Freedom Now’s staff, friends, supporters, and former clients gathered on October 15, 2026 to celebrate 25 years of defending human rights and the rule of law by helping to secure the release of prisoners of conscience around the world.
We were joined by former prisoners of conscience Abdoul Aziz Goma and Serikzhan Bilash as well as Gulya Nur, a relative of Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, a lawyer imprisoned in Uzbekistan. Each of these brave individuals discussed their experiences and how impactful Freedom Now’s work has been in their lives. Their relentless activism, even as they continue to face pressure from repressive regimes, is inspirational. It is also a stark reminder of the scores of dedicated individuals still wrongfully imprisoned by authoritarian governments around the world.
Although they were unable to join the event, Rep. Jim McGovern and Rep. Jamie Raskin both issued statements congratulating Freedom Now on the anniversary.
The short video below includes some of the evening’s highlights. You can view more photos of the event here, the full remarks of all the speakers, and a visual timeline our work.