Human Rights: Conversations Across Generations

Eric Stover: A Pioneer in Forensic Human Rights

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

Our Father-Daughter Duo: Harold & Emily Koh (Part 2)

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.

Our Father-Daughter Duo: Harold & Emily Koh (Part 1)

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/

Paul Hoffman: A Life on the Frontlines of International Justice

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.