Middle East and North Africa

The Arab Spring of 2011 launched an era of sweeping political changes in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, which has historically been the least free region in the world. The fall of longtime leaders and the people's rising demands for a stronger voice in their own governance have brought new opportunities for reform and democratic transition in countries otherwise marked by severe abuses of almost all fundamental political rights and civil liberties. Freedom House is helping citizens to realize these aspirations through a variety of programs across the region.

Countries & Territories: 20
395 million people
2% free
Press:
0% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

News & Updates

In the News

No help on Syria will come from Russia

May 18 2013 - 10:03am

Can everyone please stop pretending that Russia can be a partner with the United States and others in solving the crisis in Syria? Recently, there has been a flurry of visits to Moscow by senior Western and U.N. officials: U.S. national security adviser Tom Donilon was there in mid-April, followed by Secretary of State John F. Kerry in early May, then British Prime Minister David Cameron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Click here to read David J. Kramer's Washington Post op-ed.

Issues: 
Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa
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
In the News

Libya needs the U.S. for its transition to democracy

May 4 2013 - 10:04am

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.

Issues: 
Human Rights Defense, U.S. Foreign Policy
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Experts

Charles Dunne

Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs


Issues: 
Democratic Governance
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Daniel Calingaert

Executive Vice President


Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Elections, Internet Freedom, U.S. Foreign Policy
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Sanja Kelly

Project Director for "Freedom on the Net"


Issues: 
Internet Freedom, Women's Rights
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa
Algeria
37 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Egypt
82 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
5.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
59 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Iran
79 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
90 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Iraq
34 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Israel
7.9 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Jordan
6.3 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
45 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Kuwait
2.9 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
5.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Lebanon
4.3 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Libya
6.5 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
43 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Morocco
33 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Oman
3.1 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Qatar
1.9 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Saudi Arabia
29 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
71 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Syria
23 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
83 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Tunisia
11 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
46 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
United Arab Emirates
8.1 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
Yemen
26 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Freedom Rating
West Bank and Gaza Strip
4.3 million people
Press:
Not Free
Scores Overview

Countries and Territories

Algeria
Bahrain
Egypt
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Libya
Morocco
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
West Bank and Gaza Strip
Western Sahara
Yemen

Countries We're Watching

Iran
Egypt

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

Advocating for Free Expression in Tunisia

 

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Internet Freedom

Freedom House supports human rights and civil society organizations and activists in mitigating the risks of digital attacks.

Issues: 
Internet Freedom
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Syria

Freedom House works with Syrian political activists to build their capacity for non-violent struggle, strategy development, effective advocacy, and safe and secure communications skills.

Issues: 
Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Iran

Freedom House supports Iran's pro-democracy movement and human rights defenders as they resist the Iranian regime's surveillance and repression.

Issues: 
Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Tunisia

Freedom House engages critical rule of law stakeholders to develop a reform agenda for Tunisia as it transforms to a state that is accountable and guarantees citizens’ a role in maintaining a watchdog role.

Issues: 
Rule of Law
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Egypt and Tunisia

In Egypt and Tunisia, we work with activists and citizen journalists to observe the elections. Bloggers and local activists receive training on election monitoring, violation reporting techniques, new media and mobile technology usage helping to increase transparency and citizens’ engagement in the political process.

Issues: 
Elections, Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Breaking Barriers

Freedom House equips Gulf women to help other Gulf women succeed in male-dominated professions.

Issues: 
Women's Rights
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa