The Case for Vladimir Kara-Murza: A Victory for Human Rights
On August 1st, after nearly 2 years of wrongful imprisonment, Vladimir Kara-Murza was released from a Russian prison, marking a significant victory for democracy and human rights advocates worldwide. Kara-Murza’s fight against authoritarianism and his steadfast commitment to a free Russia has inspired global efforts advocating for his release. The McCain Institute remains dedicated to supporting Kara-Murza as he continues his tireless work for democracy and human rights.
Putin’s motivations for imprisoning Kara-Murza underscore why his release was crucial not only for the West but for the entire world. As a leader dedicated to democratizing Russia, Vladimir Kara-Murza embodies a clear alternative to the authoritarianism propagated by Putin and the Kremlin. His courage continues to inspire those who seek a free and just Russia.
Throughout his imprisonment, Evgenia Kara-Murza, an esteemed human rights defender and Vladimir’s wife, led a coalition of NGOs and human rights lawyers to advocate for his freedom. Their relentless efforts included multiple letters to the Secretary of State and the President, garnering bipartisan support from 81 senators and representatives urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to declare Vladimir “unlawfully or wrongfully detained.” Their advocacy also helped impose Magnitsky Sanctions on seven officials responsible for his illegal detention. In recognition of his work, Canada’s Parliament granted Vladimir honorary citizenship. His recent release in August 2024 stands as a triumph for the global movement advocating democracy and human rights.
Vladimir Kara-Murza, as characterized by the late Senator John McCain, is a “brave, outspoken, and relentless advocate for freedom and democracy in Russia,” and introduced Mr. Kara- Murza as ‘‘a personal hero whose courage, selflessness, and idealism I find awe-inspiring.” The two friends shared an intrinsic connection rooted in their shared principles of a free and fair world. Their bond was not only that of close colleagues as exemplified by Kara-Murza serving as a pallbearer at McCain’s funeral.
The McCain Institute gave him the Sedona Forum Courage Award, we asked for sanctions, we sent a public letter to Secretary Blinken , and signed a joint-statement on the anniversary of his unlawful, arbitrary, and wrongful arrest. We held a joint high-level in-person event in The U.S. Capitol where 11 Senators and Representatives spoke to a standing-only crowd for two hours, and where one of Vladimir and Evgenia’s daughters bravely spoke about her father publicly for the first time.
While these political efforts faced significant challenges, including the administration’s reluctance to change Kara-Murza’s status under the Levinson Act, Vladimir’s recent release in August 2024 was a significant victory. His lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov, had been forced to continue his efforts in exile due to credible threats in Moscow, and Kara-Murza had been denied legal appeal in Russian courts despite severe health deterioration. The international pressure, including the submission of an “Urgent Appeal” to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, was instrumental in securing his release. Kara-Murza’s return to freedom represents a triumph for human rights advocates worldwide, though the fight for justice in Russia continues.
Even after his recent release in August 2024, we continue to call on the governments where Vladimir Kara-Murza holds citizenship or permanent resident status (Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom) to remain steadfast in supporting his cause. Current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and President Joe Biden must not only celebrate his release but also push for further protections and efforts to safeguard his life and work. This fight is not just about one man—it’s about the future of a Russia free from Putin’s authoritarian grip, led by individuals of character, principle, and courage.
The case for Vladimir Kara-Murza, and his lifelong dedication to a free, liberal, and federalist democracy in Russia, remains as strong as ever. Let’s continue channeling our energy and innovative ideas to support him as he resumes his fight for democracy. Senator John McCain would expect nothing less.
On March 29, 2022, activist, journalist, and Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza testified before a U.S. Helsinki Commission hearing about the Putin regime’s censorship of journalists and broadcast media. Less than a month after this speech, on April 22, Russian authorities detained Kara-Murza for allegedly spreading “deliberately false information.” In a show trial, he was charged and convicted of high treason, with the prosecution using his March 29 speech as evidence of undermining Russian security and aiding NATO member countries. After enduring more than two years in prison, Kara-Murza was released in August 2024 as part of a major prisoner exchange. His courage and commitment to free speech and democracy remain unwavering. Watch his speech and the Q&A session with U.S. Congress members by clicking the button below.
