Stand with us for global freedom
The Frontlines of Freedom is RDI’s flagship program, uniting over 100 political dissidents from more than 40 repressive countries. Dissidents channel their personal experiences to break through partisan echo chambers. FOF connects these courageous advocates with students through civic education programs at top universities as well as elected officials and business leaders in order to inspire Americans to stand up for our democracy.
What We Do
Frontline Fellows
Our Frontline Fellows are a vital network, fostering professional, personal, and political support for one another and the global pro-democracy movement.
FOF on Campus
Our campus program brings the activist perspective to students across the country, deepening their understanding of the geopolitical landscape, the reality of oppression, and America’s role on the world stage.
Sharing Stories
We amplify the voices of courageous dissidents to expose authoritarian threats, kickstart democracy’s survival instinct, and illuminate the path to a freer, more just world.
FOFCON
how we’re building DC’s most unique coalition
Scores of dissidents from around the world, a Tony-winning Broadway actor, a TikTok superstar, a retired three-star general, a Hollywood executive, a Republican national security advisor, and two Democratic senators walk into a DC hotel.
This isn’t the setup to a bad joke. It’s the premise of the Renew Democracy Initiative’s 2026 Frontlines of Freedom Conference.
Frontline fellows
Our Frontline Fellows are uniquely positioned to break through partisan shields and reveal the dangerous influence of authoritarians.
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David Smolansky
RDI Senior Fellow | VenezuelaSmolansky is the deputy director of foreign affairs office for the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, in Washington, DC. He was the 2024-2025 RDI Dissident-in-Residence at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and is now a Senior Fellow at RDI. -
Rushan Abbas
UyghurRushan Abbas is a Uyghur American activist and advocate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. She is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Campaign for Uyghurs and was elected the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of World Uyghur Congress in October 2024. Abbas became one of the most prominent Uyghur voices in international activism following her sister's detainment by the Chinese government in 2018. Abbas also serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of Germany's Axel Springer Freedom Foundation and as a board member of the Task Force on Human Trafficking within the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum. -
Dalia Ziada
EgyptDalia Ziada is an Egyptian award-winning writer and political analyst, specializing in governance, geopolitics, and defense policy in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. Dalia studied international relations, with a focus on international security studies, at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (U.S.). -
Joey Siu
Hong KongJoey Siu is a Washington, DC-based human rights advocate and Executive Council member of the World Liberty Congress, a global coalition of pro-democracy advocates. As a student leader, she played a crucial role during the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2019, organizing both on-campus and city-wide demonstrations. She also co-founded a student coalition that focused on international advocacy efforts for Hong Kong. -
Jonathan Duarte
NicaraguaJonathan Duarte is a Nicaraguan-American pro-democracy activist, electoral campaign strategist, and political consultant dedicated to the fight for freedom and democratic governance. With deep expertise in electoral campaigns both domestically and internationally, he has worked to strengthen democratic movements, support political candidates, and challenge authoritarian regimes through strategic and impactful campaigning. -
Tut Jikany
South SudanTut Jikany is a prominent figure in South Sudan, serving as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the South Sudan Democracy Initiative (SSDNI). He is also an active member of the World Liberty Congress and the Platform for African Democrats, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing democratic principles and human rights in the region. Tut is recognized as a political activist and a dedicated educator and philanthropist, working tirelessly to effect meaningful change in South Sudan. -
Mai Khôi
VietnamMai Khoi is an award-winning singer, composer, and activist. She rose to stardom in 2010 after winning the Vietnam Television Song and Album of the Year awards as one of the first female songwriters in Vietnam. As a pop star, Khoi released seven albums in genres of Vietnamese pop and dance, and made regular nationally televised performances. Several years later she became increasingly uncomfortable having to submit her work to government censors and, thinking she could reform the system from within, nominated herself to run in the National Assembly elections on a pro-democracy platform. -
Rahima Mahmut
UyghurA prominent voice for Uyghurs, Rahima is a human rights activist and distinguished Uyghur singer who has played a pivotal role in leading the movement to end complicity and drive action against the genocide occurring in her homeland. -
Andrei Sannikov
BelarusAmbassador Andrei Sannikov is a Belarusian diplomat, politician, and human rights activist. He is Chairman of the European Belarus Foundation. Born in 1954 in Minsk, he had a distinguished career in diplomacy, serving in the Foreign Ministry of Belarus and as Deputy Foreign Minister in 1995-1996. He resigned in 1996 in protest against President Lukashenko’s policies and became actively involved in civil society and opposition politics. -
