Podcasts
In this episode, Chelsea & David catch up with human rights advocate, educator and “street-trained” paralegal, Charandev Singh. Charandev has acted for families in inquests and the reform work that flows from deaths in custody; in family violence matters and inquests; in asylum seeker work; police accountability work; investigations; and the systemic reform work that flows from it all. Charandev is an acute observer of people, which explains in part why his photographic portraiture is as exquisite as it is. He is an “unparalleled expert in his understanding of and experience in systems, processes, media, politics and governance, and his political and strategic acumen make journalists sigh with relief, coroners quake, and prosecutors and police weak at the knees.”
Across this powerful and heavy conversation, Chelsea and David learn from Charandev’s frontline work with families navigating the violence of coronial inquests, and why he’s made the decision to step away from this work to hone other tools in the ongoing fight for justice. Charandev reflects on the extraordinary generosity and insight of the families and communities he has worked with and walked alongside over the past 3 decades, often during some of the hardest times in their lives. And he reflects on the lessons that they have learned together about the violent operation of coronial inquests and state inquiries: that far from delivering justice and accountability, they primarily function as tools through which state-sanctioned colonial violence is legitimised, enabled, and sustained.
CONTENT WARNINGS
There are significant content warnings for this discussion. It contains graphic descriptions of state violence, murder, and deaths in custody. If anything in this episode triggers difficult emotions for you, we recommend reaching out to friends and family, or contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 YARN for confidential counselling support.
IMAGES FROM THE CORONIAL INQUEST FOR AUNTY CONSTANCE WATCHO, WITH PERMISSION FROM HER FAMILY. PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHARANDEV SINGH.
