Free Russia Foundation welcomes and strongly supports the U.S. Senate’s resolution recognizing October 30 as the International Day of Political Prisoners — a symbolic date initiated by Soviet dissidents more than fifty years ago and now reaffirmed by democratic nations around the world.
This resolution is a powerful statement of solidarity with all those unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs, and a call to hold authoritarian regimes accountable for systematic repression.
Free Russia Foundation has long advocated for international recognition of October 30 as a day to honor political prisoners and to unite efforts toward their release.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice President of Free Russia Foundation and a former political prisoner himself, emphasizes the importance of this decision:
Free Russia Foundation welcomes and strongly supports the U.S. Senate’s resolution recognizing October 30 as the International Day of Political Prisoners — a symbolic date initiated by Soviet dissidents more than fifty years ago and now reaffirmed by democratic nations around the world.
This resolution is a powerful statement of solidarity with all those unjustly imprisoned for their beliefs, and a call to hold authoritarian regimes accountable for systematic repression.
Free Russia Foundation has long advocated for international recognition of October 30 as a day to honor political prisoners and to unite efforts toward their release.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice President of Free Russia Foundation and a former political prisoner himself, emphasizes the importance of this decision:
“I know from personal experience how important it is for political prisoners to feel the support of the outside world. With the designation of October 30 as the International Day of Political Prisoners, as has already been done by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the U.S. Congress is sending a powerful message of solidarity with all those imprisoned for their political or religious beliefs. And by urging continued international exchanges to free political prisoners from authoritarian countries, U.S. lawmakers are showing their support for the unjustly imprisoned not only in words but in action.”
“I know from personal experience how important it is for political prisoners to feel the support of the outside world. With the designation of October 30 as the International Day of Political Prisoners, as has already been done by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the U.S. Congress is sending a powerful message of solidarity with all those imprisoned for their political or religious beliefs. And by urging continued international exchanges to free political prisoners from authoritarian countries, U.S. lawmakers are showing their support for the unjustly imprisoned not only in words but in action.”
