During an interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on his quarterly report on Ukraine, HRHF underscored Russia’s occupation of Crimea as marked by widespread abuses, eroding prospects for peace, reconciliation and global security. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIzQ...

This weekend, 123 people were pardoned in #Belarus incl. our colleagues Ales Bialiatski & Uladzimir Labkovich. HRHF continues to call for justice for them, and for the release of 1100+ political prisoners that remain behind bars. spring96.org/en/news/119271

We are saddened by the passing of Laila Bokhari. Since joining HRHF’s board in 2019, Laila brought years of expertise and principled guidance. A distinguished political scientist, diplomat, and politician, she devoted decades to human rights. Our condolences to her family.

Celebrating #HumanRightsDay2025 with great news: our colleague Lela Tsiskarishvili received the 2026 French-German Human Rights Award. Well-deserved recognition of her years of dedication to supporting victims of torture and promoting human rights.

In Crimea, people vanish — taken by Russia’s security services, held in secret, often tortured, and later reappear as defendants in fabricated trials. Learn details in HRHF’s latest interview with a Crimean HRD on enforced disappearances bit.ly/4rFNVRz

🔗 Coming soon: HRHF interview on enforced disappearances and incommunicado detentions in Crimea with a HRD from Crimean Process / Human Rights House Crimea. Photo: Pre-trial detention centre No. 2 in Simferopol, Crimea / RFE/RL #Crimea #HumanRights #Ukraine #Russia

“Organisations not yet targeted by the Georgian government’s ‘foreign agents’ law are forced to prepare for its impact. For those who are, their work has been frozen—or ended.” Full: bit.ly/43o9ATM

“Most [letters] don’t get through – they’re filtered. It’s almost impossible to convey solidarity directly. [But] writing still matters.” – Andrei Chapiuk on how people can support Belarusian political prisoners today. @freeviasna.org bit.ly/4nOFNfv

HRHF søker en engasjert og strategisk kommunikasjonsleder som skal løfte organisasjonens kommunikasjon og synlighet - nasjonalt og internasjonalt. 🗓️ Søknadsfrist: 16. desember 2025. 👉 Søk nå hodejegerne.recman.page/job/456863

💔 #FreeViasna: Ales Bialiatski, Valiantsin Stefanovic, and Uladzimir Labkovich have been imprisoned for 4 years and 4 months These prominent human rights defenders continue to serve long, politically motivated sentences simply for their work with Viasna. 🔗 freeviasna.org

In 2025, working as a #humanrights defender in Russia means living under constant pressure from the state. Find out more about life for those defending rights in the country today: bit.ly/4nD6piu

Despite growing international attention, concerns over #Serbia’s human rights situation are deepening, and civil society warns about escalating repression. Read the interview marking one year since Novi Sad railway canopy collapse and ensuing student protests: bit.ly/47CWGnK @yucom.bsky.social

“Civil society and human rights defenders are immensely important for the Council of Europe. Progress in human rights and democracy could never happen without them.” - Amb. Vebjørn Heines 🇳🇴 Read more: bit.ly/4n2dRTR @coe.int @norwaycoe.norway.no & Swiss FDFA

«Norge liker å kalle seg en forkjemper for menneskerettigheter… Da må vi også åpne dørene for dem som faktisk kjemper for disse rettighetene der de er under press.» panoramanyheter.no/amnesty-menneskerettigheter-visumfrihet/vi-stenger-doren-for-dem-som-forsvarer-menneskerettighetene/406702

“There’s a quiet form of intimidation happening that we think is being overlooked because it perhaps looks ‘less harsh’. People are increasingly called for informal meetings in public places.” Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40

Next week, Belarus' #humanrights record will be examined as part of the UN Universal Periodic Review. In August, HRHF supported representatives of Belarusian civil society to present an overview of violations and recommendations to states ahead of the UPR. More humanrightshouse.org/impact/un-ad...

