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
392 million people
2% free
Press:
2% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

News & Updates

Freedom Alert

Freedom House Opposes Sale of Arms to Bahraini Government

May 14 2012 - 3:45pm

Freedom House opposes the Obama Administration’s decision to resume the sale of arms to government of Bahrain and calls on Congress to withhold approval on the transfer until the Bahraini government ends systematic rights abuses, allows unfettered access to media and international observers, and implements meaningful political reform.

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

Moroccan Rapper Sentenced to Prison for “Defamatory” Song

May 11 2012 - 3:41pm

The May 11 sentencing of a Moroccan rapper to prison for insulting the country's police force draws further attention to Morocco's deeply flawed defamation law and its use for stifling freedom of expression by both citizens and the press.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa
In the News

Western countries should limit access to the latest technological developments for dictators.

May 11 2012 - 12:00pm

Charter 97

May 11, 2012

by Daniel Calingaert

Western countries should limit access to the latest technological developments for dictators.  Read the full article here.

Issues: 
Internet Freedom
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa
Freedom Alert

Moroccan Girl Forced to Marry Her Rapist Renews Urgency for Legal Reform

May 9 2012 - 2:47pm

A 14-year-old Moroccan girl who was forced to marry the man who raped and impregnated her is now gripped by a deep depression and has made several attempts at committing suicide, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

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

Experts

Daniel Calingaert

Vice President of Policy and External Affairs


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

Sherif Mansour

Senior Program Officer for Middle East and North Africa Programs


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
36 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Egypt
83 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
54 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Egypt
83 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
54 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Iran
78 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
89 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Iraq
33 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Israel
7.9 million people
Press:
Free
Status
Free
Scores Overview
1.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Jordan
6.6 million people
Internet:
Partly Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
42 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Kuwait
2.8 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Lebanon
4.3 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Libya
6.4 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Libya
6.4 million people
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Morocco
32 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
4.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Oman
3 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Qatar
1.7 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
5.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Saudi Arabia
28 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
70 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Syria
23 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Syria
23 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
7.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Tunisia
11 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
81 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
Tunisia
11 million people
Internet:
Not Free
Press:
Partly Free
Status
Partly Free
Scores Overview
3.5 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
81 / 100 (least free)
Internet Freedom
United Arab Emirates
7.9 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score
Yemen
24 million people
Press:
Not Free
Status
Not Free
Scores Overview
6.0 / 7 (least free)
Combined Freedom Score

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

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

eDemocracy

Through an interactive, online website tailored to the experiences and priorities of people in the region, we provide students in the Middle East an overview of democratic principles and systems to help educate and engage them in the struggle for human rights and a just democratic process.

Issues: 
Democratic Governance
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa