NEW YORK (Oct. 15, 2026) — The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is pleased to announce that its “Dare to Dissent” series has been nominated for three Anthem Awards in the “Human & Civil Rights” category. The nominations are part of the Anthem Community Voice Awards, with voting open to the public through Oct. 29.
The Anthem Awards, a brainchild of the team behind the prestigious Webby Awards, are the “largest and most comprehensive social impact awards” honoring individuals and organizations doing purpose-driven and mission-driven work.
The “Dare to Dissent” series is part of HRF’s Impact Litigation program, which provides pro bono legal assistance to prisoners of conscience — whose cases exemplify the brutality of authoritarian regimes — by submitting complaints to international judicial and semijudicial organs, such as the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The petitions challenge the unlawful imprisonment and seek justice for individuals persecuted for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights.
In collaboration with 108 Films, HRF created “Dare to Dissent” to amplify its petitions for the release of these clients, to inspire public action, and to expand support from democratic governments and civil society. The series transforms complex legal cases into compelling, digestible stories through personal storytelling and on-the-ground footage.
The series features Kazakh ultra-marathon runner and human rights activist Marat Zhylanbaev, Senegalese activists Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye and Aliou Sané, Equatoguinean lawyer Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, Bolivian governor Luis Fernando Camacho, and Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi. Camacho and Salehi were released following HRF’s advocacy efforts.
With the recognition and acclaim that comes with an Anthem Award, HRF will have a greater platform to raise awareness of prisoners of conscience in dictatorships, demand accountability and redress for its clients, and ultimately help advocate for more prisoners of conscience to be released.
Cast your vote before Oct. 29 to support HRF!
You can vote for two of the HRF nominations using the buttons below.
