Freedom House

Articles by Freedom House

A turbulent start to a year of global elections

In the first half of 2024, incumbent leaders were more likely to lose elections in countries rated Free than those rated Partly Free, while autocrats went undefeated in largely pro forma elections held in their states.

Sri Lanka’s civic space and the battle for free speech

The Sri Lankan government has exploited existing laws to target freedoms of expression, speech, and assembly.

China Dissent Monitor: January to March 2024

The report observed increased censorship on video platforms.

“I will get out of here eventually”: A conversation with journalist and political prisoner José Rubén Zamora

The imprisoned founder of “El Periódico”, which made its name by exposing corruption in the country’s ruling classes, is awaiting a new trial on money-laundering charges that press freedom groups call politically motivated.

Biden administration must accelerate efforts to free Vladimir Kara-Murza

In 2023, Kara-Murza was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Russia on bogus charges for his criticism of Putin’s repressive government and the Kremlin’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

More than 20 per cent of governments engage in transnational repression

According to Freedom House, 25 governments were responsible for 125 incidents of physical transnational repression in 2023 alone, including assassinations, abductions, assaults, detentions, and unlawful deportations.

China: Censorship and surveillance updates

Documentary on migrants censored, report on police brutality removed, and intensified censorship in 2024.

Governments escalate transnational repression of journalists

“Between 2014 and 2023 at least 112 acts of transnational repression were committed against journalists by 26 governments, including those of Belarus, Cambodia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey” – Freedom House