Mission Statement
We work to counter authoritarianism and war by empowering democratic voices from Russia and making them heard in the UK. Our focus is advocating for peace, justice and human rights, enabling political instruments and supporting those oppressed by the regime.
The Story of Russian Democratic Society
Russian Democratic Society is a transformative Community that started back in January 2021 when Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny returned home after his rehabilitation in Germany from poisoning with Novichok. He faced severe struggles and was arrested upon his return. It was an eye-opening event for most Russians as well as people in other countries. We could not help but take to the streets of our cities to protest against the criminal actions of our government.
In February 2022, another shocking event, the war with Ukraine, roused us to stand up withstand the terror committed by our country's leaders. And by now, we are determined to take crackdown actions for our country's best future.
Unlike our compatriots who live in Russia, we can and must use our freedom of expression rights to help our country to become a better place. And to show our support to repressed and arrested fellows in Russia. Our ethical course highlights the fundamental issues in Russia, such as; censorship, freedom of speech, human rights discrimination, social issues, corruption and economic issues.
By adopting a white-blue-white flag, the symbol of Free Russia, Anti-War Protest and Russian Opposition, we embrace a strategy of empowering the community from the ground up, facilitating leadership opportunities and advocating for changes with a real impact. Together with our allies and partners, Russian Democratic Society engages and mobilises activists and leaders in the UK and other countries.
Declarations we signed
-
Open Letter in Support of LGBTQ+ People. In light of the Russian State Duma's first reading of a bill that bans transgender transitioning, the LGBTQ+ community in Russia has published a letter in support of LGBTQ+ individuals. RDS joins over 1,000 LGBTQ+ activists and allies who have signed the letter.
-
Save people from drowning on the Russian-occupied left bank of Dnipro. Together with FAR Oxford and other organisations we are calling on every international evacuation mission: save people on the occupied left bank of Dnipro from the flood caused by the Nova Kakhovka dam explosion.
-
Declaration of Russian Democratic Forces. This signature is for us - an acknowledgment of the need to unite for a common goal. The declaration calls things by their names. The war against Ukraine is criminal, the current Russian political regime is illegitimate, imperialism is unacceptable, and political persecution and forced displacement of Ukrainian citizens must be stopped.