Human Rights Foundation (HRF)

HRF wishes you a happy new year! As we step into 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to a world where tyranny fades and democracy flourishes. HRF resolutions for the new year: 1️⃣Partner with dissidents to create solutions that bring the world together against tyranny. 2️⃣Connect dissidents with industry leaders to tackle the world’s worst human rights issues. 3️⃣Amplify the voices of dissidents and inspire people to join their efforts. Together, we can make 2025 a pivotal step toward beating tyranny.

📚 Guess the #OsloFreedomForum speaker! Learn how you can attend a conference like no other: https://buff.ly/4cRCeyH 

The Oslo Freedom Forum is so much more than a conference. We create spaces for bold ideas, powerful stories, creative expression, and an inspiring global community united for human rights. Join us May 26-28, 2024: https://buff.ly/4cRCeyH

🔎 Time for some more OFF Trivia! Can you guess this former #OsloFF mainstage speaker? https://buff.ly/4cRCeyH 

HRF condemns the use of Article 117 to silence dissent, requests UNWGAD to declare Tuyến’s detention arbitrary and urges Vietnam to release him immediately. Read HRF's press release: https://buff.ly/3ZX9ekq

🌟Happy Holidays!🌟 As we reflect on this year, we share our gratitude for our global community of changemakers, advocates, and freedom fighters. Your courage, dedication, and support inspire us to continue the struggle for human rights and democracy worldwide. This holiday season, we wish you peace, joy, and renewed hope for a freer future.

This holiday season, HRF wishes you peace, joy, and hope. Let’s continue to stand in solidarity with those in the struggle for freedom, democracy, and human rights.

On Dec. 19, HRF hosted the inaugural NK Insider Forum in Seoul, Korea, bringing together defectors, diplomats, and activists to address the urgent issue of North Korean human rights. This year’s theme, “Cracks in the Regime: The Exodus of North Korea’s Elite and Global Responses,” spotlighted the defection of North Korea’s elite and the international community’s role in supporting defectors and advocating for change. This year's event highlighted: 👉Keynote talks from three defectors with prominent backgrounds, sharing firsthand accounts of life under the Kim regime. 👉Panel discussion exploring life after defection and the challenges of leaving family behind to pursue freedom. 👉Congratulatory remarks by EU Ambassador Maria Castillo-Fernandez and Secretary General Thae Yong-ho. 👉Virtual remarks by US Special Envoy Julie Turner and HRF CEO Thor Halvorssen, emphasizing the global commitment to North Korean human rights. 👉A moving musical performance by Remember, a band uniting musicians from North and South Korea Together, we continue to amplify the voices of defectors and advocate for freedom and justice for all North Koreans. https://buff.ly/3DtX8rP

HRF welcomes Canada’s sanctions on five Venezuelan officials accused of contributing to electoral fraud in July’s presidential elections. This marks Canada’s fourth round of sanctions targeting Maduro's regime, aimed at pressuring it to “respect the will of the Venezuelan people” as the country nears the presidential transition date of Jan. 10. Canada’s action comes as Maduro’s repression deepens Venezuela’s crisis. This week alone, two political prisoners died in regime custody within 72 hours, totaling three deaths since Nov. 15. HRF calls on the international community to follow Canada’s lead in supporting Venezuelans’ fight for human rights and the restoration of democracy.

2024 saw over 15 elections across Africa, with a wide spectrum of electoral integrity, fairness and competition. While countries such as Senegal showed resilience in democratic processes against authoritarian efforts, others such Rwanda and Comoros staged sham elections with little to no competition. Some regimes such as those in Chad and Mozambique conducted unfree and unfair elections in which they claimed victory by publishing official results without a transparent vote count. This year highlights Africa’s ongoing struggle for electoral integrity. While some nations still stand up for free and fair elections, others are falling deeper into authoritarianism. Read HRF’s latest blog post: https://buff.ly/4iLWUML