Strength & Solidarity

In the quarter century since Iran’s Islamic revolution, thousands of Iranians have left their home to live in exile. Although they all have a country in common, that diaspora is hugely diverse – coming from different generations and with a wide range of origin stories, political allegiances and views about the change they would like to see in Iran. When in 2022 a young woman in Iran was beaten and killed by the morality police for wearing her hijab incorrectly, anger across the exile community suggested favorable  conditions for a diaspora movement for rights in Iran to emerge. But what form should such a movement take? The founder and co-director of Azadi Network, Negin Shiraghaei, reflects on the choices she and other organizers faced as they took up that challenge.And in the Coda, Turkish eco-activist Burcu Meltem Arik shares a poem by Nazim Hikmet reminding us of what nature can teach us about resilience. Music Credit: Ben Sığmazam by Özge Arslan, 2023https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

When Burcu Meltem Arik first read Nazim Hikmet’s poem, The Walnut Tree, she exhaled with relief at its message. She reflects that nature has much to teach us - especially the value of community and connectedness for resilience – but we don’t always notice the lesson.Music Credit: Ben Sığmazam by Özge Arslan, 2023https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

The Trump Administration’s freeze on US aid has caused a global outcry.  Poor and vulnerable communities in famine and war-afflicted locations are suddenly without food, and without the medications that keep people with chronic conditions alive.  That aid also helped to protect persecuted activists and human rights defenders who are now at greater risk from violence and authoritarian abuse.  But the freeze has also made obvious the scale of dependency around the world.  Now that the danger of relying on donor funds is so clear, what can those who need the services do? Farnoosh Hashemian, global health expert and Dzikamai Bere, National Director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association discuss the implications with host Akwe Amosu.https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

 In 2011, nearly 50 years of military dictatorship came to an end in Myanmar,  allowing LGBTQ activists to organize publicly to repeal a homophobic law, and advocate more positive attitudes towards SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) rights.  They were making big strides in their campaigns when a military coup returned the generals to power, making open activism impossible. Despite that, Hla Myat Tun Executive Director of LGBTQ group, Colors Rainbow, says the gains they made are holding strong and they continue to work underground.   And in the Coda, an Indonesian activist tells us why books mean so much to her. https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/ Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

Indonesian human rights defender Fatia Maulidiyanti spent over two years fighting criminal defamation charges brought by a government minister, charges that could have landed her in jail.  But when life gets complicated, Fatia has her own private refuge to which she can retreat and recharge.https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

With North Korea becoming ever more repressive and closed to the outside world, what is the best path to change? For some, aggressive advocacy for human rights is needed; for others, especially an older generation of North Koreans who have found their way to the south, unification of the two Koreas should be the priority.  Still others, particularly the younger generation of South Koreans, doubt the value of devoting a lot of energy and resources to changing the status quo.   Hanna Song, Executive Director of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights, reflects on what underlies the differing views and ambivalence and argues that it’s critical to understand and listen to those who have escaped from North Korea. And in the Coda, a Zimbabwean human rights lawyer relies on soccer to keep things cordial. Music by Oliver Mtukudzi. https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/ Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

Things can get tense between lawyers, police and judges when human rights cases are being litigated.  But veteran human rights lawyer Arnold Tsunga has a tried and tested strategy for keeping things cordial.Music by Oliver Mtukudzi.https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

Hossam Bagat, Executive Director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, and Nabil Rajab, a foundational figure in the Bahraini human rights movement, discuss the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands have perished amid ongoing conflict. They explore global responses and citizens' protests, alongside Egypt's complex role in the situation. The conversation delves into challenges facing human rights advocates due to geopolitical tensions and debates whether to reform or dismantle the global human rights system, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches.

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Strength & Solidarity Season 6 will start in November. Meanwhile we’re repeating some of our favourite shows from past seasons. This week we're revisiting episode 37, first released, November 9, 2023. Original Episode Description from November 2023: Uganda has become one of Africa’s frontlines in the battle for LGBT rights. In 2014 a law was passed criminalizing same-sex conduct but it was nullified by the courts on a technicality. This year that same legislation was revived, passed again in parliament and signed into law by President Museveni. The penalties it prescribes include the death penalty and the queer community is vulnerable and anxious. Uganda lawyer Nicholas Opiyo talks about a litigation effort underway to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 and shines a light on the role of actors behind the scenes, including US Pentecostal activists. And in the Coda, a young Mexican disability leader finds inspiration and joy in a film about a brilliant generation of activists. For a list of supplemental readings and additional information about this episode’s content, visit https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/ Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org