Dissidents and Dictators

Ahmed Albasheer is an Iraqi comedian and political satirist best known for hosting “The Albasheer Show,” a weekly program that humorizes Iraqi politics. In this episode, recorded at the 2021 Oslo Freedom Forum, Albasheer shows the power of humor in challenging corruption, war, repression, sectarianism, and authoritarianism in Iraq.

When bank accounts are closed or currency devalued, pro-democracy activists have turned to Bitcoin to keep their advocacy afloat. Simultaneously, in El Salvador, populist leader Nayib Bukele has used Bitcoin to further his authoritarian agenda. In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, activists from Belarus, Russia, and Togo discuss whether Bitcoin is compatible with liberal democracy. Featured Guests: Anita Posch, host of “The Anita Posch” Show Jaroslav Likhachevskiy, co-founder, BYSOL Farida Nabourema, Togolese human rights defender Nelson Rauda, Salvadoran investigative journalist, El Faro Leonid Volkov, Russian anti-corruption advocate

In 2019, Tanzania outlawed child marriage, but marriage laws have yet to be amended and child marriage remains a serious issue. In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, Zuhura Abdul Sakaya, a young Tanzanian advocate for girls' and women’s rights, discusses the situation in Tanzania, the lifelong consequences for girls, and the next steps in the struggle against child marriage. Featured Guests: Zuhura Abdul Sakaya, Tanzanian youth advocate Leyla Hussein, global advocacy director of The Girl Generation, psychotherapist, and anti-FGM activist

For years, Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega has abused opponents almost entirely free from the world’s attention. But in 2018, democracy advocate, Félix Maradiaga, took the country’s future into his own hands, exposing Ortega’s rampant crimes. In this episode, recorded at the 2019 Oslo Freedom Forum, Maradiaga discusses how he rallied the world to pay attention. In 2021, Maradiaga was arrested and held in solitary confinement. In February 2023, he and 221 other prisoners of conscience were released and sent to the United States.

The Chinese government goes to extreme lengths to silence criticism and instill fear among Chinese, Uyghur, Hong Kongers, Tibetan, Taiwanese, and religious communities abroad. In this episode, frontline activists discuss transnational repression and the Chinese government’s various methods of monitoring, surveilling, and intimidating dissidents abroad. Featured Guests: Joey Siu, Hongkongese-American human rights activist Tenzin Yangzom, Campaign manager of Students for a Free Tibet Zumretay Arkin, Uyghur-Canadian activist and program & advocacy manager of World Uyghur Congress Jenny Wang, Human Rights Foundation

Much of France's African empire fell away during decolonization, but 15 nations still use the CFA Franc and thus remain under its control. France has historically devalued the CFA Franc to buy cheaper goods at the expense of the 183 million Africans in the CFA zone. In this episode, recorded at the 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, participants discuss their battle against monetary colonialism and how Bitcoin can play a role in helping change the tide. Farida Nabourema, Togolese democracy advocate Magatte Wade, Senegalese entrepreneur

This episode, recorded at the 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, explores the struggle for human rights and democracy in the digital age. Increasingly sophisticated technology has provided new avenues for authoritarian regimes to target activists, stifle dissent, and encroach on civil liberties. Panelists discuss how regimes abuse technology and share insight into how the tech industry can unite to protect human rights globally. Featured Guests: Manal al-Sharif, Saudi women’s rights activist & cyber security expert Scott Carpenter, policy director at Jigsaw Felicia Anthonio, campaign manager for Access Now’s #KeepItOn campaign Arthur Holland Michel, author & surveillance expert

One of the greatest financial innovations in the past five years is the stablecoin — a virtual asset pegged to the dollar but used heavily by individuals who can’t access their country’s currency. In this episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, we hear from the creator of the world’s biggest stablecoin, Tether, and a Nigerian entrepreneur who can attest to the remarkable rise of stablecoins in her own country. Featured Guests: Alejandro Machado: Co-founder of the Open Money Initiative Paolo Ardoino: Chief technology officer, Tether Ire Aderinokun: Co-founder and VP of engineering, Helicarrier

Featured Guests: Anjan Sundaram: Author and journalist Alex Gonzalez Davidson: Environmental activist and president of Mother Nature Cambodia Mónica López Baltodano: Nicaraguan human rights lawyer John Unzima: Ugandan journalist and environmental activist This episode, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, explores the intersections between human rights, technology, and environmental advocacy. Participants discuss the perils faced by environmental activists, journalists, and others who work to protect the environment in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes.

Saudi Arabia’s murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi; Belarus’ hijacking of a plane to arrest opposition journalist Roman Protasevich; and Rwanda’s forceful rendition of “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina are some of the most well-known examples of transnational repression by authoritarian regimes. They are part of a larger trend of regimes aggressively reaching across the globe to silence or intimidate dissidents in exile. This panel discussion, recorded at the 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum, examines the practice of transnational repression, mainly as it targets independent journalists. Featured Guests: Megha Rajagopalan: Investigative journalist Rushan Abbas: Executive director of Campaign for Uyghurs Masih Alinejad: Iranian journalist and activist Can Dündar: Turkish journalist and documentarian