It has been one and a half years since Anar Mammadli was detained in #Azerbaijan as reprisal for his election observation and #humanrights work. His detention is part of a worsening human rights situation in the country, marked by politically-motivated detentions.

“Organisations not yet targeted by the Georgian government’s ‘foreign agents’ law are forced to prepare for its impact. For those who are, their work has been frozen—or ended.” Read in full 👉 bit.ly/43o9ATM

“[Azerbaijanis] deserve to speak freely, to demand basic rights, to say on television: ‘I don’t agree with this policy’. That’s why we started. And that’s what keeps us going.” Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40

Belarusian #humanrights defender and political prisoner Uladzimir Labkovich turns 47 today. He should be celebrating with friends and family, but instead, he is behind bars as a reprisal for his legitimate human rights work. #FreeViasna #FreeThemAll #WeStandBYyou

Learn how HRHF’s 2025 Advocacy Training Programme for the Network of #HumanRightsHouses helped turn learning into action at the the Council of Europe 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWo... The Programme is implemented with support from @coe.int, @norwaycoe.norway.no & Swiss FDFA #HRHsInStrasbourg

"As we see in Belarus and Russia, the totality of these new or expanded laws and subsequent investigations has a chilling effect on civil society and anyone brave enough to express dissent." Full 👉 bit.ly/43o9ATM

Today, Azerbaijani Journalist and photographer Ulviyya Ali spends her birthday behind bars in Azerbaijan. She has been detained on spurious smuggling charges since 8 May 2025. HRHF continues to call for her release and for all political prisoners in the country.

“Five years is a long time… Once you’re free, you realise how big that [lost time] really is.” Belarusian former political prisoner Andrei Chapiuk speaks about his colleague Marfa Rabkova, who is serving almost 15 years behind bars in #Belarus. @freeviasna.org bit.ly/4nOFNfv

On 22 September 2025, Azerbaijani #humanrights defender and political prisoner Anar Mammadli delivered a statement from court deouncing the charges against him as baseless and politically motivated, and called for the Court to terminate the case. Read in full: bit.ly/473Sbkp

#WarsawHDC HRHF shared words from imprisoned Azerbaijani election monitor Anar Mammadli's trial opening statement, and urged OSCE Member States to act against reprisals targeting #humanrights defenders and journalists. youtu.be/Ct-MKXByABw

#HRC60: Over a decade of occupation has produced a total eradication of civic space, what our partner, the Crimean Human Rights Group, rightly calls a “prison” for the peninsula’s residents.

"On 4 October, #Georgia heads to the polls for local elections. Int'l community must ensure maximum pressure, accountability, and coherence of strategy in responding to 🇬🇪 #humanrights crisis." @delseroad.bsky.social neweasterneurope.eu/2025/10/02/there-is-still-time-to-pressure-georgian-authorities

This month marks five years since Belarusian authorities imprisoned Andrei Chapiuk—and six months since his release & exile. In a new HRHF interview, he reflects on life after prison, the #humanrights crisis in Belarus & colleagues still behind bars. @freeviasna.org Full interview: bit.ly/4nOFNfv

“The narrative from government officials over the last few years has shifted. “Human rights” and “democracy” are gone from the conversation.” Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40

#HRC60: HRHF and Human Rights House Yerevan urge the Armenian authorities to investigate attacks against civil society and tackle disproportionate use of force at assemblies, and to address the growing threat of SLAPPs (Strategic lawsuits against public participation).

"This year’s Václav Havel Prize must serve as a call to @coe.int to move from recognition to responsibility, from applause to accountability. Otherwise, the risk is that it becomes a monument to abandoned heroes rather than a call to action." www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democ...

Congratulations to our colleague, Ukrainian #humanrights defender Maksym Butkevych, for this well-deserved recognition.

