In the face of ongoing persecution for their efforts in Russia on behalf of human rights and democracy, activists are fleeing the country to continue this work in places that offer safety and support. Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Casteñada spoke with Maria Charmast of the WOT Foundation which supports independent journalists, and initiates and implements educational activities that promote democratic values and intercultural dialogue. Charmast, a Russian émigré to Warsaw since 2000, is currently the Chair of the Board of the Poland-based WOT Foundation, which in 2022, was one of 12 organizations to be declared “undesirable” by the Russian Attorney General’s office on the grounds that they pose a threat to national security. The WOT provides support for Ukrainian refugees on the Polish-Ukrainian border, and in 2016 established a family community club in Warsaw called Zawarka which helps children and their families integrate into Polish society, preserving their language and identity.

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