Sudan crowd gathers outside a court in Omdurman

Expanding Freedom and Democracy

Israeli anti-judicial reform protests, Tel Aviv

PERSPECTIVES

Freedom Improved in the Middle East, but Authoritarian Repression Persists

Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people.

Sign the Civil Society Declaration of Democratic Principles

Just as the citizens and institutions within a democracy hold one another accountable for their adherence to democratic principles, so must all of the world’s democracies work together to reinforce shared ideals and confront common threats. Ahead of the second Summit for Democracy, join organizations and individuals in supporting principles aimed at strengthening and expanding freedom and democracy worldwide.

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Explore Freedom in the World 2023

Read the Report

Since 1973, Freedom House has assessed the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world. The 2023 edition of Freedom in the World is the 50th in this series of annual comparative reports.

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People hold white sheets of paper in protest over COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on Nov. 27, 2022. Crowds had gathered for a vigil honoring the victims of a fire in Urumqi, which took place during COVID-19- related lockdowns in China. (Image credit: Reuters/Thomas Peter)

Policy Recommendations

Democracies and private sector actors should work to support core democratic principles and basic human rights at home and around the world.

Test Your Knowledge!

Test your knowledge of some of the key findings from our 2023 report by taking our quiz.

Tracking Democracy and Freedom Around the World

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Free Them All: A Political Prisoners Initiative

Free Them All: A Political Prisoners Initiative is a new Freedom House project intended to help free political prisoners and push back against the jailing of activists as a tool of repression. Located around the globe, the stories of these artists, journalists, and activists illustrate the significant pressures and harms that human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists face in reprisal for their work and why they need our support.

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democracy defenders thailand bangkok protest image

Election Watch: Thailand

Thailand is preparing to hold general elections in May 2023. Public discontent with the military-backed government has been growing, however, electoral interference to undermine support for opposition parties or those otherwise not aligned with the military is likely. Freedom House's Election Watch team follows key digital interference issues to watch ahead of election day.