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What is Human Rights Activists in Iran and what do they do?

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In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher speaks with Skyler Thompson, Deputy Director, and Jennifer Connet, Legal Advisor, at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). They discuss HRA’s origins, its work documenting human rights violations in Iran, and its submission to the German Federal Prosecutor requesting a structural investigation into crimes committed in Iran. Skyler and Jennifer share their journeys into human rights work and introduce HRA, founded inside Iran in 2006 by student activist Keyvan Rafie. They explain how its network of on-the-ground documenters remains central to its work today.

The conversation explores the structural investigation requested in Germany, including how it can support evidence collection, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command for potential future prosecutions. Jennifer discusses the repression of nationwide protests in December 2025 and January 2026, including arrests, forced confessions, and executions. She explains why Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework and experience with structural investigations make it an important jurisdiction for accountability.


The episode also examines the limitations of pursuing justice in Iran and through the International Criminal Court, the importance of realistic expectations for victims and survivors, and the role of documentation in preserving a historical record. Finally, the guests discuss next steps, including continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions.


👤 Guest Bio

Skyler Thompson


  • Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA).
  • Joined HRA in 2020 as its first advocacy officer.
  • Previously worked on criminal justice reform in the United States.
  • Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.


Jennifer Connet


  • Legal Advisor at HRA.
  • Human rights and international humanitarian law specialist.
  • Holds an LLM from the University of Essex.
  • Previously worked with USAID and in humanitarian aid.


Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA)

  • Founded in Iran in 2006.
  • Based in Washington, DC, with a global team.
  • Documents human rights violations and international crimes in Iran.
  • Works to preserve evidence and support future accountability.


📚 Resources & Links


🗒️ Key Take-Aways

  • Human rights work often begins with education, mentorship, and following one’s interests.
  • HRA’s network of documenters helps bring information about violations inside Iran to the outside world.
  • Structural investigations can support evidence preservation, identify patterns of violations, and map chains of command.
  • Germany’s universal jurisdiction framework provides an important pathway toward accountability for international crimes.
  • Documentation preserves a historical record and supports future prosecutions.
  • Realistic expectations and meaningful engagement with victims and survivors are essential.
  • Continued evidence collection and cooperation between European jurisdictions are important for accountability.


📢 Call to Action

  • Subscribe to the Just Access Podcast to receive future episodes.
  • Share this episode with colleagues and networks interested in Iran, international criminal law, and human rights.
  • Listen to Part 2 of the conversation with Skyler Thompson and Jennifer Connet.
  • Leave a review on your preferred podcast platform.
  • Support Just Access’s work at [https://just-access.de/donate](https://just-access.de/donate).
  • Everyone can be a human rights defender.

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