Listen to their stories
Below are brief excerpts from HRF’s “Dissidents & Dictators” podcast. Each week, Casey Michel, director of HRF’s Combating Kleptocracy program, and Elisha Maldonado, HRF’s director of communications, interview individuals at the forefront of the global human rights movement.
To listen to full episodes about the world’s most pressing human rights issues, subscribe to the “Dissident’s & Dictators” podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Youtube, or Apple Podcasts.
01. The Trial of Jimmy Lai (with Sebastien Lai)
Casey and Elisha reunite after the holiday break, and Elisha brings with her catastrophic news: a mouse in her house. In the actually important segment, Elisha talks with Sebastien Lai, OFF 2024 Speaker and son of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is currently on trial in Hong Kong under Beijing’s national security law for “colluding with foreign forces”—aka, speaking out for freedom and democracy and against the Chinese Communist Party. We also learn how a Hong Kong businessman became a French Knight.
02. Wearing Your Values
Casey and Elisha sit down with HRF’s Claudia Bennett, talking about the role of the fashion industry in propping up dictators. They discuss how the cotton industry relies on forced labor, and how consumers can find out where their clothes come from. They also talk about how the CCP targeted HRF’s efforts to shine a light on Beijing’s genocidal campaign against Uyghurs.
03. The Habibi Effect with Faisal al Mutar
Ideas Beyond Borders Founder and 2024 OFF Speaker Faisal Al Mutar joins Casey and Elisha to discuss the importance of creating a sense of national security for Iraqis as well as his experience combatting the villainy of authoritarianism and extremism. Then there’s the habibi effect.
04. Standing with Tanele
Casey and Elisha speak with HRF’s Africa policy officer, Mo Keita, talks about the recent arrest of Swazi activist and former podcast guest, Tanele Maseko. They talk about how the Swazi regime’s efforts to silence critics continue to backfire and how to support the pro-democratic reformers targeting Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
05. Sportswashing and Beyond
Casey and Elisha are joined by Karim Zidan, one of the world’s foremost experts on how authoritarian regimes use the world of sports for their own ends (“sportswashing”). Karim discusses the history of the intersection of sports and politics, why the term “sportswashing” may already be outdated, and how depressing it is to be a Seattle Mariners fan.
06. Ukrainian Anniversaries Player
Casey and Elisha talk with Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko about Ukraine’s upcoming anniversaries—both the 10-year anniversary of Ukraine’s successful democratic revolution and the two-year anniversary of Russia’s expanded invasion. They discuss how Ukrainians remain on the frontlines of the fight against dictatorship and why democracies must continue supporting Kyiv.
07. Why Celebrities Can’t Stop Performing for Dictators
As rapper Kendrick Lamar sets to headline Move Africa in Rwanda, Casey and Elisha talk about the atrocities committed by the country’s ruler, Paul Kagame, and how and why dictators like him turn to celebrities to help launder their reputation abroad. The duo also discusses the ongoing genocide of Uyghurs in China and how democracies can help unwind the CCP’s sprawling efforts to erase Uyghur identity. Elisha’s morning also gets off to a bad start.
08. How Bitcoin Can Propel Democracy
It’s well-known at this point that Bitcoin has many uses, from the fun to the financial. But did you know Bitcoin can also help democratic movements flourish and find funding? Casey and Elisha talk with author and HRF Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein about how Bitcoin has grown into a tool to fight dictatorships and how new technologies can help end tyranny.