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:
2% free

Percent computed by population. Population source data.

News & Updates

News update

Freedom in the World 2013 Finds Democracy Declined for Seventh Straight Year

Jan 18 2013 - 1:30pm

Findings from Freedom in the World 2013, Freedom House's annual report on the state of global freedom, reveal that democracy declined worldwide for the seventh straight year in 2012.  Despite this decline, Freedom House Director of Research Arch Puddington noted at the Freedom in the World 2013 launch that “the major message of the year is one of potential and opportunity.”

Regions: 
Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
In the News

Video: Global Freedom 2013

Jan 18 2013 - 10:38am


Which countries are up, which are down, and what exactly does "freedom" mean anyway? Arch Puddington speaks in-depth about the Freedom in the World 2013   report to Huffington Post Live.

Unable to watch the video? Visit live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/freedom-house-report-2013/50f6f56102a76015cd000290

Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
Freedom Alert

European Parliament Holds Bahrain to Account for Abuses

Jan 17 2013 - 5:23pm

Freedom House applauds the passage of a resolution by the European Parliament today, which calls for an end to the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain and for targeted sanctions against human rights abusers in Bahrain.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Intergovernmental Bodies, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa
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

Experts

Daniel Calingaert

Executive Vice President


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

Charles Dunne

Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs


Issues: 
Democratic Governance
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:
Partly 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:
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

Egypt
Iran

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

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