Decolonial Dispatch

UK's massive facial recognition experiment is happening now

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:57:39 GMT

Who controls the cameras on our streets? Who is harmed from policing by algorithm in a fair society? With the rollout of AI facial recognition technology across the UK, citizens face a massive experiment that treats us like Guinea pigs. Police vans and fixed CCTV cameras are scanning thousands of faces. Cases of misidentification, like that of Shaun Thomson. We speak to Jasleen Chaggar, legal and policy officer at Big Brother Watch, to understand the history of these tools.

Contribute to and/or Explore our Encyclopedia: www.decolonialcentre.org/encyclopedia

Instagram: @thedecolonialcentre

Twitter/X: @decolonialcntr

Website: www.decolonialcentre.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the U.S. is strangling Cuba

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:49:45 GMT

It has been 66 years since the U.S. imposed embargo on Cuba. This is the most comprehensive blockade imposed on any country in the world. Cuba is excluded from international financial systems and any trade of goods. The UN general assembly has condemned the blockade more than 33 times. This week's episode of Decolonial Dispatch w/Bernard Regan, Secretary of The Cuba Solidarity Campaign in London. We speak about the blocade, Cuba's wider political history and the country's contemporary political systems. Episode link in bio

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

West Papua Genocide Explained

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:41:43 GMT

In this episode of Decolonial Dispatch, host Mohammed speaks with Benny Wenda, leader of the ULMWP and the Provisional Government of West Papua, to discuss the West Papuan struggle against Indonesian occupation. The conversation begins by contextualising the recent Indonesian protests against the ruling elite as a parallel decolonial struggle against a "dying empire". Benny recounts his harrowing personal history, from witnessing the 1977 massacres and surviving in the bush as a child to the deep-seated racism he faced in the Indonesian education system. They explore the "Papuan Spring" following Suharto's collapse, the assassination of independence leaders like Theys Eluay, and how the new generation has utilised technology to bypass censorship and lose their fear. The episode concludes with Benny's "Green State Vision," the intersection of slow genocide with corporate ecocide, and a direct call for a global boycott of products fuelling the destruction of West Papuan land.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Venezuela, Oil, and the Costs of Empire

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Who profits from oil in Venezuela? And who should? With what was once one of the world's most productive oil basins, Venezuela's resource rich landscape made it one of the wealthiest country's in Latin America. But the petrostate has suffered in recent years, becoming a nation in crisis. One in five people have left due to political and economic instability under President Nicolas Maduro and sanctions ordered by Trump. Venezuela has been described as a failed state. But with the US army kidnapping Maduro, and US imperial ambitions, we speak to Global Witness to understand - failed by whom? And for whose benefit?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who to support in Iran?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:25:05 GMT

The collapse of the Iranian Regime doesn't necessarily mean justice. We're trying to find out who on the ground is trying to replace the regime with a vision for all of Iran's peoples that is pro democratic, anti-monarchist, anti-imperialist, and represents the aspirations of Iran's popular forces. Is the Iranian Regime Collapsing? This might be wishful thinking.. But if so, what will replace it?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to stop Genocide: Palestinian Youth Movement

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 11:39:47 GMT

In this episode of Decolonial Dispatch, host Mohammed explores the pivotal role of youth in the Palestinian liberation struggle with organisers Janine and Dario from the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM). The conversation traces the historical legacy of youth organising, from the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) to the post-Oslo landscape, highlighting how the accords served as a form of capitulation that fragmented the movement. The guests discuss their theory of change "from below," detailing the strategic success of the "Mask Off Maersk" campaign in disrupting the logistics of imperialism. They also offer insights on revolutionary optimism, the necessity of organised struggle against austerity and global capitalism, and how the diaspora can create crises for Zionism from within the imperial core.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK Police Brutality - BBC Documentary exposes secrets

