Awake At Night

Matilda Bogner's job is to bear witness to unspeakable crimes. As head of the United Nations Human Rights mission in Ukraine, she and her team record accounts of horrific abuses and rights violations in a bid to bring the perpetrators to justice and ease the victims' suffering. "It's a very complicated job, but it is meeting people and finding out their stories. It's giving voices to victims. That's what motivates me." Russia's invasion of Ukraine has devastated millions of lives. Civilians have been subjected to summary executions, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and mass rape. In this episode, Matilda Bogner reflects on the scale of these horrors, the mental health impact of documenting them, and on her urgent quest to raise the alarm with the rest of the world.

Growing up at a time of war in Bangladesh, Irene Khan learned first-hand how access to trustworthy information can save lives. Now UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, she advocates for reliable information for all, especially during conflict. "Access to information from outside the conflict from a source that we felt was verifiable and trustworthy, was so important for us as a family to know whether we flee, whether we stay, should we go east or west. That's why I call it a survivor right." Social media has connected, informed, and empowered our world like never before. Yet malicious lies and hate speech spread online are causing real harm to our societies. In this episode, Irene Khan reflects on curbing harm while preserving vital freedoms, on the responsibilities of states and platforms, and reveals how she lets off steam in the kitchen.

Alfred Orono's childhood came to an abrupt end when he was recruited as a soldier in Uganda, when he was just 11 years old. Now Chief of Child Protection at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), he draws on his own experience as a child soldier to help young people find a peaceful way forward. "I work with children who, when I look at them, I know exactly what's going on in their minds. I know how they feel. And I'm part of the solution to their problems." Every year, thousands of children are recruited by warring parties around the world. Yet their troubles rarely end after the conflict is over. Having suffered violence, abuse, and exploitation, many struggle to rebuild their lives. In this episode, Alfred Orono reflects on his own experience, the hope it gives to former child soldiers, and on living life without regrets.

Staffan de Mistura has dedicated his life to making a difference. Now the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, he spent a large part of his 48-year career at the UN striving for an end to some of the most intractable conflicts of modern times. "I have no regrets. I would have never chosen another type of job. I think you can [make a difference] even in the worst-case scenario - always." From Syria and Afghanistan to Sudan and Iraq, the seasoned diplomat is known for bringing creative thinking to the negotiating table even when others have lost hope. In this episode, Staffan de Mistura reflects on harnessing constructive outrage as a driving force, on his determination in the face of despair, and why at 75, he isn't ready to retire just yet.

Chris Mburu's life was transformed by a small act of kindness. Now the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Congo, he grew up in a Kenyan family struggling to afford his education. That was until a stranger in Sweden offered to pay for him to go to school. "When I look at poverty, it evokes memories of my own childhood. What keeps me going is the desire to keep as many people as possible out of poverty, because I remember my past, and where I was, I really do not want to see anybody there." After attending Harvard, the now UN human rights lawyer wanted to give back. Having found his long-lost childhood benefactor, Holocaust survivor Hilde Back, he set up a scholarship in her name to put Kenyan children through school. In this episode, Chris Mburu reflects on his own path out of poverty, the transformational power of development, and the ripple effect of small acts.

Deborah Lyons knows how to keep a cool head in a crisis. In August 2021, when the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, Deborah, in her former role as Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was responsible for ensuring the safety of staff across the country, among them many women. "I don't think anyone expected the chaos, the sadness, the carnage, the enormous shock of what happened in August." Since returning to power, the Taliban have severely curtailed women's rights. Millions of women and girls are now excluded from work and school, contrary to initial assurances from Afghanistan's new leaders. In this episode, Deborah Lyons reflects on the tragedy facing Afghan women, the trauma of the Taliban takeover, and what it takes to lead in turbulent times. "I would have drivers say to me, ma'am, please help me. Tell me what to say to my daughter. She can't go to school. She cries every day."

Adiba Qasim has shown extraordinary courage and resilience. She narrowly escaped when her village was stormed by Islamic State militants who killed and enslaved thousands of Yazidis. This is her story. "We were surrounded by the Islamic State. And we had no weapons even to fight. We had nothing. We were left alone." Returning to northern Iraq in 2015, Adiba threw herself into humanitarian work, aiding survivors who had been enslaved by the militants. In this special bitesize episode she reflects on the horrors she witnessed, on battling survivors' guilt, and on her motivation to help others.

Ugochi Daniels was just six years old when her family fled the civil war in Nigeria. Now the International Organization for Migration's Deputy Director General for Operations, she is often struck by the pain of uprooted children, most recently those escaping from Ukraine. "I noticed this woman with a 10-year-old boy. He never looked up, his eyes were down, and he never blinked. And I just kept on thinking, what has this boy seen on his journey here?" Women and children are particularly vulnerable when they have left their home – no matter for what reason. Across the world, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. In this episode, Ugochi Daniels reflects on efforts to meet the needs of people on the move, and on a life dedicated to the service of others.

Giles Duley used to live the rock'n'roll life of a fashion photographer, but now travels the world's war zones documenting the lives of those caught up in conflict. He stepped on a landmine while working in Afghanistan and lost three of his limbs, and very nearly his life. This is his story. "It was a miracle I survived that day. I was just lucky, it just wasn't my day to go." Incredibly fortunate to be alive, few of Giles' family and friends believed that he would work again after the accident. But he knew otherwise. Photographing Syrian refugees for UNHCR on the Greek islands, he found his way back into life and work. In this special bitesize episode, Giles Duley reflects on his drive to help others, tell life-changing stories, and on finding the strength to return from rock bottom.

Serge Brammertz is one of the world's leading international prosecutors. As Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, he leads the process of tracking down fugitive criminals from wars in the former Yugoslavia, and the genocide in Rwanda. "Every single person indicted is exactly the opposite of a hero. And the only heroes in fact are the survivors and victims." Decades on from the brutal Balkan wars of the 1990s, genocide denial and glorification of war criminals remain rife in the region. In this episode, Serge Brammertz reflects on his life-long quest to bring war criminals to justice, on working with the survivors of genocide, and what he has learned about the human condition.