Hosted by the ANU Centre for International and Public Law, join Professor Jolyon Ford in conversation with Professor Sally Wheeler OBE MRIA FAcSS FAAL (Deputy Vice-Chancellor International & Corporate), Professor Penelope Matthew (ACT Human Rights Commissioner) and Associate Professor Cecilia Jacob (ANU Coral Bell School) on his new book 'Human Rights and Populism' (Routledge, 2023).

With a welcome by Vice Chancellor Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS, this compelling discussion will be moderated by CIPL Director Associate Professor Imogen Saunders.

Civic freedoms and human rights defenders have moved to the forefront of the business and human rights agenda over the last half dozen years, as the closing of civic space has intensified and defenders have come under attack. New frameworks, policies and guidance for corporate support of civic freedoms and defenders have been established—and there are examples of positive action that may be emulated. But the legacy of distrust cases a shadow over such alignment, especially as SLAPP suits attempt to silence company critics.

Dr Melanie O'Brien's research aims to construct a paradigm of the genocidal process through human rights violations to function as a map to prevent future genocides. It conducts a comparative assessment of the process of the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, and Cambodian Genocide, examining the timeline of human rights violations that occurred in those genocides; and the use of the law to carry out these violations.