Explore the comprehensive timeline of public advocacy and joint signatory actions by The William Gomes Podcast from 2021 to 2026. Discover the key human rights campaigns supported by Director William Gomes.
The role of independent media often extends beyond mere reporting. For The William Gomes Podcast, the last five years have defined a period of intense “advocacy journalism”. Between 2021 and 2026, the platform and its director, William Gomes, have signed numerous high-level open letters and joint statements. These actions align the podcast with major civil society coalitions defending human rights, refugee protection, and democratic freedoms.
This article details the specific campaigns and joint actions signed by William Gomes during this volatile period.
Defending the Rights of Refugees and Migrants in the UK
The most consistent theme in the podcast’s advocacy is the opposition to the UK government’s “hostile environment” policies. The platform has joined forces with organisations like Liberty, the Refugee Council, and JCWI to challenge legislation that restricts asylum rights.
2025: Addressing the Far-Right Threat
- January 2025: Six months after a series of “racist riots” across the UK, William Gomes joined the Runnymede Trust and over 60 other organisations in a joint statement. The group urged the government to take immediate action against the rising threat of the far-right and to dismantle the policies contributing to exclusionary logic.
2024: Refusing Complicity and Demanding Justice
- December 2024: On Human Rights Day, the podcast signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, coordinated by the British Institute of Human Rights. It called for a reaffirmation of the UK’s commitment to international human rights obligations.
- September 2024: In a significant move, William Gomes signed a letter titled “NGOs refuse to be complicit in removals”. Coordinated by JCWI, this statement rejected Home Office contracts aimed at reintegrating deportees, labelling the initiative as unethical.
- August 2024: The podcast endorsed an open letter demanding the suspension of immigration reporting appointments, highlighting the undue burden placed on vulnerable migrants.
- July 2024: A joint public letter to the incoming Prime Minister was signed, urging the new government to restore the right to seek asylum and abandon offshore processing schemes.
2022–2023: Opposing the Rwanda Plan and Illegal Migration Act
- November 2023: Following the Supreme Court ruling that the Rwanda plan was unlawful, Gomes signed a civil society statement welcoming the decision and reinforcing the need to protect the rule of law.
- July 2023: Upon the passage of the Illegal Migration Act, the podcast joined 288 organisations in a statement of condemnation. The signatories pledged to continue fighting for the rights of all who make the UK their home.
- April 2022: When the Rwanda offshoring plan was first announced, William Gomes signed a major open letter coordinated by Statewatch. The letter argued that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda was “shamefully cruel” and a breach of the Refugee Convention.
Global Civil Society and UN Mechanisms
Beyond the UK, The William Gomes Podcast has been an active participant in international advocacy, focusing on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) and the protection of civil society space globally.
2025–2026: Protecting Digital Rights and Non-profits
- October 2025: In response to executive pressure in the United States, Gomes signed “An Open Letter Rejecting Presidential Attacks on Nonprofit Organizations”. This coalition of over 3,700 groups stood against attempts to weaponise the executive branch against advocacy groups.
- March 2025: Acknowledging modern threats, the podcast signed an open letter regarding a draft UN resolution on human rights defenders. The letter demanded protections against spyware, mass surveillance, and internet shutdowns.
2023: Supporting UN Special Procedures
- February 2023: To ensure the continued protection of activists, Gomes signed a letter urging UN member states to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders by consensus.
Human Rights in Asia and Transnational Solidarity
A distinct aspect of the podcast’s advocacy is its focus on Southeast Asia. William Gomes has consistently used his platform to amplify demands for justice in Laos, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
- December 2020 & 2022: The podcast has been a persistent voice for Sombath Somphone, a Lao civil society leader forcibly disappeared in 2012. Gomes signed joint statements on the 9th and 10th anniversaries of his disappearance, demanding answers from the Lao government.
- July 2022: In solidarity with Indonesian civil society, Gomes signed a statement warning that the draft Indonesian Criminal Code would negatively impact fundamental freedoms and silence dissent.
- June 2022: He also endorsed a statement by ARTICLE 19 opposing new regulations in Indonesia that threatened to impede internet freedom through strict platform controls.
- April 2022: Following the South Korean presidential election, the podcast joined a global coalition urging the President-elect to withdraw his pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
- February 2022: Responding to the crisis in Myanmar, Gomes signed a call for international fashion brands to cease all production in the country to cut off revenue to the military junta.
Intersectionality: Labour and Justice
Finally, the advocacy record shows a clear understanding that human rights are interconnected with economic justice.
- February 2024: The William Gomes Podcast signed a TUC (Trades Union Congress) joint statement opposing the reintroduction of employment tribunal fees. The statement argued that fees would price vulnerable workers out of justice.
- Undated (Recurring): The podcast is a signatory to the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, supporting the unconditional abolition of capital punishment globally.
Conclusion
The signatory history of The William Gomes Podcast from 2021 to 2026 reveals a dedicated strategy of advocacy. By lending its name to these joint actions, the platform has moved beyond observation to become an active participant in the global struggle for human rights.
