Annual Report 2025

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act brought back some early memories of hope for some of us. It was early in my life, but also early in terms of how long it took for much to materialise from it. It was a period marked by both hope and long struggle. Principle VII, guaranteeing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, became a vital instrument for dissidents and led to the establishment of Helsinki Watch groups, including the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the US Helsinki Watch, later Human Rights Watch.

Over the decades, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee has expanded significantly in both scope and expertise, building a unique regional network and deep knowledge of the areas covered by the Final Act. Our work has primarily focused on the former Soviet bloc, where human rights violations have been most acute. Together with courageous partners, we supported human rights defenders working for reform—often under great personal risk—and achieved meaningful progress.

The fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent wave of democratic reforms demonstrated that positive change is possible. However, the early 2000s marked a gradual reversal. While the reform period was relatively brief, it remains a powerful reminder that even entrenched systems can change.

Today, fifty years after the Final Act, the geopolitical reality is again deeply troubling. Russia, successor to the dissolved Soviet Union, has invaded two neighbouring countries. In 2025, pressure on civil society intensified across many of the regions where we operate. The number of political prisoners in Russia continues to rise, and some released prisoners—such as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ales Bialiatski—have been deported and barred from returning home. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee was declared an “undesirable organisation” by Russian authorities last summer, exposing our Russian friends to severe legal risks. At the same time, the United States' increasing authoritarian tendencies, including threats against a NATO ally, stand in stark contrast to the principles of the Helsinki Accords.

In this context, the commitment and resilience of our staff are a source of strength. We continue to value and build upon incremental progress, such as the release of Azerbaijani journalist Aziz Orujov in November 2025, following sustained advocacy by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. I am proud to say that we remain steadfast in our support for our partners, strengthening their capacity and resilience, advocating consistently to national authorities and international institutions. With Russia’s war in Ukraine, we do important work, we expose violations of international sanctions, we have expanded our work on documentation of war crimes in Ukraine, on reinforcing democratic resilience through anti-corruption and civil society initiatives, and so much more.

We may not always be the loudest voice, but we are present where it matters. The trust our partners place in us reflects their confidence not only in our work but also in the belief that better times will come if we stay strong. 

Ragnhild Astrup Tschudi
Chairperson of Board