
Better Human Podcast
By Adam Wagner
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.

58 - Tolerance, decency, kindliness
58 - Tolerance, decency, kindliness
Better Human PodcastFeb 28, 2022
00:00
59:33

61 - A free chapter from my new audio book, Emergency State.
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
Oct 13, 202232:13

60 - The illiberal and misconceived Bill of Rights Bill
60 - The illiberal and misconceived Bill of Rights Bill
Today I am joined by lawyer and commentator David Allen Green to discuss the governments problematic Bill of Rights Bill, which is intended to replace the Human Rights Act
Jul 06, 202253:34

59 - Violence against women and how to end it
59 - Violence against women and how to end it
Barrister Harriet Johnson talks about her important new book on violence against women. For more see www.better humanpodcast.com
Apr 14, 202249:42

58 - Could Putin be prosecuted?
58 - Could Putin be prosecuted?
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world, with daily reports and videos of atrocities. But can international law help? What are the laws of war, war crimes and crimes against humanity? And will anyone ever be prosecuted? I am joined by Tatyana Eatwell, barrister and joint head of the international practice team at Doughty Street Chambers. More at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Mar 10, 202246:54

58 - Tolerance, decency, kindliness
58 - Tolerance, decency, kindliness
Where do human rights come from? In this special musical episode, I speak to Tom Blackmore, grandson of David Maxwell-Fyfe, the Nuremberg Trials prosecutor and founding figure in the modern human rights movement. As Europe again is at war, a timely reminder of how a previous generation saw human rights as the answer. For more see www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Feb 28, 202259:33

57 - The government's plans for judicial review
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
Feb 14, 202201:01:35

56 - Inheriting the Holocaust
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
Jan 27, 202238:41

55 - Joint enterprise
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
Jan 17, 202239:33

54 - Why the Human Rights Act matters
54 - Why the Human Rights Act matters
The government wants to reform the Human Rights Act. In this episode - record before the proposals were announced - Francesca Klug, Kirsty Brimelow QC, Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos and I discuss why our human rights law is important. Thank you to Goldsmiths Law for allowing me to record this live event.
Jan 06, 202201:36:44

53 - Windrush lives
53 - Windrush lives
The Windrush scandal is one of the most important and shocking in recent years, as British citizens were treated as if their citizenship never existed, losing livelihoods and sometimes, as you will hear in this episode, their very humanity. In this episode I speak to Ramya Jaidev co-founder of advocacy group Windrush Lives, and Anthony Williams, one of the victims of the scandal. For more resources go to www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Dec 06, 202101:00:13

52 - Christine Burns on trans rights
52 - Christine Burns on trans rights
Christine Burns has been one of the UK’s most successful campaigners for trans rights in recent decades. How did she play such an influential role in persuading governments and the courts to protect the rights of trans people? How did her personal trans journey impact on her advocacy? This conversation is not to be missed. You can go to www.betterhumanpodcast.com for show notes.
Nov 26, 202101:26:42

51 - Belonging and making trouble: a conversation with Felicity Gerry QC
51 - Belonging and making trouble: a conversation with Felicity Gerry QC
The Better Human Podcast is back after a break, and who better to return with than the indomitable Felicity Gerry QC. This is a conversation which ranges from joint enterprise to Shamima Begum to the role of the trouble-making lawyer. More details at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Oct 21, 202101:24:37

50 - Serving you up on the internet
50 - Serving you up on the internet
We are increasingly used to the internet serving us the things it thinks we need. But what is the risk for our privacy if our data is being harvested and used to 'personalise' the experience? In the final episode of the mini-series we are joined by Dr Elif Kuskonmaz of the University of Portsmouth.
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
Jun 29, 202125:45

49 - Are internet algorithms a problem for human rights?
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
Jun 09, 202124:46

48 - Albie Sachs on fighting for freedom and human rights
48 - Albie Sachs on fighting for freedom and human rights
Albie Sachs is one of the world's most important living human rights jurists and freedom fighter. This fascinating interview between Adam Wagner and Albie Sachs was organised by JW3 supported by the Genesis Philanthropy Fund and is posted here with permission and thanks. Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com - and please don't forget to leave a review if you enjoy this!
May 03, 202101:28:12

