Alexander Sikorski is a senior policy advisor at the Human Rights Foundation, where he focuses his research and writing on democracy, human rights, and corruption in Eastern Europe. He is the manager of HRF’s Ukraine Solidarity Fund, which provides humanitarian aid and financial support to Ukraine. He has been published in international publications including National Review, Netgazeti, and Deutsche Welle.
SpeakFreely: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, Alexander. What do you think are the most prevalent threats to human rights that aren’t being talked about enough?
Alexander Sikorski: I’m always surprised that the link between human rights and authoritarianism isn’t more widely acknowledged and investigated. The countries with the worst human rights records are all dictatorships. This isn’t a coincidence. Authoritarian regimes can get away with political repression, torture, or policy brutality because there are no mechanisms for accountability such as independent journalists, non-governmental organisations, or an impartial judicial system. People living under authoritarianism are more likely to live in extreme poverty, lack access to basic education, and face war and civil strife. And yet, many established human rights organisations and media outlets focus a significant amount of resources on human rights in democracies. Every country has its issues, but the greatest threats to human rights come from dictatorships.
SF: What advice would you give new activists looking to get involved in addressing human rights issues in their own countries?
AS: My advice is to focus on building a powerful support network. Activism can be dangerous. Dictatorships will do anything in their power to try and discourage you. They will lob baseless accusations at you, censor your words, track your movements, and try to intimidate you. But a strong team and network of allies will help you overcome any challenge. Lawyers, cybersecurity experts, philanthropists, journalists, and mental health experts will help you build skills and resilience. Find mentors who were activists before you. Many activists, even those coming from very different parts of the world, can find shared experiences in the struggle for freedom. Share strategies and help uplift each other’s causes. Activism can be difficult and isolating, but the right network will elevate your work.
SF: Do you think technology has contributed positively to advances in advocacy and activism for human rights?
AS: Technology has proved immensely useful for human rights activists all over the world. Social media has allowed activists to get the word out about human rights abuses, and made it easier to organise and coordinate protest movements. Both the Euromaidan Revolution in Ukraine and the Arab Spring were sparked by social media posts. Newer technologies, like Bitcoin, have also helped activists. In 2020, the Human Rights Foundation used Bitcoin to send money to activists and repressed protesters in Belarus, who would have otherwise been unable to receive support from abroad.
However, new technologies are also a powerful tool in the hands of authoritarian regimes. Mass surveillance systems, of the kind produced by Huawei and ZTE in China, enable dictatorships around the world to track the movements, financial transactions, and phone calls of dissidents. Authoritarian regimes like Rwanda, Hungary, and Thailand also use sophisticated spyware, like Pegasus, to target dissidents and track their conversations. Ultimately, activists have to keep innovating to stay one step ahead of dictatorships and continue to expose human rights abuses.
SF: You’re the manager of the HRF’s Ukraine Solidarity Fund, providing humanitarian aid and financial support to Ukraine. Can you tell us a bit more about the Fund and its mission?
AS: HRF set up the Ukraine Solidarity Fund immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine for the second time last February. Putin ordered the invasion because a successful, prosperous Ukrainian democracy threatened his regime in Russia. Today Ukrainians are not just defending their homeland, but also the principle that everyone should be allowed to choose their own leaders. Ukraine’s mission is therefore HRF’s mission. To that end, HRF has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Ukrainian people, and we’ve partnered with several humanitarian organisations working on the ground. Funds have gone towards supporting Ukrainian journalists with critical equipment, Ukrainian refugees in need of shelter abroad, and food, medical supplies, warm clothes, and power generators for those remaining in Ukraine. HRF has also organised high-impact campaigns to draw attention to Putin’s wars, and elevated Ukrainian voices, including that of 2022 Nobel Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, who spoke at HRF’s recent conferences in Oslo, New York, and Taiwan.
SF: Over a year on from the invasion, what is the most important thing that you want people to know about the situation in Ukraine that perhaps isn’t being widely covered?
AS: I’ve spent some time in Ukraine since last year, and I’ve been deeply impressed by the resilience of Ukrainian civil society. We hear a lot in the news about the military’s progress, about the delivery of weapons and humanitarian aid, and about which countries are helping and which aren’t. We see a lot of photos of flattened cities, Russian war crimes, and high-level politician meetings. But what has struck me is the maturity and determination of Ukrainians. Across the country there are thousands of people working on initiatives big and small, all with the goal of defending Ukraine and preserving its nationhood. It’s inspiring to see a democratic society work on the local level, where people are instantly willing to help one another out, whether it be by delivering food, evacuating the elderly, or taking in a stranger for the night. I think activists and world leaders have a lot to learn from the Ukrainian people, about how to organise an effective and resilient civil society.
SF: How can any interested readers get involved in supporting HRF?
AS: The best way to get involved with HRF is to come to one of our events! On June 13-15, we’re hosting the Oslo Freedom Forum in Oslo, Norway, where hundreds of activists, journalists, philanthropists, artists, and policymakers from around the world will convene to discuss solutions to some of today’s most pressing human rights issues. It’s the perfect opportunity to make connections, learn about human rights, and be inspired to take action in your own community. If you’d like to volunteer at the Oslo Freedom Forum, we’re also always looking for motivated students! Please send an e-mail to victoria.henriksen@hrf.org.
