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Association of Nigerians protest with locals against Boko Haram actions that claimed responsibility for abducting over 200 girls from a school in Chibok, Nigeria. Spain, 2014. Editorial credit: rSnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock.com.

Strengthening Civil Society

When governments fail to act in the public interest, and opposition parties are unwilling or unable to offer a credible alternative, it is up to civil society organizations to identify abuses and advocate for reforms. Freedom House works around the world to provide local civic groups with the tools they need to advance democratic governance in their own countries.

In collaboration with dozens of partner organizations around the world, Freedom House supports the initiatives of local groups to counteract restrictions and protect space for civil society. We also lead the Lifeline consortium of seven international organizations that provides emergency assistance to civil society organizations under threat or attack and advocacy support to respond to broader threats to civil society. To learn more about Freedom House programs, supporting civil society please visit our Regional Programs page. If you would like to interview a Freedom House expert on this topic, please email [email protected].

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Understanding Anti-Civil Society Measures in Africa

Over the last 15 years, 11 African countries have adopted legislation or policies that improperly constrained nongovernmental organizations. These laws and policies seek to impose state control over civil society, particularly NGOs that work on human rights and governance issues.

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Featured Analysis:

Relatives of government opponents who remain detained in different prisons hold signs with their portraits and names during a protest in Caracas in December 2020. (Image Credit: Yuri CORTEZ / AFP via Getty Images)

Defending Latin American Human Rights and Democracy Activists

Special Report

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Civic Mobilization in Authoritarian Contexts

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

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Featured Freedom House Programs:

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Lifeline Emergency Assistance Program

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.

Reporters hold banners as they attend a demonstration march for press freedom. Yangon, Myanmar. 7 January 2014.  Editorial credit: Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images

Our Work in Myanmar

Currently, Freedom House is supporting the efforts of civil society groups and networks to increase public participation in and advocacy on constitutional and legislative reform in Myanmar. 

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Our Work in Tanzania

Freedom House’s Data Driven Advocacy program works to build the ability of Tanzanian civil society to advocate for, and influence policy on, key national-level human rights issues using better data and information to drive results. 

Freedom House in the Media:

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

May 13, 2022

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Press freedom is under attack opens in new tab

May 3, 2022

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US–India relations: Back to a not-so-bright future? opens in new tab

March 29, 2022

News & Perspectives:

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“A Constant State of Fear”: An Afghan Human Rights Defender Describes Her Life Under Taliban Rule

Perspectives

June 30, 2022
Freedom House

Freedom House Announces Tiseke Kasambala to Lead Africa Programs; Alessandra Pinna to Lead Latin America and the Caribbean Programs

Press release

June 15, 2022

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Freedom House Experts Join Executive Leadership Team

Press release

April 4, 2022

Freedom House

A Global Initiative to Liberate Political Prisoners

Press release

March 22, 2022

Ecuador’s Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo

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

Perspectives

February 24, 2022

Freedom House

Eswatini: Freedom House Condemns Arrests of Student Leaders, Persecution of Activists

Press release

February 3, 2022

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