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Europe Programs

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Freedom House has limited program presence in Europe. Currently, it works primarily in Turkey to protect professional and citizen journalists and to bolster the capacity of legal professionals.

Freedom House works in Europe to educate policy makers about critical threats to fundamental rights and freedoms in individual countries, across the region, and beyond; to protect activists, journalists, academics and other defenders of freedom; and to bolster the resilience and advocacy capacity of civil society organizations.

Current Programs

Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey

Turkey remains one of most challenging places in the European region to exercise fundamental freedoms. In this challenging environment, Freedom House seeks to empower civil society to contribute to the improvement of fundamental freedoms in Turkey and to advocate with national and international decision makers to uphold the country’s human rights commitments.

This project aims to create a common ground for different civil society actors to address human rights issues in the country. Freedom House and its partners intend to respond threats to fundamental freedoms by providing litigation support, research and analysis, support for grassroots initiatives, and advocacy.

Partner organizations: 

  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Freedom Research Association (FRA)
  • Civic Space Studies Association (CSSA)
     

Learn More

 

Past Programs

Strengthening Protection of Freedom of Expression in Turkey (2019-2020) 

Freedom House worked to strengthen respect for freedom of expression in Turkey in partnership with a local organization, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). These joint efforts sought to bolster the number of qualified, practicing lawyers who can defend citizens’ fundamental right to free expression, produced research and policy analysis, and raised greater awareness among the international community on the crisis facing free speech in Turkey.

Key Initiative: Perceptions towards Freedom of Expression in Turkey

Perceptions Towards Freedom of Expression in Turkey cover

In July 2020, Freedom House, together with RIWI Corp, released a new report on freedom of expression and the media in Turkey. On the surface, the presence of a vibrant landscape for free expression seems contradictory, given that Turkey regularly tops global charts for the number of journalists jailed, and is ranked as Not Free in Freedom in the World. This report reveals opportunities for freedom of expression among Turkey's dynamic population, where preferences are shifting from traditional outlets to online platforms. From these contradictions rise not only a clearer picture of the contours of expression, but also hope that this fundamental right can still be exercised.

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More on Turkey

Freedom House

Türkiye: Uluslararası kuruluşlar, seçim öncesi baskınlarda gözaltına alınan Kürt gazeteciler, avukatlar ve siyasi parti yetkililerinin serbest bırakılmasını talep ediyor

Joint statement

April 26, 2023

Freedom House

Turkey: International groups demand release of Kurdish journalists, lawyers, political party officials detained in pre-election crackdown

Joint statement

April 26, 2023

People take part in an event in front of the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur in solidarity with the Uyghur community in China in 2019. The event commemorated the 10th anniversary of the riots in Urumqi that left nearly 200 people dead.

More Governments Finding New Ways to Silence Exiled Voices

Perspectives

April 6, 2023

Freedom House

NEW REPORT: More Governments Engaged in More Transnational Repression during 2022

Press release

April 6, 2023
A voter educator with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Mombasa, Kenya assists a voter to confirm their voter status and voting station during a Civic Engagement Forum at Majengo Village Hall

In Africa, Contrasting Coups and Elections Underscore the Benefits of Democracy

Perspectives

March 30, 2023

Freedom House

NEW REPORT: Freedom in Europe Presented a Mixed Picture in 2022

Press release

March 9, 2023

Explore More Programs

Dignity for all rainbow flag lgbti pride

Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program

The Dignity for All program provides emergency funds, support, and security assistance to human rights defenders and organizations under threat or attack due to their work for LGBTI human rights.

Huge crowd of people gathered on the square, mass demonstration. Revolution of Dignity, Majdan Nezalezhnosti. Kiev, Ukraine. 1 December 2013.  Editorial credit:  Krysja / Shutterstock.com

Eurasia Programs

Through a robust portfolio of projects on the ground, emergency assistance, international advocacy, and special research Freedom House supports citizens and civic groups across the Eurasia region to actively participate in reforms, seek accountability for injustice, and implement meaningful ways to engage citizens as allies and supporters.

Azerbaijan protesters and police

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.

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