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Beirut, Lebanon - November 22, 2019: Lebanese marching for Lebanon's Independence Day in a Civil Parade while protesting against the current government and corruption in the country. Editorial credit: Hiba Al Kallas / Shutterstock.com.

Government Accountability & Transparency

A well-functioning democracy requires strong safeguards against official corruption, which erodes public services as well as public faith in the democratic system. Corruption can also give unfair advantages to incumbent politicians and create pathways for malign interference by foreign powers.

Government accountability and transparency ensure that malfeasance is exposed—and that failed or harmful policies are swiftly corrected.

Freedom House research, including Freedom in the World, has documented the global decline in government accountability, transparency, and rule of law, as authoritarian leaders ignore the most basic elements of due process, misuse the justice system to persecute their critics, and perpetuate impunity for corruption and abuses of power. Freedom House supports local efforts to strengthen the rule of law, including to end torture, hold human rights abusers to account, and promote judicial reforms.

Featured Freedom House Programs:

Moldova program civil society meeting

Supporting Judicial Integrity in Moldova

In cooperation with local partners, Freedom House promotes the rule of law in Moldova by engaging civil society, media, and the public in the country’s justice sector reform efforts. Freedom House implements the multi-year Mobilizing Civil Society to Support Judicial Integrity in the Republic of Moldova project, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).  

Getty image South Africa protest

Our Work in South Africa

Freedom House’s Promoting Civic Education and Participation in South Africa program seeks to strengthen the ability of civil society and community-based organizations to conduct civic education activities in their communities and to support their efforts to strengthen citizen participation in political processes. The program aims to facilitate engagement between citizens and their local and national representatives, increasing the use of tools that improve citizens’ ability to hold government officials accountable.

judicial integrity africa

Our Work in Uganda

Freedom House works with Ugandans to promote rule of law and protect human rights by supporting national-level structures and civil society organizations that uphold respect for human rights, child justice, and rule of law.  The program combines technical assistance and financial support to Ugandan partners to improve judicial independence and strengthen promotion of human rights protection by civil society organizations. 

Featured Analysis:

Irpin, Ukraine – March 4, 2022 – Civilians rush to board a train as the sounds of battle draw closer to the city of Irpin. Image credit: Marcus Yam / Contributor, Getty Images

From Democratic Decline to Authoritarian Aggression

Nations in Transit

April 20, 2022

People in Budapest protest for the independence of Hungary's University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) following changes that threaten the university's autonomy. (Image credit: Marton Monus/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

The Antidemocratic Turn

Nations in Transit

Freedom House - Transnational Repression 2022

Defending Democracy in Exile

Transnational Repression

News & Perspectives:

Freedom House

Eswatini: Human Rights Lawyer’s Killing Must Be Investigated

Press release

January 23, 2023

Cumartesi Anneleri / Saturday Mothers gather in Galatasaray Square, Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey: Detention of Saturday Mothers Represents Arbitrary, Unlawful Crackdown on Peaceful Dissent

Press release

June 27, 2022

Turkey’s Gezi Trial Verdict a Travesty of Justice

Joint statement

April 26, 2022

Freedom House

Permanent Global Magnitsky Act Will Ensure Perpetrators Face Consequences

Joint statement

April 12, 2022

Khashoggi

Turkey: Authorities Abdicate Responsibility, Deny Justice in Khashoggi Case

Press release

April 8, 2022

Oppositionist Alexey Navalny on a march in memory of politician Boris Nemtsov, who was killed in Russia

Russia: Freedom House Condemns Navalny Sentencing; Demands Accountability for Kremlin Repression

Press release

March 22, 2022

Freedom House in the Media:

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China’s Movie Censorship: ‘Black Panther’ And ‘Ant Man’ Sequels Approved After Past Marvel Films—And ‘Top Gun’—Were Banned opens in new tab

January 20, 2023

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Glimpses of Democracy opens in new tab

December 9, 2022

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Protests Against Zero-COVID Are Rocking China. Here’s What You Need to Know opens in new tab

November 28, 2022

Featured Experts

Annie Boyajian Expert Photo

Annie Wilcox Boyajian

Vice President for Policy and Advocacy

AnnieBoyajian

NBS

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

Executive Vice President, Freedom House; Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow, George W. Bush Institute

Yana Gorokhovskaia headshot

Yana Gorokhovskaia

Research Director, Strategy and Design

@gorokhovskaia

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

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