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

In the News

Freedoms took a hit in 2012

Jan 16 2013 - 11:27am

As 2012 drew to a close, events in the Middle East dramatized two competing trends: demands for change pushed forward by popular democratic movements, and an authoritarian response that combines intransigence with strategic adaptability.

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

Freedom in the World 2013: Middle East Gains Provoke Intensified Repression

Jan 16 2013 - 12:01am

The emergence of popular movements for reform were the driving force behind major gains in the Middle East last year, according to Freedom in the World 2013, Freedom House’s annual report on the state of global freedom. However, a number of regions experienced setbacks due to a hardened and increasingly shrewd authoritarian response to these movements.

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

Putting Freedom Back on the Agenda

Jan 15 2013 - 6:00pm

Now is no time for America to go wobbly on democracy, write Arch Puddington and David J. Kramer for Foreign Policy.

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

China Must Release Prisoners of Conscience When Reforming Labor Camps

Jan 14 2013 - 4:47pm

The Chinese government should release all prisoners of conscience held in China’s labor camps as part of any meaningful reform of the decades old system, Freedom House said on Monday.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Religious Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Experts

Sarah Cook

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


Issues: 
Internet Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn

Director of the International Religious Freedom and Southeast Asia Programs


Issues: 
Religious Freedom
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Ariel Herrera

Senior Program Officer, Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program


Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific
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
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
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
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:
Partly 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

The Lifeline: Embattled CSO Assistance Fund

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