Rachel Denber

We would like to express our full solidarity and support to Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Democracy Defenders, Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), Sapari, and Social Justice Center. The punitive measures taken against Georgian non-governmental organizations, resembling those of the Russian authorities, demonstrate that Ivanishvili’s government is determined to completely eliminate critical voices and pro-European groups in Georgia. All of this is happening at a time when Ivanishvili’s government has been given a concrete deadline by Europe to respond to whether they wish to preserve visa-free travel for the Georgian people. Through such actions, Ivanishvili’s government once again signals to the European Union that it has no interest in maintaining visa-free travel for Georgia. Creating such obstacles for Georgian NGOs, which defend the rights and interests of the Georgian population, also shows that the ruling party’s goal is to leave Georgian citizens without any assistance against the government’s repressive actions. By shutting down these organizations, thousands of people are being deprived of free legal aid and other essential services. We stand by your side, united in our shared aspiration for a free, fair, and democratic Georgia.

Russian forces are cutting off Kherson, striking the Kherson-Mykolaiv highway with drones and preventing access for civilians and humanitarian aid. This could trigger a humanitarian crisis, as thousands of people in the city and surrounding villages face severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. In just one week, nearly 2,000 drone attacks hit the region. 🎥: @unian

I met Bakhrom several times, a decent and honest man who dedicated himself to defending society’s most vulnerable. There is no place for someone like him in Russia today.

Bakhrom #Khamroev defended migrant workers’ rights and human rights of religious groups for 25years. Russia sentenced him for 13 y. His wife says he’s been transferred to the Polar Owl jail in the Arctic Circle; that he suffers from shingles. memorialcenter.org/en/stories/the…

PACE Delegates Warn of Authoritarian Backsliding in Georgia, Threaten Expulsion: "On 29 January 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly adopted Resolution 2585 (2025) ratifying the credentials of the Georgian delegation on the condition that Georgia meets democratic benchmarks by April 2025, including the release of political prisoners and the announcement of new parliamentary elections under improved electoral conditions. Instead, the situation has worsened dramatically. Senior opposition leaders have been imprisoned. Civil society activists and journalists face politically motivated criminal prosecution. This is no longer a series of isolated incidents but a sustained campaign to eliminate democratic opposition, restrict freedom of expression and silence civil society. Furthermore, the Georgian delegation has unilaterally withdrawn from the Assembly. This path of repression and disengagement violates Georgia’s obligations as a Council of Europe member and defies the Assembly’s authority. The Assembly must uphold its rules and resolutions. Ignoring authoritarian backsliding within a member State undermines the very foundation of this institution. If Georgia makes no progress in reversing its authoritarian course, we will challenge the credentials of the Georgian delegation on substantive grounds and call for the Assembly and the Committee of Ministers to begin the expulsion process of Georgia for serious violations of the basic principles of the Council of Europe mentioned in Article 3 of its Statute."

Last year, they could hold a proper funeral for Petro. This year, due to the constant drone threat, the priest performed a brief ceremony standing beside the car, doors open, with the coffin inside.

Last year Nataliia buried her father, Petro, after he died from injuries from a deliberate Russian drone attack on the minivan he was driving in #Kherson, Ukraine. Last week, she buried her mom, Tetiana, killed in her home from an artillery attack. @hrw hrw.org/news/2025/08/2…

Nataliia's father died last year when a Russian drone dropped an explosive on the minivan he was driving in #Kherson #Ukraine. Last week, another Russian attack killed her mother. As negotiations continue, Nataliia+Ukrainians like her deserve justice. @hrw hrw.org/news/2025/08/2…

ILO: Multiple sources confirm civil servants' involvement in cotton picking. Coercion is a key indicator of forced mobilization. Children picked cotton during the 2024 season #Turkmenistan ilo.org/publications/2…

Releasing war captives may be the one thing that all parties to Russia's war in Ukraine can quickly agree on. As Trump meets with Putin today in Alaska, stakeholders should prioritize releasing Ukrainian civilians unlawfully held by Russia. Read more: trib.al/1psOx7b

Good personal news: My father, Alexey Soldatov, has been released from jail, his prison sentence was replaced with a fine. He’s already home and doing well, all things considered. Thank you all for your support during this difficult year!

Releasing war captives may be the one thing that all parties to Russia's war in Ukraine can quickly agree on. This is what Trump should emphasize today in Alaska. 🇺🇦 civilians and POWs face systematic abuse in 🇷🇺 custody. hrw.org/news/2025/08/1…

"And for imprisoned Russian war critics, each day behind bars compounds the injustice they face. The fate of Russia’s war captives is a humanitarian issue that can be resolved soon. There isn’t a moment to lose."

"For the thousands of Ukrainian POWs and civilians in Russian custody, each passing day brings more brutality, torture, and indignity. For the thousands of Ukrainian children deported to Russia, each day in exile erodes their connection to their Ukrainian families and identity. "

Alaska: Releasing Ukrainian civilians unlawfully held by 🇷🇺, and also repatriated gravely ill POWs and Russian political prisoners may be the 1 thing all parties can quickly agree to. New Foreign Affairs piece by @TanyaLokshina hrw.org/news/2025/08/1…

@rochowanski @TanyaLokshina Sorry about that--will repost with correct link, but here it is for now: hrw.org/news/2025/08/1…

@Rachel_Denber @TanyaLokshina the link doesn't work (for me?)

Alaska: Releasing Ukrainian civilians unlawfully held by 🇷🇺, and also repatriated gravely ill POWs may be the 1 all parties can quickly agree to. New Foreign Affairs piece by @TanyaLokshina hrw.org/news/2025/08/1…

And for imprisoned Russian war critics, each day behind bars compounds the injustice they face. The fate of Russia’s war captives is a humanitarian issue that can be resolved soon. There isn’t a moment to lose,

"For the thousands of 🇺🇦 POWs & civilians in🇷🇺 custody, each day brings more brutality, torture, & indignity. For the thousands of 🇺🇦children deported to 🇷🇺, each day erodes their connection to their 🇺🇦families and identity....

Reform Promises Fall Short. State Workers in Turkmenistan Once Again Forced to Fund Cotton Harvest #Turkmenistan timesca.com/state-workers-…