Nicaraguan human rights advocate Félix Maradiaga spoke at the 2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts University about his imprisonment under the Ortega regime and how authoritarian governments use arbitrary detention to silence dissent and instill fear.

Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool? As authoritarian regimes expand their reach, democratic governments often turn to economic sanctions as a response. But are sanctions effective in deterring repression & changing regime behavior, or do they risk harming civilians while entrenching dictators?

Nigerian artist and #EndSARS activist DJ Switch shares her powerful journey, from leading protests and surviving police brutality to living in exile, in a virtual talk at the 2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts University.

At the 2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts University, Uyghur rights advocate and author Jewher Ilham sheds light on the complicity of global fashion brands in Uyghur forced labor.

Parit Wacharasindhu, a Thai opposition politician, sheds light on how coups, military influence, and elite interests silence the people’s voice. In this powerful talk at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum, he calls for structural reform, civic courage, and true accountability for democracy to thrive.

Independent journalist & researcher Nyrola Elimä shares a powerful firsthand account of life in the Uyghur homeland under China’s oppressive surveillance state. Her work follows the journey of Uyghur refugees worldwide, shining a light on hidden human rights abuses.

Iraqi human rights advocate and founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, Faisal Al Mutar, spoke at the 2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts University on why democratic values must be taught, not imposed. Watch his full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfB7...

"Tanzania belongs to its people, not to those who terrorize them." Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a Tanzanian human rights activist and journalist, exposes a chilling campaign of repression by the Tanzanian government.

Lobsang Sangay, former president of the Tibetan government, spoke at the 2025 College Freedom Forum at Tufts University about the CCP's occupation of Tibet and its ties to natural resource exploitation. Watch his full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF8p...

Venezuelan opposition activist, Pedro Urruchurtu, spent over a year trapped in the Argentinian embassy in Caracas, surrounded by Nicolás Maduro’s forces. He shares his emotional journey of defiance against Venezuela’s dictatorship at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBVM...

Democratic opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane reveals the truth behind Mozambique’s rigged elections, exposing state corruption, political violence, and the looting of natural resources in his country. It’s time for the world to stand with Mozambique in the fight for democracy, justice, and hope.

"The truth is a fire that no regime can extinguish." Human rights activist Samady Ou shares his urgent story about the generational toll of authoritarianism in Cambodia and a powerful call to end impunity and reclaim freedom for all Cambodians. Hear his full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwou...

"In the Shadows: Gendered Violence Under Authoritarian Rule,” a panel hosted at the 2025 #OsloFF, unified courageous women's rights defenders from around the world to share how they confront gender-based & conflict-related sexual violence while fighting for justice, protection, & lasting healing.

Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. At the Oslo Freedom Forum, we’ve amplified the voices of survivors and frontline advocates combating human trafficking around the globe. Today, we amplify some of their powerful stories.

Ugandan lawyer & journalist Agather Atuhaire exposes the rising online censorship and harassment targeting activists and media during the 2025 Freedom Tech Track. Despite threats, Atuhaire continues finding bold, creative ways to protect free speech and amplify the truth.

Tibetan human rights activist Chemi Lhamo speaks out on China’s brutal occupation of Tibet and the resilience of the Tibetan people. Through nonviolent resistance, bold action, and youth-led organizing, the fight for freedom lives on. Hear her powerful story: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKMs...

At the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum, we honored the recipients of the Václav Havel International Prize for Creative Dissent. These trailblazers who use art, innovation, and fearless expression bravely challenge tyranny and inspire freedom worldwide.

Pema Doma, executive director of Students for a Free Tibet, took the stage at the 2025 #OsloFF to highlight the frontline role of Tibetan youth in the global fight against authoritarianism, emphasizing the urgency of defending identity, culture, and freedom through international solidarity.

Human rights activist Alejandra Serrate exposes the Bolivian regime's facade of democracy and reveals its blatant human rights violations during her 2025 Ignite Talk. Watch the full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Vt...

The 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum Recap Report is here. A reflection on the talks, ideas, and moments that shaped this year’s conference — and the people who made it all matter. Explore the 2025 conference here: hrf.org/latest/2025-...

At the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum, Srdja Popovic explored how a powerful civic uprising in Serbia is confronting authoritarianism with radical empathy, disciplined nonviolence, and decentralized leadership, offering powerful lessons for the future of nonviolent resistance.

Somali-born artist FaceSoul took the stage at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum with a performance rooted in his experiences of displacement and resilience, bridging art and human rights to inspire collective reflection and action.

"I pulled out threads from the rotten military blankets, and I started making a doll, hoping it would be a totem for our freedom.” Syrian artist and activist Azza Abo Rebieh took the stage at the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum to share how she has used her art as a beacon of hope for a free Syria.

North Korean defector and human rights advocate Kim Yumi shed light on the realities of life under one of the world's most repressive regimes at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum. Watch her full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz2T...

