New HRF Podcasts: July Recap

New HRF Podcasts: July Recap

Dissidents and Dictators is the Human Rights Foundation (HRF)'s podcast series that serves as a storytelling platform for some of the world's bravest activists, artists, policy-makers, business leaders, and technologists. Throughout the month of July, we have released a number of new episodes, including:


Episode #44 - Fatma Karume, Stopping Tanzania’s “Bulldozer” President

In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, Tanzanian lawyer Fatma Karume recounts her fight against Tanzania's late president, John Magufuli. Karume co-founded the Center for Strategic Litigation, and in response to her activism, her office was bombed and she faced disbarment. Karume has turned to Twitter to educate the public about human rights violations and raise funds for political prisoners.


Episode #45 - Evgenia Kara-Murza, A Letter from Vladimir Kara-Murza

In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, Evgenia Kara-Murza speaks on behalf of her husband, former OFF speaker and Russian opposition leader, Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was arbitrarily arrested in Moscow. Evgenia Kara-Murza is the project manager of the Free Russia Foundation, an international nonprofit that supports civil society and democratic development in Russia.


Episode #46 - How Democracies Enable Corrupt Regimes (And How To Fix It)

Recent events have thrust corruption into the spotlight. In 2021, United States President Biden recognized corruption as a threat to national security, months before the release of the Pandora Papers. In 2022, sanctions on Russian oligarchs have shown how much of these authoritarian regimes’ ill-gotten gains are hidden in democracies. This episode discusses how corrupt regimes launder their money, and the ongoing legislative efforts in the U.S. to address this issue. Guests include:

  • Casey Michel, Investigative Journalist & Author of American Kleptocracy

  • Paul Massaro, Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Helsinki Commission


Episode #47 - Hong Kong Today

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has continuously tried to suppress Hong Kong’s civil society, and the national security law — alarming legislation aimed at eradicating the pro-democracy movement — has been the final “nail in the coffin.” This episode discusses the deterioration of freedoms in Hong Kong and highlights the Chinese government's aggression. Guests include:

  • Josh Rogin, Washington Post Journalist and Columnist

  • Sunny Cheung, Hong Kong activist-in-exile

  • Anna Kwok, Strategy and Campaign Director at Hong Kong Democracy Council


Episode #48 - Lucy Kassa, Ethiopia’s Murky War

In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, Ethiopian investigative journalist Lucy Kassa discusses her extensive reporting on the war in Ethiopia, and the power journalism holds to expose human rights abuses. Despite suffering physical intimidation, death threats, and ongoing online trolling and smear campaigns, Kassa continues to report stories that bring attention to the victims of war.


Episodes are available on all major streaming platforms