Just Access

About Just Access

Just Access Podcast: Your Gateway to Global Human Rights Conversations Welcome to the Just Access Podcast, where we delve into the dynamic world of human rights with compelling conversations and insightful interviews. Hosted by Dr. Miranda Melcher, our podcast brings you closer to the heart of human rights advocacy, featuring in-depth discussions with a diverse array of notable figures—from academics and international officials to frontline human rights defenders. About the Just Access Podcast Each episode of the Just Access Podcast is meticulously crafted to shed light on the myriad aspects of human rights. We explore pressing issues, share personal stories, and dissect complex challenges in the realms of social, economic, cultural, and environmental rights. Our goal is to provide a platform for thought-provoking dialogue, informed by expertise and experience, that inspires action and fosters a deeper understanding of human rights worldwide. Diverse Voices, Unified Mission The Just Access Podcast is committed to amplifying diverse voices in the human rights community. Our guests range from seasoned academics to international officials and courageous human rights defenders working on the ground. These conversations offer a multifaceted perspective on human rights issues, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that remain. Advancing Human Rights through Education and Advocacy The Just Access Podcast is more than just a series of interviews; it is a crucial component of Just Access's mission to support human rights worldwide. By engaging with experts and activists, we aim to educate our listeners, raise awareness, and inspire advocacy. Each episode is a step towards building a more just and equitable world. Join the Conversation! Subscribe to the Just Access Podcast wherever you get your podcasts and be part of a global community dedicated to human rights. Whether you are a student, an activist, or simply someone who cares about justice, our podcast offers valuable insights and actionable knowledge. Together, we can make a difference. Connect with Us! Stay updated with the latest episodes and join the conversation on social media. Follow us on Twitter (https://x.com/JustAccesseV1), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/just-access-e-v/), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/JustAccessNGO), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/just_access_ngo/), and visit our website (https://just-access.de)for more information about our work and how you can get involved. Support Our Mission! If you believe in the importance of human rights and want to support our mission, consider donating to Just Access (https://just-access.de/donate/). Your contribution helps us continue our advocacy, education, and strategic litigation efforts to uphold human rights around the globe. For more information and to listen to our episodes, search Just Access wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Just Access

Category

business · government · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Dec 2022

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

90 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Oct 2026

   What is the Right to Food and Why is it Important?

   In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Ayushi Kalyan and Charlotte Dreger from FIAN International about the human right to food, why hunger and malnutrition are matters of injustice, and how human rights frameworks can help transform food systems. The conversation explores why the right to food goes beyond food security. Charlotte explains how it encompasses not only access to adequate, nutritious food, but also the conditions under which food is produced, distributed and consumed. She highlights the importance of food sovereignty, people's participation in decision-making, and addressing the structural inequalities and power imbalances that contribute to hunger and malnutrition. Ayushi discusses how FIAN documents violations of the right to food in collaboration with national sections, local partners and affected communities. She explains how documentation can support litigation, accountability processes, advocacy campaigns and engagement with international human rights mechanisms, including the United Nations. The conversation also examines how corporate power, land grabbing, forced evictions, labour exploitation and inadequate regulation undermine people's right to food. Finally, Ayushi outlines how FIAN addresses the structural causes of violations by strengthening legal protections, promoting corporate accountability and ensuring that affected communities participate in shaping policies that affect their lives. 👤 Guest Bio Ayushi Kalyan Coordinates FIAN's work on corporate accountability. Lawyer specialising in international human rights law. Charlotte Dreger Policy and Advocacy Officer at FIAN International, focusing on sustainable food systems. Brings experience working with civil society organisations and food policy advocacy. FIAN International An international human rights organisation focused on the right to adequate food and nutrition. Works with communities, civil society and social movements to document violations, demand accountability and promote food sovereignty. 📚 Resources & Links Just Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcast (https://just-access.de/podcast) Donate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donate (https://just-access.de/donate) Contact the show – podcast@just-access.de (mailto:podcast@just-access.de) FIAN International – https://www.fian.org/ (https://www.fian.org/) UN Human Rights Office – https://www.ohchr.org/ (https://www.ohchr.org/) 🗒️ Key Take-Aways The right to food is a human right: Hunger and malnutrition are linked to injustice, discrimination and structural inequalities. Food security is not enough: Realising the right to food requires addressing how food is produced, distributed and consumed. Food sovereignty matters: Communities must participate in shaping their food systems and public policies. Corporate accountability is essential: Land grabbing, labour exploitation and inadequate regulation can undermine the right to food and other human rights. Documentation advances justice: Evidence gathered with affected communities can support litigation, advocacy and demands for effective remedies. Systemic change is necessary: Addressing the root causes of hunger requires stronger laws, policies and institutional accountability. 📢 Call to Action Subscribe to the Just Access Podcast for future episodes. Share this episode with colleagues interested in human rights, food justice and corporate accountability. Listen to Part 2 of the conversation with Ayushi Kalyan and Charlotte Dreger. Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform. Support Just Access at https://just-access.de/donate (https://just-access.de/donate). Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   How are human rights abuses in Iran documented?