Carine Kanimba
RwandaCarine Kanimba is a resilient survivor of Rwanda's 1994 genocide, where her father, Paul Rusesabagina, heroically saved over 1,200 lives in his hotel, a story later immortalized in the film "Hotel Rwanda." In a harrowing turn of events, her father was forcibly taken to Rwanda in 2020 and unjustly imprisoned for speaking out against the tyranny of the Rwandan president. As a dedicated global human rights advocate, Carine, alongside her family, led the #FreeRusesabagina campaign, shedding light on her father's wrongful detention and ultimately securing his release in 2023 after 2.5 years as a political prisoner. -
Fengsuo Zhou
ChinaFengsuo Zhou was a key student leader who helped organize the great democratic movement in Tiananmen Square in 1989 while he was a physics student at Tsinghua University. He was elected to the Executive Committee of Beijing Independent Student Alliance after Li Peng declared martial law in 1989. He was number 5 on the 21 most wanted list of student leaders after the massacre in June 1989. After spending a year in prison, he was released in 1990 due to international support. He came to the United States in 1995 and received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Business School in 1998. -
Sunny Cheung
Hong KongSunny Cheung is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Flow HK Media, with an audience group from more than 10 countries, which aims to combat authoritarian propaganda and promote democracy by providing in-depth analysis and investigative reporting. He also leads multiple diasporic projects overseas and advises the Hong Kong Democracy Council on human rights issues and Chinese politics in Washington, D.C. He has consulted for the U.S. State Department, the Taiwanese government, and different INGOs. He was the SNF Agora-RDI Dissident-in-Residence for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. -
Anna Kwok
Hong KongAnna Kwok is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Democracy Council (HKDC), a leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement and Hong Kongers in the United States. Under her leadership, HKDC advances Hong Kongers’ fight for basic human rights by fostering a coherent and collaborative community overseas. This is done through its three pillars of work: policy advocacy, diaspora empowerment, and research and education. HKDC actively monitors and documents the plight of political prisoners, as well as the Hong Kong government’s attempts to influence American businesses and foreign policy. HKDC is sanctioned and censored by the PRC and HKSAR governments. -
Sochua Mu
CambodiaMu Sochua is an outspoken activist and a former opposition politician from Cambodia. She left for the US as the Vietnam war was spreading and returned in 1991 to rebuild Cambodia, first by founding Khemara, an NGO for women’s empowerment, and then by joining politics. She won a seat in Parliament, serving as Minister for Women’s and Veteran’s Affairs from 1998-2004. During her tenure, she led a nationwide campaign to combat human trafficking and domestic violence. As the government became increasingly corrupt, Sochua made the decision to step down and join the official opposition, becoming Vice President of Cambodia’s National Rescue Party that was unconstitutionally dissolved in 2017 which forced her into exile. -
Alejandra Serrate Jáuregui
BoliviaMaría Alejandra Serrate Jáuregui is a Bolivian activist dedicated to defending democracy, human rights, and political freedom. She co-founded Resistencia Femenina Bolivia in 2017, a women-led movement promoting democratic values and civic engagement. Recognized for her activism, she was selected for the U.S. State Department’s IVLP program and the Human Rights Foundation Fellowship. She continues to fight for political prisoners in Bolivia and works to ensure justice and democratic integrity in her country. -
Carolina Barrero
CubaCarolina Barrero is an art historian, activist, and human rights advocate for the end of violence and authoritarianism, for peace and respect for civil and political rights. She took part in the protest movement that challenged Cuba’s totalitarian regime in 2021 as a member of the 27N movement of artists and intellectuals. -
Masih Alinejad
IranMasih Alinejad is the founder of My Stealthy Freedom campaign against compulsory hijab which since its launch in 2014 has become the largest civil disobedience campaign for women’s rights in the history of Islamic Republic. Masih is a prominent voice advocating for women’s rights and empowerment and has been recognized by BBC Persian and Iran Wire as one of the 50 most influential women in Iran. She is the President and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress. -
Kimhun Thit
CambodiaKimhun Thit serves as the Chairwoman of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Americas & Overseas Women's Affairs. In 2023, Kimhun founded the Khmer Democratic Rescue Foundation (KDRF), a 501c3 organization aimed at providing aid to those that are fighting for democracy. She plays a pivotal role in advancing legislation that supports democracy and human rights in Cambodia and fights against transnational repression. -
Emin Bayramli
AzerbaijanEmin Bayramli is a human rights advocate and the son of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, an Azerbaijani academic currently detained by the Azerbaijani government. Based in Washington, D.C., Emin has led congressional advocacy efforts for his father’s release, including securing over 30 co-sponsors for H.Res. 120. He has worked with the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, and the McCain Institute, and has spoken at Duke, Rutgers, and George Washington University. He holds a degree in Statistics with a minor in Economics from Rutgers University and works as a Data Associate. -
