The Colbert Report Season 9 Episode 158 Ken Roth
- January 6, 2014
The Colbert Report season 9 episode 158 features Ken Roth, the executive director of Human Rights Watch, as the guest for the night. The episode starts with Stephen Colbert introducing Ken Roth and discussing his work in examining human rights violations around the world. Colbert quickly jumps into discussing the Syrian Refugee Crisis and how it has impacted millions of individuals seeking asylum.
Colbert asks Roth about the stance of Human Rights Watch on the Syrian refugee crisis and what can be done to help. Roth explains that the crisis is a result of several factors - primarily the Syrian Civil War, but also the involvement of outside actors like Russia. He emphasizes that the focus needs to be on finding a safe place for refugees, whether that be in their home country or elsewhere. Colbert and Roth discuss the challenges that come with managing such a crisis and potential solutions.
The conversation then takes a different turn as Colbert brings up the issue of mass incarceration in the United States. He questions Roth on how the issues surrounding the American prison system are viewed through a human rights lens. Roth responds that Human Rights Watch has been advocating for a more fair and equitable justice system and has been investigating cases of police brutality in the country. Colbert agrees and talks about how the American prison system seems to target minorities and low-income individuals more than any other group.
Towards the end of the episode, Colbert and Roth talk about several pressing geopolitical issues, including the refugee crisis in Myanmar and the political climate in Venezuela. The two touch on how these issues are interconnected and how the actions of global superpowers can have a significant impact on countries’ populations. Roth emphasizes the need for global powers to take responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of individuals across the world.
Overall, The Colbert Report season 9 episode 158 with Ken Roth focuses on the importance of examining human rights violations on a global scale. Through discussing several key issues ranging from mass incarceration to the Syrian refugee crisis, Colbert and Roth demonstrate the urgency of addressing these issues and working towards solutions to ensure basic human rights are granted to all individuals.