What does it take to stand up to authoritarianism?
The Dissident's Mic is a two-person interview series featuring timely, in-depth conversations about authoritarianism around the world.
HRF joins international condemnation of Senegal’s suppression of an international public forum on repression in neighboring Guinea. This alarming act of state censorship undermines Senegal’s respect for freedom of expression and assembly and a sanctuary for those fleeing
Event organizer Alseny Farinta Camara— coordinator of the Guinea chapter of the pro-democracy movement Tournons La Page who has been living in exile in Senegal — experienced pressure from hotel management and the authorities in the days leading up to the event.
Local and international civic and human rights groups have denounced the actions of Senegalese authorities towards the roundtable, which marked the second year anniversary of Guinea’s military junta’s enforced disappearance of prominent pro-democracy activists Oumar Sylla and
HRF joins international condemnation of Senegal’s suppression of an international public forum on repression in neighboring Guinea. This alarming act of state censorship undermines Senegal’s respect for freedom of expression and assembly and a sanctuary for those fleeing
HRF condemns Thailand's decision to block Chinese dissident Zhang Xinyan from flying to Canada to resettle and seek protection. By obstructing her departure, Thailand has once again facilitated Beijing's efforts to extend repression beyond its borders.
Last year, Hong Kong police issued an arrest warrant and offered a HK$200,000 bounty against Zhang on the grounds of "subversion" under the draconian National Security Law due to her role in the overseas “Hong Kong Parliament.”
Thailand has repeatedly violated the principle of non-refoulement by returning individuals at risk to China. Preventing Zhang from reaching protection raises serious concerns that Thailand is once again placing dissidents at risk.
HRF is alarmed by the ongoing spread of the deadly Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Millions of Congolese already contending with violent conflict, displacement, and state neglect are left with a fragile and underresourced healthcare system and distrust
The epicenter of the outbreak is a mineral-rich region under military rule taht has been in a state of siege for more than five years, where ordinary citizens toil in poverty extracting natural resources enriching a corrupt ruling elite. While Tshisekedi is seeking to extend his
The epidemic has reached eastern Congo’s largest cities of Goma and Bukavu, where civilians live under the brutal occupation and de facto administration of Rwanda’s proxy M23 militia and Rwandan troops. M23's parallel administration — which draws technical and material medical
At the 2026 Oslo Freedom Forum, @AlvaroSalas explored how philanthropy, innovation, and global capital can strengthen democratic institutions, defend human dignity, and make freedom more resilient in the face of rising authoritarianism.
Now, he's expanding on those ideas in a
At the 2026 Oslo Freedom Forum, Richard Gere reflected on decades of advocacy for the Tibetan people, emphasizing why protecting their culture, identity, and freedom is a cause that extends far beyond Tibet itself.
In a @WSJopinion piece, Gere warns that China's new Ethnic Unity
Next week, we launch our first episode, featuring HRF's @cjcmichel in conversation with Nicaraguan opposition leader Félix @maradiaga. Together, they discuss what it means to challenge Daniel Ortega's dictatorship, Maradiaga's 611 days as a political prisoner, and why he remains
These developments come amid more than four years of a state of exception that has eroded due process guarantees and enabled growing repression of dissent. Lawyers and critics of the regime, including Ruth López and Enrique Anaya, remain arbitrarily detained, and independent
HRF calls on the international community, particularly democratic governments in the Americas, to reject the dismantling of democratic safeguards in El Salvador and to continue supporting those working to defend the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and democratic institutions.