The guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.
Draft What human rights defenders advise
Designations of organisations in this guide: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) (undesirable). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.
current as of 25 September 2026. More: CPJ: Kloop and Temirov Live declared 'extremist'; IPHR: new risks for civil society in Uzbekistan; IPHR: pressure on media and the 'LGBT propaganda' law
Shows those who help where you are now. The choice works only on your screen.
Free 24/7 help for activists and journalists: hacked accounts, surveillance, securing accounts and devices. Russian-language support available.
Other ways to reach them: help@accessnow.org
Defends free speech in Kazakhstan: a lawyer and defence counsel for journalists and bloggers, violation monitoring, advice on what to do if threatened.
Other ways to reach them: +7 777 400 2210 · info@adilsoz.kz (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)
A journalist's legal handbook, training and analysis of Kazakhstan's media laws.
Mostly legal materials and training rather than defence in a specific case. For a case, contact Adil Soz.
Other ways to reach them: mediastana@gmail.com · +7 7172 42-44-32 (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)
Documents persecution in Uzbekistan (bloggers, journalists, prisoners, forced labour) and campaigns for release. Does not provide legal aid.
Other ways to reach them: info@uzbekforum.org
Monitors human rights abuses in Turkmenistan. Accepts reports on persecution, exit bans, passports not renewed and pressure on relatives.
The old address chrono-tm.org no longer belongs to the organisation. Do not open it.
Other ways to reach them: Telegram · hronikatm@gmail.com
Independent outlet covering Turkmenistan. Accepts reports of abuses, including pressure on Turkmen citizens abroad.
Independent media are blocked in Turkmenistan. Use a VPN.
Other ways to reach them: Telegram channel
Helps journalists at risk: safety advice, emergency assistance, publicity for cases.
Designated 'undesirable' in Russia since May 2026: contacting it from Russia or Russian accounts carries a risk.
Other ways to reach them: emergencies@cpj.org
Assistance to journalists and media: grants, legal support, publicity for persecution.
Designated 'undesirable' in Russia since 2025: if you are a Russian citizen or travel there, factor in the risk.
Other ways to reach them: assistance2@rsf.org