs d’un génocide ? Comment les autorités russes justifient-elles ces actes de violence ?Pour répondre à ces questions, le podcast « Conversations on Genocide » a l’honneur de recevoir Katerina Sviderska, chercheuse émergente à l'Université de Cambridge, au Royaume-Uni. Ensemble, nous évoquons le quotidien des habitants de Kherson, où vivent encore quelques-uns de ses proches. Puis nous analysons les mythes historiques russes (mythe du nazisme et mythe de l'unité des Russes et des Ukrainiens) repris dans les discours officiels russes pour construire les frontières symboliques avec les Ukrainiens, permettant le passage à l’acte de violence.Katerina Sviderska est une doctorante ukraino-canadienne. Son mémoire de maîtrise intitulé « Mythes de masse à violence de masse : historiographie en Russie et génocide en Ukraine » (2024) a été récompensé par le prix Jenson-Pétry de la Société québécoise de science politique. Ses recherches doctorales au sein de l’Université de Cambridge portent désormais sur la construction identitaire ukrainienne et son intégration européenne.

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Brenda and Bhaswati speak with Rebecca Deng, a South Sudanese American author and human rights advocate who survived war, displacement, and gender-based violence as one of the 89 Lost Girls of Sudan. Rebecca shares her journey from a peaceful childhood in South Sudan through life in Kakuma refugee camp to becoming a powerful voice for women and refugees worldwide. We explore the unique challenges children face in refugee camps, the devastating impact of gender-based violence in conflict zones, and Rebecca's path to healing through storytelling and advocacy. She discusses her memoir "What They Meant For Evil," the importance of forgiveness, and why survivor voices must be centered in policy-making. A moving conversation about resilience, hope, and the power of using your voice for justice.https://www.genocidewatch.com/donate

[English below]. Comment 75% des Juifs en France ont-ils échappé à la déportation ? Pour son premier épisode en français, le podcast « Conversations on Genocide » accueille l’historien et politologue Jacques Semelin. Encouragé par Simone Veil, Jacques Semelin commence en 2008 une décennie de recherches consacrées à la survie des Juifs en France entre 1940 et 1944. Dans cet épisode, il partage les résultats de ses travaux pionniers, dont voici l’une des principales conclusions : puisque 4000 « Justes » en France n’ont pas pu sauver 200 000 Juifs, les Juifs doivent être reconsidérés comme les premiers acteurs de leur survie. Vous souhaitez en apprendre plus sur cette « énigme française » ? Vous êtes au bon endroit ! Pour plus de détails, n’hésitez pas à consulter l’ouvrage de référence de Jacques Semelin : « La survie des Juifs en France (1940-1944) » (CNRS Éditions, 2018).  Jacques Semelin est historien et psychologue de formation, aujourd’hui directeur de recherche émérite au CNRS et professeur à Sciences Po Paris. Ses travaux portent principalement sur la résistance civile, les génocides et violences extrêmes, la survie et le sauvetage en situation génocidaire. Son livre « Purifier et détruire » (Le Seuil, 2005) demeure une référence internationale dans le domaine des études sur le génocide. Il a également fondé et dirigé l’Encyclopédie en ligne sur les violences de masse.  English-speaking listeners, stay tuned: the English transcript of this episode will soon be available on Genocide Watch's website!Jacques Semelin est professeur émérite d'histoire et de sciences politiques à Sciences Po, CERI, CNRS, Paris. Ses recherches portent sur l'Holocauste et les violences de masse, ainsi que sur la résistance civile et les opérations de sauvetage. Il est l'auteur de l'ouvrage de référence *Désarmés contre Hitler : la résistance civile en Europe, 1939-1945* et de *Purifier et détruire : les usages politiques du massacre et du génocide* .

