CFF UFM HRF | Defending Freedom Against Authoritarianism

Lisa Quan  | 07 de marzo de 2025  | Vistas: 2

The College Freedom Forum, organized by Universidad Francisco Marroquín in collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation, is a platform where students have the opportunity to hear stories from activists who have challenged authoritarian regimes and fought for human rights. In its eighth edition, the event featured prominent freedom advocates who discussed the nature of authoritarianism, the manipulation of information, and the role of civil society in defending democracy.

The panel, moderated by Roberto Quevedo, featured Joey Siu from Hong Kong, China; Anaïse Kanimba from Rwanda; and Anna Chekhovich from Russia. They shared their experiences and perspectives on the struggle for freedom and human rights in their respective countries.

The panelists shared experiences from their home countries—China, Russia, and Rwanda—where government control has been reinforced through censorship, propaganda, and the suppression of dissenting voices. 

Autocracy and dictatorship do not have a political leaning. It’s about power, and people need to fight that.” – Anaïse Kanimba

One of the central points of discussion was how authoritarianism is not limited to a specific political ideology but rather serves as a method of holding power at the expense of citizens’ freedoms. Anna emphasizes the importance of developing critical thinking, especially in countries with authoritarian regimes like Russia. She highlights that under Putin's 25-year presidency, an entire generation has been raised on his propaganda, making it challenging to find truthful information. Anna underscores that families play a crucial role in helping children seek alternative sources of information and resist government manipulation, as other institutions in Russia are not allowed to speak freely. 

The conversation also addressed how authoritarian governments manipulate education to shape young people’s perception of reality. Chekhovich and Kanimba explained how younger generations in their countries have grown up under a single narrative, making it difficult for them to question existing power structures. They also highlighted how regimes use language to disguise repression and the lack of human rights.

Only critical thinking will lead to this urge of searching for alternative sources of information. It's very important that families contribute to that and don't allow their kids to believe whatever they are exposed to.” – Anna Chekhovich

Another fundamental topic was the tension between freedom and security, especially in a world where governments justify surveillance and restrictions on rights in the name of stability. Anaïse emphasized the delicate balance between security and freedom, highlighting how dictators abuse the fight against terrorism to strip people of their rights. She explained that this misuse has spread globally, even in democracies, urging a reevaluation of what security and freedom truly mean, ensuring they are not mutually exclusive.

Joey shared her experience regarding China’s secret police stations in democratic countries, which are used to spy on dissidents, coerce their families through hostage diplomacy, and spread state propaganda. These stations, linked to Chinese embassies and state-affiliated organizations, target pro-democracy activists by pressuring their relatives in China. She emphasized the growing threat posed by China’s expanding authoritarian influence worldwide.

We have to rethink as a society, as a community in the world, of what security means and what freedom means, and they cannot be at the cost of each other.” – Anaïse Kanimba

The panelists also discussed the risks and complexities of idealizing political and social movement leaders. Anna warned that in authoritarian regimes, this idealization is particularly dangerous, as it centralizes power in one individual and creates fear of instability if that leader is removed—similar to what is happening in Russia with Putin. 

Anaïs pointed out that some leaders exploit their country's vulnerabilities to consolidate power, as seen in Rwanda, where Kagame gains loyalty by positioning himself against the West despite harming his own people. 

Joey reflected on both the benefits and dangers of leader-focused movements, recalling how Joshua Wong attracted crucial international attention to the 2014 Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong, but also made the movement an easy target. She emphasized the importance of empowering grassroots communities and adopting decentralized approaches, as seen in the 2019 Hong Kong protests, where leaderless demonstrations used social media to evade repression.

Your tiny action is going to become something very powerful that could really impact and that could really drive changes in your society, in your community.” – Joey Siu

The conference concluded by encouraging young people to take an active role in defending human rights and freedom. The panelists emphasized the power of individual action and the importance of believing in one’s ability to create change. They urged young people to stay informed, take the first step toward activism, and recognize that even small efforts can have a meaningful impact.

You have agency, you have a voice, you can use it, and you can go a long way. And together with people around us, humanity can go and can be stronger.” – Anaïse Kanimba

Explore more content about human rights and the role of education in defending freedom in past editions of the College Freedom Forums at UFM.