Americas

The Americas are second only to Western Europe in levels of freedom and respect for human rights.  Nonetheless, a rise in violent crime and in populist governments with authoritarian tendencies has led to backsliding in several countries. Among other serious human rights issues, parts of the region suffer from  threats to freedom of the press, including violence against journalists, and infringements on freedoms of association and assembly. Throughout the Americas, Freedom House enables human right defenders and democracy activists to play a prominent role in counteracting these restrictions on fundamental rights, both domestically and through intergovernmental bodies.