Dr. Amos Goldberg, Holocaust scholar at Hebrew University, discusses why he publicly called Gaza a genocide—and the moral responsibility that comes with expertise in genocide studies. He explains how Holocaust memory is being misused to justify violence, why analogies to past genocides matter, and the personal cost of speaking truth in Israel today. This conversation explores the intersection of scholarship and conscience, examining how "never again" became selectively applied and what lessons the world continues to ignore.Dr. Amos Goldberg is Professor of Holocaust History at the Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel). Each of his academic degrees, including his PhD, were earned at the Hebrew University. Dr. Goldberg also served as a post-doc visiting scholar at Cornell University and Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Israel). As the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Senior Scholar-in-Residence at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, Dr. Goldberg will be conducting research for his project, “The Cultural History of the Jews in Warsaw under Nazi Occupation - September 1939-July 1942.”Dr. Goldberg chaired the Department of Jewish History and Contemporary Jewry at The Hebrew University (2016 – 2018) and established the "The Hebrew University Research Forum of Holocaust, Genocide and Mass Violence," which co-hosted the 2016 bi-annual INoGS (International Network of Genocide Scholars) conference. Between 2007 -2014, Dr. Goldberg served as a co-editor of the journal Dapim: Studies on the Holocaust (in English and Hebrew), for whose editorial board he still serves. He also serves as a member of the editorial board for Theory and Criticism, and as a fellow at The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute.Dr. Goldberg is a cultural historian whose work is interdisciplinary in nature, part of which focuses on the history of the Jews in the Holocaust while other on Holocaust memory and historiography. He led the project in which he was also a co-writer of the four-volume series Years Wherein We Have Seen Evil: Selected Aspects in the History of Religious Jewry during the Holocaust (Yad Vashem); and co-edited, together with Bashir Bashir, two books on Jewish and Palestinian traumatic memories (Van Leer, 2015 [Hebrew]; Columbia University Press, 2018 [English]). Among his other publications is Trauma in First Person: Diary Writing during the Holocaust (2012 [Hebrew]; 2017 [English]), which won the 2012 Israeli Egit prize for Holocaust research and literature; and his co-edited volume with Haim Hazan Marking, Evil: Holocaust Memory in the Global Age (2015) . Dr. Goldberg is now working on two book projects: one on the cultural history of the Jews in Warsaw during the Holocaust, and the other, Critical Thoughts on Holocaust Historiography (Resling Publications, forthcoming in 2019 [Hebrew]).

In this episode of Conversations on Genocide, Emily delves into the complex topic of genocide with special guest William Schabas, a leading scholar on genocide and international human rights law. They discuss the legal definitions and interpretations of genocide, particularly in relation to Ukraine and Gaza, and the ongoing debates among scholars and professionals. They also explore the new special tribunal for the crime of aggression in Ukraine, its jurisdictional basis, potential challenge.Professor William A. Schabas is professor of international law at Middlesex University in London. He joined the Middlesex University faculty in 2011 after a distinguished career as a practising lawyer (member of the Québec bar) and academic, have previously been professor of law at the Université du Québec à Montréal and the University of Galway.Professor Schabas is also emeritus professor at Leiden University and the University of Galway, honorary chairman of the Irish Centre for Human Rights, and invited visiting scholar at the Paris School of International Affairs (Sciences Po). Prof. Schabas is a ‘door tenant’ at the chambers of 9 Bedford Row, in London.He has appeared as counsel before several international and national courts and tribunals including the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights and the Supreme Court of Canada. Professor Schabas was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2006. He was elected a member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2007. He has been awarded the Vespasian V. Pella Medal for International Criminal Justice of the Association internationale de droit pénal, the Gold Medal in the Social Sciences of the Royal Irish Academy, and he holds several honorary doctorates.Professor Schabas served as one of the commissioners of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission, from 2002 to 2004. In 2014, he was appointed by the president of the United Nations Human Rights Council as chairman of the International commission of inquiry to investigate all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military operations conducted since 13 June 2014. From 2009 to 2011, he was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights.Professor Schabas has prepared the quinquennial reports of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the status of capital punishment for 2010, 2015 and 2020.

