WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 22, 2026) – The McCain Institute John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative at Arizona State University (ASU) and the October 30 Coalition have released the following statement to rally support for political prisoners and to champion their freedom. The joint statement highlights the importance of sustained international attention to individual political prisoners, efforts to secure their release, and accountability for abuses.
The October 30 Coalition consists of the 30 October Foundation, Free Russia Foundation, Free Them One by One, Freedom House, the Human Rights Foundation, the Lantos Foundation, the McCain Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, and World Liberty Congress. The statement has over 50 organizations joined as signatories.
Joint Statement for the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30:
“On this International Day of Political Prisoners, we stand together to affirm a simple truth: no one should be imprisoned for speaking freely, standing up for their beliefs, or exercising their fundamental rights.
“Yet more than one million people around the world are imprisoned for political reasons. They are journalists, human rights defenders, writers, democratic opposition leaders, religious leaders, artists, and ordinary citizens. They are people who spoke, wrote, protested, prayed, created, or simply refused to remain silent in the face of injustice.
“Political imprisonment is meant to do more than punish one person. It is meant to frighten everyone around them. Every unjust sentence sends a message to neighbors, colleagues, congregations, newsrooms, and families: stay silent, do not ask questions, do not challenge those in power.
“On 30 October 1974, Soviet dissidents Kronid Lyubarsky and Oleksii Murzhenko, who were serving time in a Mordovia prison camp, sent a message back. They and other prisoners joined together in a one-day hunger strike to defy their captors and call for recognition of their status as political prisoners. In the years since, October 30 has become an international day of solidarity with political prisoners marked by remembrances around the world.
“It is in this spirit that we call on democracies and all free people to make the freedom of political prisoners a global priority. Raise their cases. Ask for answers. Demand their immediate and unconditional release. Support accountability. Stand behind the organizations providing legal and humanitarian assistance to prisoners and their families. Keep their names in public view until the prison doors open.
“We stand with the families, lawyers, advocates, and civic groups who refuse to let political prisoners disappear from public view. Their persistence reminds us that solidarity is not a single act. It is a commitment. It must be sustained, coordinated, and visible.
“On the evening of October 30, we will renew our commitment to this cause at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and in commemorations around the world, and shine a light on those whose memory dictators would keep dark.
“On October 30, we will say their names.
“Every name belongs to a person. Every person has a family, a story, and a claim to freedom. Every name we speak is a declaration that imprisonment will not erase them from the world’s conscience.
“Freedom starts with a name.
“We will remember their names.
“We will stand with their families.
“We will keep pressing for their freedom.
“Free them all.”
The full list of organization signatories as of October 19, 2026:
- 30 October Foundation *
- Advocates for Political Prisoners
- Asociación Memoria y Justicia
- Azda.tv – Tajik Language Media in Exile
- Canada-Hong Kong Link
- Centro de Asistencia Legal Interamericano en Derechos Humanos (CALIDH)
- Centro de Información y Servicios de Asesoría en Salud – CISAS
- Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más.
- Committee to Protect Journalists
- COMPTE À REBOURS RDC
- Egyptian Front for Human Rights
- End Arbitrary Detention
- European Belarus Foundation
- Filimbi
- Forum des droits humains
- Free Russia Foundation *
- Free Them One by One *
- Freedom House *
- Genuine Greek Orthodox Church
- Houses NGO
- Human Rights Foundation *
- Institute for Peace & Development IPADES
- International Campaign for Tibet
- International Press Institute
- Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO)
- Iran Human Rights Documentation Center
- Khmer Movement for Democracy
- Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice *
- Luke Alliance
- McCain Institute, John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative *
- MEMORIAL Deutschland e. V.
- Myanmar Peace Museum
- National Endowment for Democracy *
- Nicaraguan Freedom Foundation
- Open Azerbaijan Initiative (sic)
- OVD-Info
- PEN America
- PEN Canada
- Political prisoner support team – World Liberty Congress
- Political Prisoners Support. Memorial’ Project
- Public Initiative Center (Azerbaijan)
- RADDE, prodémocracy non-violent mouvement (sic)
- Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights *
- RCDA Russian Canadian Democratic Alliance
- Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC)
- The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation
- Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (UFDG)
- URAP
- Uyghur Human Rights Project
- VietTan
- Women’s Justice Movement
- World Liberty Congress *
- Yekmal e.V.
*Members of the October 30 Coalition
To join the event at the Lincoln Memorial, Roll Call for Freedom: A Ceremony Honoring Political Prisoners, RSVP HERE.
About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights and freedom, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.