People in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Editorial credit:  memomemory / Shutterstock.com

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarchy restricts almost all political rights and civil liberties. No officials at the national level are elected. The regime relies on pervasive surveillance, the criminalization of dissent, appeals to sectarianism and ethnicity, and public spending supported by oil revenues to maintain power. Women and members of religious minority groups face extensive discrimination in law and in practice. Working conditions for the large expatriate labor force are often exploitative.

Freedom on the Net 2023

Freedom on the Net — Saudi Arabia Country Report

Saudi Arabia is rated Not Free in Freedom on the Net, Freedom House's comprehensive study of internet freedom around the globe.

Iranian people in Izmir protest the death of Mahsa Amini by the morality police in Iran.

Freedom in the World — Saudi Arabia Country Report

Saudi Arabia is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2023, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide.