Authoritarianism

Ukraine and Russia

On-Going

Crisis

Past Work

What's Going On

Ukrainian and Russian activists are working to defend human rights, challenge corruption, and oppose the Russian government's brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Where It's Happening

What We're Doing

We're partnering with civil society groups to hold abusive and corrupt actors to account, including by advocating for targeted sanctions and criminal prosecution.

Our Work in Ukraine

Join the Work

Join our civil society coalition to learn about and advocate for targeted sanctions.

Ukraine and Russia

Authoritarianism

Human Rights First Condemns Renewed Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Calls for Targeted Sanctions on Corrupt and Abusive Officials

WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the Russian government’s decision to recognize two regions of Ukraine as independent states, Human Rights First condemned Russia’s dangerous actions as a deepening and…

Press

Authoritarianism

Human Rights First Expresses Solidarity with Ukrainian People

WASHINGTON D.C. – In response to the Russian government’s declaration of war on Ukraine, Human Rights First called for international solidarity with the Ukrainian people. “We are appalled by the…

Press

Authoritarianism

From Magnitsky to the Mothers of Mariupol

Congress Must Stand with Victims and Strengthen the Global Magnitsky Act By Mike Breen and Mike Abramowitz In recent weeks, the world has once again been confronted with the horrifying reality of war…

Blog

Authoritarianism

Listening to Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ukraine

No-one knows how many war crimes have been committed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February, or how many were committed since Russia’s 2014 invasion of the eastern part…

Letter

Authoritarianism

A Taste of Normal Life in a Ukrainian City at War

KHARKIV — Finding a slice of normalcy during war is a strong instinct for many people. Activists all over the world stress the importance of clinging onto shreds of ordinariness during…

Blog

Authoritarianism

Leading Rights Activist Joins Ukraine’s Army and is Taken Prisoner

By Brian Dooley It’s an agonizing decision for human rights defenders: is there a point where they switch from peaceful resistance to take up arms? For some defenders who are…

Blog

Authoritarianism

“There is a Shortage of Body Bags”

By Brian Dooley On the first night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, Human Rights Defender Mila Yankina from the NGO ZMINA spoke to me from a bomb shelter…

Blog

Authoritarianism

U.S. Should Spell Out How It Will Help Activists Needing to Flee Ukraine

By Brian Dooley The U.S. State Department assures us that “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to putting human rights and democratic principles at the center of our foreign policy,” and…

Blog

Authoritarianism

Targeted Sanctions on Corrupt and Abusive Russian Officials: What Civil Society is Calling For

By Gita Howard, Adam Keith Human Rights First has called for the United States and other governments to immediately impose targeted Global Magnitsky sanctions on corrupt and abusive Russian officials.…

Blog

Authoritarianism

Human Rights Activists in Ukraine Call for Swift Response

By Brian Dooley Human rights activists in Ukraine are telling Human Rights First about the immediate impact on them of the Russian invasion, and what they want from the United…

Blog

Authoritarianism

How LGBT Groups in Kharkiv Help The City Fight Back

By Brian Dooley and Vasyl Malikov This week’s stunningly successful counteroffensive by Ukrainian soldiers against Russian forces in the northeast of the country led to terrible retaliatory attacks by Russia…

Blog