Today's episode features a conversation with Professor Omer Bartov, a leading expert on genocide and Holocaust studies at Brown University. Areeka and Prof. Bartov discuss the unfolding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The discussion covers the events leading to the genocide, and the implications of naming it as such. Bartov addresses issues such as the use of dehumanizing rhetoric, the framing of the conflict as a war, and the psychological challenges of recognizing genocide.Born in Israel and educated at Tel Aviv University and St. Antony's College, Oxford, Omer Bartov's early research concerned the Nazi indoctrination of the Wehrmacht and the crimes it committed in World War II, analyzed in his books, The Eastern Front, 1941-1945, and Hitler's Army. He then turned to the links between total war and genocide, discussed in his books Murder in Our Midst, Mirrors of Destruction, and Germany's War and the Holocaust. Bartov's interest in representation also led to his study, The "Jew" in Cinema, which examines the recycling of antisemitic stereotypes in film. His more recent work has focused on interethnic relations in the borderlands of Eastern Europe. Recent publications include Erased: Vanishing Traces of Jewish Galicia in Present-Day Ukraine (2007), Anatomy of a Genocide: The Life and Death of a Town Called Buczacz (2018), winner of the National Jewish Book Award, and Tales from the Borderlands: Making and Unmaking the Galician Past (2022). His many edited volumes include Shatterzone of Empires: Coexistence and Violence in the German, Habsburg, Russian, and Ottoman Borderlands (2013), Voices on War and Genocide: Three Accounts of the World Wars in a Galician Town (2020), and Israel-Palestine: Lands and Peoples (2021). Bartov’s novel, The Butterfly and the Axe, will be published in 2023.The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.U.S.-Based Resources:• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdfGlobal Resources:• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

In this episode of "Conversations on Genocide," Michal interviews Steve Crawshaw, a leading human rights advocate and author, about his experiences confronting genocide and mass atrocities. Crawshaw discusses the evolution and challenges of international justice, the significance of survivor testimony, and the ongoing struggle against global inaction and complicity. He highlights the importance of accountability, the role of truth in healing, and offers resources for further education on human rights and genocide prevention.Steve Crawshaw is the former UK Director at Human Rights Watch, former Director of the Office of the Secretary-General at Amnesty International, and former Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Independent. In 2018, he became Policy and Advocacy Director at Freedom from Torture. He is an author; his latest book, Prosecuting the Powerful: War Crimes and the Battle for Justice, published in February 2025, explores the history of war crimes, genocide, and those responsible for them. His previous books cover a wide range of topics, including the USSR, Germany, creative protest, and social resistance.LISTEN & FOLLOWSeeking Justice: An Interview with Steve Crawshaw on Genocide, Accountability, and Human RightsFriday, October 10, 2025Episode DescriptionIn this episode of "Conversations on Genocide," Michal interviews Steve Crawshaw, a leading human rights advocate and author, about his experiences confronting genocide and mass atrocities. Crawshaw discusses the evolution and challenges of international justice, the significance of survivor testimony, and the ongoing struggle against global inaction and complicity. He highlights the importance of accountability, the role of truth in healing, and offers resources for further education on human rights and genocide prevention.Steve Crawshaw is the former UK Director at Human Rights Watch, former Director of the Office of the Secretary-General at Amnesty International, and former Chief Foreign Correspondent at The Independent. In 2018, he became Policy and Advocacy Director at Freedom from Torture. He is an author; his latest book, Prosecuting the Powerful: War Crimes and the Battle for Justice, published in February 2025, explores the history of war crimes, genocide, and those responsible for them. His previous books cover a wide range of topics, including the USSR, Germany, creative protest, and social resistance.​Sources coming soon...​The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.U.S.-Based Resources:• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdfGlobal Resources:• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

