I know what it is to be at war. When the Russian Federation launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, everything that we call peaceful life was shattered. Beyond the battlefield, the war crimes committed – the targeting of civilians, bombing of infrastructure, torturing of people in filtration camps, mass deportations – were deliberate acts by Russia to provide enormous pain to the people of Ukraine; to break their resistance and occupy the country.

When the war and invasion started, international organisations evacuated their personnel, but ordinary people remained. Ukraine’s civil society became a crucial force in documenting war crimes, supporting displaced people, maintaining democratic resilience and resisting Russian aggression. This war is not just about territories; it is about the survival of democratic values, with civil society being the front line of defence.

Civil society is not just witness to this fight – it is the glue holding together the spirit of resistance, the voice for justice and the architect of peace for the future.

Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is fraternity, social justice, ending poverty, gender equality, accountability to international law and cooperation among nations and within communities. Peace is the possibility to live without fear of violence and to have a long-term outlook.

It is impossible to achieve peace without a vibrant civil society that protects freedom and human rights. Civil society strengthens the foundations of peace by building trust in institutions and holding power accountable. When human rights are protected, and when citizens trust the state, disputes can be resolved peacefully, creating lasting stability and harmony.

Autocrats often fail to grasp that it is not their personal rule, but the rule of law, that should prevail. Recognising this danger, humankind designed a multilateral system, supported by international law, to prevent such leaders from violating the rights of others. However, this system is only as strong as the commitment of its member states to uphold it. Even the best legal frameworks can falter without collective resolve and cooperation, leaving space for autocrats to undermine peace and justice.

When we fail to uphold human rights and the rule of law, one thing is for sure: it never leads to peace.

As I write this foreword for this report, I think of my friend and colleague Anar Mammadli, again sitting behind bars in a prison in Azerbaijan. Our message to Anar is loud and clear: we are here to uphold the rule of law for all, because we see what happens to you when it is scorned. To the international community: it is now your time to join the fight for human rights. The fight that Anar Mammadli – and all those held as political prisoners in Azerbaijan – steadfastly undertake despite the fear in their bones, at the cost of those they hold dear, risking their sacred right to liberty.