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Asia-Pacific

Countries & Territories: 43

3.9 billion people

44% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Countries & Territories: 33

408 million people

28% free

Press:

15% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Middle East and North Africa

Countries & Territories: 20

395 million people

2% free

Press:

0% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries & Territories: 50

901 million people

13% free

Press:

3% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Americas

Countries & Territories: 36

943 million people

71% free

Press:

38% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Western Europe

Countries & Territories: 26

489 million people

85% free

Press:

70% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Women of Evin: Ward 209

"All the nameless prisoners of conscience in Iran want is to stand up for their rights without being threatened,” stated Leila Milani at an event hosted by Freedom House to discuss her translation of Jila Baniyaghoob's book Women of Evin: Ward 209.

Democracy in Retreat

What can democratic countries do to counter recent anti-democratic trends? Joshua Kurlantzick, fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, tackled these questions at a discussion hosted by Freedom House on his new book, Democracy in Retreat.

Libya needs the U.S. for its transition to democracy

Charles Dunne argues in a Washington Post op-ed that a strong U.S. commitment to Libya is essential to the country’s democratic progress.

New Report Finds Only 1 in 6 People Have Access to a Free Press

Press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, according to Freedom of the Press 2013, Freedom House's annual assessment of media independence worldwide.

Freedom House Grantee Receives the European Union Human Rights Defender Award

Freedom House congratulates Ugandan human rights activist and Freedom House grantee Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala for receiving the European Union Human Rights Defender Award for 2012.

Images of Repression and Freedom

On April 18, guests filled the Hillyer Art Space for Freedom House’s Second Annual Photography and Art Auction fundraiser. Thirty photographs and art from more than 20 different...

We're Now Tweeting in Spanish: @FHespanol

Freedom House is proud to announce the launch a Spanish-language Twitter account: @FHespanol (www.twitter.com/fhespanol) and we look forward to sharing our insights with Latin American audiences.

'No Más!' Campaign

Today, more than 2 billion people live under oppressive rule. We can change the world when we speak up.
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News & Updates

Press Release

Victims’ Voices Heard in Kenyan Truth Commission Report

May 23 2013 - 12:09pm

Nearly four years after the Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (KJRC) was set up to investigate gross violations of human rights, the Commission released its report on Tuesday, May 21, and delivered it to President Uhuru Kenyatta. Freedom House welcomes the comprehensive report and strongly urges the government of Kenya to immediately take steps to implement its recommendations.

Issues:

Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Elections, Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Freedom Alert

Facebook Joins Global Network Initiative

May 22 2013 - 4:58pm

Freedom House welcomes the announcement today that Facebook will become a full member of the Global Network Initiative (GNI) after participating as an observer for the past year.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Internet Freedom

Press Release

Homophobic Attackers in Georgia Must Be Held Accountable

May 21 2013 - 12:32pm

Freedom House condemns the homophobic and transphobic attacks against peaceful participants in the May 17^th event commemorating the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) in Tibilisi, Georgia, and is deeply concerned by the lack of appropriate response from law enforcement and relevant government officials to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Issues:

Civil Society, LGBTI Rights, Rule of Law

Regions:

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Press Freedom Sharply Declines in Latin America

May 23 2013 - 5:21pm

More than half of the countries in the Americas saw a sharp decline in their press freedom status due to repression and increasing violence against journalists, according to the findings of Freedom of the Press 2013. Freedom House and the Metropolitan University of Honduras in Tegucigalpa hosted a discussion on May 22 to examine the increasingly restrictive media environment in Latin America in light of the recently released report.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Americas

Latest Blog Post

In Iran’s Fraudulent System, Rafsanjani’s Disqualification Is the Tip of the Iceberg

Arch Puddington

May 23, 2013

This week’s announcement that the Guardian Council had disqualified Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as a candidate in the June 14 presidential election is an especially pointed reminder of the unique and uniquely preposterous election system devised by the Islamic Republic’s leaders to ensure their hold on power.

Issues:

Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Elections, Media Freedom

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Upcoming Event: The Role of Women and Islam in the New Tunisia

Jun 3 2013 - 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Prior to the Tunisian Revolution, Tunisia was regarded as one of the most progressive countries in the Arabic world for women’s rights. With a new constitution being drafted, how will the rising influence of political Islam affect the rights and roles of women in Tunisian society? Join Freedom House for a roundtable discussion on this vital topic with Tunisian activist and researcher Dr. Kedija Arfaoui. To RSVP for this event, click here.

Freedom Alert

Freedom House Condemns Raids on Ugandan Media

May 21 2013 - 5:16pm

The raid of several private media outlets by Ugandan police is an unacceptable attack on press freedom, which is protected by the nation’s constitution, and is a clear attempt by authorities to restrict criticism of the president or members of his government. Freedom House calls on Ugandan authorities to allow the media organizations to reopen and to conduct their work without interference.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Sub-Saharan Africa