American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights: Exiles From Dictatorships Standing Up For Stronger Democracies In Their New Countries

Since its inception in 2012, the American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights (ARA) jas sought to make USA institutions, with a focus on its foreign policy debates as well as the international civil society work in support of democracy to be more reflective of the voices of exiles from authoritarian regimes. These individuals offer first-hand experience of the impacts of the lack of democracy on daily lives and economic aspirations. They also set examples by the sacrifice they made in defense of democratic principles. They have a vital interest in the strength and the inclusivity of those democracies that have welcomed them; hence, they are eager to contribute to defending these democracies against threats, foreign as well as domestic.

In 2023 the ARA continued its previously established direct dialogue with the US Government, mainly via the State Department, on issues of core concern to Russia’s political exiles. Through this dialogue, the Association managed to make its voice heard through several political analyses and recommendations that resulted in providing the US government with key information concerning Russian political figures and actors. This included tracking attempts by anti-democracy actors from Russia and other former Soviet countries to infiltrate American public debates. Thus, for example, ARA was able to provide an early warning about three speakers from the region who were known in their home countries for white supremacist and xenophobic positions and were provisionally scheduled to speak at a conference held by a DC-based think tank.

As a positive outcome, the three speakers flagged by the organization were not included in the post-event publications. Their names and presentations were omitted, and the DC-based think tank was now aware of their political positions. This is but one example of ARA striving to protect and advance democratic values and human rights, including minority rights, in the context of American public debates involving Russia and other post-Soviet countries.