How does an artist representing genocide navigate the tension between respectful commemoration and critical engagement? Why does the stage lend itself particularly well to remembering stories of genocide? What does it take for ‘spectators’ to care? In this episode, our Research Director, Kolby, sits down with Legal Aliens Theatre Director Lara Parmiani to discuss their company’s stage adaptation of Aidan Hehir’s book, Flowers of Srebrenica. Their discussions delve into the broader work of Legal Aliens Theatre, the artistic choices made in adapting Hehir’s book to the stage, the different reactions from audiences throughout the Balkans, the company’s expectations for their upcoming Western European shows, and the significance of their adaptation in a time of ongoing genocide.Lara Parmiani (known also as Lara Parmiani-Williams) is a British Italian actress. She trained at Accademia Dei Filodrammatici in Milan and at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.She also spent some time in Paris studying with Jean Paul Denison, from Peter Brook's company, and attended physical theatre workshops with Peter Flaszen in Florence and Complicite' in London. Lara has experience in most theatrical genres, from Physical Theatre to the classics, from musical to new writing which she's also produced with her company LegalAliens. On screen, she made her debut in the mid 90s in the Italian TV show Ciao Ciao Mattina. TV experience also includes the BBC series "He knew he was right", and the pilot "Hollow Bones." Films include "Nine days of hell," "Yours in solidarity," "Berberian Sound Studio," (Frightfest winner in 2012) and the Bond movie "Spectre." Lara's diverse background - a mix of Italian, Hungarian, Jewish and British has allowed her to play characters from all over the world - Italian, Spanish, French, Eastern European, British and even Moroccan.The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.U.S.-Based Resources:• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdfGlobal Resources:• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

On today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Emily and Finia with our Ukraine task force sit down with two wartime photographers, Justyna Mielnikiewicz and Laurin Strele, to discuss their experiences capturing conflict on camera. Focusing on the war in Ukraine, the discussion delves into their work documenting moments of resilience and humanity, amid intense conflict and strife.Justyna Mielnikiewicz is an award winning photographer from Poland, based in Tbilisi , Georgia since 2003. Her works have been published internationally by The New York Times, Newsweek, Le Monde, Stern, National Geographic and WSJ - among others. She is a winner of World Press Photo, Canon Female Photojournalist Prize, Caucasus Young Photographer Award by Magnum Foundation, Aftermath Project Grant and Eugene Smith Fund in 2016.Most important part of her work is devoted to personal , long term projects published as books. In 2014 her first Book was released : “Woman with a Monkey- Caucasus in Short Notes and Photographs". In 2019 the author's second book : “Ukraine Runs Through it" was shortlisted among 20 best books by Paris Photo and Aperture.She teaches photography workshops and is available for lectures on photography as well as the topic she specializes at which deals with different aspects of transformations in countries of Central Europe and Post Soviet Space , in particular Caucasus and Ukraine.Website: https://www.justmiel.com/indexLaurin Strele is an Austrian-born, award-winning photographer and photojournalist renowned for his compelling storytelling and evocative imagery. As a Leica Ambassador, Laurin’s work is defined by its focus on capturing the human experience in its rawest form, often in challenging and conflict-affected regions.In recent years, Laurin has documented some of the most pressing global crises. His powerful photo essays have shed light on the war in Ukraine, where he spent extensive time in 2024 capturing the resilience of soldiers and civilians amidst devastation. Similarly, during his journey to Lebanon in autumn 2024, Laurin chronicled the impact of the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, highlighting both the destruction and the perseverance of daily life in Beirut and beyond.With a career that has taken him through Afghanistan, Iraq, India, and countless other countries, Laurin has earned international recognition for his ability to capture the beauty, resilience, and complexities of diverse cultures and environments. Through his lens, Laurin continues to bridge cultural divides and inspire global conversations about resilience and humanity.Website: https://laurinstrele.com/The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.U.S.-Based Resources:• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdfGlobal Resources:• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, women and girls have faced systemic violence and the stripping of human rights. Women have been denied the ability to join the workforce, access education, and cannot let their voices be heard outside the house. In this episode, Raziya Masumi tells us about the brutal treatment of women and girls under the Taliban. Raziya is a legal expert, and leads the Afghanistan Task Force at Genocide Watch.

Why is the U.N. so ineffective at preventing genocide? What changes need to be made to the U.N. for it to become an effective body in preventing, addressing, and redressing genocide? In this episode, Elia is joined by Dr. Gregory Stanton, the founder of Genocide Watch, to explore these questions, as well as outline the design flaws present in U.N. conventions addressing genocide, and what needs to change for the U.N. to reflect its stated values and mission in regards to genocide.

