Appendix I

1. How can international organizations collaborate effectively with local activists and organizations to ensure sustained advocacy despite government crackdowns?

International organizations can:

• Provide comprehensive training and tools for digital security and anti-surveillance measures to protect activists' communications and activities.The Digital Security Helpline by Access Now offers support to activists globally, including in Russia, assisting with secure communication tools and incident response.

• Establish networks of legal experts and advocacy organizations to provide legal assistance, advocacy campaigns, and international pressure. The Russian LGBT Network collaborates with international human rights organizations to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, including legal support for activists and advocacy campaigns.

• Support  civic education initiatives and empowerment programs to build resilience and capacity among local activists and organizations.The Levada Center conducts independent sociological research and public opinion polls in Russia, contributing to informed public discourse and civic engagement despite government pressures.

• Foster  cross-border partnerships and solidarity initiatives to amplify advocacy efforts and share resources and expertise.Following examples like The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) who supports grassroots initiatives and civil society organizations in Russia, promoting democracy, human rights, and rule of law.

• Utilize digital platforms for advocacy and information campaigns to raise awareness globally and mobilize support for local causes. Navalny.com, the website associated with Alexei Navalny's political movement in Russia, leverages digital media for investigative reporting, activism, and mobilization despite government censorship and restrictions.

• Collaborate with artists, cultural figures, and independent media outlets to amplify voices, promote free expression, and foster creative forms of resistance. Meduza.io, an independent Russian news outlet based in Latvia, collaborates with international media partners to report on critical issues and provide a platform for diverse voices within Russia. 

  Additionally, collaborations with artists like Pussy Riot, known for their activism through music and performance art, can bring attention to social and political issues while challenging censorship and repression.

2. What are some key principles and strategies of nonviolent resistance that activists and movements can adopt to achieve lasting change in repressive environments?

• Achieving unity amidst diversity: Social movements are inherently diverse, consisting of various groups with differing interests and goals. The cases of Sudan and Belarus illustrate that successful movements are those that transcend internal divisions and unite around a common purpose. For instance, during the peaceful protests in Belarus in 2020, activists coalesced around shared ideals such as freedom of choice and human rights, leading to significant impact. Similarly, in Sudan, the 2019 revolution saw the consolidation of previously fragmented opposition factions, culminating in the removal of President Omar al Bashir.

• Enduring commitment: Effecting political change through nonviolent means demands sustained effort, especially when confronting entrenched authoritarian regimes. In Sudan, the 2019 triumph stemmed from persistent youth mobilization that commenced in 2010 despite initial setbacks and repression. Organizational resilience played a pivotal role as groups regrouped covertly, re-emerging after the military coup in October 2021. Grassroots initiatives like local neighborhood resistance committees were instrumental in maintaining momentum during periods of adversity and rekindling public activism post-crisis.

• Earning ethical legitimacy: Peaceful protest movements often garner support and credibility by upholding moral principles. In Belarus in 2020, protesters refrained from aggression and maintained civility despite facing repression, earning admiration and validation. Their dignified conduct contrasted sharply with the oppressive tactics of their adversaries, bolstering their cause.

• Influencing public discourse for change: While the Colombian movement of 2021 primarily targeted specific policy issues like taxation, corruption, and healthcare reforms, its broader impact reshaped political narratives. By taking to the streets, the movement propelled these issues into mainstream discourse, paving the way for progressive agendas in subsequent elections. Notably, leftist candidates in Colombia made significant gains in the 2022 legislative polls, showcasing the transformative potential of grassroots activism.

3. What role does media and technology play in both empowering independent journalists and media outlets and presenting new challenges in terms of censorship and surveillance?

• Digital platforms provide a means for journalists operating in restrictive regimes to access a global audience independently of traditional state-controlled media. Figures like Rana Ayyub in India and Maria Ressa in the Philippines have harnessed platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and online news portals to disseminate their reporting on sensitive topics such as government corruption and human rights abuses to a worldwide audience.

• The use of encryption tools and secure communication platforms has become vital for journalists to safeguard their identities and protect their sources from state surveillance, thereby supporting investigative journalism. In countries like China and Iran, journalists rely on encrypted messaging apps like Signal and secure email services to communicate securely with their sources and colleagues, shielding them from government monitoring and censorship efforts.

• Social media and online platforms empower ordinary citizens to report on events and share information, sidestepping government-controlled media and censorship mechanisms. Journalists and media organizations can leverage encrypted communication tools, virtual private networks (VPNs), and secure platforms to safeguard their data and sources. During events like the Arab Spring, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter played a crucial role in enabling citizen journalists to document and disseminate real-time information about protests, government crackdowns, and human rights violations throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

4. How effective have diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and international support been in addressing and mitigating human rights abuses in regions under authoritarian regimes globally?

• We know that international pressure—understood as threats to cut diplomatic ties as well as the actual imposition of sanctions—affects political mobilization in targeted countries.Used in the right time and correct way the international support can be a success to end a regime, such as: