Human Rights Foundation

HRF is pleased to announce the election of Yulia Navalnaya as its new Chair, succeeding Garry Kasparov after three terms. Yulia, renowned for her unwavering commitment to democratic principles and human rights and for her steadfast support of her husband, the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, brings a wealth of experience and a passionate vision to HRF. "As someone who has personally witnessed the threat dictatorships pose to our loved ones and the world at large, I am deeply honored to take on the role of Chair of the Human Rights Foundation,” said Navalnaya. “In these challenging times, defending fundamental rights and freedoms is more crucial than ever. The mission of HRF is close to my heart, and I look forward to helping advance it." Kasparov, who has chaired HRF since 2012, endorsed Navalnaya, expressing strong confidence in her leadership: "I look forward to supporting Yulia and HRF in this new chapter. It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Human Rights Foundation. Yulia’s courage and commitment to justice are inspiring. HRF will continue to thrive and make an ever-growing impact in the fight for human rights." HRF is honored to continue its commitment to advancing human rights and democracy where it's most at risk. Yulia Navalnaya's passion and work will steer HRF toward a future where freedom remains protected from tyranny. https://lnkd.in/gx88q4xn

HRF has received remarkable media coverage in the last quarter, earning over 29 billion global impressions by media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, and National Review. Read HRF’s 2024 Q2 Media Highlights booklet: https://lnkd.in/e8yBBbmc

In today’s #DissidentsAndDictators episode, Casey and Elisha speak with renowned Nicaraguan journalist Carlos Chamorro, who, despite being in exile, continues shedding light on the oppressive tactics used by the Ortega regime to silence dissent in Nicaragua. Plus, get the inside scoop on a Miss Universe scandal that no one talked about! https://buff.ly/45Q6eZW

Our third episode of “Reclaim Democracy: Stories from the Oslo Freedom Forum,” created in partnership with Foreign Policy features journalist and researcher Arthur Holland Michel. He joins us to discuss the intersection between AI and activism. Listen here: buff.ly/45T32wx

“Journalism in exile is the last reserve of freedom in a country where there is no freedom at all.” - Carlos Chamorro Carlos Chamorro joins us on our #DissidentsAndDictators podcast tomorrow. Tune in here:  https://lnkd.in/gfVkZPhK

Jack Dorsey & Lyn Alden challenge us to think deeper at the 2024 #OsloFreedomForum. Watch the full talk on YouTube: https://buff.ly/3RU5pcL

The #Euro2024 soccer championship, which is currently being played in Germany, features sponsors connected to the authoritarian regimes of #Qatar and #China. Some of the prominent sponsors of the flagship event of UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, include #Qatar’s state-owned entities such as Qatar Airways and Visit Qatar, despite Qatar’s well-documented human rights abuses. Other prominent sponsors include companies linked to #China’s oppression and exploitation of its population of Uyghurs: Alipay, a subsidiary of Alibaba, which is partially owned by the CCP, as well as Hisense, BYD, and Vivo. HRF condemns UEFA’s partnership with authoritarian regimes involved in gross human rights. HRF tracks dictators’ exploitation and weaponizing of sports as a tool of soft power, economic development, and reputation laundering.

Hong Kong police interrupted the live stream of a concert by Hong Kong pro-democracy singer-activist Denise Ho, citing the Noise Control Ordinance and causing a half-hour pause as they conducted identity checks on crew members. Ho, a vocal campaigner from Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement to anti-extradition bill protests, was arrested in 2021 over a sedition case. As a Canadian national, she has been unable to leave Hong Kong as her passport was confiscated by the police. Since her arrest, Ho’s music career has faced significant challenges, with venues repeatedly shunning her bookings, forcing her to perform at private locations and online, as seen in her recent concert at the now-shuttered Mount Zero bookstore. HRF strongly condemns Hong Kong’s infringement on artistic freedom and suppression of free expression.

On Tuesday, a Cambodian court sentenced 10 activists from Mother Nature, a youth-led environmental group, to between six and eight years in prison for plotting against the regime and insulting the king, charges widely viewed as politically motivated. At least four of the convicted activists were immediately arrested, and warrants were issued for the six others, including Mother Nature co-founder Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, who was previously banned from the country and sentenced to eight years in prison. Under Hun Manet’s rule, Cambodian activists continue to face increasing levels of harassment and persecution. The recent sentencing of activists is yet another move to stifle civil society and suppress environmental activism. HRF strongly condemns the sentence of the Mother Nature activists and calls on Cambodia to overturn the verdict and immediately and unconditionally release those detained.

On July 5, Iran will have a runoff election between a so-called "reformist" former health minister, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and an ultraconservative former nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. Neither managed to get more than 50% of the votes needed to win the presidency last Thursday. There was a 40% voter turnout on Thursday, a historically low turnout for an Iranian presidential race and even lower than the parliamentary elections earlier this year. Many Iranians feel disenchanted by the upcoming elections, in part due to the country’s consistently high inflation rate, which has not dipped below 30% in five years as they continue to reject the ruling establishment. Although the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has the final say in all matters, the president can set the tone of Iran's foreign and domestic policy like former president Hassan Rouhani did with his pursuit of a nuclear deal with the West. The president also has influence over social restrictions, such as the enforcement of the mandatory head scarf or female singers dancing on stage, and the country’s economic policy. Although Pezeshkian has spoken against the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests in Iran and lifting western sanctions, his potential impact on changing the state of the regime has been heavily questioned. He has also stated his intentions of continuing on "the same path" as former hardliner president Ebrahim Raisi. HRF stands with Iranian citizens’ right to vote and seek democratic reform in the upcoming elections.