About the Event
One year ago, Vladimir Kara-Murza was arbitrarily detained near his home in Moscow after denouncing Russia’s war on Ukraine. As an outspoken advocate for a free Russia, political opposition leader, journalist, and historian, Kara-Murza has been a courageous promoter of democratic values and fundamental human rights.
Kara-Murza’s almost year-long pretrial detention has faced multiple extensions as increasingly serious charges have been brought against him, including “spreading false information” for speaking freely about the atrocities of Putin’s regime. With recent news of Kara-Murza’s deteriorating health in prison, the need for his immediate release has become even more urgent. We must continue to speak out about Kara-Murza and the around 600 other political prisoners in Russia today.
The Free Russia Foundation, George W. Bush Institute, Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, Human Rights First, McCain Institute, National Endowment for Democracy, Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights, and the Reagan Institute have been working to advocate for Kara-Murza’s release and accountability for those involved in his persecution. This event brought together experts, activists, and policymakers to discuss Kara-Murza’s current detention, mechanisms for his release, and the prospects for a free and democratic Russia.
About the Speakers
Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland)
U.S. Senator for Maryland
Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois)
U.S. Senator for Illinois
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina)
U.S. Senator for South Carolina
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island)
U.S. Senator for Rhode Island
Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)
U.S. Senator for Mississippi
Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee)
9th District of Tennessee, U.S. House of Representatives
Representative Bill Keating (D-Massachusetts)
9th Congressional District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives
Representative Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts)
2nd District of Massachusetts, U.S. House of Representatives
Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-Virginia)
10th District of Virginia, U.S. House of Representatives
Evgenia Kara-Murza, keynote remarks
Activist and Spouse of Vladimir Kara-Murza
Ekaterina “Katya” Kara-Murza, keynote remarks
Daughter of Vladimir Kara-Murza
H.E.Māris Selga
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United States of America
Jack McCain
Reserve Aviator, U.S. Navy
Natalia Arno
President, Free Russia Foundation
Annie Boyajian
Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, Freedom House
Bill Browder
Founder, Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign
Ellen Bork
Fellow, George W. Bush Institute
Irwin Cotler
International Chair, Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights
Evelyn Farkas
Executive Director, McCain Institute
Rachel Hoff
Policy Director, Ronald Reagan Institute
David Hoffman
Journalist, Editorial Board, Washington Post
Adam Keith
Director for Accountability, Human Rights First
Damon Wilson
President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy
Image courtesy of Free Russia Foundation.
