Human Rights Foundation (HRF)

hrf.orgHRF’s “Dare to Dissent” Series Nominated for Three Anthem AwardsSupport HRF Anthem Awards 2026 as Dare to Dissent earns three nominations for human rights legal advocacy. Vote before October 29.

HRF’s “Dare to Dissent” series has been nominated for three 2026 Anthem Awards in the Human & Civil Rights category! Help us amplify the stories of prisoners of conscience and the struggle for justice under authoritarian regimes. Vote for HRF here: hrf.org/latest/hrfs-...

China’s new Entry and Exit Regulations expand the Chinese Communist Party’s power to prevent travelers from leaving the country under broadly defined “national security” concerns.

Before traveling to China, assess your risk profile and prepare accordingly.

hrf.orgChina Casts a Wide Net for Travelers with New Exit and Entry RegulationsExplore how China's new exit and entry regulations broaden detention powers, restrict movement, and create risks for travelers.

HRF’s blog post, “China Casts a Wide Net for Travelers with New Exit and Entry Regulations,” breaks down China’s expanding legal framework and provides practical steps to mitigate risk before and during travel. Read more: hrf.org/latest/china...

China’s new Entry and Exit Regulations expand the Chinese Communist Party’s power to prevent travelers from leaving the country under broadly defined “national security” concerns.

China’s sweeping national security laws give authorities wide discretion to treat seemingly ordinary activities, from academic research to social media posts, as potential threats. And travelers may not know they’re subject to an exit ban until they try to leave.

Recent cases show the risks. American academic Min Zin was detained during a short trip to China on vague espionage allegations. Artist Gao Zhen’s family remains subject to an exit ban, while other foreign nationals have faced detention under broadly defined national security offenses.

youtube.comThe Dissident's Mic | Episode 4: Roya MahboobYouTube video by Human Rights Foundation

The Taliban banned Afghan girls from school. They couldn't stop the classrooms. Roya Mahboob's students sewed the jacket she's wearing — learning, earning, and refusing to disappear, one stitch at a time. Her story on the next episode of The Dissident's Mic — out 10/21. youtube.com/shorts/uFN33...

hrf.orgThe Dissident's Mic

Learn more: hrf.org/podcast/the-...

The series features activists and prisoners of conscience from Kazakhstan, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Bolivia, and Iran. Among them are Luis Fernando Camacho and Toomaj Salehi, both released following HRF’s advocacy efforts. Their stories deserve to be heard.

Winning an Anthem Award would help HRF reach more people, amplify the voices of prisoners of conscience, and strengthen international support for their freedom. Voting is open through Oct. 29! Support HRF and “Dare to Dissent” by casting your vote: hrf.org/latest/hrfs-...

Created with 108 Films, “Dare to Dissent” brings HRF’s Impact Litigation cases to life through powerful storytelling and on-the-ground footage.

youtube.comDare to Dissent - YouTubeHRF’s Dare to Dissent series shares powerful stories and encourages the international community to stand by those who dissent. Silencing dissent is not justi...

The series highlights individuals persecuted for peacefully exercising their rights and supports HRF’s legal advocacy for their release. youtube.com/playlist?lis...

Joshua Wong turned 30. He spent more than half of his twenties behind bars. From a 14-year-old student activist to one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy voices, Joshua’s story traces the dismantling of Hong Kong’s freedoms.

When Joshua was first imprisoned, he noted that more than 20 political prisoners were already behind bars in Hong Kong.

hrf.orgJoshua Wong: A Boy, A Ballot, A CellAs Joshua Wong turns 30 in prison, HRF honors the Hong Kong political prisoner facing further charges. Read more about his story.

Today, he is one of nearly 2,000 prisoners of conscience in the city. Read Joshua Wong’s story and how his life has unfolded alongside Hong Kong’s descent into authoritarianism. hrf.org/latest/joshu...

Since Nov. 23, 2020, Joshua has remained behind bars. He was later prosecuted alongside 46 other pro-democracy figures in the landmark “Hong Kong 47” case and sentenced to 4 years and 8 months.

Then, while he was still imprisoned, authorities arrested him again in June 2025 for alleged “collusion with foreign forces.” He pleaded guilty in September 2026 and now awaits sentencing.

