In this episode of Human Rights: Conversations Across Generations, we are honored to welcome Professor Cees Flinterman, one of the most respected figures in international human rights law and one of Professor Bert Lockwood’s oldest friends and collaborators. Their friendship began in 1970 while studying in the graduate law program at the University of Virginia, an experience that helped shape parallel careers devoted to building human rights institutions, education, and global norms. Cees reflects on a career that spans academia, diplomacy, and international human rights bodies. He shares formative experiences teaching and working in Ghana during a period of military rule, contributing to the Netherlands’ first human rights–centered foreign policy, and serving as head of delegation to the UN Commission on Human Rights and the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the practical realities of implementing human rights in complex political contexts. The discussion also explores Cees’s work with UN treaty bodies, including his service on the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the UN Human Rights Committee, as well as his collaboration with figures such as Theo van Boven and Nigel Rodley. From drafting early resolutions on China and Tibet to advancing economic, social, and cultural rights, Cees offers rare insight into how international human rights norms are built, defended, and sustained over time. At its heart, this episode is a reflection on friendship, institutional memory, and the long arc of legal change. Through personal stories and global experience, Cees reminds us why optimism, persistence, and human connection remain essential to the practice of human rights. SHOW NOTES Holiday Programming NoteWe will be taking a brief two-week break for the holiday season. Our next episode of Human Rights: Conversations Across Generations will be released on January 9, 2026. We wish our listeners and community a warm and restful holiday season.   Cees Flinterman’s PublicationsProfessor Flinterman has co-edited and contributed to major works in international human rights law, including Changing Perceptions of Sovereignty and Human Rights: Essays in Honour of Cees Flinterman, edited by Ineke Boerefijn and J. E. Goldschmidt, and Innovation and Inspiration: Fifty Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, co-edited with Peter R. Baehr and Mignon Sender Toine van DongenToine van Dongen was a Dutch human rights lawyer and advocate whose work focused on equality, non-discrimination, and the practical application of human rights law in the Netherlands and internationally. Mohamed ElBaradeiMohamed ElBaradei is an Egyptian lawyer and diplomat who served as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency and was jointly awarded the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to prevent the use of nuclear energy for military purposes and to promote peaceful nuclear cooperation. Theo van BovenTheo van Boven is an emeritus professor of international law and human rights whose leadership within the United Nations and Dutch foreign policy helped advance accountability for torture and other gross human rights violations. Soeboer Indonesian Restaurant, The HagueSoeboer is an Indonesian restaurant in The Hague referenced in the episode.

We are honored to welcome Professor Rebecca J. Cook, a pioneering scholar whose work has transformed women’s human rights and reproductive justice around the world. Rebecca has also been a close friend of our family for more than thirty years, first connecting with my father, Professor Bert B. Lockwood, through her contributions to Human Rights Quarterly and the University of Pennsylvania Press human rights book series. Rebecca’s early work in the 1970s at International Planned Parenthood exposed her to profound injustices faced by women who were denied access to contraception and abortion. Having survived polio the year the vaccine became available, she carried a deep sense of empathy into her work, recognizing how law and health shape human vulnerability. Her efforts helped broaden the human rights community’s understanding of reproductive autonomy, including early conversations with Sir Nigel Rodley about why women’s health belonged at the center of human rights advocacy. As a professor at the University of Toronto, Rebecca helped build one of the world’s leading programs on women’s human rights, mentoring generations of students and advancing research on gender stereotyping, structural discrimination, and harmful practices such as polygyny. Her scholarship has influenced courts in countries like Indonesia and South Africa, shaped CEDAW’s interpretation of discriminatory norms, and guided international efforts to promote women’s dignity and equality. In our conversation, Rebecca reflects on the experiences that shaped her path, the legal strategies that have proven most effective, and the work that remains to be done. Her insight, clarity, and humanity offer a powerful guide for anyone committed to advancing women’s rights in a complex and changing world.   SHOW NOTES Western University: Rebecca Cook's SpeechStructural Discrimination: The Case of PolygynyWatch Video Center for Reproductive RightsRebecca has worked closely with the Center for Reproductive Rights, helping develop legal strategies that advance reproductive autonomy worldwide.Support their work Planned ParenthoodRebecca’s early advocacy began at International Planned Parenthood, where she confronted the profound injustices women faced in accessing essential reproductive health care.Donate now

