[VIENNA CALLING]

In this episode of Vienna Calling, Nagis Mohmand Hassanzai, a former professor from Kabul Education University and winner of the Sweden World Peace Award in 2023, discusses the dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan since the Taliban's resurgence. Currently living near Düsseldorf, Germany, she is a prominent advocate for women's rights and the founder of the Fakunda Foundation. Nagis outlines how the landscape of life for women in Afghanistan has drastically regressed, equating their current existence to that of prisoners. With little to no rights—ranging from education to employment and public life—women are now banned from schools, universities, and most professions, primarily but not exclusively, in government sectors. The few exceptions for women in education exist in areas like healthcare, but these too are extremely limited and often inaccessible. Nagis passionately emphasizes that the situation feels akin to a time warp back to 1919, with systemic violence against women increasing as they are entirely excluded from political discourse and cannot engage in public life without a male guardian. Despite the bleak reality, the discussion shifts to the issue of hope. Nagis candidly states that under the Taliban regime, the prospects for change are minimal. She reflects on the profound hopelessness that afflicts millions of Afghan women and girls, who recognize that the conditions under the Taliban mirror past experiences from decades earlier when the group was in power. The conversation progresses to her ongoing efforts with the Fakunda Foundation, where she strives to educate women and girls through innovative means despite the Taliban-imposed barriers. Her organization has transitioned to online classes, allowing Afghan women to access education discreetly without drawing the attention of the authorities. Given the technical challenges—like limited internet access and electricity outages—Nagis highlights several hurdles, as many students engage in classes from their homes in secret. This situation underscores the precarious environment under which women's education initiatives operate. European support emerges as a crucial theme, as Nagis outlines several ways that nations can assist Afghan women. She advocates for scholarship programs aimed at higher education and emphasizes the importance of humanitarian assistance that directly reaches those in need, steering clear of corrupt practices that could siphon resources to the Taliban. She urges for heightened media awareness and public discourse surrounding Afghan women's issues to reinvigorate global attention towards their plight. Regarding asylum, Nagis references a recent ruling from the European Court of Justice that could allow Afghan women to receive humanitarian protection due to widespread gender discrimination in Afghanistan. While she expresses hope that this decision may facilitate pathways for women seeking refuge, she notes the broader challenge of maintaining Afghanistan's visibility in international discussions. The dialogue concludes with a heartfelt reminder from Nagis not to forget the plight of Afghan women, reinforcing the need for sustained advocacy and action aimed at improving their circumstances. Her call to action serves as a poignant reminder to keep Afghanistan's issues at the forefront of political agendas in Europe and beyond.

In this episode of "Vienna Calling," I am thrilled to welcome Liping Mian, a dedicated human rights activist with extensive experience in the intersection of business and human rights. Our conversation dives deep into the evolution of corporate responsibility regarding human rights since the UN Human Rights Council endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011. Liping reflects on her journey from serving as the youth representative at the International AIDS Conference to studying human rights in Paris, and how her experiences have shaped her understanding of this crucial topic. During our discussion, Liping highlights the progress made in integrating human rights into business practices. She notes that, historically, corporate sustainability teams were small, and dedicated professionals focusing on human rights were rare. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with many companies now embedding sustainability into their core strategies. This includes recognizing and addressing human rights matters in their sustainability reporting. The increasing number of professionals focused on these issues demonstrates a growing commitment within the corporate sector to uphold human rights throughout their operations and supply chains. While acknowledging these advancements, we also explore the ongoing challenges that persist in the field. Liping emphasizes that the guiding principles and frameworks surrounding business and human rights are largely voluntary, leading to inconsistent implementation across different jurisdictions. The role of governments is critical in developing and enforcing policies that require businesses to adhere to human rights standards. However, challenges arise when government commitments to human rights are overshadowed by economic priorities, resulting in businesses often deprioritizing human rights issues. We examine the implications of this dynamic, especially in high-risk industries like mining, where neglecting human rights can lead to severe violations impacting vulnerable communities. Our conversation transitions to the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which was implemented to enhance accountability through mandatory sustainability reporting. Liping explains how the CSRD requires companies to report transparently on their sustainability impacts, extending its reach to over 50,000 companies, including those outside the EU. This is a pivotal step toward ensuring that businesses not only acknowledge their human rights responsibilities but also commit to meaningful actions. Nonetheless, Liping cautions that mandatory reporting is just a starting point and must be coupled with robust implementation to effect real change. We further discuss the various stakeholders involved in advancing the agenda of human rights in business. Governments, investors, civil society, and end consumers each play a vital role in holding companies accountable. Governments can create policies that incentivize compliance or penalize violations, while investors can support businesses that prioritize sustainability. Liping emphasizes the importance of civil society and affected communities in advocating for their rights and creating pressure on corporations to act responsibly. Additionally, she highlights the unique power of end consumers in driving demand for ethically produced goods and advocating for corporate accountability. As we wrap up our enlightening conversation, we touch on the newly adopted Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive by the EU and the forthcoming global discussions in Geneva concerning a comprehensive international framework for business and human rights. Both Liping and I express optimism about the potential for these initiatives to truly transform how businesses operate concerning human rights, and we commit to staying engaged in this ongoing dialogue. This episode encapsulates a crucial discourse on the intersection of business, rights, and the continuous efforts needed to ensure that human dignity is respected in every corner of the corporate landscape.  00:00:10 Introduction to Business and Human Rights  00:01:09 Business and Human Rights Trends  00:06:22 The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive  00:09:22 The Role of Stakeholders in Accountability  00:12:30 New Developments in EU Regulations