At 14, Joshua helped organize students against a government-backed “national education” curriculum. At 17, he pushed for genuine universal suffrage. At 18, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the Umbrella Movement.

He kept turning to the mechanisms available to him: peaceful protest, civil society, political organizing, and elections. One by one, those avenues closed.

youtube.comHRF Launches Resilience ProgramYouTube video by Human Rights Foundation

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, we’re recognizing the mental health challenges faced by democracy defenders living under authoritarian regimes. The fight for freedom often comes with surveillance, threats, imprisonment, exile, and lasting psychological pressure. youtube.com/shorts/xKVup...

That’s why HRF is launching its Resilience Program, a science-based initiative focused on strengthening the mental health, leadership capacity, and long-term effectiveness of human rights defenders.

hrf.orgThe Resilience ProgramWhy It Matters There is no published body of research focused exclusively on the mental health of human rights defenders working under authoritarian regimes. Existing studies look at human rights prof...

Through research, resilience training, peer support, and access to mental health care, the Resilience Program is designed to help activists stay healthy, effective, and engaged in the fight for freedom. Learn more: hrf.org/program/resi...

HRF strongly condemns Vietnam’s sentencing of ethnic Khmer Krom activists Thach Chanh Tra and Chau Thi Thien to years in prison under Article 331 of the country’s Penal Code. Tra was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. Thien’s sentence is 2.5 years.

khmerkrom.orgKKF Condemns the Two-and-a-Half-Year Prison Sentence Imposed on 72-Year-Old Khmer-Krom Buddhist Woman Chau Thi ThienKKF Condemns the Two-and-a-Half-Year Prison Sentence Imposed on 72-Year-Old Khmer-Krom Buddhist Woman Chau Thi Thien Washington, D.C. — September 30, 2026 The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF)…

The charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. khmerkrom.org/kkf-condemns...

HRF calls on Vietnam to overturn the convictions and immediately and unconditionally release Thach Chanh Tra and Chau Thi Thien. HRF also calls on Vietnam to respect the rights to freedom of religion or belief, and to preserve ethnic languages and cultures, including those of the Khmer Krom.

khmerkrom.orgKKF Condemns the Three-and-a-Half-Year Prison Sentence Imposed on Khmer-Krom Activist Thach Chanh Tra for Peaceful ExpressionWashington, D.C. — September 24, 2026 The Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF) strongly condemns the conviction and sentencing of Khmer-Krom activist Thach Chanh Tra to three years and six months in...

Officials have characterized their content as “false” and defamatory. khmerkrom.org/kkf-condemns...

Tra and Thien’s sentencing is part of Vietnam’s ongoing pattern of using Article 331, which broadly criminalizes “abusing democratic freedoms,” to silence religious and ethnic minorities, journalists, and activists.

Tra and Thien’s convictions stem from social media posts, discussions, and livestreams. Tra was accused of criticizing state policy, including on ethnic and religious issues, while Thien’s case arose from commentary related to a land dispute.

youtube.comThe Dissident's Mic | Episode 3: Jewher IlhamYouTube video by Human Rights Foundation

What happens when a government decides your identity should disappear? For Uyghurs and other ethnic communities in China, “sinicization” has meant pressure to abandon their faith, language, history, and culture. youtube.com/shorts/6Qcym...

Jewher Ilham has watched it happen firsthand. Her father, Ilham Tohti, is serving a life sentence for speaking out. Listen to the full episode of The Dissident’s Mic: hrf.org/podcast/the-...

hrf.orghrf.org

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, HRF and T.M.C. Asser Instituut will present the Tyranny Tracker in The Hague. The event will discuss the Tyranny Tracker’s methodology and examine global trends in authoritarianism. RSVP today: www.asser.nl/events/round...

asser.nl[Roundtable] Democracy health check: Presenting the Tyranny TrackerIn collaboration with the Asser Institute, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is presenting its recently launched Tyranny Tracker in The Hague, Netherlands. Developed by HRF with support from The Rey...

Join us at 5 p.m. at the Asser Institute Centre for International & European Law, R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan 20-22, 2517 JN Den Haag, Netherlands. RSVP today: www.asser.nl/events/round...

tyrannytracker.orgHome - Tyranny TrackerFull Map Home Created by Supported by Country Name Classification Democratic Click to learn more 0 live under democratic systems today. Hybrid Authoritarian Click to learn more 0 live under hybrid aut...

Learn more about the Tyranny Tracker: tyrannytracker.org

Dr. Stephanie Triefus will deliver introductory remarks and moderate the discussion. Swazi activist Tanele Maseko will be the keynote speaker and Javier El-Hage, HRF’s chief legal and policy officer, will provide an overview of the Tyranny Tracker.

Also joining the panel are Syria Justice & Accountability Centre Legal Director Alan Haji, HRF Director of Policy and Research Malaak Jamal, HRF Senior Policy Officer for Africa Mohamed Keita, and HRF Research Fellow for Europe and Central Asia Zara Rancheva.

HRF and the Thulani Maseko Foundation are proud to award the 2026 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize to Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. For more than a decade, Sotoudeh has defended those persecuted by Iran’s authoritarian regime.

oslofreedomforum.comMaseko PrizeCelebrating brave human rights lawyers who at great personal risk oppose dictatorship.

Established by HRF and the Thulani Maseko Foundation in 2023, the prize recognizes lawyers who uphold justice and defend those who dare to dissent under authoritarian rule. oslofreedomforum.com/maseko-prize/

hrf.orgAnnouncing the 2026 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize LaureateNasrin Sotoudeh awarded the 2026 Thulani Maseko Justice Prize by HRF for defending Iranian dissidents. Read more about her story.

HRF will be co-hosting a ceremony with The City of The Hague on Oct. 15. If you are interested in attending, please email registration@hrf.org. Learn more: hrf.org/latest/annou...

Sotoudeh has represented prisoners of conscience, journalists, activists, children, and minorities, while challenging compulsory hijab laws and other repressive measures. Her work has come at an enormous personal cost: repeated arrests, imprisonment, and persecution.

The prize honors the legacy of Thulani Maseko, the renowned Swazi human rights lawyer who dedicated his life to the peaceful struggle for democracy and independent legal representation in Eswatini. Maseko was murdered in his home in January 2023.

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, HRF remembers Václav Havel — Czech dissident, playwright, democracy advocate, first president of the Czech Republic, and HRF's second chairman.

Havel passed away in December 2011. To honor his legacy, HRF launched the Václav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent in 2012 with the support of Dagmar Havlová, Havel's widow.

hrf.orgHavel PrizeCelebrating Those Who Unmask the Lie of Dictatorship Through Art

The prize continues to be awarded every year at our Oslo Freedom Forum to the courageous and creative pro-democracy activists that follow in his footsteps: hrf.org/havel-prize/

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, HRF remembers Václav Havel — Czech dissident, playwright, democracy advocate, first president of the Czech Republic, and HRF's second chairman.

After leaving office, Havel continued to champion political freedom, human rights, and civil society worldwide, including as second chairman of our organization, a position he accepted in 2009.

youtube.comVáclav Havel - The Responsibility of a Free SocietyYouTube video by Oslo Freedom Forum

Havel also sent remarks that year at our first Oslo Freedom Forum in Norway where he reflected on the Responsibility of a Free Society: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXD...

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, HRF remembers Václav Havel — Czech dissident, playwright, democracy advocate, first president of the Czech Republic, and HRF's second chairman.

A leading figure behind Charter 77, Havel endured years of surveillance, harassment, and repeated imprisonment for his activism. In 1989, he became a central figure in the peaceful Velvet Revolution, which ended four decades of communist rule.

That year, he was elected president of Czechoslovakia. Between 1993 and 2003, he served as the first president of the Czech Republic.

On the 90th anniversary of his birth, HRF remembers Václav Havel — Czech dissident, playwright, democracy advocate, first president of the Czech Republic, and HRF's second chairman.

Havel demonstrated that confronting dictatorship is not only a political act, but a moral one: democracy begins when individuals refuse to “live within a lie.” His example continues to inspire dissidents and democracy advocates worldwide and remains deeply embedded in HRF’s work.