In the last two weeks, unwarranted violence against Palestinians by Israeli authorities has increased. Palestinians on the ground have resisted, and in turn, Israeli forces have since used repeated excessive force on Palestinians. As Airstrikes continue, Israel is cracking down on media with strong censorship of Palestinian content, and the recent targeted bombing of Al-Jazeera and Associated Press building. Israel is using its connections and influence with social media companies to censor content and expression online. 

Today we speak to 3 Palestinians to shed light on the situation on the ground, what Palestinians need to support their struggle, and what the reality of the struggle is for palestinians.

Our guests today include Fayrouz Sharqawi, the director at Grassroots Jerusalem, a platform for Palestinian and international activists and organizations in Jerusalem. Afaf Al-Najjar is in Khan Younis in Gaza, and is a writer with We Are Not Numbers. Lastly, Mona Shtaya is a Communicator, campaigner, Digital/ Human Rights defender and Local Advocacy Manager at Hamlah, the Arab center for social media.

Interview with Palestinian HRDs: The realities on the ground

Front Line Defenders Rights on the Line podcast, presenting the voices, perspectives and experiences of human rights and human rights defenders (HRDs) across the globe. In this episode, we chat to two HRDs who were a part of the SEA-EYE 4 ship crew, which rescued 408 people from five different refugee boats in distress in May 2021. 

Sophie Weidenhiller is from the German NGO Sea-Eye, who works for the rescue of fleeing people in the central Mediterranean Sea. Sara Cincurova is a Slovakian HRD journalist who writes on issues ranging from migration, to human rights, humanitarian issues, and women's rights. She has reported from about fifteen different countries, and has been published by BBC and The Guardian, among others.

Sara and Sophie will speak on Sea-Eyes most recent heart-wrenching humanitarian mission aboard the Sea Eye 4 ship, as well as their experiences being targeted as human rights defenders for the their sea-rescue efforts and work.

Music: Soft Instrumental Hip-hop by jorikbasov

The cost of saving lives in the Mediterranean Sea

Topics covered: 

- How the situation unfolded since the suspicion of an initial hack and breach
- How the announcement of the 6 organisations deemed as‘’terrorist’’  linked to the unfolding investigation
- Who NSO Group is and what Pegasus is
- How the devices were confirmed to be infected, and what happens when spyware is installed on a device
- Recommendations on the situation and what the international community can do.

NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware hack on Palestinan HRDs - explained by DPC Mohammad Al-Maskati

#LGBTRights On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Rights on the Line brings you three interviews with three LGBTI rights defenders. Listen to hear them speak about the work they do, the consequences they face for their advocacy and the unique challenges LGBTI defenders face within the human rights movement. 

Tune in to hear from:

Anouar Rahmani, independent novelist and LGBT rights defender in Algeria
Blessol Gathoni, LGBT activist and community organizer working in Kenya
Yildiz Tar, the Media and Communications Officer for Turkish LGBT organization Kaos GL

#IDAHOTB2018: Defending LGBT Rights in Algeria, Kenya and Turkey

Front Line Defenders is an international human rights organization based in Ireland working exclusively for the security and protection of human rights defenders at risk.

Interview with Palestinian HRDs: The realities on the ground

Front Line Defenders

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