Today’s episode is a very special tribute to the life and legacy of our dear friend, and a true leader in international law, the late Sir Nigel Rodley. It is our privilege to be joined by his wife, and our close friend, Lyn Rodley. Nigel’s remarkable journey began at New York University in the International Studies Department, where he studied alongside both of my parents. He went on to become a foundational figure at Amnesty International, leading the legal office for nearly two decades and shaping the organization’s campaign against torture during a pivotal era of human rights advocacy. A distinguished academic and professor, Nigel co-founded the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, and devoted his life to teaching, mentoring, and supporting generations of students who would go on to play central roles in law, policy, and international institutions. In this conversation, Lyn reflects on Nigel’s profound impact on the world of human rights, and on the people whose lives he touched. She brings forward the personal stories, the humor, and the moral clarity that defined him, while offering a window into the person behind a lifetime of public work. For our family, this episode is a tribute to a beloved friend, a colleague, and a leader who helped shape the modern human rights movement. We miss him dearly, and hold deep gratitude for the legacy he left behind. Show Notes Recording DateThis conversation was recorded in July 2024, which provides context for references to contemporary events, including the United States election and Brexit. “Peace through Reason”“Peace through Reason” is the piece of advice Lyn offers at the end of the episode. It captures what she believes animated Nigel’s approach to law and diplomacy, and why his thoughtful, principled method proved effective in advancing human rights. Professor Tom FarerTom Farer was a renowned international law and human rights scholar who served as Dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and wrote widely on global justice and humanitarian intervention. He passed away in March 2025, and his loss is deeply felt across the human rights world. Professor Thomas M. FranckThomas M. Franck was a leading scholar of international law at NYU, and author of influential works on global governance, and human rights. He advised governments during periods of constitutional change, and served as president of the American Society of International Law. Amnesty International Tribute to Sir Nigel RodleyAmnesty International published a tribute honoring Sir Nigel’s life, work, and global impact on human rights. You can read it here:https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/01/nigel-rodley-1941-2017/

This week, we sit down with Sister Helen Prejean, one of the most influential moral leaders of our time and a guiding force in the movement to end the death penalty. For more than three decades, she has accompanied people on death row with dignity, supported families affected by violence, and challenged the nation to confront the human cost of state killing with honesty and compassion. She joins us to celebrate the release of Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition, a powerful new retelling created to reach younger readers, visual storytellers, and classrooms. This edition renews the impact of her work through art and narrative, and we talk with Sister Helen about why this moment matters, how storytelling opens hearts, and what continues to sustain her spirit after decades of courageous advocacy. Our conversation explores her childhood in Baton Rouge during the Jim Crow era, her early formation as a young nun, and the unexpected letter in 1982 that set her on the path of accompanying people on death row. Sister Helen shares profound personal stories, reflects on the global landscape of state killing, and offers wisdom on courage, conscience, and the dignity at the center of every human life. May this conversation strengthen our collective resolve to end the death penalty in every corner of the world.   SHOW NOTES Episode Transcript PDF Sister Helen’s Website: Learn more about her books, advocacy, and ongoing work. Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition: A new adaptation illustrated by Catherine Anyango Grünewald with a script by Rose Vines, created to reach new generations through visual storytelling. SISTER Documentary Rebel Nun Documentary Calvin Duncan’s Book: The Jailhouse Lawyer: The remarkable story of a wrongfully convicted man who became a leading jailhouse lawyer and was recently elected Clerk of Criminal Court in New Orleans. The Guardian Investigation on Saudi Arabia Amnesty International Report on Executions in Saudi Arabia (2025) Innocence Project  