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:00:00 GMT

Exposing Racism and Police Brutality with Marcia Rigg In this powerful episode of Decolonial Dispatch, host Mohammed dives into the critical issue of racism and police brutality, ignited by a recent BBC Panorama expose on police misconduct. Special guest Marcia Rigg, a key figure in the United Families and Friends Campaign, shares her deeply personal story about the tragic death of her brother Sean Rigg in police custody. The episode covers the broader implications of institutional racism within the UK's law enforcement agencies, highlighting systemic failures and ongoing struggles for justice. Don't miss this eye-opening discussion on an urgent and often overlooked problem.Chapters:00:00 - 01:19 BBC Panorama Investigation Exposes Metropolitan Police Misconduct 01:19 - 04:37 Officer Dismissals and Systemic Nature of Police Brutality and Prejudice 04:37 - 07:06 Introduction of Marcia Rigg and the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) 07:06 - 13:35 The Case of Sean Rigg: Mental Health Crisis, Restraint, and Custody Transport 13:35 - 17:32 Events in Custody Suite: Collapsing, Officer Claims, and Unconsciousness 17:32 - 22:07 Police Deception, False Testimony, Missing Footage, and Delayed Medical Response 22:07 - 25:54 Officers Claiming Faking, Other Deaths in Custody, and Narrative Verdicts 25:54 - 33:40 Institutional Cover-ups, Police Canteen Culture, and Host's Personal Encounters 33:40 - 48:15 Progress in Campaigns, Issues of Race, and Police as Modern Day Slavery

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Western Sahara: Africa's Last Colony

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:55:51 GMT

Western Sahara: Africa's Last ColonySpanish colonial legacy, Moroccan occupation, resource plunder, and a "greenwashing" media campaign—Western Sahara's struggle is ignored by the world. Mohammad Elnaiem, joined by Sandblast Arts founder Danielle Smith, exposes the region's reality and the international complicity erasing its people.Learn why the US, UK, France, and Spain legitimize the occupation, hear first-hand about the failure of the UN, and explore how "sham autonomy" plans and green energy projects are used to cement the colonization.Contribute to and/or Explore our Encyclopedia: www.decolonialcentre.org/encyclopediaFollow us Instagram: @thedecolonialcentre Twitter/X: @decolonialcntr Website: www.decolonialcentre.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain: The F* word and a GOOD BYE to Democracy

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:08:05 GMT

The far-right's "ethnic cleansing" ideas are going mainstream in the UK, and it's wild. We break down how this is all happening and why it matters. You will want to see this episode with Luke de Noronha

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Balochistan: The Billion Dollar Battleground

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Balochistan: Under Occupation, Fighting for SurvivalBritish colonial lines, Pakistani occupation, resource plunder, and a media blackout—Balochistan’s struggle is ignored by the world. Mohammad Elnaiem, joined by youth activist Yusuf Baloch, exposes the region’s reality and how climate justice is inseparable from liberation.Learn why international powers clash over Balochistan’s minerals, and hear first-hand the high price of resistance, including kidnappings, killings, and the inspiring rise of women-led movements.Contribute to and/or Explore our Encyclopedia: www.decolonialcentre.org/encyclopediaFollow us for more storiesInstagram: @thedecolonialcentre Twitter/X: @decolonialcntr Website: www.decolonialcentre.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Gaza to Sudan: Starvation as a Weapon of War

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:49:09 GMT

Sudan is facing the largest man-made famine in the world, not a natural disaster, but a weapon of war.

This Episode explores how starvation is being used to crush the Sudanese Revolution, the role of Emergency Response Rooms as organs of people’s power, and why mutual aid is central to survival.

We also connect Sudan’s struggle with Gaza, where grassroots projects like the Samir Project defy genocide and show the revolutionary power of solidarity.

Explore the Decolonial Encyclopedia to learn more or contribute: www.decolonialcentre.org/encyclopedia

Instagram: @thedecolonialcentre

Twitter/X: @decolonialcntr

Website: www.decolonialcentre.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who Stole the Revolution in Bangladesh?

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:12:13 GMT

230 billion dollars stolen. 1,400 protesters killed. One year after the Monsoon Revolution, Bangladesh is still at a crossroads. Will power remain in the hands of those who fought for it — or will it be taken back by the elites?

