Human Rights Foundation (HRF)
@hrf.org
We promote and protect democracy & human rights around the world, with a focus on authoritarian regimes.
👉 Join our human rights conference: @oslofreedomforum.com
✊ Together, we can beat tyranny: https://hrf.org/?form=donate
👉 Join our human rights conference: @oslofreedomforum.com
✊ Together, we can beat tyranny: https://hrf.org/?form=donate
Madagascar is at a turning point. After mass youth-led protests, the military seized power, risking a return to authoritarian rule.
HRF Freedom Fellow Shely Andriamihaja, a leader in the Gen Z movement, is among the many demanding a civilian-led transition rooted in accountability and reform.
HRF Freedom Fellow Shely Andriamihaja, a leader in the Gen Z movement, is among the many demanding a civilian-led transition rooted in accountability and reform.
November 12, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Madagascar is at a turning point. After mass youth-led protests, the military seized power, risking a return to authoritarian rule.
HRF Freedom Fellow Shely Andriamihaja, a leader in the Gen Z movement, is among the many demanding a civilian-led transition rooted in accountability and reform.
HRF Freedom Fellow Shely Andriamihaja, a leader in the Gen Z movement, is among the many demanding a civilian-led transition rooted in accountability and reform.
This is what support to HRF looks like in action:
November 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This is what support to HRF looks like in action:
In this season of giving, our team at HRF is reflecting on the incredible global community that stands with us.
Every voice we amplify, every political prisoner we help release, every dictatorship we challenge is all thanks to you. Your commitment to freedom powers everything we do at HRF.
Every voice we amplify, every political prisoner we help release, every dictatorship we challenge is all thanks to you. Your commitment to freedom powers everything we do at HRF.
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
In this season of giving, our team at HRF is reflecting on the incredible global community that stands with us.
Every voice we amplify, every political prisoner we help release, every dictatorship we challenge is all thanks to you. Your commitment to freedom powers everything we do at HRF.
Every voice we amplify, every political prisoner we help release, every dictatorship we challenge is all thanks to you. Your commitment to freedom powers everything we do at HRF.
HRF condemns the staging of a closed swearing-in ceremony for Tanzanian dictator Samia Suluhu Hassan today. Hassan declared victory with 98% of the vote in last week’s sham elections, with two major opposition parties barred from participating and opposition leader Tundu Lissu in jail.
November 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
HRF condemns the staging of a closed swearing-in ceremony for Tanzanian dictator Samia Suluhu Hassan today. Hassan declared victory with 98% of the vote in last week’s sham elections, with two major opposition parties barred from participating and opposition leader Tundu Lissu in jail.
On this day in 2014, the people of Burkina Faso rose up in mass protest to end President Blaise Compaoré's 27-year authoritarian rule.
October 31, 2025 at 9:33 PM
On this day in 2014, the people of Burkina Faso rose up in mass protest to end President Blaise Compaoré's 27-year authoritarian rule.
HRF condemns Djibouti parliament's unanimous vote to remove the presidential age limit, paving the way for 77-year-old dictator Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to run for a sixth term and extend his 26-year rule.
October 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
HRF condemns Djibouti parliament's unanimous vote to remove the presidential age limit, paving the way for 77-year-old dictator Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to run for a sixth term and extend his 26-year rule.
Last week, HRF and the NGO Council for North Korean Human Rights co-hosted the 2025 NK Insider Forum — the kickoff event of the inaugural Seoul World Convention on North Korean Human Rights — bringing together more than 300 attendees, including defectors, experts, and civil society.
October 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Last week, HRF and the NGO Council for North Korean Human Rights co-hosted the 2025 NK Insider Forum — the kickoff event of the inaugural Seoul World Convention on North Korean Human Rights — bringing together more than 300 attendees, including defectors, experts, and civil society.
Artificial intelligence holds the power to transform, or threaten, human freedom.
Join the Human Rights Foundation and the University of Essex for two days exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to defend human rights and protect freedom around the world.
Join the Human Rights Foundation and the University of Essex for two days exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to defend human rights and protect freedom around the world.
October 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Artificial intelligence holds the power to transform, or threaten, human freedom.
Join the Human Rights Foundation and the University of Essex for two days exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to defend human rights and protect freedom around the world.
Join the Human Rights Foundation and the University of Essex for two days exploring how artificial intelligence can be used to defend human rights and protect freedom around the world.
Today marks the anniversary of Sudan's October 1964 Revolution, the Arab World's first civilian uprising to oust a military dictator.
October 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Today marks the anniversary of Sudan's October 1964 Revolution, the Arab World's first civilian uprising to oust a military dictator.
HRF has submitted a formal petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) in the case of Owen Chow, a peaceful pro-democracy activist and member of the Hong Kong 47 (HK47), who has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison under Hong Kong's draconian National Security Law.
October 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
HRF has submitted a formal petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) in the case of Owen Chow, a peaceful pro-democracy activist and member of the Hong Kong 47 (HK47), who has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison under Hong Kong's draconian National Security Law.
This month, HRF submitted formal contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of three authoritarian regimes.
"Niger, Mozambique, and Singapore remind us that the struggle for freedom knows no borders," HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González said.
"Niger, Mozambique, and Singapore remind us that the struggle for freedom knows no borders," HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González said.
October 23, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This month, HRF submitted formal contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of three authoritarian regimes.
"Niger, Mozambique, and Singapore remind us that the struggle for freedom knows no borders," HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González said.
"Niger, Mozambique, and Singapore remind us that the struggle for freedom knows no borders," HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González said.
On Oct. 20, 2020, Nigerian security forces massacred peaceful #EndSARS protesters who were waving Nigerian flags and singing the national anthem at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos while demanding an end to police brutality and impunity.
October 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
On Oct. 20, 2020, Nigerian security forces massacred peaceful #EndSARS protesters who were waving Nigerian flags and singing the national anthem at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos while demanding an end to police brutality and impunity.
HRF joins 90+ NGOs and press freedom organizations in standing up against the arbitrary detention of Swedish publisher Gui Minhai, kidnapped in Thailand by Chinese state agents on Oct. 17, 2015. #FreeGuiMinhai
October 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
HRF joins 90+ NGOs and press freedom organizations in standing up against the arbitrary detention of Swedish publisher Gui Minhai, kidnapped in Thailand by Chinese state agents on Oct. 17, 2015. #FreeGuiMinhai
HRF strongly condemns the Chinese government’s detention of Pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin, founder of one of the largest known underground church networks in China, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
October 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
HRF strongly condemns the Chinese government’s detention of Pastor Mingri “Ezra” Jin, founder of one of the largest known underground church networks in China, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
HRF stands in solidarity with the Jin family and calls for the immediate release of all detained leaders of Zion Church.
October 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
HRF stands in solidarity with the Jin family and calls for the immediate release of all detained leaders of Zion Church.
HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González moderated a timely conversation at the Forum 2000 Conference: "Confronting Hostage-Taking by Authoritarian Regimes: Crafting Effective Policies." As hostage-taking by authoritarian regimes is on the rise, global cooperation is more critical than ever.
October 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
HRF Chief Advocacy Officer Roberto González moderated a timely conversation at the Forum 2000 Conference: "Confronting Hostage-Taking by Authoritarian Regimes: Crafting Effective Policies." As hostage-taking by authoritarian regimes is on the rise, global cooperation is more critical than ever.
Two years ago, Russian lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were arrested for defending the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
October 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Two years ago, Russian lawyers Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were arrested for defending the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
HRF applauds Malawi's fourth handover of power as Peter Mutharika was sworn in last week. But Malawians must remain vigilant; Mutharika is a former ruler with a record tainted by repression, electoral fraud, and graft accusations.
