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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:

18% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Middle East and North Africa

Countries & Territories: 20

395 million people

2% free

Press:

2% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries & Territories: 50

901 million people

13% free

Press:

5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Americas

Countries & Territories: 36

943 million people

71% free

Press:

41% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Western Europe

Countries & Territories: 26

489 million people

85% free

Press:

72% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

Freedom in the World 2013 Finds Democracy Declined for Seventh Straight Year

Findings from Freedom in the World 2013, Freedom House's annual report on the state of global freedom, reveal that democracy declined worldwide for the seventh straight year in 2012. Despite this decline...

Freedom’s Champion Mark Palmer

Freedom House lost a champion of the global struggle for human rights with the passing of Ambassador Mark Palmer. He was a relentless democracy advocate, who began to express his passion for freedom through involvement in the civil rights movement here at home and later worked with President...

Freedom House Mourns the Loss of Longtime Board Member Max Kampelman

Today, it is with a heavy heart that Freedom House mourns the death of its longtime board member and an exemplary human being who dedicated his life to peace, security and diplomacy, Ambassador Max Kampelman.

Mend don’t end U.S. aid to Egypt

The United States must rethink but not abandon aid to Egypt, write Daniel Calingaert and Nancy Okail for CNN.

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News & Updates

Upcoming Event: Two Years Later - Prospects for Reform in Bahrain on the Anniversary of the Uprising

Feb 14 2013 - 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Photo Credit: Isa Ebrahim

Join the Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) and Freedom House for an event on Capitol Hill looking at the prospects for reform in Bahrain, two years after the February 14th uprising.

Images of Repression and Freedom: Second Annual Freedom House Photography & Art Contest

Jan 29 2013 - 12:00am to Mar 8 2013 - 5:00pm

Last year's winning photo, 'Central Black,' taken by Isa Ebrahim in Bahrain.

Freedom House is accepting submissions for its second annual photo and art contest, Images of Repression and Freedom. We invite professional and amateur photographers and artists to submit photos and other forms of art (i.e. cartoons, prints, paintings, graphic art) that reflect the themes of freedom, political participation, human rights, and repression.

Freedom Alert

Moroccan Government Charges Editor with Criminal Defamation

Jan 28 2013 - 12:16pm

Freedom House calls upon the Moroccan government to drop all criminal defamation charges brought against Youssef Jajili, editor in chief of the investigative weekly Alaan Magazine.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Media Freedom

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Freedom Alert

Blocking of Online News Site Reflects Censorship in Venezuela

Jan 25 2013 - 4:49pm

The blocking of the online newspaper El Diario de Cuba signals a troubling trend toward increased internet censorship in Venezuela. Freedom House condemns this censorship and calls on the Venezuelan government to adhere to its international commitments to protect press freedom and access to information, including on the internet.

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Americas

Latest Blog Post

Max M. Kampelman at Freedom House

Leonard R. Sussman

January 30, 2013

Max M. Kampelman was many men to many people. He was well known to presidents who appointed him to vital national missions. As a public servant, he displayed personal courage in advancing controversial causes in national and international affairs.

Issues:

Human Rights Defense, U.S. Foreign Policy

Regions:

Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

China Media Bulletin