Russian Opposition Leader, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Columnist, Politician, Author, Historian
Vladimir Kara-Murza brings extraordinary moral authority and firsthand insight into the global struggle for democracy and human rights. As a historian, journalist, and former political prisoner who risked—and nearly lost—his life opposing authoritarianism, he offers a uniquely courageous perspective on the power of individual conscience against systemic oppression. His experience, intellect, and global impact make him a profoundly compelling keynote speaker.
The Role of Dissidents at The World Forum
Putin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza speaking out after prisoner swap
Keynote address by Vladimir Kara-Murza
Vladimir Kara-Murza | Russians Are Ready for Democracy
Vladimir Kara-Murza | Russian opposition activist: ‘The Putin regime will fall’ I DW Conflict Zone
In this powerful address, Vladimir Kara-Murza shares his personal journey from political activism in Russia to surviving assassination attempts and enduring imprisonment for speaking out against tyranny. Drawing from his experience leading international efforts to hold autocrats accountable and advocating for democratic values, Kara-Murza explores the high stakes of dissent, the global consequences of authoritarianism, and the enduring strength of moral courage.
Audience Takeaways:
A firsthand understanding of the risks and costs of standing up to authoritarian regimes
Insight into how international advocacy and sanctions can be effective tools for justice
Inspiration to uphold truth and conscience in the face of political pressure
A call to action for global solidarity in defending democratic values and human rights
Vladimir Kara-Murza is a Russian politician, author, historian, and former political prisoner. A close colleague of the slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, he has served as deputy leader of the People’s Freedom Party and was a candidate for the Russian Parliament.
Leading diplomatic efforts on behalf of the opposition, Kara-Murza played a key role in the adoption of Magnitsky sanctions against top Russian officials by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Australia. He was twice poisoned and left in a coma for this work; a joint media investigation by Bellingcat, The Insider, and Der Spiegel has identified FSB officers behind the attacks. In April 2022, Kara-Murza was arrested in Moscow for publicly denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and the war crimes committed by Russian forces.
Following a closed-door trial at the Moscow City Court, he was sentenced to 25 years for “high treason” and kept in solitary confinement at a maximum-security prison in Siberia. He was released in August 2024 as part of the largest East-West prisoner exchange since the Cold War negotiated by the U.S. and German governments. Kara-Murza is a contributing writer at the Washington Post, winning the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for his columns written from prison, and has previously worked for Echo of Moscow, BBC, RTVi, Kommersant, World Affairs, and other media organizations.
Kara-Murza has directed three documentary films and is the author or contributor to several books on Russian history and politics. He currently serves as vice-president at the Free Russia Foundation, as senior advisor at Human Rights First, and as senior fellow at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights. He was the founding chairman of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom and has led successful international efforts to commemorate Nemtsov, including with street designations in Washington D.C. and London. Kara-Murza is a recipient of several awards, including the Council of Europe’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, and is an honorary fellow at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He holds an M.A. (Cantab.) in History from Cambridge.
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