Program areas at HRF
Community outreach - hrf's community-building efforts have fostered a global network of advocates committed to promoting democracy and Human Rights. The 2023 oslo freedom forum (off), hrf's 15th forum, marked a significant gathering of Human Rights defenders, with more than 1,300 attendees. At this event, hrf launched the thulani maseko Human Rights lawyer prize in honor of the late swazi Human Rights lawyer and former off speaker, thulani maseko. Hrf also hosted regional off events in new york and taipei, amplifying the voices of dissidents worldwide. Hrf further supports its community through targeted skills-development programs. The freedom fellowship, for example, awards ten Human Rights advocates each year with the unique opportunity to increase the impact of their work through hands-on training and mentorship sessions. In 2023, hrf also hosted a working retreat with korea activists and civil society leaders to assess the current state of Human Rights in north korea. Hrf's oslo scholars program, in turn, facilitates internships for university students with some of the world's leading Human Rights defenders, providing students with valuable professional experiences and assisting activists with their critical work. Through its financial freedom program, hrf granted $2 million to 50 projects focusing on developing tools to protect dissidents and ensure financial privacy for activists living under authoritarian regimes. Hrf also hosted the africa bitcoin conference and the global bitcoin summit to discuss the victories and challenges of building bitcoin communities. Lastly, hrf offers direct support in the form of microgrants to individuals working on the frontlines of democratic change.
Audience education - in 2023, hrf continued to use creative campaigns, impactful storytelling, and strategic media coverage to educate global audiences about the dangers of authoritarianism. Through its dynamic programs, hrf highlights the intersection of Human Rights with various industries. This year, hrf launched a new program called combating kleptocracy, which shines a light on how corrupt actors around the world use their illicit finances to undermine democracy and strengthen authoritarianism. Through op-eds, original investigations, and sanctions advocacy, the program provides educational resources on how kleptocratic networks operate internationally. Hrf also produced a documentary entitled "beyond utopia," which follows the harrowing journey of several north korean defectors. The film earned the audience award for us documentary at the sundance film festival and was shortlisted for the 2024 oscar for best documentary feature. Hrf's current programs such as wear your values continue to educate global audiences. The wear your values program's "discounted lives" exhibit, which premiered at the sxsw conference in austin, tx, highlighted the role of uyghur forced labor in the fashion industry. During new york fashion week, hrf projected versions of the discounted lives installation on iconic landmarks across the city, garnering extensive media coverage. In addition to its campaigns, hrf frequently hosts discussions to explore the struggle for Human Rights in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. In addition to its "dissidents and dictators" podcast, in 2023, hrf representatives spoke at sxsw, forum 2000, the geneva summit for Human Rights, libertycon, and the bitcoin conference, among others. Through these efforts, hrf earned 17,800 media mentions and 23 million social media impressions.
Global advocacy - hrf's legal advocacy continues to be a powerful tool for defending Human Rights worldwide. In 2023, hrf's impact litigation program filed numerous petitions before judicial and semi-judicial international bodies, seeking justice for prisoners of conscience whose cases are emblematic of the brutality of dictatorship. Hrf also regularly submits universal periodic reviews to the un Human Rights council, letters on behalf of Human Rights advocates to un special rapporteurs, and evidentiary case files to the us departments of state and treasury, under the global magnitsky act. In addition to legal advocacy, hrf conducts research and publishes reports analyzing the state of political freedom and authoritarianism globally, the correlation between authoritarianism and global crises, and political regime types. Hrf's policy notes and op-eds are frequently cited by journalists and academics worldwide. Hrf's global advocacy also includes projects that address regional issues and developments around the world. The ukraine solidarity fund and belarus solidarity fund continued to offer grants to civil society organizations working to expand freedom in the respective countries. The chinese communist party (ccp) disruption initiative published op-eds and hosted educational events to denounce the ccp's systematic Human Rights violations. Finally, flash drives for freedom strengthened its network of activists focusing on Human Rights in north korea.
Other programs