47 - Are algorithms making us less creative?
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
Apr 19, 202138:02

46 - Shamima Begum: racism, citizenship and the Supreme Court
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
Apr 06, 202141:24

45 - The difficult case of vaccine passports
45 - The difficult case of vaccine passports
In the near future people will need proof of a COVID-19 vaccination before entering certain countries. Even more controversially, some countries are already preventing people accessing everyday services without it. To examine the ethical and human rights implications I am joined by Judith Bueno de Mesquita and Professor Wayne Martin, both of Essex University. For show notes please visit www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Mar 22, 202152:55

44 - Are we truly free to express our opinions?
44 - Are we truly free to express our opinions?
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
This week we discuss freedom of opinion and how it interacts with freedom of speech. Our guest is Evelyn Aswad, a professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, an expert in the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of opinion. She is also on the Facebook Oversight Board and speaks on this podcast in a personal capacity
We are grateful to the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for a grant through their Spotlight on AI and Freedom of Expression (#SAIFE) project to support this series.
For more details see www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Mar 02, 202126:18

43 - Political propaganda, social media and human rights
43 - Political propaganda, social media and human rights
This week's guest is the “Maven of Persuasion”, Dr Emma L Briant, Associate Researcher at Bard College with an extensive background as a professor in information operations, propaganda and human rights. Dr Briant is one of the key researchers who uncovered the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018.
This podcast is the second in 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 looking at the often overlooked aspects of freedom of expression in the online space, the rights of the receiver – the right to form and hold opinions and the right to receive information. We are grateful to the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for a grant through their Spotlight on AI and Freedom of Expression (#SAIFE) project to support this series.
For more details see www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Feb 08, 202128:55

42 - The 'value' of older people's lives
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
Jan 20, 202140:36

41 - Social media disinformation in the age of Covid
41 - Social media disinformation in the age of Covid
This week's guest is Meetali Jain, an international human rights lawyer and Legal Director at Avaaz. We discuss what disinformation is, how it spreads and whether it can be stopped.
This podcast is the first in 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. We are grateful to the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for a grant through their Spotlight on AI and Freedom of Expression (#SAIFE) project to support this series.
For more resources and show notes go to www.beterhumanpodcast.com
Jan 13, 202130:32

40 - Tier 4 and Christmas Linked Households regulations explained
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
Dec 21, 202036:31

39 - The Leicester garment factory scandal
39 - The Leicester garment factory scandal
The Covid-19 pandemic helped expose inhumane working practices at garment factories in Leicester, including inhuman conditions and low pay. What can we learn about the human rights duties of businesses from this sorry saga? I am joined by Krishnendu Mukherjee, barrister and Indian advocate. Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Nov 23, 202036:19

38 - Explaining the new lockdown regulations
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!
Nov 06, 202037:52

37 - The plan to give soldiers immunity from prosecution for war crimes
37 - The plan to give soldiers immunity from prosecution for war crimes
There is a bill going through the United Kingdom Parliament which will make it harder to prosecute soldiers for war crimes. Is it justified? How will it impact on human rights? And why now? I am joined by Sonya Sceats, Chief Executive of Freedom From Torture and David Allen Green, solicitor and legal commentator for a fascinating discussion.
Show notes are at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Oct 19, 202001:01:12

36 - Explaining the Covid-19 self-isolation law
36 - Explaining the Covid-19 self-isolation law
From Monday 28 September anyone in England who breaches Covid-19 self-isolation rules is subject to fines of up to £10,000 and a potential criminal charge. The rules are complex, have been passed into law with no Parliamentary scrutiny and join an ever-growing, and ever-more-complicated, set of coronavirus laws which regulate many aspects of our lives. In this episode I explain the law and how it works.
This podcast is also available in video format https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJxVenUfEzQ
Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Oct 06, 202044:54