What is the healing power of victims of genocide sharing their stories, and what challenges do victims face in sharing? How do victim testimonies affect understandings of genocide and pathways to reconciliation and forgiveness? In this episode, Bhaswati is joined by Professor Drew Kahn to discuss his experience collecting victim testimonies and transforming them into performances, as well as his work with the  the Anne Frank Project, a multilayered program at Buffalo State University that utilizes the wisdom of Anne Frank as a springboard for the examination of conflict education and social justice through the lens of story and performance.

Peter Metzelaar, a Holocaust survivor, joins Beth on today's episode. Peter was born in Amsterdam in 1935. In 1942, when Peter was 7, the Nazis seized Peter's entire family except for Peter and his mother. He tells us his incredible story of survival, resilience, and the importance of Holocaust education.Bio: Peter was born in Amsterdam in 1935. In 1942, when Peter was 7, the Nazis seized Peter's entire family except for Peter and his mother. Peter's mother contacted the Dutch Underground for help. The Underground found Klaas and Roefina Post who agreed to shelter Peter and his mother on their small farm in northern Holland, putting their own lives at risk. For two years they lived with the Posts until it became too dangerous and they found another hiding place with two women in The Hague. Peter, his mother, and his aunt were the only survivors of his family. Klaas and Roefina Post have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.After the war, Peter and his mother immigrated to the United States in 1949, arriving in New York. Peter was 13 and didn't speak any English, but was placed in the 8th grade. Peter had a long career as a radiology technologist. He and his wife Bea raised two children from Pete's previous marriage and had a third son in California. The Metzelaars moved to Seattle in 1997. Peter continues to be an active member of the Holocaust Center for Humanity's Speakers Bureau.Sources: Survivor Encyclopedia: Washington State. Peter Meztelaar: https://www.holocaustcenterseattle.org/peter-metzelaarMental Health Resources:The content featured in this podcast may be emotionally disturbing and intense. Listener discretion is advised. Please consult this document for mental health resources if needed.U.S.-Based Resources:• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988• Open Path Collective: https://openpathcollective.org/• BIPOC Mental Health Resources: https://www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BIPOC-Mental-Health-Resources.pdfGlobal Resources:• Befrienders: https://befrienders.org/• Find a Helpline: https://findahelpline.com/• I Call Helpline: https://icallhelpline.org/• 13 Yarn: https://www.13yarn.org.au/• Help Guide: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

What is cultural genocide? Why are acts of cultural genocide excluded from the legal definition of genocide? In this episode, Professor Jeff Bachman joins Elia to discuss his research into the history of cultural genocide and some of its present day manifestations.

In this thought-provoking episode, Genocide Watch's Ukraine Task Force dives into urgent discussions surrounding the ongoing investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. Join its members as they sit down with two distinguished lawyers from Global Rights Compliance, Maksym Vishchyk and Jeremy Pizzi, renowned for their work in international law and human rights advocacy. Our guests shed light on the legal frameworks governing war crimes and the complexities of gathering evidence amidst conflict. Listen to gain a deeper understanding of the legal battles taking place in Ukraine and the relentless pursuit of justice. For those interested in reading the Just Security article discussed in this episode, one can find it here: https://www.justsecurity.org/108358/kyiv-world-legal-order-decay-2/. For more information, check out our website at www.genocidewatch.com and follow us on Instagram @genocidewatchofficial.

What role do atrocity memorials play in transitional justice, and how do communities heal in the decades that follow? In today's episode, Beth is joined by Dr. Nicole Fox to explore how memorials to past atrocities contribute to the healing and reconciliation of genocide survivors. Focusing on the 1994 Rwandan genocide, they delve into the memorials dedicated to its victims and survivors, and examine what healing has looked like over the 30 years since.

How do we understand the psychological, mental health, and cognitive impacts on the survivors and offspring of genocide? Darya Ahmed is a clinical psychologist and scientific researcher with Koya University and specializes in psychological trauma in the context of the Kurdish Genocide. In today's episode, Darya joins Beth to discuss his research on psychological trauma during genocide, war, conflict, and related topics.