Strasbourg visit of the 2025 Advocacy Training Programme is coming to an end but the work of HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses equipped with new perspectives continues. #HRHsInStrasbourg with support from @coe.int @norwaycoe.norway.no & Swiss FDFA

#HRC60: HRHF condemned reprisals against civil society, spotlighting the detention of Azerbaijani defender Anar Mammadli and the Russian Federation's designation of HRHF as "undesirable" last year.

Today, our colleague and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski turns 63. Instead of celebrating with his loved ones, friends, and colleagues, he is behind bars in #Belarus as a political prisoner. We continue to call for his immediate freedom. @freeviasna.org

Happy birthday, Ales! Next week, @pace.coe.int will award its Vaclav Havel Prize. Six laureates remain behind bars, incl. our colleagues Ales Bialiatski & Anar Mammadli. Thank you to PACE Secretary General Despina Chatzivassiliou for joining our call for the release of all political prisoners.

Thank you @norwaycoe.norway.no for hosting a reception, the 1st in the context of the new Group of Friends of Civil Society. HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses connected with diplomats & @coe.int stakeholders on strengthening human rights across the region. #HRHsInStrasbourg

🔔 REMINDER: Human rights defenders, you have until 30 September to contribute to my next report to the UN. I want to bring your voices directly to the Human Rights Council: what would you like me to tell States on your behalf? ⬇️ All practical details here ⬇️ srdefenders.org/submit-infor...

Continued reporting from the High Commissioner is essential, alongside robust engagement with authorities to repeal repressive laws, end politically-motivated prosecutions, and ensure accountability for violations in #Georgia. Full #HRC60 statement: bit.ly/4pEpwe4

In November 2025, UN member states will examine Belarus’ #humanrights record at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Since December 2024, HRHF has worked with Belarusian civil society to build capacity, assist with formal submissions, and to participate in the pre-UPR process. ℹ️ bit.ly/4gE16NG

Thank you Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjørn Berge for discussions on key human rights trends today with the HRDs from the Network of #HumanRightsHouses. #HRHsInStrasbourg with support from @coe.int @norwaymfa.government.no & Swiss FDFA

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the #humanrights situation in the Russian Federation remains indispensable, and we strongly support its renewal. youtu.be/klYd5uuL-rA

#HRC60: HRHF highlighted documentation from Ukrainian partners ZMINA detailing the suppression of civilians and the extension of Russia's legal system into the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as reports of atrocities by Russia's armed forces. youtu.be/opPi0Alb-Kg

#HRC60: Despite recent releases, 1000+ political prisoners still remain behind bars in #Belarus, incl. Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Marfa Rabkova and Nasta Loika. Full statement: youtu.be/iFGk3UN9DBo?si=EOHnzhT1mOiYCUiO

“The mission [is] to create a society like Turkmenistan, North Korea, so that the power is very safely and comfortably transmitted within [Aliyev’s] family.” Full interview with Azerbaijani #humanrights defenders bit.ly/4ppEp40 @abzasmedia.bsky.social @neweasterneurope.eu

HRHF welcomes findings made by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative on Civil Society Anu Juvonen following her visit to #Georgia from 7 to 11 September. HRHF repeats its call for the Georgian authorities to halt their crackdown on civil society. osce.org/chairpersonship/597606

💔 Marfa could have spent these five years studying, building her career, and helping animals — not behind bars. As former #politicalprisoner Andrei Chapiuk recalls, these years of Marfa Rabkova's youth were stolen by prison. 👉🏼 spring96.org/en/news/118702 #FreeMarfa #FreeViasna #FreeThemAll

Today marks five years behind bars for Belarusian #humanrights defender Marfa Rabkova. We continue to call for her release and for the release of all political prisoners in the country. @freeviasna.org

💔 On this day in 2020, Marfa Rabkova was arrested in #Belarus for her #humanrights work. She’s now serving nearly 15 years, facing loss and poor health behind bars. Standing for justice shouldn't mean prison. #FreeMarfa #FreeViasna #FreeThemAll