35 - Fifty years of law centres making human rights a reality
35 - Fifty years of law centres making human rights a reality
Human rights can be illusory if you can't afford to claim them. For 50 years, law centres have been making human rights a reality and helping people experiencing crises to access a lawyer. In this episode, I am joined by Peter Kandler, founder of the North Kensington Law Centre, Julie Bishop, Director of the Law Centres Network and Annie Campbell, director of the North Kensington Law Centre. Show notes as always at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Sep 21, 202051:22

34 - Why the rule of law matters
34 - Why the rule of law matters
The government has admitted that a new Brexit bill will break international law. Its chief lawyer has resigned. Why does this matter and what, exactly, is the rule of law? I am joined by David Allen Green, lawyer and writer. You can see show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Sep 10, 202037:57

33 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (part 5)
33 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (part 5)
I am delighted to be joined again by lawyer and writer David Allen Green to discuss six months of lockdown laws, passed with almost no parliamentary scrutiny and imposing the most stringent restrictions on human rights since the Second World War. Can these be justified by even the most extreme public health crisis in decades? And if not, what is the alternative? You can read show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com.
Nothing in this podcast is intended to suggest that people should not follow government coronavirus guidance or the legal regulations.
Sep 04, 202027:31

32 - What is happening to the Uyghur Muslims in China?
32 - What is happening to the Uyghur Muslims in China?
Right now, there is widespread and systematic persecution of the over a million Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim people in Xinjiang, China, including forced 're-eduction' in concentration camps. This is surely the kind of state behaviour which the post-war human rights system was designed to prevent. So what is being done to stop it and how can human rights ideas and institutions help? I am joined by Agnès Callamard, United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and Schona Jolley Q.C., barrister and Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee. Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Aug 03, 202042:31

31 - Business and human rights (Part 2/2)
31 - Business and human rights (Part 2/2)
What responsibilities do businesses have to protect human rights during the COVID-19 crisis? In the second part of this episode I am joined again by barrister Krishnendu Mukherji to discuss the Leicester garment industry revelations and how companies can prevent human misery in their supply chains during this tumultuous time. You can catch the first part here https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/30---Business-and-human-rights-eglbid and get the show notes here www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Jul 20, 202028:25

30 - Business and human rights (Part 1/2)
30 - Business and human rights (Part 1/2)
How can businesses help protect human rights? What is modern slavery? Is the law tough enough on companies when human rights abuses take place in their supply chain? This week I am joined by Krishnendu Mukherjee of Doughty Street Chambers and Rae Lindsay from Clifford Chance. This episode was recorded just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the U.K. Show notes including some updates from recent months are at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Jul 13, 202052:45

29 - Racial injustice after George Floyd
29 - Racial injustice after George Floyd
In this episode I am joined by Katrina Ffrench, CEO of StopWatch and Matthew Ryder QC, a barrister at Matrix Chambers and formerly London's Deputy Mayor. We discuss why Black, Asian and minority ethnic people are 54% more likely to be fined by the police under Coronavirus powers, how this fits into the bigger picture of stop and search in the UK and what impact the death of George Floyd has had on the fight against racial discrimination in the UK. You can find show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com.
Jul 01, 202050:55

28 - Women, sexual violence and the police
28 - Women, sexual violence and the police
The police handling of sexual violence is one of the most complex and difficult issues in our society today. Why are rape conviction rates so low? Are the police doing enough to investigate? And how can human rights laws help? This week I’m joined by Harriet Johnson, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. This episode was recorded before coronavirus so excuse us they a couple of the references are out of date - please check betterhumanpodcast.com for the show notes.
Jun 25, 202001:06:54

27 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 4)
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)
Jun 02, 202028:42

26 - The people who volunteer to go to prison
26 - The people who volunteer to go to prison
Every year, in every kind of setting where people are detained, thousands of visits take place to monitor for human rights violations. Those visits, to prisons, police cells, mental health hospitals, are by volunteers. In this episode I talk to four key players in the "National Preventative Mechanism" - Alison Thomson, ,Anne Finlayson, Dame Anne Owersand Louise Finer who tell me about their work and why it matters. This interview was recorded before COVID-19 hit so I have added a short extra interview with Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, Chair of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, who gives an update on how monitoring systems worldwide are working (or not) during the pandemic. More info at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
May 31, 202001:09:57

25 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 3)
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
May 14, 202048:59

