Shukria Barakzai Elected Vice President of World Liberty Congress

Shukria Barakzai, a prominent human rights activist, former Afghan ambassador to Norway, and former member of the Afghan Parliament, has been elected Vice President of the World Liberty Congress.

The announcement came at the organization’s second general assembly in Berlin, attended by over 180 political and human rights figures from 60 countries. The executive committee’s chairmanship went to Félix Maradiaga, leader of the Nicaraguan opposition, with other members coming from Rwanda, Belarus, and Tibet.

Following the election, Barakzai addressed the assembly, highlighting the mission ahead:

“I speak for women and the forgotten, for every voice the darkness tried to silence. In the next two years, I will help lead the World Liberty Congress with a clear mission: to turn pain into power, silence into justice, and courage into coordinated action. Our movements are not just resisting authoritarianism, we are shaping the future.”

Founded in 2022, the World Liberty Congress is a global coalition of democracy advocates, former political prisoners, and human rights leaders. Its primary mission is to promote democratic values, defend civil society, and unite efforts against authoritarianism worldwide.