Articles by Freedom House
A year after long time leader’s death, NGOs, opposition groups and journalists still repressed in Ethiopia
The death of Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi in August 2012 sparked hope that the ruling party would undertake reforms to loosen restrictions imposed on civil society, the media, and opposition parties. However, one year into the administration of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Meles’s successor, not much has changed.
Pattern of abuses continues in Egypt despite leadership changes
Harassment of journalists and opposition activists has been a common feature of all post-Mubarak governments, and impunity has remained the norm for officials responsible for the use of excessive force against Egyptian citizens.
Dictators bask in spotlight of international sporting events despite rights abuses
Russia recently passed a law banning LGBT “propaganda” six months before the opening of the 2014 Winter Olympics; this has reignited the debate over whether it is acceptable for repressive, nondemocratic countries to host international sporting events.
Photographer detained, beaten by Bahraini authorities prior to mass protests
Photographer Ahmed al-Fardan, the 2013 winner of Freedom House’s “Images of Repression and Freedom” photo contest, was detained and beaten by police in Bahrain on August 8
Ukrainian journalists and activists face increasing attacks, arrests
Over the last month, at least five reporters in Ukraine have been attacked in apparent connection to their work, while scores of activists have been detained.
Human rights situation in Russia condemned as Obama cancels trip to Moscow
According to the White House statement announcing the cancellation of an upcoming summit, the “lack of progress” in U.S.-Russia bilateral relations includes the human rights and civil society situation in Russia in the past 12 months.
Groups call for review of Ecuador’s restrictive communications law
Over 30 IFEX members write to President Rafael Correa, calling on him to submit the recently-approved Ecuadorian Communications Law to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights for a Consultative Opinion.
Special report: China’s new leaders advance Internet control
China’s Internet controls, which were already among the most extensive in the world, have grown even more sophisticated and pervasive under the new Communist Party leadership, according to a Freedom House special report.