24 - The shield and the sword
24 - The shield and the sword
Human rights are tools which protect everyone from beaches of aspects of their essential humanity. They are all the more important in times of crisis such as in the present day. In this talk I start with the five years in 1946-51 which created the modern human rights movement and show how the lessons understood by the movement's founders are exactly those which we need to understand most today in the age of Covid-19. This lecture was first given to Limmud Together. You can find the slides at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
May 11, 202050:04

23 - The hostile environment and Covid-19
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.
May 04, 202001:03:39

22 - Coronavirus and human rights 28 days later
22 - Coronavirus and human rights 28 days later
A month after our first coronavirus and human rights special, I am delighted to be joined again by barristers Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Nichola Higgins and academics Aoife Nolan and Judith Bueno De Mesquita. We have a wide-ranging discussion on the International dimension of the crisis, the healthcare response and the lockdown. You can hear the first discussion in Episodes 16 and 17 at https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/16---Coronavirus-and-human-rights-special-Part-12-ebopmk and https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/17---Coronavirus-and-human-rights-special-part-22-ebq4uv/ - we had a few technical issues so not everybody was present for each part of the discussion - sorry about that.
Apr 24, 202001:12:06

21 - Coronavirus tech, contact tracing apps and the risks of Zoom Life
21 - Coronavirus tech, contact tracing apps and the risks of Zoom Life
I am joined again by barrister Susie Alegre to discuss the many human rights implications of social distancing, including whether contact tracing apps breach the right to privacy, the risks of moving even more of our lives online and how to manage fake virus news online. Show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Apr 15, 202057:12

20 - The untold story of the Covid-19 digital courts revolution
20 - The untold story of the Covid-19 digital courts revolution
One of the largely untold stories of the Covid-19 crisis is that many courts in the UK have for the first time ‘gone online’. This is for good reasons - the justice system must continue even if we mostly cannot physically meet in court rooms. But there are huge risks to fair trials and open justice from this sudden mass experiment with online courts. My guests for this episode are Natalie Byrom from the Legal Education Foundation and Penelope Gibbs from Transform Justice. You can get show notes at www.betterhumanpodcast.com
Apr 13, 202049:30

19 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 2)
19 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 2)
The response to Covid-19 is the key human rights issue in the world right now as states move to enforce ‘lockdowns’ of billions of people. In the UK the government has issued guidance on social distancing and emergency regulations which give the police extensive new powers over people's everyday lives. In Part 2 of this episode, I speak to Kirsty Brimelow QC about the new 'lockdown regulations' and the criminal law, and then with Aswini Weererante QC and Sophy Miles about the impact of the new laws on people with mental health issues. You can read source materials and other links at patreon.com/betterhuman
Apr 05, 202039:46

18 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 1)
18 - The Covid-19 lockdown and the law (Part 1)
The response to Covid-19 is the key human rights issue in the world at the moment as states move to enforce ‘lockdowns’ of billions of people. In the UK the government has issued guidance on social distancing and emergency regulations which give the police extensive new powers over people's everyday lives. This podcast is a discussion of those laws. I am joined by David Allen Green, lawyer and legal commentator, to take a ‘deep dive’ into the new regulations. We recorded this episode at 9am on Tuesday 31 March so apologies if it has already been overtaken by events when you listen to this.
Remember, everyone should follow the government’s guidance to save lives and protect the NHS. If you have any concerns about your own actions, there is a useful Frequently Asked Questions guidance on the gov.uk website. You can find other links in the episodes notes at at patreon.com/betterhuman
Apr 01, 202001:09:26

17 - Coronavirus and human rights special (part 2/2)
17 - Coronavirus and human rights special (part 2/2)
This week the UK parliament will debate the Coronavirus Bill, the most sweeping set of emergency powers since the Second World War. The bill will bring huge changes to mental health law, the entitlement to social care, burial and coronial laws, police powers... and more. The 329-page law will be debated in days rather than months. What impact will this have for human rights? In Part 2 of this coronavirus special I discuss the bill, and other issues arising from the pandemic, with an expert panel including barristers Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Nichola Higgins and academics Aoife Nolan and Judith Bueno De Mesquita. Part 1 is here: https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/16---Coronavirus-and-human-rights-special-Part-12-ebopmk
Mar 23, 202043:27