At the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum, Evgenia Kara-Murza, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Sir William Browder stood as powerful voices against authoritarianism in Russia.

So many Uyghurs are forced into labor to feed the global supply chains. Nyrola Elimä delivered a powerful firsthand account of life in the Uyghur region under China's repressive surveillance state.

Despite censorship and surveillance, Enrique Del Risco has worked hard to share the real stories of life in Cuba. At the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum, he explores how the regime manipulates fear, memory, and identity to maintain control and how totalitarianism lingers in the stories we tell ourselves.

Thailand’s political system, shaped by coups, military influence, & elite interests, continues to deny the people’s voice. Parit Wacharusindhu is taking a stance, making sure no cases of corruption go undetected or unpunished within parliament. Watch his full talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fig_...

This week on Open to Debate: youtu.be/wTaibJRRngw

"This war will end, but the women need to rebuild." Sulaima Ishaq Elkhalifa Sharif sheds light on the endurance of Sudanese women in the face of persecution from the government at the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum.

Judi Rever took the stage at the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum to expose the war crimes and violence committed by the Kagame regime. Hear her shocking insights: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2HP...

At the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum, Ani Chkhikvadze chronicles the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters advocating for Georgia’s democratic future and reveals how a Kremlin-aligned oligarch’s government has weaponized fear and silenced dissent.

The 2025 #OsloFreedomForum is now in the books! In this thread, you’ll find powerful talks from dissidents, journalists, and artists who stood on the OFF stage this year. Watch, share, and be inspired.

Anamalala! Anamalala! Venâncio Mondlane says enough is enough at the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum, where he exposed #Mozambique’s corruption, political violence, and exploitation of natural resources.

ARC celebrates this year’s winners of the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent, presented by the @hrf.org and the @oslofreedomforum.com. (1/5) oslofreedomforum.com/havel-prize/

From the Oslo Freedom Forum (@oslofreedomforum.com), a column, some notes, from me. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/im-alive

We are attending the 2025 @oslofreedomforum.com that assembles freedom fighters, dissidents and activists who fight worldwide for democracy and against authoritarianism. Check out their livestream.

“Your strength is not the evening news. We are running a marathon, not a sprint.” @hrf.org Chair at @oslofreedomforum.com

Today at @oslofreedomforum.com, Hong Kong Watch co-founder and Trustee Benedict Rogers joins @carmenlau.bsky.social, @chloecheung.bsky.social, & @samuelbickett.bsky.social, to discuss the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms in #HongKong👇 oslofreedomforum.com/event/oslo-f...

Secretary General dr. Mantas Adomenas joined a round table discussion on the establishment of UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy, organized @oslofreedomforum.com by #Civicus and @democracywithoutborders.org #democracy #humanrights

I took the stage at @hrf.org 's @oslofreedomforum.com to speak about the role funders like @freedomfund.bsky.social can play in supporting civil society groups working in repressive environments. Congratulations to HRF for providing a powerful platform for courageous activists.

Three days. Hundreds of human rights defenders. One shared struggle for freedom. Watch the official recap of the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum, a global gathering of courage, resistance, and hope. This is what the frontlines of freedom look like when we dare to imagine. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVxo...

We already can’t wait for next year! Lock in your registration for the 2026 #OsloFreedomForum today and be part of the global movement for human rights and freedom. oslofreedomforum.com/event/oslo-f...

Welcome to Day Two of the #OsloFreedomForum! ✨ Get ready for more powerful stories from some of the world's most prominent human rights defenders in just a few hours.

Are you ready to #Imagine at the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum? 🤔 Our first round of speakers will be taking the #OsloFF stage in just two hours! youtube.com/live/F2Rbjpp...

✨ Good morning and welcome to the 2025 #OsloFreedomForum! We can’t wait to see everyone at the Oslo Konserthus in just a few hours. Don’t forget to follow our X and Instagram accounts at @osloff for updates throughout the day.

We are so excited to see everyone tomorrow at Day One of the 2025 #OsloFF! Check out our website for more information on all theater and interactive session speakers, plus all our upcoming performers and artists: oslofreedomforum.com/event/oslo-f...

The #OsloFF features insightful experiences that bring awareness to the world’s most pressing human rights issues. “War Up Close” is an immersive exploration of the Ukrainian experience through panoramic views, drone footage, & advanced 3D modeling. Witness the impact of war firsthand at #OsloFF.

Tomorrow, we will gather again at the Oslo Konserthus in Oslo, Norway, to join a global community of activists, journalists, artists, technologists, and entrepreneurs at the #OsloFreedomForum. Join us: youtube.com/live/F2Rbjpp...

🎬 #OsloFreedomForum attendees: Join us at Cinemateket for an exclusive screening of "Seed of the Sacred Fig" at 15:00. Smuggled out of Iran, Mohammad Rasoulof’s film is a bold act of defiance — and a cinematic weapon against authoritarian control.