Marzieh Hamidi
AfghanistanMarzieh Hamidi is an Afghan taekwondo champion and human rights activist currently living in exile. After the Taliban’s return to power, she was forced to flee her country, which no longer allowed women to pursue sports or speak freely. In France, she has become a vocal advocate for the rights of Afghan women and girls, particularly athletes, and works to raise awareness of the gender apartheid imposed by the Taliban. She regularly speaks in the media and at international forums, calling for concrete actions to protect Afghan women and support their resistance. -
Katsiaryna Shmatsina
BelarusKatsiaryna Shmatsina is a Washington, D.C.–based political analyst and Belarusian scholar in exile. She focuses on Belarus, Russian foreign policy, and European security, drawing on more than a decade of experience with think tanks, international NGOs, and democracy support initiatives. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Governance at Virginia Tech. For her outspoken analysis, she was prosecuted in absentia by the Lukashenka regime and is also listed on Russia’s federal wanted list. -
Vladimir Kara-Murza
RussiaVladimir Kara-Murza is a Russian politician, historian, writer, and filmmaker who has devoted his life to the struggle for democracy and human rights. Imprisoned in 2022 for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, he was sentenced to 25 years before his release in 2024 in a landmark prisoner exchange. Kara-Murza has held leadership roles with international human rights organizations and is the recipient of the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. He lives with his wife and three children. -
Nicholas Opiyo
UgandaNicholas Opiyo is a Ugandan human rights lawyer recognized internationally for his work defending civil liberties, democracy, and justice. He grew up in Gulu during the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to protecting the rights of the vulnerable and marginalized. The founder of Chapter Four Uganda, Opiyo has held leadership and advisory roles with national and international organizations and is the recipient of major human rights honors, including the Human Rights Tulip, the German Africa Prize, and the Voices for Justice Award. -
Wu’er Kaixi
ChinaWu'er Kaixi is an outspoken pro-democracy activist and one of the most prominent student leaders of China's 1989 Tiananmen Square movement. An ethnic Uyghur born in Beijing in 1968, he helped found an independent student union at Beijing Normal University and became a leading voice in the spring 1989 protests. He publicly rebuked Premier Li Peng in a nationally televised meeting that May, becoming a household name across China. After the June 4 crackdown, he was placed second on the government's most-wanted list and escaped through Hong Kong under Operation Yellowbird, living in France and the US before settling in Taiwan in 1996. From exile, he has continued as a political commentator and human rights advocate, today advancing the cause of democracy through his work with the Federation for a Democratic China.
Education
FOF on campus
Frontlines of Freedom has reached thousands of students through campus events, an accredited course at Johns Hopkins University, and dissident-in-residence fellowships at other leading institutions.
Join Us on the Frontlines
The fight for freedom is a generational one—and we can’t do it alone. We need your support to amplify the voices of those standing up to oppression, inspire action through powerful storytelling, and build a global community committed to defending democracy. Join us in making a difference today.
VOICES OF FREEDOM WITH CNN
RDI launched Frontlines of Freedom in 2021 through a partnership with CNN called “Voices of Freedom,” elevating the inspiring stories of 13 democracy dissidents who shared their firsthand experiences of dictatorship as a stark reminder to Americans of the value of their own democracy.
Garry Kasparov
Russia
“Our generation will either renew democracy–or lose it forever.”
Fatou Jaw Manneh
The Gambia
“Our deepest fear for America–and the world.”
Leopoldo Lopez
Venezuela
“What I learned about freedom from a 2×2 Venezuelan prison cell.”
Marina Nema
Iran
“Your rights could be taken away rapidly. I know because it happened to me.”
Andrei Sannikov & Alexander Vindman
Belarus & The US
“One of us was tortured for fighting a dictator. The other was fired for blowing the whistle on Donald Trump.”
Wai Hnin Pwint Thon
Burma
“I met my dad for the first time when I was four, and he was behind bars.”
Masih Alinejad
Iran
“Exiled Iranian says the regime is scared for her.”
Claudia Escobar Mejia
Guatemala
“Why this judge rejected a bribe from Congress.”
Nathan Law
Hong Kong
“Democracy is not only Hong Kong’s fight.”
Evan Mawarire
Zimbabwe
“A moment of desperation with his country’s flag made this pastor go viral.”
Sochua Mu
Cambodia
“Why the Cambodian regime is trying to silence me.”
Mohamed Soltan
Egypt
“Two years in an Egyptian prison taught me this.”
Nury Turkel
Uyghur Region
“I was born in a Chinese ‘reeducation camp.’ I’m watching history repeat itself.”
Stay Informed, Stay Engaged
Become a Frontline Fellow
Be part of the movement for freedom and democracy. If you are a dissident or activist with a story to share and are looking for community, contact our Frontlines of Freedom Program Director Caitlin Forrest to learn more about our Frontline Fellows program.