Asia-Pacific

Over the past five years, the Asia-Pacific region has been the only one to record steady gains in political rights and civil liberties as measured by Freedom House. Although it is home to China, where over half the world’s Not Free population lives, and North Korea, the least free country in the world, a number of Asia-Pacific countries have made impressive gains in the institutions of electoral democracy—elections, political parties, pluralism—and in freedom of association. Nonetheless, problems persist regarding many fundamental rights, and Freedom House supports local civil society groups throughout Southeast Asia in promoting and advocating the work of human rights defenders.

Countries & Territories: 43
3.9 billion people
44% free
Press:
5% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

News & Updates

Freedom Alert

Restrictions on NGOs Threaten Civil Society in India, the World’s Largest Democracy

May 20 2013 - 5:20pm

The Indian government’s decision to restrict foreign funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a blow to civil society in India, and could have a chilling effect on the work of NGOs in the broader region. India joins authoritarian-leaning countries such as Russia and Egypt that are engaged in systematic campaigns to limit the space for civil society by targeting groups that receive foreign funding.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Freedom of Association, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific
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: White House Welcome of President Thein Sein is Premature

May 16 2013 - 3:57pm


On May 20th, 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
Press Release

Violence Mars Pakistan’s General Elections

May 10 2013 - 2:30pm

Freedom House denounces the violence that threatens to disrupt Pakistan’s general elections on May 11th and urges all parties to halt attacks against political candidates and allow citizens to go to the polls without fear. The National Assembly and Provincial Assembly elections represent the first time a civilian government will transfer power to another civilian government in Pakistan.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Elections, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Experts

Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn

Director of the International Religious Freedom and Southeast Asia Programs


Issues: 
Religious Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Karin Deutsch Karlekar

Project Director of "Freedom of the Press"


Issues: 
Media Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa

Sarah Cook

Senior Research Analyst for "Freedom on the Net" and East Asia


Issues: 
Internet Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific
Afghanistan
33 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Afghanistan
33 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Australia
22 million people
Internet:
Free
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
18 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Bangladesh
153 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Bhutan
708 thousand people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Brunei
413 thousand people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Burma
55 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
75 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Cambodia
15 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Cambodia
15 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
China
1.4 billion people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
85 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Taiwan
23 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Fiji
844 thousand people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
5.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
India
1.3 billion people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
2.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
39 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Indonesia
241 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
2.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
42 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Japan
128 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
North Korea
25 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
South Korea
49 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
34 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Laos
6.5 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Malaysia
29 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
43 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Maldives
331 thousand people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Mongolia
2.9 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Mongolia
2.9 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Nepal
31 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
New Zealand
4.4 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
New Zealand
4.4 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Pakistan
180 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
63 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Papua New Guinea
7 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Philippines
96 million people
Internet:
Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
23 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Solomon Islands
552 thousand people
Press:
Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Sri Lanka
21 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
55 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Thailand
70 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
61 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Vanuatu
258 thousand people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
2.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Vietnam
89 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
73 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
New Caledonia
Scores Overview

Countries and Territories

Afghanistan
Australia
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Burma
Cambodia
China
East Timor
Fiji
Hong Kong
India
Indian Kashmir
Indonesia
Japan
Kiribati
Laos
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Micronesia
Mongolia
Nauru
Nepal
New Zealand
North Korea
Pakistan
Pakistani Kashmir
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Samoa
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Thailand
Tibet
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Vietnam

Programs

Lifeline

The Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund provides emergency financial assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat or attack and advocacy support responding to broader threats to civil society. 

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program

The Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program provides emergency funds, advocacy support, and security assistance to human rights defenders and civil society organizations under threat or attack due to their work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Emergency Assistance Programs

Freedom House administers several funds which offer emergency assistance to organizations and individuals around the world who are under threat because of their human rights work. The targeted, rapid-response aid we provide enables those at risk to protect themselves and continue their important work.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Cambodia

In Cambodia, Freedom House enhances indigenous expertise in conducting policy research and analysis on critical issues through targeted trainings and on-going capacity building.

Issues: 
Democratic Governance
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Southeast Asia Human Rights

Freedom House supports civil society groups’ efforts to actively engage ASEAN’s human rights mechanism, the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and provides opportunities for strategic exchanges and knowledge-sharing sessions among activists.

Issues: 
Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Intergovernmental Bodies, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific