Laos

6.5 million people
1,130 USD GNI (PPP)
Press:
Not Free
Not Free

Population and GNI data source

News & Updates

In the News

Nothing to Celebrate: The 17 Least-Free Places in the World

July 4, 2013

As Americans celebrate Independence Day and the world looks nervously toward uncertain political developments in Egypt, it's worth remembering the countries that have little to celebrate.  Click here to see a photo slideshow of the 'Worst of the Worst' countries.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Democratic Governance, Elections, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Media Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe
Freedom Alert

All Efforts Should be Made to Locate Missing Laotian Activist

December 19, 2012

Freedom House expresses deep concern about the disappearance of Laotian anti-poverty activist and former director of the Participatory Development Training Centre, Sombath Somphone, who has been missing since he was reportedly detained by authorities on Saturday, December 15.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Defense, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

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Special Reports

Worst of the Worst 2011: The World's Most Repressive Societies

Freedom House has prepared this special report entitled Worst of the Worst: The World’s Most Repressive Societies, as a companion to its annual survey on the state of global political rights and civil liberties, Freedom in the World. The special report provides summary country reports, tables, and graphical information on the countries that receive the lowest combined ratings for political rights and civil liberties in Freedom in the World, and whose citizens endure systematic and pervasive human rights violations.

Worst of the Worst 2007

Sudan, North Korea and Uzbekistan are prominent among the most repressive regimes in the world, according to a report released by Freedom House.  The study, “The Worst of the Worst: The World's Most Repressive Societies 2007,” named seventeen countries with the worst records for political rights and civil liberties, and pointed to thirteen countries which have been on the list for five years or more.

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