Calls for Action
Governments and international organizations should actively support sustained advocacy against authoritarian regimes, emphasizing long-term commitment to democratic values and human rights.
This involves developing comprehensive advocacy plans and providing financial support, as seen in initiatives like the Human Rights Foundation's work in Belarus. Additionally, organizations can amplify voices globally, as shown by Amnesty International’s impactful “Write for Rights” campaign, which pressures governments to release imprisoned individuals through letter-writing and social media advocacy.
Appendix I - How can international organizations collaborate effectively with local activists and organizations to ensure sustained advocacy despite government crackdowns?
Governments, international organizations and civil society should promote non-violent resistance as a powerful tool for effecting change, inspired by the legacies of activists like Alexei Navalny, and encourage the adoption of peaceful and strategic approaches in challenging authoritarianism.
Promoting non-violent resistance inspired by movements like the "Umbrella Movement" in Hong Kong, involves strategic planning and perseverance. Occupying key areas of the city through sit-ins and peaceful marches, despite challenges from authorities, garnered international attention and support for democratic reforms.
Appendix I - What are some key principles and strategies of nonviolent resistance that activists and movements can adopt to achieve lasting change in repressive environments?
International organizations and civil society must advocate for press freedom and support independent media outlets, journalists, and reporters facing censorship, intimidation, or financial pressures, ensuring the public's right to access accurate information and diverse perspectives.
Support Reporters Without Borders (RSF) which provides direct support to journalists and media outlets in restrictive environments, offering legal assistance, safety training, and financial grants to enable critical reporting despite threats and censorship.
Appendix I - 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?
Urge governments, international organizations, and civil society to maintain consistent attention and action on human rights abuses, especially in regions like Chechnya and areas under authoritarian control, through diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and support for affected communities.
The European Union's imposition of sanctions on individuals involved in abuses in countries like Myanmar demonstrates the international community's stance against such atrocities.
Appendix I - How effective have diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and international support been in addressing and mitigating human rights abuses in regions under authoritarian regimes globally?
Governments and international organizations should play an active role promoting empowerment and solidarity among activists, journalists, and civil society groups, fostering networks of support, collaboration, and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) organizes conferences and training programs that facilitate collaboration on cross-border investigations and sharing of best practices, strengthening the global journalism community's impact and resilience.
Existing Initiatives to End the Regime
Main Outcomes
Recognizing the need for a sustained effort against all forms of authoritarianism, emphasizing that consistency and sustainability are paramount for achieving meaningful results in the struggle for freedom and democracy.
Emphasizing the importance of carrying forward the legacies and struggles of individuals like Alexei Navalny, highlighting the efficacy of non-violent resistance and maintaining hope as essential components of ongoing activism.
Commending the courage and perseverance of human rights defenders and activists worldwide who face imprisonment, torture, and even death in their pursuit of justice.
Shedding light on the challenges confronted by journalists and media outlets, including censorship, intimidation, and financial pressures, which hinder the free flow of information and expression of dissenting voices.
The necessity of consistent attention and action from the international community, particularly in regions like Chechnya and other territories under Russian control, to address ongoing human rights abuses and protect vulnerable populations.
Panel Discussion Summary
A panel discussion at the World Forum on the future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind, focusing on Russia after Putin moderated by Roman Badanin, exiled Russian journalist, researcher, and founder and Editor-in-chief of Projekt Media Outlet, featured a diverse group of dissidents from Russia. This panel included Lyubov Sobol, Russian opposition politician, lawyer and a member of the Russian Opposition Coordination Council; Nadya Tolokonnikova, Russian musician, conceptual artist, and political activist, founding member of the feminist group Pussy Riot; Marina Ovsyannikova, Russian Journalist; Lucy Stein, Pussy Riot activist; and David Isteev, Crisis Response Coordinator for the Russian LGBTQ Network. The discussion revolved around the impact that the authoritarian regime of Putin has imposed on Russia, such as political repression, erosion of civil liberties, centralization of power, corruption and cronyism. More importantly, the discussion was centred on the political and social landscape in Russia after Putin, a scenario even more dramatic following the death of Alexei Navalny, the principal opposition leader and anti-corruption activist, which occurred only three days before the panel discussion.
The discussion started with a minute of silence announced by the keynote speaker Lyubov Sobol to honour Alexei Navalny and all the victims of Putin’s regime in Russia and Ukraine. Lyubov Sobol envisioned for a post-Putin Russia where people will not be afraid of speaking freely, where every individual will have equal rights and the possibility to participate in elections, where everyone will have the possibility to defend themselves in courts, and where the laws are built for people, and not the other way around. She underlined the difficulty of the process but recalled following the example of Estonia, Poland and other countries who have managed to build democratic states and economic growth. Then she turned into a discussion on the future of Russian opposition, wishing Yulia Navalnaya, Alexei Navalny’s widow, the best in leading the Russian opposition and in continuing the work against corruption and Putin’s regime.
Nadya Tolokonnikova proposed a discussion on how Russian people could contribute to the fight against Putin’s regime. As a dissident, she was not comfortable in providing advice to young Russian people on whether to fight within or outside the country. She addressed a moving message to young Russians thanking them for their astonishing bravery and asking them to use their best skills to achieve the results, whether that means fighting within Russia or leaving the country. “Find out what you can do but sustainably, because you don’t want to burn out in your fight, you want to be consistent” was Nadya’s advice.
Lucy Shtein, as a municipal deputy in Moscow, was asked to speak about the fight against Putin within the legal framework of the country. She described her fight as a ‘political legal struggle’, to inform citizens on the atrocities happening in the country and to make them aware of the dangers of propaganda.
David Isteev advocated for the necessity of the struggle to bring attention to mass killings and torture occurring in Chechnya, aiming to prevent the spread of these atrocities to other territories. Both David and Lucy work as crisis response coordinators, assisting LGBTQ individuals in fleeing Chechnya to ensure their safety and protection from persecution.
Marina Ovsyannikova focused on propaganda. She underlined that the problem in Russian journalists is not the consensus around Putin but rather the fear that surrounds him. She believes that the majority of her colleagues are afraid to speak freely against the regime because of the financial consequences. She believes they are hostages of Putin’s regime trying to save their lives and their family’s life.