16 - Coronavirus and human rights special (Part 1/2)
16 - Coronavirus and human rights special (Part 1/2)
No recent issue has raised so many human rights issues in such a short space of time as the coronavirus pandemic. How can governments protect the right to life without unnecessarily undermining freedoms? What rights do we have in quarantine? Can good governance survive such an acute crisis? I am joined in this episode by four human rights experts from various fields, barristers Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Nichola Higgins and academics Aoife Nolan and Judith Bueno De Mesquita. In this first part we explore the utility (and limits) of human rights as a lens to understand the pandemic and the governments' response, in the second we look at the UK's new emergency powers. Part 1 is here https://anchor.fm/better-human/episodes/17---Coronavirus-and-human-rights-special-part-22-ebq4uv
Mar 21, 202001:01:48

15 - Liberalism in the age of Coronavirus
15 - Liberalism in the age of Coronavirus
Can our liberal values survive the pressure of a global pandemic? This week I interview Adam Gopnik, a staff writer at The New Yorker magazine and author of a new book on liberalism, A Thousand Small Sanities. We didn't intend to talk about Coronavirus but as we met last week the world was beginning to respond to the new reality. The conversation also broadens out so hang on in there if you are already a little Coronavirus weary. More details as always at www.patreon.com/betterhuman
Mar 16, 202001:12:07

14 - Religion, belief and human rights
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
Mar 02, 202057:24

13 - The European Convention on Human Rights is working
13 - The European Convention on Human Rights is working
As the government’s plan to “update” human rights laws gather pace, and the calls to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) re-emerge from the Brexit fog, this episode explores the too little known story of how the ECHR helps keep illiberalism at bay throughout Europe. I talk to Philip Leach and Joanna Evans from the amazing European Human Rights Advocacy Centre about their work in Eastern Europe standing up against truly horrific human rights abuses. This should be required listening for MPs who blithely say the UK should abandon the human rights system it was so instrumental in creating. More info at patreon.com/betterhuman
Feb 17, 202001:03:23

12 - The threat to human rights and judicial review
12 - The threat to human rights and judicial review
Page 48 of the 2019 Conservative manifesto promised wide-ranging changes to the Human Rights Act and judicial review, two important tools we have for challenging decisions of the state. I am joined by Tom Clark, Martha Spurrier, Tessa Gregory and Charlie Falconer to discuss what is likely to happen and why we could be facing an important constitutional upheaval. This is Part 2 of a special episode in partnership the Prospect Magazine Podcast. You can hear Part 1, on the independence of the judiciary, over at https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/topics/the-prospect-podcast
Feb 11, 202025:09

11 - Billy Bragg says we're missing the point about freedom
11 - Billy Bragg says we're missing the point about freedom
I am delighted to be joined in this episode by Billy Bragg, singer and activist. Billy and I talk about his new book, the Three Dimensions of Freedom, and much else beside. What is freedom? What is it worth without accountability? And why is the sometimes toxic environment on social media so central to Billy's understanding of freedom in the modern world? Most importantly, can music change the world (the answer will surprise you)?
Feb 03, 202001:10:56

10 - The Holocaust, human rights and the dying of the light
10 - The Holocaust, human rights and the dying of the light
The modern human rights system emerged from the flames of the Holocaust. Professor Philippe Sands QC has done as much as anyone to tell that story through the prism of his own tragic family history. In this discussion, recorded live at an even organised by Tzedek, we discuss how Philippe's wonderful book East West Street came to be written, why the lessons of the 1940s are still fundamentally important today and what we can do to honour them as living memory of the Holocaust disappears.
Jan 20, 202052:04

9 - Algorithms, mind control and the right to freedom of thought
9 - Algorithms, mind control and the right to freedom of thought
Are algorithms controlling our thoughts? Does Facebook resemble a totalitarian state? How can we stop political parties exploiting our innermost thoughts? International human rights barrister Susie Alegre and I discuss why the human right to freedom of thought might be the most useful prism through which to answer these questions. An absolutely fascinating discussion which gets to the heart of some of the most important issues involving the fast evolving technology which we all use but barely understand. As always, more information at patreon.com/betterhuman
Jan 06, 202001:05:25

