The Keeper: A Human Rights Podcast

Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire

Episode Notes  Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire  On June 17, 2025, Victoire Ingabire was at her home in Kigali, Rwanda, when she received an unusual phone call. She was being summoned by the High Court of Rwanda, and she was required to appear before the court two days later. Victoire was, of course, familiar with the case. It involved supporters of her political party, who were arrested and detained in the days leading up to a celebration of “Ingabire Day,” in honor of Victoire. But over the course of more than three years, Victoire herself had never been called to court for questioning. She answered the summons. She appeared in court. She hoped this would be the end of it. But it was not.  This special episode explores the recent re-arrest of Victoire Ingabire, one of the most prominent dissident voices in Rwanda. It features interviews with her children and legal team, recounting her previous imprisonment by the Rwandan regime and the fear and uncertainty that accompanies this latest arrest.    Rwanda arrests opposition leader Ingabire, her lawyer protests [https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rwanda-arrests-opposition-leader-says-investigative-body-2025-06-20/]  The Keeper Episode 19: The Real Story of Kagame’s Rwanda [https://thekeeper.lantosfoundation.org/1618660/episodes/8290387-episode-19-rule-of-law-season-the-real-story-of-kagame-s-rwanda]   Victoire Ingabire: Opinion pieces in The Guardian [http://theguardian.com/profile/victoire-ingabire]  Victoire Inbagire: Opinion pieces in Al Jazeera [https://www.aljazeera.com/author/victoire-ingabire-umuhoza]  Victoire Ingabire with the Polis Project [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHaQ1EvSjyB/]  An Open-Air Prison – Victoire Ingabire on HRF’s Dissidents and Dictators podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/an-open-air-prison-victoire-ingabire-and-kate-gibson/id1472594832?i=1000655794153]  Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist    Audio editor: Brittany Smith   Music:   A Distant Call · Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, Tone Seeker  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):  https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/whispers-in-the-dark [https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/whispers-in-the-dark]  License code: WBBC6MJARZZFNOYE

Episode 33: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Rachel Miner”

Episode Notes  Episode 33: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Rachel Miner”  The final episode of this season features a conversation with Rachel Miner, founder and executive director of Bellwether International. Bellwether is a global non-profit taking action to disrupt the cycle of genocide and to create genocide resistant, human rights rights-respecting societies that can live in peace. She is one of the brightest stars of the younger generation that will soon be carrying the torch of international religious freedom. Listening to this wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, you will likely agree that the movement will be in good hands with women like Rachel leading the way.   Bellwether International [https://bellwetherngo.org/]  Rachel Miner articles in Deseret News [https://www.deseret.com/authors/rminer/]    Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist & Celie Hudson   Audio editors: Brittany Smith & Celie Hudon  Music:  Always Hopeful - Silent Partner    • Always Hopeful – Silent Partner (No C...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ju5BgjtHV0&t=0s]

Episode 32: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Michal Cotler Wunsh”

Episode Notes  Episode 32: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Michal Cotler Wunsh”  The fourth episode of this podcast season features a conversation with Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism. She has had an impressive career as a member of the Israeli Knesset, a researcher, policy advisor, advocate and more. Her appointment as Special Envoy came at an unbelievably critical moment – when the brutal attacks of October 7 sparked an unprecedented surge of global antisemitism. This stark reality has made Michal’s powerful, eloquent, brave voice on this topic more important than ever. In this episode, she talks about the shocking antisemitism witnessed in the aftermath of October 7; what companies, universities and governments can do to better combat rising antisemitism; how the legacy of her father Professor Irwin Cotler motivates and inspires here; and what gives her hope, even in these dark times.  Note: The conversation took place in late 2024, so there are developments in the Middle East and elsewhere that have happened in the intervening months but are not covered in this episode.  Bio: Michal Cotler-Wunsh [https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/michal-cotler-wunsh]  Michal Cotler-Wunsh on X [https://x.com/CotlerWunsh]    Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist & Celie Hudson   Audio editors: Brittany Smith & Celie Hudon  Music:      • Always Hopeful – Silent Partner (No C...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ju5BgjtHV0&t=0s]

Episode 31: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Rushan Abbas

Episode Notes  Episode 31: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Rushan Abbas  This third episode of our “Women Leading the Way on Freedom of Religion or Belief” season brings you a conversation with Rushan Abbas, one of the most prominent and respected activists for the rights of the Uyghur people. She is founder and executive director of the Campaign for Uyghurs. For decades, she has advocated fearlessly on behalf of Uyghur Muslims – a religious and ethnic minority in China, which has faced brutal repression at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Numerous western governments have classified it as genocide, with more than 1 million Uyghurs being held in so-called “reeducation camps.” In reality, these are modern-day concentration camps.   Rushan has been pivotal to raising awareness about the human rights abuses and crimes against humanity being perpetrated against the Uyghurs. Moreover, she has been critical to many of the most effective efforts to push back against China’s brutal repression. She and her staff at the Campaign for Uyghurs were recognized for their vital work when they were nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2022.  However, the recognition for Rushan’s tremendous contribution to the field of human rights and freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) has come with a heavy price. In this episode, Rushan discusses the childhood that shaped her, the American values of freedom and democracy that she embraced when she came to America, and the unjust imprisonment of her sister, Dr. Gulshan Abbas.   Rushan Abbas Bio [https://campaignforuyghurs.org/leadership/]  Campaign for Uyghurs [https://campaignforuyghurs.org/]  Rushan Abbas: Profiles in Freedom [https://victimsofcommunism.org/rushan-abbas-profiles-in-freedom/] (Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation)  Chinese Persecution of the Uyghurs [https://www.ushmm.org/genocide-prevention/countries/china/chinese-persecution-of-the-uyghurs] (U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)  Gulshan Abbas [https://humanrightscommission.house.gov/DFP/Countries/China/Gulshan-Abbas] (Defending Freedoms Project)  Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist & Celie Hudson   Audio editors: Brittany Smith & Celie Hudon  Music:  Always Hopeful - Silent Partner    • Always Hopeful – Silent Partner (No C...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ju5BgjtHV0&t=0s]

Episode 30: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Anila Ali

Episode Notes  Episode 30: “Women Leading the Way on FoRB” Season – A Conversation with Anila Ali  In this episode, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett speaks with Anila Ali, founder and president of the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC). She is a fearless voice countering and condemning extremism, encouraging religious plurality, taking on taboo subjects, and working to build interfaith alliances around the world. This conversation covers the roots of her advocacy, which trace back to her childhood, and the events that set her on a path of advocating for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all.    About Anila [https://anilaali.com/about-anila/]  AMMWEC [https://anilaali.com/about-anila/%22%EF%B7%9FHYPERLINK%20%22https://ammwec.org/]  Standing Firm Against Hate: A Muslim Perspective on Israel and Hamas [https://www.newsweek.com/standing-firm-against-hate-muslim-perspective-israel-hamas-opinion-1964206] (Newsweek)  Voices for Humanity: Muslim Women Unite Against Extremism [https://combatantisemitism.org/campaigns/voices-for-humanity-muslim-women-unite-against-extremism/] (Combat Antisemitism Movement)  Q&A With Anila Ali: Empowering the Next Generation of Muslim Peace Builders [https://religionunplugged.com/news/2022/7/7/qampa-with-anila-ali-empowering-the-next-generation-of-muslim-peace-builders] (Religion Unplugged)  Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist & Celie Hudson   Audio editors: Brittany Smith & Celie Hudon  Music: Always Hopeful - Silent Partner    • Always Hopeful – Silent Partner (No C...   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ju5BgjtHV0&t=0s]