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Underground station in Tehran Metro has separate compartments for women only (2007, Tehran, Iran). Editorial credit: Vladimir Melnik / Shutterstock.com

Equality & Human Rights

Democracy depends on the guarantee of equal rights under law and freedom from discrimination for all individuals in a society. If the rights and freedoms of one segment of the population are violated with impunity, the same sorts of abuses are likely to be visited on others. Those forced to endure a subordinate status have less incentive to play by the rules, creating a vicious circle of defiance and repression.

Freedom House supports frontline activists in their efforts to defend fundamental rights, including to document abuses, advocate for justice, end impunity, and fortify the self-protection of human rights defenders. We also provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who come under threat and work with activists to broaden public support for upholding human rights and the fight for equality. 

Featured Analysis:

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COVID-19 & the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Southern Africa

Special Report

Syria diaspora activism

The Importance of Defending Diaspora Activism for Democracy and Human Rights

Special Report

A supporter of Kenya's Opposition leader Raila Odinga shows a sign to a Kenyan policeman that reads 'Kenya is democracy not police state' during a demonstration in the street of Kisumu in 2008. Credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images.

Online Survey: Kenya's Antiterrorism Strategy Should Prioritize Human Rights, Rule of Law

Policy Brief

Freedom House in the Media:

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Myanmar is Experiencing a Digital-Age Coup – Tech Companies Must Push Back opens in new tab

February 23, 2021

the bulwark

Myanmar’s Coup Tests Biden’s Commitment to Global Democracy opens in new tab

February 4, 2021

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Biden’s Uphill Battle to Hold the Internet Together opens in new tab

December 23, 2020

News & Perspectives:

Young woman at protest facing state police in Venezuela

Venezuela: Maduro debería implementar las recomendaciones de la ONU sobre la protección de los derechos humanos

Joint statement

March 3, 2021

Young woman at protest facing state police in Venezuela

Venezuela: Maduro Must Implement UN Recommendations on Protecting Human Rights

Joint statement

March 3, 2021

Compilation of logos supporting this policy statement

Joint Letter: A Human Rights Approach to US-China Policy

Advocacy letter

February 17, 2021

Chechnya Russia Nizhny Novgorod LGBT rights protest

Russia: Chechen Authorities Must Release Salekh Magamadov and Ismail Isayev

Press release

February 9, 2021

Freedom House

Standing in Solidarity with Venezuelan Human Rights Defenders

Joint statement

February 5, 2021

Uzbekistan homosexuality human rights

Uzbekistan: Stop Punishing Homosexuality and Respect the Human Rights of All

Joint statement

December 10, 2020

Featured Human Rights Work:

Guatemala City, Guatemala. Editorial credit: Lucy Brown - loca4motion / Shutterstock.com

Our Work in Guatemala

In the face of increased government pressure on Guatemalan human rights defenders and civil society organizations, Freedom House is working with activists to enhance their documentation and to raise awareness of human rights abuses and build coalitions in support of anti-impunity measures in Guatemala.  Visit our Latin America and the Caribbean program page to learn more. 

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Human Rights Support Mechanism

The Human Rights Support Mechanism is a project of the PROGRESS consortium, which provides technical assistance and support to partners and beneficiaries in developing countries around the world to protect and promote human rights.

Getty image South Africa protest

Our Work in Southern Africa

Freedom House’s Advancing Rights in Southern Africa program aims to improve the recognition, awareness and enforcement of human rights in the region, with a focus on select rights and a crosscutting emphasis on protecting the region’s most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, women and youth. Visit our Sub-Saharan Africa programs page to learn more. 

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Dignity for All

The Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program provides emergency assistance; security, opportunity, and advocacy rapid response grants (SOAR grants); and security assessment and training to human rights defenders and civil society organizations  under threat or attack due to their work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex human rights.

Learn More
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Supporting Human Rights Defenders Around the World

Freedom House administers several funds which offer emergency assistance to organizations and individuals around the world who are under threat because of their human rights work.

Learn More

Featured Experts

Allie Funk Expert Photo

Allie Funk

Senior Research Analyst, Technology and Democracy

alfunk

Marc Behrendt Expert Photo

Marc Behrendt

Director, Europe and Eurasia programs

Mindy Michels

Director, Emergency Assistance Programs

If you would like to interview a Freedom House expert on this topic, please email [email protected].

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