8 - Why climate change is a human rights emergency
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
Dec 23, 201959:41

7 - The fascinating inside story of the Human Rights Act's birth
7 - The fascinating inside story of the Human Rights Act's birth
Professor Francesca Klug OBE and Jonathan Cooper OBE relate the fascinating inside story of how the UK passed its first modern bill of rights: the Human Rights Act 1998. In our current times of division it is inspiring to hear how cross-ideological consensus was built and practical solutions found to seemingly impossible problems. This was an amazing discussion and timely given the Conservative Party's commitment to "update" the Human Rights Act.
Dec 09, 201901:17:05

6 - Election Special: What do the manifestos mean for human rights?
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.
Dec 03, 201951:36

5 - The UK's dark and dangerous constitution
5 - The UK's dark and dangerous constitution
The UK has a dark and dangerous constitution... this episode is about how Brexit shows it's finally time to write it down. The mismanaged referendum, an attempt by a Prime Minister to shut down Parliament to avoid scrutiny and the continued efforts to water down fundamental rights are all reasons, in my view, for working towards a written constitution. This was recorded at a lecture I gave to the Pembroke College Cambridge Politics Society. As always, you can find out more at www.patreon.com/betterhuman
Nov 25, 201957:30

4 - The past, present and future of LGBT+ rights
4 - The past, present and future of LGBT+ rights
This is a fascinating and at times moving conversation with Jonathan Cooper OBE, a barrister who has been involved in some of the defining LGBT+ cases of recent times. We take a journey from 1967 when homosexual acts were partly legalised, through decades of state persecution of gay people, to highlight some of the landmark human rights cases which changed the law not just in the UK but across Europe. Jonathan shared both his professional and very personal experiences. It's quite a journey. As always, episode notes are at patreon.com/betterhuman
Nov 10, 201901:00:37

3 - The curious case of social and economic rights
3 - The curious case of social and economic rights
In societies based on human rights principles how can people still live in poverty? This episode is about an important but, in my experience, poorly understood area - social and economic rights. I interview the brilliant Professor Aiofe Nolan about the principles and politics behind the rights to food, social security, health and other rights which are essential to human flourishing, and surely just as important as so-called 'political' rights. So why aren't they more widely adopted?
You can find episode notes on www.patreon.com/betterhuman
Oct 28, 201901:02:21

2 - How will Brexit impact on our human rights?
2 - How will Brexit impact on our human rights?
This is an important discussion with Schona Jolly QC, barrister and Chair of the UK's Bar Human Rights Committee. As with everything Brexit, this issue generates misinformation and exaggerated claims, so the point of this episode is to explain in plain English what Brexit is (yes, you have to start there) and how it could impact on all of our rights, including in the workplace, environmental rights, anti-discrimination and freedom of movement. I'm afraid it's not for the faint hearted, especially the bit at the end about no deal.. As always, find show notes and how to support the podcast at Patreon.com/betterhuman
Oct 13, 201958:22

1 - Do we have enough free speech?
1 - Do we have enough free speech?
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". In the age of social media, is that still true? This week I speak to Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of Index on Censorship about the human right to freedom of speech. Sometimes described as the life blood of democracy, why is this important right so controversial? Do we have a right to offend, or not to be offended? Is Julian Assange a journalist? What about Tommy Robinson? Where is the dividing line between racial hatred and protected opinions? And much more...
You can get episode notes including links for further reading at www.patreon.com/betterhuman
Sep 29, 201901:07:21

Introduction to the Better Human Podcast
Introduction to the Better Human Podcast
Welcome to a brand new podcast all about human rights presented by me, Adam Wagner. In this short introduction I explain the idea behind setting up the podcast. I think that in today's polarised and dangerous political times, human rights can give us the lens we need to understand what's happening and make our societies better. Each episode will explore a key human rights issue with expert guests.
More info and how to support the podcast: www.patreon.com/betterhuman
Sep 22, 201906:38