Authoritarian regimes are undermining international norms on freedom of association and blocking U.S. efforts to support civil society. Are the United States and the international community doing enough to address the global crackdown on civil society? What support for civil society is most effective? And what changes in U.S. policy are needed?
Latest News and Press Releases
May 26, 2016
On May 15-19, attendees at a conference in Tbilisi, Georgia railed against threats they described as “homofascism,” “rainbow radicalism,” “demographic winter,” and “cultural Marxism.” These...
April 05, 2016
One thousand kilometers north of Moscow, the anti-LGBT propaganda law strikes again. Investigators in Arkhangelsk, Russia are inquiring into a complaint by local residents that Calvin...
March 21, 2016
This month Russia’s legislative body, the Duma, introduced a draft law that would further strangle the work of Russian NGOs. The Duma wants to broaden the definition of “political activity” that can...
February 29, 2016
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Russians have to depart the country to achieve their dreams. Leaving homes, jobs, friends, and family members behind simply to be who they...
January 21, 2016
In Russia, the year started with both good news and bad news for the country’s embattled LGBT community.
First, the bad. Persecution of NGOs working to defend the rights of LGBT people is as...
January 12, 2016
At the end of 2015 I had a chance to meet with several LGBT activists from Tajikistan. Most Americans know little about this Central Asian nation, which is situated between China and Afghanistan...
November 23, 2015
Authoritarian governments are waging an ideological war, and proponents of democratic ideals are on the defense. Russia actively exports its methodology: spread false news, restrict civil...
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December 12, 2013
Global Repercussions and U.S. Responses
Resources
Factsheet | 2016
The international LGBT community has watched in horror as Russia’s brand of discriminatory propaganda legislation has taken root outside its borders.
The flagship piece of that legislation, the federal law banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors,” has
Issue Brief | March 08, 2018
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On January 23, 2018, through the generous support of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Human Rights First hosted a public conference entitled, “Fake News, Free Speech, and Foreign...
Testimony | October 17, 2017
Senator Gardner, Co-Chair Smith, Ranking Member Cardin, and Members of the Helsinki Commission, I would like to thank you and Chairman Wicker for giving me the opportunity to testify today regarding...
Factsheet | April 20, 2017
Get the Facts: Crackdown on Gay and Bisexual Men in Chechnya
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Gay and Bisexual Men in Chechnya Under...
Report | April 12, 2017
The information battle: How governments in the former Soviet Union promote their agendas and attack their opponents abroad
Introduction
There has already been much discussion in the Russia-...
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