October 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
HRF applauds Malawi's fourth handover of power as Peter Mutharika was sworn in last week. But Malawians must remain vigilant; Mutharika is a former ruler with a record tainted by repression, electoral fraud, and graft accusations.
HRF celebrates today’s announcement that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her decades-long commitment to freedom, democracy, and human dignity in Venezuela.
October 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
HRF celebrates today’s announcement that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her decades-long commitment to freedom, democracy, and human dignity in Venezuela.
HRF condemns the abduction and forcible disappearance since Oct. 6 of Tanzanian regime critic Humphrey Polepole, amid ongoing repression against critics of President Samia Suluhu Hassan ahead of the Oct. 29 elections.
October 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
HRF condemns the abduction and forcible disappearance since Oct. 6 of Tanzanian regime critic Humphrey Polepole, amid ongoing repression against critics of President Samia Suluhu Hassan ahead of the Oct. 29 elections.
HRF urges Uganda’s regime to immediately #FreeBobNjagi and #FreeNicholasOyoo, two Kenyan human rights activists who have been missing since their Oct. 1 abduction by armed security personnel in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 PM
HRF urges Uganda’s regime to immediately #FreeBobNjagi and #FreeNicholasOyoo, two Kenyan human rights activists who have been missing since their Oct. 1 abduction by armed security personnel in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
HRF hosted another panel moderated by Senior Africa Policy Officer Mohamed Keita on digital dissent in the AI era with Togolese pro-democracy activist Farida Nabourema, Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, and Kenyan civic technologist Kelvin Ndemo.
October 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
HRF hosted another panel moderated by Senior Africa Policy Officer Mohamed Keita on digital dissent in the AI era with Togolese pro-democracy activist Farida Nabourema, Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, and Kenyan civic technologist Kelvin Ndemo.
On Sept. 22-24, HRF co-sponsored and participated for the first time in the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), the largest continental digital rights conference dubbed “The RightsCon of Africa.” The 2025 edition (#FIFAfrica25) took place in Windhoek, Namibia.
October 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
On Sept. 22-24, HRF co-sponsored and participated for the first time in the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (FIFAfrica), the largest continental digital rights conference dubbed “The RightsCon of Africa.” The 2025 edition (#FIFAfrica25) took place in Windhoek, Namibia.
🚨 STARTING NOW! Join HRF for a crucial live webinar on the effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine’s youngest victims.
Featuring:
👉 Daria Rabinovitsch, Co-CEO of Helping to Leave
👉 Katya Pavlevych, advisor at Razom for Ukraine & founder of Forget Us Not
Featuring:
👉 Daria Rabinovitsch, Co-CEO of Helping to Leave
👉 Katya Pavlevych, advisor at Razom for Ukraine & founder of Forget Us Not
October 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM
🚨 STARTING NOW! Join HRF for a crucial live webinar on the effects of Russia’s war on Ukraine’s youngest victims.
Featuring:
👉 Daria Rabinovitsch, Co-CEO of Helping to Leave
👉 Katya Pavlevych, advisor at Razom for Ukraine & founder of Forget Us Not
Featuring:
👉 Daria Rabinovitsch, Co-CEO of Helping to Leave
👉 Katya Pavlevych, advisor at Razom for Ukraine & founder of Forget Us Not
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions have been displaced, thousands abducted, and countless identities erased.
Join HRF for a critical live webinar on The Impact of the War on Ukrainian Children on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11:00 a.m. EST.
Join HRF for a critical live webinar on The Impact of the War on Ukrainian Children on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11:00 a.m. EST.
October 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, millions have been displaced, thousands abducted, and countless identities erased.
Join HRF for a critical live webinar on The Impact of the War on Ukrainian Children on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11:00 a.m. EST.
Join HRF for a critical live webinar on The Impact of the War on Ukrainian Children on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11:00 a.m. EST.