In this episode of Human Rights: Conversations Across Generations, we are honored to welcome The Honorable Unity Dow, a trailblazing jurist, author, and human rights advocate from Botswana. Unity is also a cherished friend of the Institute and a long-standing partner of the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. The Institute’s inaugural founder and director, Professor Bert Lockwood, supports the placement of UMI's law fellows in Mochudi, where they work directly with Unity and her community, continuing a collaboration that spans decades. Our conversation reflects on Unity’s landmark citizenship case, now studied across the Commonwealth, and the ways her work has shaped constitutional and human rights development in Botswana and beyond. She shares insights from her diverse career, including her service as a judge, minister, parliamentarian, and educator dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people through the Dow Academy. Unity offers thoughtful reflections on leadership, progress, and the responsibilities facing the next generation of advocates. Her voice is a powerful reminder that principled and community-rooted human rights work remains essential in today’s world. Show Notes Unity Dow Website: https://unitydow.org/ The Dow Academy: https://thedowacademy.org/- To support the incredible work of The Dow Academy, please consider donating to their trust to continue empowering students in Botswana.

This week, we welcome Eric Stover, an esteemed colleague and pioneer in human rights investigations. As a Research Professor and Co-Faculty Director of the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Eric has spent decades at the forefront of applying science to pursue justice. He is a recipient of the 2024 American Association for the Advancement of Science Award. This conversation across generations traces his groundbreaking career, from launching the first forensic investigations of the disappeared in Central and South America to his critical work using forensic science in historic atrocity cases. We discuss his significant role for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunals and how his research helped launch the Nobel Peace Prize-winning campaign to ban landmines. Eric shares insightful advice for our listeners on applying science and public health to the pursuit of justice. SHOW NOTES: - Transcript PDF - The Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations: OHCHR Publication - PBS Documentary, Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten: Watch on PBS - PBS Documentary, El Equipo: Independent Lens - Pader Girls Academy: Berkeley Human Rights Center Project

Welcome back for Part 2 of our special series with the father-daughter duo, Professor Harold Koh and Emily Koh! Having explored the foundations of Harold’s legal career and family legacy in Part 1, this episode focuses on the critical challenges facing human rights and democracy today. We start with a powerful reflection on Harold's father and his unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law, made at great personal cost. Professor Koh then discusses his recent work, including his book, The National Security Constitution in the 21st Century, where he analyzes the existential dangers of executive unilateralism and offers his strategy for defending constitutional checks and balances. Harold and Emily share their inspiring thoughts on finding hope and the essential need to keep "marching" in the fight for human rights.   Show Notes Professor Harold Koh's GW Law Commencement Keynote: https://www.youtube.com/live/Zb6LXVJc5YM Support the Christy Fisher Legal Fellowship: https://ctveteranslegal.org/fisherfellowship/ The transcript PDF can be found on our producer's website, link here.

We are honored to welcome our first father-daughter duo to the show for a special two-part series: the esteemed Professor Harold Koh and his daughter, Emily Koh. This conversation represents a true multi-generational dialogue on human rights and the shared passion for justice that connects us. Professor Koh, the Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale Law School, has shaped the human rights landscape over five decades, serving four U.S. Presidents. Emily has dedicated her career to social impact, gender equality, and women's rights, including her former role on the White House’s Gender Policy Council under the Biden Administration. In this first part of our conversation, we dive into the foundations of Harold’s inspiring family legacy and career from his parents’ pioneering work at Yale Law School and his clerkships with Justice Harry A. Blackmun, to his key role in founding the Allard Lowenstein Clinic and his human rights advocacy in cases like "Storming the Court." Listen to this episode now, and be sure to come back next week for Part 2 of our dynamic conversation. Show Notes: Professor Harold Koh's George Washington Law Commencement Keynote: https://www.youtube.com/live/Zb6LXVJc5YM Support the Christy Fisher Legal Fellowship: https://ctveteranslegal.org/fisherfellowship/

We welcome legendary litigator Professor Paul Hoffman to discuss his decades-long career pioneering international human rights law and battling abuses by global corporations. This intergenerational conversation bridges the past and future of the movement, revealing the core struggles and enduring hope required for justice.