We promote and protect democracy & human rights around the world, with a focus on authoritarian regimes. 👉 Attend our human rights conference: @osloff
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A new report led by @SaschaHannig details how China’s strategic expansion in Latin America raises serious risks for democratic governance — and what regional leaders must do to safeguard their sovereignty.
Read the full report: hrf.org/latest/the-ccps-deep…
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Human Rights Foundation (HRF) retweeted
Companies like @Apple and @wpengine, which primarily operate from a democratic country and enjoy its rule of law protections, should NOT blindly enforce censorship of websites and apps at the whim of authoritarian regimes. After WP Engine banned HRF's #TyrannyTracker (tyrannytracker.org) at the request of Russia's fully authoritarian regime, this time Apple banned bitchat at the request of India's hybrid authoritarian regime. cc @jack
HRF maintains that governments should not ban apps or content without an independent court finding the block necessary and proportionate under international human rights standards. Anything less is plain censorship.
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HRF maintains that governments should not ban apps or content without an independent court finding the block necessary and proportionate under international human rights standards. Anything less is plain censorship.
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India is a party to the ICCPR, which protects free expression under Article 19. UN bodies have repeatedly warned that India’s blocking practices arbitrarily restrict that right. Yet, the Indian government keeps issuing blocking orders. In that context, companies should subject them to heightened scrutiny, not blindly follow them.
ohchr.org/en/documents/concl…
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We’ve seen this before. HRF, through its hosting provider, received a geo-blocking demand from Russia’s Roskomnadzor that cited neither a legal basis nor any specific content allegedly violating Russian law. We said then, and we say it now: freedom should not be limited on the basis of vague, unverified demands.
hrf.org/latest/hrf-condemns-…
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Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, a prisoner of conscience in Uzbekistan, has shared a letter from prison detailing the abuse and severe mistreatment he is suffering while incarcerated. hrf.org/latest/i-beg-you-to-…
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Writing from detention, Tazhimuratov describes brutal beatings he has received at the hands of prison officials, who force him to recite the Uzbek national anthem or deny his Karakalpak identity by declaring that he is Uzbek. He is also denied access to bathing facilities, medical care, writing materials, and religious items.
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HRF calls on Uzbekistan to treat Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov with dignity and recognize his fundamental rights by providing him with access to basic necessities and investigating all incidents of violence against him. Most of all, the Uzbek government must enforce the opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and release him from prison immediately. hrf.org/latest/hrf-succeeds-…
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HRF welcomes the release of Azerbaijani economist, scholar, and human rights defender Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, who has finally been able to leave Azerbaijan for Germany to receive much needed medical care. After more than three years of unjust detention, this is a moment of immense relief for Dr. Ibadoghlu, his family, and all those who have stood in solidarity with him.
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At the 2024 @OsloFF, Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Zhala Bayramova called for the freedom of their father, Dr. Ibadoghlu, and drew attention to his urgent need for medical care.
oslofreedomforum.com/talk/on…
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HRF condemns Venezuelan dictator Delcy RodrĂguez for putting on a show of moderation for the international community while repression in Venezuela remains. Despite pledging elections and a “transition” at the UN General Assembly, the regime set no date for those events, while maintaining the political disqualifications of key opposition figures.
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Washington's engagement with Venezuela now revolves around an oil deal that protects US stakes in the country's reserves and investments. Justice and democratic norms have taken a back seat. The Trump administration holds more leverage over Venezuela than any other democracy. It should use that leverage to demand the end of repression of civil society and a genuine democratic transition.
reuters.com/world/americas/v…
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Pledging inclusive elections while still holding hundreds of political prisoners, keeping torture centers active, and barring legitimate leaders from office is business as usual for the Venezuelan regime — not the sign of serious efforts to ensure a peaceful, democratic transition of power. True democracies must demand an immediate end to state repression, respect for human rights, and the restoration of Venezuela's democracy.
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HRF welcomes the bipartisan letter led by @SenPeterWelch, @SenThomTillis, and @SenTimKaine urging the United States to press for the release of all political prisoners held in Azerbaijan.
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We thank the senators for keeping attention on Azerbaijan’s deepening repression and on those unjustly detained by the regime. In 2026, HRF raised concerns with the UN over Ulviyya Ali’s worsening detention conditions and lack of access to medical care.
Today, on the anniversary of her arrest, HRF, together with the Independent Lawyers Network, submitted a formal letter to several UN Special Rapporteurs explaining why Azerbaijan’s response to concerns about Ulviyya’s detention, abuse, and prosecution is inadequate. The international community should be pressing for her immediate release. Ulviyya should be home with her family.
spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMRe…
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