   In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher continues her conversation with Skylar Thompson, Deputy Director, and Jennifer Connet, Legal Advisor, at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). They discuss how HRA documents human rights violations inside Iran, preserves evidence, and protects victims, witnesses, and sources in a high-risk environment. The conversation explores HRA’s extensive network inside Iran, including its relationships with people across the country and inside prisons. Skylar explains how information is verified and corroborated, then analysed to identify patterns, responsible institutions and individuals, and broader systems of repression. She also discusses the security considerations involved in deciding what can safely be published. Finally, Skylar and Jennifer share advice for people interested in human rights work: remain curious, humble and open to learning, build relationships with people you respect, and recognise that careers often develop in unexpected ways. 👤 Guest Bio Skylar Thompson Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). Joined HRA in 2020 as its first advocacy officer. Previously worked on criminal justice reform in the United States. Holds an LLM from the University of Essex. Jennifer Connet Legal Advisor at HRA. Human rights and international humanitarian law specialist. Holds an LLM from the University of Essex. Previously worked with USAID and in humanitarian aid. Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) Founded in Iran in 2006. Based in Washington, DC, with a global team. Documents human rights violations and preserves evidence for future accountability. 📚 Resources & Links Just Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcast (https://just-access.de/podcast) Donate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donate (https://just-access.de/donate) Contact the show – podcast@just-access.de (mailto:podcast@just-access.de) Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) 🗒️ Key Take-Aways Documentation: HRA combines on-the-ground information, verification, analysis, and secure archiving to document violations. Protection: Protecting victims, witnesses, sources, and their families is central to HRA’s documentation work. Accountability: Careful evidence preservation can support future investigations and accountability efforts. Sustained attention: The challenges facing people in Iran continue beyond periods of international media attention. Human rights careers: Curiosity, humility, openness to learning, and strong professional relationships can shape non-linear career paths. 📢 Call to Action Subscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes. Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Iran, human rights and international justice. Listen to Part 1 of the conversation with Skylar Thompson and Jennifer Connet. Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform. Support Just Access’s work at https://just-access.de/donate (https://just-access.de/donate). Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   14 Sept 2026

   What is Human Rights Activists in Iran and what do they do?

   In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Skyler Thompson, Deputy Director, and Jennifer Connet, Legal Advisor, at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). They discuss HRA’s origins, its work documenting human rights violations in Iran, and its submission to the German Federal Prosecutor requesting a structural investigation into crimes committed in Iran. Skyler and Jennifer share their journeys into human rights work and introduce HRA, founded inside Iran in 2006 by student activist Keyvan Rafie. They explain how its network of on-the-ground documenters remains central to its work today. The conversation explores the structural investigation requested in Germany, including how it can support evidence collection, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command for potential future prosecutions. Jennifer discusses the repression of nationwide protests in December 2025 and January 2026, including arrests, forced confessions, and executions. She explains why Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework and experience with structural investigations make it an important jurisdiction for accountability. The episode also examines the limitations of pursuing justice in Iran and through the International Criminal Court, the importance of realistic expectations for victims and survivors, and the role of documentation in preserving a historical record. Finally, the guests discuss next steps, including continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions. 👤 Guest Bio Skyler Thompson Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). Joined HRA in 2020 as its first advocacy officer. Previously worked on criminal justice reform in the United States. Holds an LLM from the University of Essex. Jennifer Connet Legal Advisor at HRA. Human rights and international humanitarian law specialist. Holds an LLM from the University of Essex. Previously worked with USAID and in humanitarian aid. Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) Founded in Iran in 2006. Based in Washington, DC, with a global team. Documents human rights violations and international crimes in Iran. Works to preserve evidence and support future accountability. 📚 Resources & Links Just Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcast (https://just-access.de/podcast) Donate / support Just Access – https://just-access.de/donate (https://just-access.de/donate) Contact the show – podcast@just-access.de (mailto:podcast@just-access.de) Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) German universal jurisdiction and structural investigations International Criminal Court (ICC) 🗒️ Key Take-Aways Human rights work often begins with education, mentorship, and following one’s interests. HRA’s network of documenters helps bring information about violations inside Iran to the outside world. Structural investigations can support evidence preservation, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command. Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework provides an important pathway toward accountability for international crimes. Documentation preserves a historical record and supports future prosecutions. Realistic expectations and meaningful engagement with victims and survivors are essential. Continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions are important for accountability. 📢 Call to Action Subscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes. Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Iran, international criminal law, and human rights. Listen to Part 2 of the conversation with Skyler Thompson and Jennifer Connet. Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform. Support Just Access’s work at [https://just-access.de/donate](https://just-access.de/donate). Everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Just Access

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Professor Chidi Oguamanam
• Luca Brocca
• Dr. Tom Sparks
• Cvetanka Kiroska

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

14

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

33

Social presence

0

YouTube

63

Engagement

0