Iran suffered declines, and 93 percent of the region’s people still live in countries rated Not Free.

On August 30, the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Freedom House joined 32 organizations to highlight the systematic practice of enforced disappearance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to call on states and multilateral and international institutions to take timely action to address impunity for this crime.

As it rightly presses Russia to halt the bombing of civilian targets in Syria, the United States is supporting an abusive air campaign by a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.

More aggressive tactics by authoritarian regimes and an upsurge in terrorist attacks contributed to a disturbing decline in global freedom in 2014. 

If exiled dissidents can be attacked even in the strongest democracies, none of us are safe.

China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia flagrantly violate fundamental human rights and should not be elected to the UN Human Rights Council. 

Today Freedom House and PEN America released a letter calling on U.S. President Barack Obama to push for the release of poet Ashraf Fayadh in Saudi Arabia. The letter was signed by a coalition of rights groups including PEN America, Freedom House, Human Rights First, and the Center for Inquiry.

Many authoritarian regimes have managed to avoid serious criticism by exploiting strategic partnerships with the United States and its allies.