In a remarkable display of courage and resilience, Russian opposition leader, journalist, and historian Vladimir Kara-Murza was awarded the prestigious 2025 Wallenberg Medal at the University of Michigan. On November 4, before an audience packed into Rackham Auditorium, Kara-Murza delivered an impassioned speech emphasizing the importance of resisting fear in the face of oppression.
The event marked a significant milestone as the 30th Wallenberg Lecture took place, during which Kara-Murza, who has survived two poisoning attempts and imprisonment in Siberia due to his opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, addressed the audience with a lecture titled “Free People in an Unfree Country: Standing Up to Kremlin Tyranny, Past and Present.”
In his eloquent speech, Kara-Murza drew parallels between individual resistance and the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg, a 1935 U-M graduate who famously saved thousands of Jews during World War II. “The life of Raoul Wallenberg,” he remarked, “is testimony to how great a difference individuals can make when they choose to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.” The Wallenberg Medal and Lecture, orchestrated by the Donia Human Rights Center, aim to honor individuals who embody Wallenberg’s valor and ethical commitment.
Laurie K. McCauley, U-M’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, presented the award to Kara-Murza, praising his “moral courage in the face of tyranny.” She commended his dedication to democracy and human rights in Russia, likening his bravery to that of Wallenberg’s efforts in defending the vulnerable.
Behaving like free people in an unfree country
Recalling the courage of Soviet dissidents who challenged totalitarianism, Kara-Murza highlighted their resolve. “My country, Russia, has experienced more than its fair share of injustice and inhumanity,” he mentioned. “But one of the most hopeful and inspiring lessons from our history is that at any period, however dark the times, however strong the oppression, you would always find people in Russia who are prepared to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.”
He detailed early instances of defiance, including the 1965 Constitution Day protest in Moscow, where citizens gathered to demand respect for their own constitution. “It was a movement that had no structures, no leaders, no hierarchy,” he said, emphasizing the unspoken bond of personal responsibility among participants. He connected this to a 1968 protest against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, where demonstrators, though quickly arrested, made it clear that not all Soviet citizens supported the invasion.
Hope is a courageous choice
Kara-Murza emphasized the notion that “autocratic regimes may seek to rule by fear, but fear is always a personal choice.” Reflecting on the failed 1991 Soviet coup attempt, he observed, “However strong a dictatorship may appear, when enough people are willing to stand up, all that strength becomes meaningless.” Despite setbacks in Russia’s democratic progress, he noted how fear is still a tool for control under President Vladimir Putin. Independent media has been silenced, and opposition stifled, yet resistance persists.
Remembering the unafraid
Throughout his lecture, Kara-Murza honored figures like Boris Nemtsov, who was assassinated near the Kremlin in 2015, and Vladimir Bukovsky, a dissident who endured Soviet prisons. Kara-Murza expressed admiration for their determination, stating, “Freedom is when you’re not afraid to tell the truth. Boris was free and unafraid to the very end.”
Defying fear in a new era
Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kara-Murza remained vocal, asserting that fear would not dominate his actions. Highlighting the plight of over 4,500 political prisoners in Russia, including teenagers, he accepted the Wallenberg Medal not only for himself but for all those unjustly imprisoned. Kara-Murza announced his intention to donate the Medal’s monetary award to the 30 October Foundation, a charity he co-founded to assist families of political prisoners.
Hope for the future
Despite acknowledging the challenges faced by Russia, Kara-Murza found optimism in the resilience of its people, exemplified by young activists like the members of the band Stoptime, who were arrested for performing anti-war songs. He shared an anecdote of their defiance and spirit, describing a marriage proposal made with a paper napkin ring on the way to court. Referring to their bravery, he said, “They are the future of Russia, and the septuagenarian dictator in the Kremlin is not.”
In a subsequent Q&A session, moderated by Steven Ratner from the Donia Human Rights Center, topics ranged from youth activism to global democracy’s prospects. Asked by a student how to assist, Kara-Murza urged, “Please write to political prisoners.” Highlighting the vital support letters provided during his own imprisonment, he encouraged reaching out through organizations like OVD-Info to maintain solidarity with those incarcerated.