January 11 is the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States. Genocide Watch marks this date by highlighting the ongoing illegal transfer and abduction of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation. As a part of its genocidal champaign against the Ukrainian nation, Russia has been engaging in the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children since 2014, which has only intensified since the full-scale invasion in 2022. Listen to legal expert Kateryna Rashevska from the Regional Centre for Human Rights in Ukraine and Olha Yerokhina, Press Secretary from Save Ukraine, speak about their work repatriating Ukrainian children and promoting accountability for this crime.

What unique challenges do children face in times of genocide and mass atrocities? How can we prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict? What would placing children at the heart of prevention and justice efforts mean for global peace and security? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Dr. Shelley Whitman, the Executive Director of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security. The Dallaire Institute is one of the leading international repository of expertise, research and advocacy to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence. Dr. Whitman provides an outline of the unique challenges the use of children in conflict pose in human rights, genocide prevention, and post-conflict justice pose, as well as provide insight into the Dallaire Institute's work and style of advocacy.

What challenges do Indian Muslims face in India and abroad due to the rise of Hindu nationalism? What does advocacy for the rights of Indian American Muslims look like? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Safa Ahmed, the Associate Director of Media & Communications for the Indian American Muslim Council. The IAMC is the largest US-based advocacy organization of Indian American Muslims, working to promote pluralism, tolerance, and respect through education, community outreach, and other initiatives. Ms. Ahmed shares a brief history of Hindu nationalism and the challenges faced by Muslims within India and the greater Indian diaspora, as well as provide insight into the work of the IAMC and its impact within the US.

What was Libya's colonial experience under Italian fascism? Why has the genocide of Libyans been largely overlooked? And what connections exist between this dark chapter and the Nazis? In today’s episode, Maryam delves into these questions and more with Dr. Ali Abdullatif Ahmida, a professor at the University of New England and a leading expert on Libya. We uncover the history of a forgotten genocide, shedding light on the dismissed brutality of Italian fascists—a dark chapter that remains largely unknown, even among scholars. This conversation highlights the importance of revisiting suppressed histories to understand the lingering impacts of colonial violence and the need for historical accountability.

How has genocide remembrance served reconciliation efforts in Cambodia? How do official and unofficial actors, from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) to everyday citizens, create memory around the Cambodian genocide? In today’s episode of “Conversations on Genocide,” Bekir speaks with Dr. Annie Rappeport, an instructor at the University of Virginia and dialogue designer at The Karsh Institute for Democracy, to analyze post-genocide justice in Cambodia and the various mediums through which it has manifested itself, alongside what the future of genocide commemoration in Cambodia holds. For more information, check out our website at www.genocidewatch.com and follow us on Instagram @genocidewatchofficial. Resources for Episode: found here. Dr. Annie Rappeport, Ph.D. Contact Information: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn

What drives Russia’s current illegal invasion of Ukraine, and how has the Kremlin been carrying out genocide against the Ukrainian nation? How have Ukrainians and international observers been documenting Russian war crimes and raising awareness on the global stage about these ongoing atrocities? On today's episode of "Conversations on Genocide," Emily and Wayne speak with Kateryna Buriakovska and Mykola Komarovskiy, two experts at the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, about Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine. Listen as they recount their efforts to address Russian’s grave violations of international law through international legal, organizational, and documentary frameworks. For more information, check out our website at www.genocidewatch.com and follow us on Instagram @genocidewatchofficial.

How did the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) form and begin trying perpetrators of the Cambodian genocide? What challenges arose during the ECCC’s existence, and how has it, alongside other entities, worked to preserve and reckon with the memory of the Cambodian genocide? On today’s episode of “Conversations on Genocide,” Elia speaks with Dr. Helen Jarvis, the former Chief of Public Affairs and Chief of the Victims’ Support Section of the ECC. They discuss the tribunal, memorialization in Cambodia, and Dr. Jarvis’ work on other aspects of the genocide. For more information, check out our content on our website at www.genocidewatch.com and follow us on Instagram @genocidewatchofficial.

