The foreign agent laws in various countries have become a real threat to all organizations engaged in independent human rights work. At UnMode, we firmly oppose these repressive measures, which attempt to limit our freedom and hinder our operations. These laws have forced us to reconsider the traditional ways of working and how we present our team publicly. We no longer show faces, mention names, or officially employ anyone for our projects. These are necessary steps to ensure the safety of our activists, volunteers, and human rights defenders, especially those on the frontlines of the fight against systemic injustice.
However, even under these conditions, we find ways to continue our work, maintain flexibility, and achieve high levels of effectiveness. We are committed to defending our right to independently choose the methods and forms of ensuring safety—both for ourselves and for those we support. We do this at the highest levels, even when working with the most bureaucratic and conservative donors. We believe that our perseverance, along with that of other independent NGOs, can influence donors to reconsider their policies, making them more flexible, timely, and open to innovative approaches. We are ready to decline grant funding if it directly endangers the safety of those providing or receiving help.
Despite all the challenges, we continue to grow and strengthen our volunteer network. Yes, we operate in the shadows, but that does not prevent us from making the results of our work visible and clear. Our efforts remain as effective as ever, even if we are less public. We believe that, together, we can continue to help those who need it most.
We are legion, and we persist!