Blog Post Oct 13, 2026 Joshua Wong: A Boy, A Ballot, A Cell During Joshua Wong’s first stint in prison at age 20, he read 777 pages of letters sent to him. He worked in the canteen and complained about the rules: Prisoners’ cups had to go on the floor, not on desks. “No” had to become “Sorry, sir.” Joshua joked that years of video games and Japanese anime had not prepared him for drills.
Newsletter Oct 10, 2026 HRF’s AI for Individual Rights Newsletter #21 El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele is rolling out AI-powered public services that could boost his popularity — even as democratic checks on his power continue to erode — and expand his access to citizens’ personal data.
Human Rights Dispatch Oct 6, 2026 South Sudan Dictator Salva Kiir Dismantles Peace Accord, China Continues Persecution of Independent Churches In September, South Sudan’s dictator, Salva Kiir, orchestrated a controversial power grab that enabled him to dismantle the power-sharing governing structure established under the 2018 peace agreement and rule with full constitutional powers until the polls on Dec. 22.
Newsletter Oct 2, 2026 HRF’s AI for Individual Rights Newsletter #20 This week, we discuss how Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States reflects the Chinese regime’s significant influence over the future of artificial intelligence (AI).
Report Sep 29, 2026 The CCP’s Deepening Footprint in Latin America and the Stakes for Democracy in the Region Following a period of U.S. retreat that lasted until the end of 2025, and amid an ongoing realignment of the international democratic bloc, illiberal actors — particularly China, Russia, and their closest allies — continue to look for opportunities to gain influence and undermine institutions to their advantage, especially in middle-income countries, where American actions are viewed with disdain and alliances with alternative powers are seen as economic opportunities.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 29, 2026 HRF Exposes China’s Footprint in Latin America, Zara Larsson Cancels Abu Dhabi Show HRF welcomes Swedish pop star @zaralarsson’s decision to cancel her scheduled December performance in Abu Dhabi after fans called on her to take a stand against the UAE’s role in Sudan’s devastating war.
Newsletter Sep 28, 2026 HRF’s AI for Individual Rights Newsletter #19 In Iran and China, state-backed actors are using AI to run autonomous influence campaigns. These actors can now deploy hundreds of AI agents to create social media accounts and flood platforms with political content, marking a new era of authoritarian propaganda.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 25, 2026 25 Years Since Eritrea Dissolved Civic Space, HRF Demands Release of Chinese Pastors, Free Gao Zhen, and more Xi Jinping is meeting President Trump this week. While Xi is in town, HRF is calling for the release of Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu — elderly Chinese Christians jailed in a crackdown on unregistered house churches.
Publication Sep 25, 2026 Families urge Trump to push Xi for prisoner release As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to wrap up his visit to Washington, D.C., the families of Americans detailed in China are calling on Pres. Trump to push for their release.
Publication Sep 25, 2026 Trump faces pressure to push Xi on detained pastors So grateful to @jaketapper for giving me this opportunity to advocate for my elderly parents Gao Quanfu and Pang Yu, as well as other detained pastors from Light of Zion Church and Zion Church.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 24, 2026 Families Urge Trump to Free 100 Chinese Prisoners, Ziba Murat Appeals for Mother As President Trump and Xi Jinping meet this week, the daughter of Dr. Gulshan Abbas, @ziba116, has a direct message for Xi: It’s time to bring her mother home.
Publication Sep 24, 2026 Trucks Protesting Xi Jinping Drive Around US Capitol as Streets Shut Down Messages demanding the release of prisoners in China were projected onto trucks driving around the US Capitol, as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the country on Wednesday, September 23.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 23, 2026 China Marks 12 Years Jailing Ilham Tohti, HRF Demands Release of Dr. Gulshan Abbas, Groups Call to Free Sophia Huang Xueqin Today marks 12 years since the Chinese regime sentenced Ilham Tohti, a respected Uyghur economist and academic, to life in prison for “separatism.” Ilham peacefully advocated for Uyghur rights through data, research, education, and open dialogue.
Publication Sep 23, 2026 Messages call on Xi to release Chinese prisoners as he visits Washington The Human Rights Foundation projects images and messages on the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington calling on Chinese President Xi Jinping to release political prisoners, as he begins a state visit to the United States.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 22, 2026 NGOs Urge Action on Xi Jinping, Tanzania Faces Legitimacy Crisis, Alex Saab Pleads Guilty, and more. Ahead of Vietnamese President To Lam’s upcoming visit to New York in September, HRF co-signs a joint letter with @PENamerica @pressfreedom @RSF_inter and other organizations to @SecRubio , urging the US Department of State to call for the release of Vietnamese writers and journalists Le Huu Minh Tuan, Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy, and Pham Doan Trang.
Newsletter Sep 18, 2026 HRF’s AI for Individual Rights Newsletter #18 This week, China’s top civilian intelligence official warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could pose a security threat to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule. He pointed to risks including AI-generated political content against the CCP, AI-powered cyberattacks, and sensitive data leaks, while calling for tighter state control over AI.
Report Sep 17, 2026 Manipulation of Sustainable Development: Framing of the UN SDGs by Authoritarian Regimes The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global sustainability benchmarks adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to guide an inclusive and sustainable transformation by 2030.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 16, 2026 NGOs Urge Xi Jinping to End Repression, Mali Sentences Critics, and more. HRF condemns prison sentences imposed last month by Malian courts on four prominent public opinion leaders for public criticisms of the military regime of Gen. Assimi Goïta. HRF calls for their convictions to be overturned and for their immediate release.
Press Release Sep 16, 2026 Joint Open Letter to Xi Jinping We, the undersigned organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights, democracy, and religious freedom, write on the occasion of your forthcoming visit to Washington, DC.
Human Rights Dispatch Sep 15, 2026 China Expands Exit Bans, India Detains Umar Khalid, and more. HRF condemns China’s sentencing of Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Albert Ho to lengthy prison terms and calls on the international community to denounce Beijing’s weaponization of Hong Kong’s National Security Law.