Vienna Calling, der Videopodcast von und mit Petra Bayr, widmet sich aktuellen Fragen der Zeit. In der heutigen Episode ist Petra Pau, die Vizepräsidentin des Deutschen Bundestags, zu Gast. Die beiden diskutieren die Entwicklung von Rechtsextremismus und rechtsextremen Parteien in Deutschland und Europa. Petra Pau betont die Zunahme von rechtspopulistischen und rechtsextremen Kräften in der Gesellschaft und erwähnt die Bedrohung durch die AfD als den parlamentarischen Arm der gefährlichen rechtsextremen Rechten. Sie spricht über die zunehmende gruppenbezogene Menschenfeindlichkeit und die Akzeptanz von Gewalt in der Gesellschaft. Die Diskussion dreht sich auch um die Herausforderungen, die die Demokratie durch rechtsextreme Parteien und Gruppierungen erfährt. Petra Pau betont den Einsatz von Bildung und Aufklärung als Schlüssel zur Bekämpfung von Extremismus. Sie beklagt das Fehlen eines Demokratieförderungsgesetzes in Deutschland und die Notwendigkeit, diejenigen zu unterstützen, die sich für die Demokratie engagieren. Die Gesprächsteilnehmer tauschen sich auch über die spezielle Herangehensweise des Bundestags an die AfD aus und betonen die Bedeutung, antidemokratischen Kräften entschieden entgegenzutreten. Petra Pau erwähnt die Verantwortung der staatlichen Institutionen, extremistische Pläne und Gruppierungen zu bekämpfen. Sie spricht über die Reichsbürgerbewegung und betont die Notwendigkeit, die Demokratie vor antidemokratischen Bedrohungen zu schützen. Trotz ihrer Kritik an der AfD plädiert sie nicht für ein Verbot der Partei, sondern setzt auf Überzeugungsarbeit, um Menschenfeindlichkeit in der Gesellschaft entgegenzuwirken. Die Diskussion endet mit dem Wunsch, demokratische Alternativen auf eine Weise zu präsentieren, die informierte Entscheidungen und eine konstruktive Zukunft fördern. Die Episode bietet einen tiefen Einblick in die Diskussion über Extremismus, Demokratie und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung in Deutschland und Europa.

Lölja Nordic, an activist and artist from St. Petersburg, joins Petra Bayr on the Vienna Calling podcast to discuss her involvement in the feminist anti-war resistance movement. Lölja explains her recent protest against Vladimir Putin's fifth inauguration in front of the Austrian Parliament, emphasizing the importance of amplifying the voices of Russian activists unable to speak out. She delves into the complexities of resistance in Russia, highlighting the collaboration between activists within and outside the country through online channels. The discussion extends to the challenges faced by Russian civil society and the need for international support, particularly from countries like Austria. Lölja urges Austria to address its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and push for greater backing of Russian civil society in the face of growing repression. The conversation touches upon the financial ties between Austria and Russia, emphasizing the need to reduce support for Putin's regime and redirect resources towards promoting democracy and independence. The conversation shifts to the influence of right-wing politics and the Kremlin's interest in backing conservative parties globally. Lölja warns of potential Russian interference in elections through media manipulation and funding of right-wing groups. The discussion underlines the link between supporting right-wing politicians and advancing Putin's agenda, highlighting the need to combat such influences to uphold democratic values. Lölja also addresses the impact of Kremlin funding on anti-gender and anti-choice movements in Europe, emphasizing the need to counter such influences on equal rights. The conversation concludes with a vision for a post-Putin Russia, acknowledging the complexities and challenges that lie ahead in transitioning to a more democratic society. Petra expresses solidarity and support for Lölja's activism, emphasizing the importance of ongoing collaboration in the resistance movement.