Press Release Sep 13, 2024 HRF calls for the unconditional release of Indian human rights activist Umar Khalid On the fourth anniversary of his arrest and at the beginning of his highly anticipated trial, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) calls on the Indian government to immediately release activist Umar Khalid from his excessively long and arbitrary pretrial detention.
Blog Post Sep 12, 2024 HRF’s Weekly Financial Freedom Report #40 This week, Bitcoin took center stage in Venezuela’s struggle for financial freedom. After the Maduro regime brazenly stole the country’s presidential election, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spoke in an exclusive interview with the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), where she called Bitcoin a “lifeline” and a “vital means for resistance” for Venezuelans suffering under repression and hyperinflation.
Blog Post Sep 6, 2024 A History of Sports & Dictators, Part 3: Post-WWII Soft Power Long before the inception of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece, sports have been used to distract the masses, test foreign policies, thaw diplomatic tensions, and broadcast political and social messaging.
Op-Ed Sep 5, 2024 Despots and oligarchs have many means to meddle in American politics As well as the colourful details of corruption on a grand scale—the gold bars, the cash stashed in boots and jackets—a particular point stood out during the conviction in July of Bob Menendez, then the senior Democratic senator for New Jersey, on charges including bribery and fraud.
Blog Post Sep 5, 2024 HRF’s Weekly Financial Freedom Report #39 In Syria, Bashar al-Assad’s economic policies continue to devastate the lives of millions while he enforces a tight grip on power. Manipulated currency exchange rates and strict monetary controls have deepened poverty and wreaked havoc on the Syrian lira’s value, offering a sobering view into the impact of authoritarian rule on the financial freedom of everyday citizens.
Press Release Sep 5, 2024 HRF interviews Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on financial repression and freedom On Thursday, Bitcoin Magazine published a video of the Human Rights Foundation’s (HRF) chief strategy officer, Alex Gladstein, interviewing María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela’s democratic opposition, about the destruction the Chavismo have caused to Venezuela’s monetary system and how many Venezuelans use Bitcoin to escape or find their financial freedom.
Press Release Aug 29, 2024 HRF’s Casey Michel Sanctioned by Russian Regime On Wednesday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sanctioned the Human Rights Foundation’s (HRF) Casey Michel, as well as other American academics, journalists, and industry leaders.
Press Release Aug 28, 2024 HRF Submits UNWGAD Petition for Two Former Swazi Lawmakers On Monday, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of former Swazi lawmakers Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, who were sentenced to heavy prison terms for their pro-democracy advocacy.
Publication Aug 27, 2024 US senators call out NBA’s relationship with Rwanda dictator Paul Kagame: ‘Putting profit over principle’ Two United States senators have accused the NBA of “putting profit over principle,” which was detailed in a letter sent to commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday.
Publication Aug 27, 2024 Oregon Sen. Merkley raises concerns over reported NBA ties to Rwandan dictatorship Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley sent a letter to National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday, raising concerns over the organization’s reported ties to dictators.
Publication Aug 27, 2024 NBA under fire: U.S. Senators slam league’s ties to controversial Rwandan leader The NBA finds itself in the hot seat once again, but this time, it’s not over a controversial call or a player feud-it’s a matter of global ethics.
Video Series Aug 26, 2024 The Case of Toomaj Salehi Rapper and human rights activist, Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death under bogus charges due to his songs, activism and speaking out against the Iranian regime. HRF submitted a petition to the United Nation’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Toomaj’s behalf asking for his unconditional release.
Announcement Aug 26, 2024 New Book Release: Read “Foreign Agents” by HRF’s Casey Michel Casey Michel, director of the Human Rights Foundation’s (HRF) Combatting Kleptocracy program, is releasing his new book, “Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World.”
Blog Post Aug 22, 2024 HRF’s Weekly Financial Freedom Report #37 In Russia, the crackdown on charitable donations continues. Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian-American citizen, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity. Her case highlights the severe risks individuals face when supporting Russian opposition and reminds us of the critical need for financial privacy, especially for the billions of people who live under tyrannical regimes.
Press Release Aug 20, 2024 HRF Succeeds in UN Petition: Rwanda Condemned for Unlawful Detention of Nine Dissidents The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) deeming the 2021 arrest and imprisonment of nine Rwandan dissidents arbitrary and in violation of international law.
Blog Post Aug 19, 2024 The Role of Freedom Tech in Venezuela Venezuela grapples with fraudulent presidential elections, economic and financial collapse, widespread repression, and severe human rights abuses under dictator Nicolás Maduro, its brave activists continue searching for uncensorable solutions to combat systemic repression.
