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Just AccessYour Gateway to Global Human Rights Conversations Author: Just Access
Just Access Podcast: Your Gateway to Global Human Rights ConversationsWelcome 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 figuresfrom academics and international officials to frontline human rights defenders.About the Just Access PodcastEach 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 MissionThe 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 AdvocacyThe 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 valua Language: en Genres: Government, News, Politics Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Domestic Courts, International Crimes: Who Decides What Gets Prosecuted?
Episode 1
Tuesday, 20 January, 2026
In this first part of our conversation with Sabina Grigore, PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam, we explore how access to justice is shaped long before a case ever reaches a courtroom. Focusing on international criminal law and transitional justice, the episode examines the often-overlooked role of domestic prosecutors who investigate atrocity crimes committed beyond their borders.Drawing on her PhD research, Sabina explains what it means to prosecute crimes from conflicts such as Syria and Ukraine at the national level in countries like Germany, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands. She describes prosecutors as powerful gatekeepers—deciding which cases move forward, whose testimonies are included, and what evidence ultimately shapes legal outcomes for victims and accused alike. Cooperation between states, EU institutions such as Eurojust, and international investigative mechanisms emerges as a crucial but complex element of this process.The conversation also traces Sabina’s academic journey, from studying transitional justice in Romania to engaging with international criminal law more broadly. Reflecting on Romania’s post-communist legacy, she discusses how decades of silence, failed investigations, and political interference denied victims recognition and accountability—and how judgments from the European Court of Human Rights helped reopen questions of truth, responsibility, and redress.Throughout the episode, one core message stands out: access to justice is not automatic. It depends on institutional choices, political will, and the individuals who operate within legal systems. By unpacking these dynamics, Sabina invites listeners to think more critically about where justice begins—and where it so often breaks down.What will you learn?What “domestic extraterritorial prosecution” means in practiceWhy prosecutors play a decisive role in determining access to justiceHow cooperation between states and institutions shapes atrocity casesWhat Romania’s post-communist experience reveals about transitional justiceWhy passion and purpose matter when pursuing long-term academic research🧠 Topics CoveredInternational criminal law and transitional justiceDomestic prosecution of international crimesProsecutorial discretion and access to justiceCooperation between national and international legal actorsRomania’s communist past and ECHR jurisprudenceAcademic pathways into human-rights-focused research👤 About the GuestSabina Grigore is a PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam, specialising in international criminal law. Her research focuses on domestic prosecutions of atrocity crimes committed abroad, with particular attention to prosecutorial cooperation and access to justice. Her academic work builds on extensive research into transitional justice, including Romania’s post-communist accountability processes and the role of the European Court of Human Rights.📚 Resources & LinksJust Access Podcast – https://just-access.de/podcastSupport Just Access – https://just-access.de/donateContact the show – podcast@just-access.de⏱ Key moments01:30 – Introducing domestic prosecution of international crimes03:40 – Prosecutors as gatekeepers to justice06:30 – Cooperation between states, Eurojust, and investigative mechanisms10:20 – Romania’s transitional justice challenges15:10 – Advice for aspiring PhD researchersCall to actionHelp Just Access keep critical conversations alive—share this episode, leave a review, and support our work at👉 https://just-access.de/donateBecause everyone can be a human rights defender. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
