International Human Rights Conference
Germany
Pro-Democracy Activists: Dissidents Fight for Democracy and Human Rights
Panel discussion ‘The struggle of dissidents for democracy across borders’: Marcus Michaelsen, expert on digital transnational repression, Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, Bonn; Shukria Barakzai, former member of the Afghan Parliament; women's rights activist, London; Anna Matsiyeuskaya, Belarusian lawyer and pro-democracy activist, Warsaw.
On 11 December 2024, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation jointly convened an international conference in Berlin titled “Pro-Democracy Activists: Dissidents Fight for Democracy and Human Rights.”
Among the participants were well-known activists such as Iranian human rights defender Masih Alinejad, Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López, Afghan former MP and women’s rights activist Shukria Barakzai, Hong Kong activist Ray Wong, and Belarusian pro-democracy advocate Anna Matsiyeuskaya. A special highlight was an interview with Ilya Yashin, the Russian opposition leader who had been released from prison in August 2024 through an international prisoner exchange.
“Defending our freedom requires courage, cooperation, and determination.”
– Antje Schippmann –
Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation
“Defending our freedom requires courage, cooperation, and determination.”
– Antje Schippmann –
Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation
The message of the conference was clear: the fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights never ends and requires global solidarity. In her welcome address, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Deputy Chair of the FNF Board, stressed: “Defending our freedom requires courage, cooperation, and determination.” Antje Schippmann, Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, highlighted the strategic importance of working closely with dissidents. In their keynote speeches, López underlined the global nature of authoritarian threats, while Alinejad spoke powerfully about the systematic oppression of women in Iran, calling the compulsory hijab “an invisible wall of control” and reminding the audience that “freedom is fought for, not given.”
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Deputy Chair of the Executive Board, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
Ilya Yashin, Russian opposition leader and pro-democracy activist, Berlin
One of the important themes of the conference was the cross-border struggle for democracy and recognizing gender apartheid – particularly visible in Afghanistan – as an international crime. In this regard, Barakzai warned that Afghan women continue to live without basic rights, while Matsiyeuskaya described harsh detention conditions for women in Belarus and the growing use of digital surveillance by authoritarian regimes. Moreover, experts highlighted China’s expanding transnational repression, including intimidation, cyberattacks, and secret overseas police stations operating in Europe. The speakers stressed the urgent need for Germany and the EU to protect dissidents and counter foreign interference.
In her closing remarks, Teresa Widlok, Head of the Global Theme Division at FNF, emphasized the responsibility of the international community: “We must stand firm for our values, work together across borders, and ensure that human rights violations do not go unnoticed.” The conference also reflected the goals of the FNF’s “Stand Up for Democracy” campaign, dedicated to strengthening global democratic resistance.
“We must stand firm for our values, work together across borders, and ensure that human rights violations do not go unnoticed.”
– Teresa Widlok –
Head of the Global Theme Division at FNF
“We must stand firm for our values, work together across borders, and ensure that human rights violations do not go unnoticed.”
– Teresa Widlok –
Head of the Global Theme Division at FNF
Video 1
Masih Alinejad (KeyNote), Human Rights Defenders – Pro-Demokratie-Aktivistin, Iran
Click the CC button for English subtitles.
Video 2
Leopoldo López (KeyNote), Human Rights Defenders – Pro-Demokratie-Aktivist, Venezuela
Click the CC button for English subtitles.
Panel discussion ‘Transnational Repression – Chinese Influence in Germany’: Maxim Kurnikov, Editor-in-Chief of Radio Echo; BILD editorial team, Markus Frenzel, investigative journalist, author of ‘China Leaks’, Dr Mareike Ohlberg, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund, Berlin, and Ray Wong, pro-democracy activist, founder of Freedom for Hong Kong e.V., Berlin.
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