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Human Rights Foundation's Work

Nov 13, 2026

HRF Petitions UN in case of Hong Kong democracy leader Joshua Wong

NEW YORK (Nov. 13, 2026) — Today, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) and the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice submitted an individual complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on behalf of Hong Kong student activist-turned-democracy leader Joshua Wong, urging the WGAD to declare Wong’s continuous detention arbitrary and in violation of international law.

Nov 10, 2026

UN Determines Detention of Navalny’s Lawyers Violates International Law

NEW YORK (Nov. 10, 2026) –– The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) opinion that the detention of Russian lawyers Vadim Kobzev and Alexei Liptser is arbitrary and violates international law.

Nov 10, 2026

Announcing Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s Participation in HRF’s Art in Protest Residency

For years, Cuban artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has used art to challenge authoritarianism and defend freedom of expression. His work has come at an extraordinary personal cost, including years of imprisonment by the Cuban regime.

Nov 9, 2026

HRF’s “Dare to Dissent” Series Wins Three Anthem Awards

NEW YORK (Nov. 11, 2026) — The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is thrilled to announce that its “Dare to Dissent” series has won three Anthem Awards in the Human & Civil Rights category.

Oct 29, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Vadim Kobzev & Alexei Liptser

On Oct. 13, 2023, Vadim Kobzev and Alexei Liptser were arrested on so-called “extremism” charges because they had worked as lawyers for the late Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny.

Oct 28, 2026

HRF’s AI work featured in NPR’s “All Things Considered”

HRF’s AI Hack for Freedom III was featured on NPR’s flagship program “All Things Considered,” reaching millions of listeners across the United States.

Oct 28, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Ulviyya Ali

On May 6, 2025, seven police officers stormed the Baku home of Azerbaijani journalist Ulviyya Ali at midnight, searched it, and arrested her. She remains in prison in harsh conditions, and faces up to 20 years on fabricated currency smuggling charges for her independent journalism in a country whose government ranks among the top 10 worst jailers of journalists worldwide.

Oct 27, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Umar Khalid

Indian student-activist Umar Khalid was arrested on Sept. 13, 2020, after he became a prominent face of nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a law excluding Muslims from eligibility for a fast-tracked path to Indian citizenship.

Oct 26, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Victoire Ingabire

A tireless Rwandan opposition figure, Victoire Ingabire has faced persecution at the hands of Paul Kagame’s regime for years. In 2010, she was arrested upon her return to Rwanda after leading an opposition coalition in exile.

Oct 25, 2026

Dispatches from Detention: Dr. Mahrang Baloch

Dr. Mahrang Baloch is serving two life sentences in Pakistan on politically motivated terrorism charges. She is the founder of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a network of activists dedicated to peaceful advocacy for Pakistan’s Baloch minority, and she regularly organizes demonstrations and events to highlight the enforced disappearance, torture, and killing of Baloch people.

Oct 21, 2026

Joint Statement for the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30

The Human Rights Foundation and the October 30 Coalition have released the following joint statement to rally support for political prisoners and champion their freedom.

Oct 19, 2026

China Casts a Wide Net for Travelers with New Exit and Entry Regulations

Travelers to China be warned: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) just doubled down on regulations that could subject innocent travelers and citizens to exit bans or detention.

Meet Our People

Candace Bryan Abbey

Head of Global Government Engagement

Gloria Ampofo

Travel Logistics Coordinator

Srdja Popović

Expert in nonviolent resistance and founder of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies (CANVAS)

Holly Baxter

Advisor, Art in Protest

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