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Kenneth Roth

Former director of Human Rights Watch and author of “Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Frontlines of Battling Abusive Governments”. Expert on the International Criminal Court.

Top 10 podcasts with Kenneth Roth

Ranked by the Snipd community
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33 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 42min

The End of Human Rights?

Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch for nearly 30 years, discusses the troubling state of human rights under rising authoritarianism. He believes there's a path for Trump to make positive changes, despite his tumultuous past. The conversation delves into China's repressive regime, challenges faced by human rights organizations, and the illusory nature of autocratic prosperity. Roth emphasizes the link between a nation’s treatment of LGBTQ communities and broader human rights issues, advocating for international cooperation and accountability in combating oppression.
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28 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 28min

Is the International Criminal Court’s future in peril?

Kenneth Roth, former director of Human Rights Watch and author, dives into the tumultuous waters surrounding the International Criminal Court (ICC). He discusses the recent U.S. sanctions against ICC officials and the Trump administration’s historic opposition to the court. Roth addresses the challenges the ICC faces, particularly its jurisdiction over powerful leaders like Israeli officials accused of war crimes. Additionally, he explores Canada’s commitment to the ICC compared to the U.S. stance, emphasizing the court's crucial role in global justice.
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16 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 40min

Books to make you think 2025: Are Human Rights Being Ripped Away?

Kenneth Roth, author of "Righting Wrongs" and former head of Human Rights Watch, shares his bold approach to human rights advocacy, emphasizing the need for pressure on oppressive governments. Andrew Clapham, a professor of international law and author of "War", explores the complexities of accountability in armed conflicts, challenging the notion that only leaders bear responsibility for war crimes. Both guests tackle the pressing issues of global democracy versus autocracy and the evolving laws of war, highlighting ethical implications and the accountability of military actions.
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15 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 9min

Downstream: Does International Law Even Work? w/ Kenneth Roth

Kenneth Roth, former director of Human Rights Watch, delves into the complexities of international law and human rights advocacy. He shares insights from his journey shaped by a childhood marked by World War II, emphasizing the crucial role of public opinion in holding governments accountable. Roth discusses the challenges surrounding immigration policies, the dynamics of shame in international accountability, and the delicate balance of potential solutions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His reflections underscore the ongoing struggle for human rights amidst shifting democratic values.
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11 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 30min

Internationell laglöshet – världen efter Gaza

Omer Bartov är professor i förintelse- och folkmordsstudier och ger en historisk analys av koloniala massövergrepp. Samuel Moyn, professor i juridik, diskuterar folkrättens betydelse i avkolonialiseringen. Kenneth Roth, tidigare chef för Human Rights Watch, belyser hur internationell lag används som påtryckning. Aryeh Neier, mänskliga rättighetsaktivist och överlevande från förintelsen, reflekterar över rättens roll i Gaza. Panelen utforskar moralen bakom internationell rätt och dess relevans i en tid präglad av laglöshet.
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11 snips
Feb 8, 2025 • 24min

What are the implications of Trump's sanctions on the ICC?

William Pace, a seasoned expert in international criminal justice, and Kenneth Roth, a prominent advocate for human rights, delve into the ramifications of U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court. They discuss how Trump's punitive measures target the court's investigation into Israel's actions in Gaza, raising questions about the future of international justice. The conversation highlights the potential emboldening of authoritarian regimes and the strained U.S.-European relations as a result of these sanctions, emphasizing the need for bipartisan support in global human rights efforts.
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11 snips
Oct 30, 2023 • 28min

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

Nick Schifrin, a Foreign Affairs correspondent for PBS NewsHour, and Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch, delve into Gaza's dire humanitarian crisis. They illuminate the pressing need for international aid amid escalating military operations. Roth emphasizes that the situation is not merely humanitarian but a violation of international law. The pair discuss the complex interplay of human rights advocacy and the challenges faced by those critiquing Israel. This conversation sheds light on the harsh realities faced by civilians caught in the conflict.
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Mar 25, 2026 • 27min

Kenneth Roth on holding regimes to account

Kenneth Roth, former long-term executive director of Human Rights Watch and veteran human rights advocate. He discusses strategic international pressure and shaming as tools to constrain abusive regimes. He weighs targeted versus broad sanctions, the role of alliances and credibility, UN relevance, tech’s risks and opportunities, and how public pressure and coordinated diplomacy can change policy.
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Feb 21, 2026 • 54min

Infrastructure: How we need to change our choices

Margaret Mutu, Māori Studies professor advocating Te Tiriti and consensus decision-making. Kenneth Roth, former Human Rights Watch director on international accountability and pressure tactics. Geoff Cooper, head of New Zealand’s Infrastructure Commission with a national plan prioritising maintenance, funding fixes and staged projects. They discuss infrastructure risks, targeted leverage for rights abuses, and Māori co-governance and democratic practice.
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Sep 29, 2025 • 15min

Trump’s retribution list

Kenneth Roth, former Human Rights Watch director and federal prosecutor, discusses the unsettling implications of Trump’s retributive approach to justice. He highlights how investigations into political figures like James Comey are part of a broader trend of undermining checks and balances. Roth delves into the politically motivated scrutiny of organizations like the Open Society Foundations and warns of the chilling effects this has on civil society. His insights shed light on Trump’s use of autocratic tactics that threaten democratic norms in the U.S.

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