In this episode of Decolonial Dispatch, we dig deep into the fight to keep the revolution alive, the shadow of old regimes, and the global networks that enable corruption.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Treated Like Terror!sts: The Crackdown on Protest

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:40:06 GMT

Protesters are being arrested, surveilled, and labelled as terrorists — from student campuses in the US to indigenous uprisings in France’s colonies. In this episode, Mohamed Elnaiem and Liz Fekete expose how states are using colonial tactics and paramilitary policing to silence dissent. What starts with Palestine solidarity is part of a global pattern: criminalising protest, erasing rights, and calling it democracy.

Subscribe and listen — because staying silent won’t save you either.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 06 British fascism came from Colonialism

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 14:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we are joined by Associate Professor Liam Liburd from Durham University. The episode was recorded in the immediate aftermath of the race riots across Britain in 2024. Ever wondered what the relationship is between colonialism and fascist, far right movements? We explore the origins of British fascism and how the first fascists in Britain were often colonial officers who had served in the colonies. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of the struggle against fascism and colonialism, noting that some of the earliest anti-colonial movements in Britain arose in response to the rise of fascism, both within the colonies and the metropole. Furthermore, we examine how anti-fascism has historically been linked with anti-colonialism, particularly among colonised, black, and brown communities. You cant understand the rise of the far-right, without understanding colonialism.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 05 Should workers care about climate change? - The Philippines case

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:23:08 GMT

In a corporate-led transition, we can see false solutions appearing in every corner of the world. Check out how this has been unfolding in the Phillipines and other Asian countries, with Chadli Sadorra from the Asian Peoples' Movement on Debt Development (APMDD) sharing about the colonial legacies that have been severely undermining their efforts for an equitable and just transition that doesn’t leave any worker or anyone behind.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 04 - PAIGC and Guinea-Bissau’s WAR of INDEPENDENCE

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:14:00 GMT

In 1956, Amilcar Cabral and his comrades founded the African Party for the Independence of Guinea in Cape Verde in Guinea-Bissau, aiming to liberate their nation from Portuguese colonialism. Over the course of their armed struggle, the PAIGC not only liberated two-thirds of the country but also introduced schools, hospitals, and local government with free elections in areas that had seen none of these things during Portuguese colonialism. For many women in the PAIGC, the struggle offered opportunities. Women who were peasants received training to be nurses in the Soviet Union. But while the PAIGC liberated many women to join the movement, there were also off-the-record stories of sexual violence within the party.The war lasted for 11 years, and the PAIGC leadership had to address issues regarding sexual abuse and other contradictions that arose during the liberation struggle. Joining us today are Catarina Larenjeiro and Ines Galvao, both of whom are feminist researchers based in Lisbon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 03 - UK mining & its war machine

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 17:14:16 GMT

Episode 3.0 of our podcast Decolonial Dialogues is out on YouTube. We interview Daniel Selwyn, who is a Researcher and Educator, also a part of London Mining Network in an interesting conversation on UK Mining and its war machine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep.2 - Decolonial Dialogues w/ Françoise Vergès

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:06:14 GMT

The Decolonial Dialogues Podcast, where diverse voices from decolonial and anti-colonial scholars, activists, grassroots movements, and more thought provoking conversations and analysis.

Today we are honoured to interview the historian, political scientist, activist and public educator Françoise Vergès. Growing up in Réunion, in Algeria and in the family of anti-colonial and communist feminists surrounded by activists, she learned early on that the laws of the states should be used against it, but that this strategy should always go with a critique of the state itself and its institutions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep. 01 - Decolonial Dialogues

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:52:13 GMT

The Decolonial Podcast by Decolonial Centre is a platform that amplifies ideas from anti-colonial and decolonial thinking and practices. Its mission is to foster dialogue, learning, and transformation while addressing issues of racial justice, climate justice, and knowledge justice.

The Decolonial centre aims to unite activists and organisations worldwide in the quest for justice, equality, and the liberation of lands & communities from colonial legacies.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.