Freedom House

Site Search

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.
What will you say 'No Más' to?

You can help us move freedom forward around the globe.

Donate Now

News & Updates

Building a Brighter Future in Syria

May 17 2013 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Photo Credit: Anonymous | Location: Damascus, Syria

Despite the ongoing conflict and deepening humanitarian crises, many Syrians are preparing for the opportunity to rebuild their country on a foundation of accountability, pluralism, and democracy. Freedom House hosted a discussion with four Syrian experts on how activists, journalists, and citizens in Syria are currently working to shape their future, in the face of the regime’s brutal crackdown and of challenges from within the opposition.

Press Release

Freedom House: White House Welcome of President Thein Sein is Premature

May 16 2013 - 3:57pm

On May 20^th, Burmese President Thein Sein will visit Washington, D.C. to meet with President Barack Obama in what will be the first trip of its kind by a Burmese head of state in 47 years. Given ongoing human rights abuses and the sluggish pace of reform, Freedom House expresses deep concern regarding the timing of the visit and the signal this will send to the Burmese regime.

Issues:

Democratic Governance, Human Rights Defense, Religious Freedom, U.S. Foreign Policy

Regions:

Asia-Pacific

Freedom Alert

Freedom House Condemns Continued Persecution of Baha’is in Iran

May 14 2013 - 5:29pm

Today marks the five-year anniversary of the arrest of seven prominent Baha’i leaders in Iran, who are serving prison sentences of 20 years each, the longest term of any current prisoners of conscience in Iran. Freedom House calls for the immediate release of Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm, and an end to the government-sponsored persecution of Baha’is in Iran.

Issues:

Human Rights Defense, Religious Freedom

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Freedom Alert

Freedom House Calls for Immediate Release of April 6 Movement Founder in Egypt

May 10 2013 - 12:46pm

Egyptian authorities today arrested Ahmed Maher, founder of the April 6 Movement, at Cairo airport upon his return from the United States. Freedom House condemns the unwarranted arrests and harassment of Maher and other democracy activists by Egyptian authorities and calls for his immediate release.

Issues:

Civil Society, Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law

Regions:

Middle East and North Africa

Latest Blog Post

International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia 2013

Chloe Schwenke

May 16, 2013

As support for the human rights of LGBTI people expands globally, advocacy groups and individuals have faced pushback in the form of increased violence and stigmatization. Just last Friday in Russia, Vladislav Tornovoi was tortured and killed after coming out as gay. In Kuwait, authorities recently trumpeted the arrest of 215 gay men and lesbians. And in Uganda, the notorious Bahati Bill, which has teetered on the verge of passage in parliament, has now been reframed to outlaw the “promotion” of homosexuality. Today, on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Freedom House stands in solidarity with all human rights defenders, including those who identify as LGBTI, as we commit ourselves to the pursuit of a world in which human diversity is honored and valued, and human rights are enjoyed equally by everyone.

Issues:

Freedom of Association, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights, United Nations

Regions:

Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

China Media Bulletin

China Media Bulletin No. 87

May 17 2013 - 5:04pm

Freedom House’s biweekly update of press freedom and censorship news related to the People’s Republic of China

HIGHLIGHTS
* New party directives call for more rigid ideological controls
* Official investigated for misdeeds after reporter’s online exposé
* Magazine production halted after labor camp revelations
* Protest over migrant worker’s death spurs online censorship
* Chinese netizens flood White House petition site

Issues:

Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Media Freedom

Regions:

Asia-Pacific

Press Release

Freedom House Troubled by Seizure of AP Records

May 14 2013 - 2:56pm

Freedom House today expressed deep concern over news that the United States Justice Department has seized the records of telephone conversations of journalists at the Associated Press (AP) as part of an apparent broad investigation into the leaking of information regarding counterterror policies. Freedom House calls on Congress to revive a federal “shield law” that would provide journalists with a measure of protection from prosecutors’ demands for information.

Issues:

Media Freedom, Rule of Law

Regions:

Americas