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

The 10 Worst Countries for Journalists

May 1 2013 - 12:34pm

Each year at this time, Freedom House issues a report on the state of global media freedom. The overall findings for 2012 were bleak: Just 14 percent of the world's population lives in societies that enjoy vibrant coverage of public affairs, a legal environment that undergirds a free press, and freedom from intrusion by the government or other political forces.  The countries profiled are members of an ignoble club -- the 10 most serious violators of press freedom in the world.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
In the News

Media freedom takes a hit

May 1 2013 - 10:15am

At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that media freedom is on the decline. After all, in a world in which news is being produced by a broader range of professionals – as well as citizen journalists and bloggers – information is flowing at faster rates than ever before. And with news being transmitted through a greater variety of mediums – including newspapers, radio, television, the internet, mobile phones, flash drives, and social media – one might expect the level of media freedom worldwide to be improving, not worsening.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe
Press Release

Freedom of the Press 2013: Middle East Volatility amid Global Decline

May 1 2013 - 10:15am

The percentage of the world’s population living in societies with a fully free press has fallen to its lowest level in over a decade, according to a Freedom House report released today. An overall downturn in global media freedom in 2012 was punctuated by dramatic decline in Mali, deterioration in Greece, and a further tightening of controls in Latin America. Moreover, conditions remained uneven in the Middle East and North Africa, with Tunisia and Libya largely retaining gains from 2011 even as Egypt experienced significant backsliding.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe
In the News

Failure to Enforce the Red Line on Syria Will Embolden Assad

Apr 30 2013 - 11:53am

The U.S.' failure to enforce the 'red line' in Syria will only embolden Bashar al-Assad, writes Charles Dunne for US News & World Report.

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

Experts

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

Charles Dunne

Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs


Issues: 
Democratic Governance
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

Egypt
Iran

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