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The 2017 women's march takes place in downtown Washington D.C. with the Trump Hotel and the Capitol Building in the background. Editorial credit: G. Midford / Shutterstock.com.

Freedom of Assembly

The right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental prerequisite for any open and self-governing society. While most countries’ constitutions promise freedom of assembly, far fewer governments uphold this basic right without undue restrictions.  

hong kong anti extradition protests

Protests Erupt Around the Globe

A striking number of new citizen protest movements have emerged over the past year, reflecting the inexhaustible and universal desire for fundamental rights. However, these movements have in many cases confronted deeply entrenched interests that are able to endure considerable pressure and are willing to use deadly force to maintain power. The protests of 2019 have so far failed to halt the overall slide in global freedom, and without greater support and solidarity from established democracies, they are more likely to succumb to authoritarian reprisals. To learn more about how protests impacted the state of global freedom, read the Freedom in the World 2020 report. 

Read More
Freedom in the World 2020 protests erupt around the globe

Freedom House in the Media:

The Diplomat

China’s Censors Aim to Contain Dissent During Harsh COVID-19 Lockdowns | Opinion opens in new tab

May 19, 2022

The Diplomat

China’s Censors Aim to Contain Dissent During Harsh COVID-19 Lockdowns | Opinion opens in new tab

May 19, 2022

updated newsweek logo

Is Authoritarianism the New Normal for Asia? | Opinion opens in new tab

May 13, 2022

News & Perspectives:

Ecuador’s Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo

Improving Transparency, Empowering Citizens: Ecuador’s Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo

Perspectives

February 24, 2022

Protestors in Yangon shine their phone lights during a demonstration against Myanmar's military coup. Image credit: Theint Mon Soe/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Myanmar: Democratic States, International Organizations Must Redouble Efforts to Support Democracy One Year after Coup

Press release

February 1, 2022

2022 Kazakhstan protests — Aqtobe, January 4

Kazakhstan: Freedom House Urges De-escalation of Violence, Movement Toward Rule of Law

Press release

January 6, 2022

July 11th First Rally against the Cuban government genocidal actions this week. Held in front of the Canadian Parliament. Ottawa, Summer 2021

Cuba: The United States Must Support Cubans’ Demand for Long-Awaited Freedom

Press release

July 19, 2021

Cuban flag

Cuba: Authorities Must Refrain From Inciteful Language, Use of Force against Peaceful Protests

Press release

July 13, 2021

President Cyril Ramaphosa, Eswatini (Swaziland) King Mswati iii, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, and President of Angola João Lourenço

Eswatini: End Use of Lethal Force against Protesters

Press release

June 30, 2021

Featured Analysis:

Civil activists demonstrate in Nairobi outside parliament buildings over two recent parliamentary bills they say will curb hard-won freedoms and muzzle government critics. Credit: TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images.

The Spread of Anti-NGO Measures in Africa: Freedoms Under Threat

Special Report

Voices in the STreet hero photo boniface mwangi

Voices in the Streets

Special Report

Featured Experts

Allie Funk Expert Photo

Allie Funk

Research Director for Technology and Democracy

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