Can human rights make our societies better? This podcast explores the most important human rights issues of the day through engaging and accessible interviews with high-profile guests and straightforward guides to key concepts and key events. Presented by leading human rights lawyer Adam Wagner.
61 - A free chapter from my new audio book, Emergency State.
I am delighted to share a full chapter from the audio edition of my new book, Emergency State, read by me. If you want to listen to the full audio book, you can download it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emergency-State-Freedoms-Pandemic-Matters/dp/B0B1MV62XS/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1665417631&sr=8-1
Some reviews of the book:
'Superb... authoritative, thoughtful and terrifying in equal measure' - The Secret Barrister
'A riveting account of how our democracy was put under threat during the Pandemic and why we must never let the Emergency State - all-powerful but ignorant and corrupt - take over again' ― Lady Hale, former President of the UK Supreme Court
'A book that needed to be written - and nobody could have done it better' ― Joshua Rozenberg
10/13/2022 • 32 minutes, 12 seconds
57 - The government's plans for judicial review
A bill is going through parliament which will make significant changes to judicial review - the means by which individuals can challenge unlawful decisions by public authorities. What is at stake and what will it mean for rights protection? I am joined by Kamla Adiseshiah and Pragna Patel. For more see www.betterhumanpodcast.com
2/14/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 35 seconds
56 - Inheriting the Holocaust
This week, for Holocaust Memorial Day, I speak to the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor and the grandson of a senior Nazi and hear how they have come together to educate about the Holocaust. For more information www.betterhumanpodcast.com
1/27/2022 • 38 minutes, 41 seconds
55 - Joint enterprise
The law of joint enterprise murder has been described as a dragnet because it can criminalise people on the very periphery of a crime. This week I am joined by Jan Cunliffe and John Crilly, two people who's life experiences have led them to campaigning against what they see as an unjust law. For more information and to support the podcast go to www.betterhumanpodcast.com
1/17/2022 • 39 minutes, 33 seconds
49 - Are internet algorithms a problem for human rights?
This week we speak to Lorna Woods, Professor of Internet Law at Essex University, about how algorithms on the internet are 'personalising' the content we see and how this impacts on the rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
This podcast is part of a mini-series co-hosted with Susie Alegre, international human rights barrister, Associate at Doughty Street Chambers and Research Fellow at the University of Roehampton
6/9/2021 • 24 minutes, 46 seconds
47 - Are algorithms making us less creative?
Can a computer judge a creative writing competition? Do automatically curated newsfeeds help or hinder free expression? How does creativity interact with rights protections? A fascinating and timely discussion with Brendan de Caires of Pen Canada, hosted by barristers Adam Wagner and Susie Alegre.
Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
4/19/2021 • 38 minutes, 1 second
46 - Shamima Begum: racism, citizenship and the Supreme Court
Shamima Begum left for Syria to join ISIS when she was a child. Now, aged 21, the Supreme Court has confirmed she cannot return to appeal against the Home Secretary's decision to deprive her of her citizenship. Her case is complex and difficult, as is clear from this fascinating discussion with Sarah St. Vincent, Executive Director of Rights & Security International. You can read show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
4/6/2021 • 41 minutes, 24 seconds
42 - The 'value' of older people's lives
Lord Sumption has courted controversy by claiming that not all lives are of "equal value". In this timely episode Adam Wagner discusses the importance of older people's rights with Ken Bluestone, Head of policy and influencing at Age International and Geraldine van Buren, Professor of International Human Rights Law at Queen Mary University of London. The discussion was recorded just prior to Lord Sumption's comments but covers similar issues.
For show notes visit www.betterhumanpodcast.com
1/20/2021 • 40 minutes, 35 seconds
40 - Tier 4 and Christmas Linked Households regulations explained
This is the latest in my attempts to explain how the Covid-19 regulations work in England. I focus on Christmas Linked Households gatherings which are permitted in Tiers 1, 2 and 3 but not 4. In the second half I am joined by Dr Xand van Tulleken who discusses how to keep as safe as possible over Christmas. Most of this podcast is also available as a video on YouTube (where you can follow along with the regulations) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSDmC5E9TKg
Show notes available at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
12/21/2020 • 36 minutes, 31 seconds
38 - Explaining the new lockdown regulations
On 5 November, England is entering its second lockdown. In this video, I explain the complex new rules and how you can avoid getting a fine of up to £10,000 for breaching them.
I have also put this up as a video podcast where you can follow along with the text of the regulations - see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCWpoUr6oE
For more resources see www.betterhumanpodcast.com
This is not legal advice!
11/6/2020 • 37 minutes, 52 seconds
27 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 4)
Can people who don’t live with each other have sex? What is “overnight”? And many other questions. I am joined again by David Allen Green as we take a detailed look at the newly updated lockdown regulations. As always, please make sure to follow the government’s guidance. You can find the two previous episodes with David here (Part 1 https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/18---The-Covid-19-lockdown-and-the-law-Part-1-ec8otc) and here (Part 2 https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/25---The-Covid-19-lockdown-and-the-law-Part-3-ee2oeo)
6/2/2020 • 28 minutes, 41 seconds
25 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 3)
I am delighted to be joined again by lawyer and legal commentator David Allen Green to discuss the latest lockdown legal developments and what a public inquiry into the Covid-19 outbreak might look like. We had a spirited and sometimes critical conversation about the law but nothing is intended to suggest people shouldn’t follow government guidance. Follow the government guidance! Further resources at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
5/14/2020 • 48 minutes, 58 seconds
23 - The hostile environment and Covid-19
What is happening to migrants during the Covid-19 crisis? This conversation with Chai Patel from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants was both enlightening and worrying. The 'hostile environment' policy pre-existed Covid-19 but it made it harder to control the spread of the virus amongst migrant communities. We also discuss the disproportionate effect the virus is having on BAME communities, immigration detention and other aspects of the immigration system which are causing hardship during this crisis.
5/4/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 39 seconds
14 - Religion, belief and human rights
Gay cake and free speech, Orthodox trans fathers, religious symbols in public places... what happens when fundamental beliefs conflict with other peoples' human rights? I find issues over religion and belief to be fascinating examples of how human rights laws balance almost impossibly difficult conflicts between people and groups. In this episode I am joined by Yehudis Fletcher of Nehamu and Andrew Copson of Humanists UK. I think it is a wonderful discussion. More details at patron.com/betterhuman
3/2/2020 • 57 minutes, 23 seconds
8 - Why climate change is a human rights emergency
The climate emergency is a human rights emergency. As global temperatures rise, along with sea levels, there is likely to be a profound effect on people's access to their basic needs such as food, water and clean air. In this week's episode, I speak to Molly Lipson and Tobias Garnett from Extinction Rebellion and Keina Yoshida, barrister and expert on human rights and the environment, about how the human rights and environmental activist worlds overlap and sometimes collide. More info on patreon.com/betterhuman
12/23/2019 • 59 minutes, 40 seconds
6 - Election Special: What do the manifestos mean for human rights?
Will the Human Rights Act survive the next government? What other human rights issues are in the party manifestos? A conversation with Natasha Holcroft-Emmes. We have tried to pick out some of the main points from the manifestos but inevitably there is so much which could impact on human rights that the review is not comprehensive, but hopefully helpful for those considering who to vote for.