How can we best address the needs of the survivors of genocide? What does community-driven, sustainable rebuilding look like? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia speaks with Abid Shamdeen, the co-founder of Nadia's Initiative. Nadia's Initiative is an NGO focusing on advocacy for the Yazidi people and rebuilding Sinjar following the Yazidi genocide. Mr. Shamdeen shares his story, as well as provide insight into Nadia's Initiative's philosophy and impact in the Sinjar region.

How did the Cambodian genocide occur and what events defined its course? And how did international justice efforts address the genocide’s legacy? On today’s episode of “Conversations on Genocide,” Bekir speaks with Dr. Alex Hinton, an expert on Cambodia who testified before the Khmer Rouge tribunal, to answer these questions and more, alongside discussing Dr. Hinton’s scholarly work on genocide. Dr. Hinton can be found on the following social media platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexander.hinton.10/ Twitter: @AlexLHinton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hinton-887b7312/ Bluesky: @alexhinton.bsky.social Instagram: AlexHinton123

How does one find hope after surviving a genocide? In today's episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia is speaking with Consolee Nishimwe, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, writer, and activist. Consolee shares her experiences surviving the genocide, and how she has found hope and healing since.

How has rape come to be defined as a crime of genocide, and how does it impact its victims after genocide has ended? In today’s episode of Conversations on Genocide, Elia is speaking with PhD candidate Bhaswati Bhattacharjee. They discuss the history of rape as a crime of genocide and the importance of genocidal rape survivors’ accounts within historical narrative.

Why are the Maasai people being evicted from their lands in Tanzania?  In today’s episode of Conversations on Genocide, Aline is speaking with Maasai human rights lawyer Joseph Moses Oleshangay. They discuss the historical and current factors responsible for the forced displacement of the Maasai people and its impact on the community’s culture. We’d like to thank Joseph for taking the time to speak with us. If you wish to keep up with his work, you can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Oleshangay. 

In what ways do sexual and gender-based violence shape the dynamics of genocide? In today’s episode of Conversations on Genocide, Aline is speaking with researcher Esther Brito Ruiz. They discuss the interplay of gender-based violence, cultural genocide, and how a gendered lens can improve the process of genocide recognition and response. We’d like to thank Esther for taking the time to share her insights with us. If you wish to stay in touch with her work, you can visit her website at https://www.estherbritoruiz.com/ and follow her on LinkedIn. Content Warning: Sexual and gender-based violence

In what ways does applying an international law perspective to the Rohingya genocide help us better understand its history? In today’s episode of Conversations on Genocide, Aline is in conversation with International Criminal Law Attorney Regina Paulose. They discuss the historicity as well as the present status of the Rohingya genocide and delve deeper into the effectiveness and progress of International Law measures in serving justice to the Rohingya community. We’d like to thank Regina for taking the time to speak with us. If you wish to keep up with her work, you can find her on X (formerly Twitter) @reginapaulose or consult her books Green Crimes and International Criminal Law and People’s Tribunals, Human Rights and the Law: Searching for Justice.  Content Warning: Mentions of human trafficking and rape. 

How did the current definition of genocide come into existence? Why is it important to conceptualize genocide from a gendered lens? In today’s episode of Conversations on Genocide, Podcast Team member Aline explores these questions and many others with Dr. Amy Randall, a History Professor at Santa Clara University. Dr. Randall discusses in detail the issues surrounding the legal definition of genocide and the importance of recognizing gender-based violence as an act of genocide. We’d like to thank Dr. Randall for taking the time to share her insights with us. If you wish to keep up with her work, please email her at [email protected] and consult her book, Genocide and Gender in the Twentieth Century. Content Warning: Mentions of sexual and gender-based violence.

Welcome to our new podcast series, Conversations on Genocide! In today’s episode, Podcast Team members Aline, Prabhleen, and Tiina introduce the podcast’s format and a few topics that will be featured in future episodes. We’d like to thank everyone on the Podcast Team for their hard work these past few months to produce educational content for you all. We hope you join us once-a-week to expand your understanding of genocide. For more information, check out our content on our website at www.genocidewatch.com and follow us on Instagram @genocidewatchofficial.