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Hundreds of protesters with signs and flags in front of a capital building.
Our issues Dhaka, Bangladesh protesting violence against women and children

Our Issues

Freedom House works to defend human rights and promote democratic change, with a focus on political rights and civil liberties. We act as a catalyst for freedom through a combination of analysis, advocacy, and action. Our analysis, focused on 13 central issues, is underpinned by our international program work. Browse our work and analysis by issue below.

Humanitarian activists hold a poster with a picture of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who was killed in Turkey. Makassar, Indonesia. 18 October 2018. Editorial credit: Herwin Bahar / Shutterstock.com

Authoritarian Reach

Authoritarian leaders worldwide are exerting their influence beyond their borders in an attempt to silence critics and subvert democracy.

coronavirus ukraine military officers testing

Democracy during Pandemic

The coronavirus outbreak presents a range of new challenges to democracy and human rights.

Men using their mobile phones on a sidewalk. Johannesburg, South Africa. Editorial credit:  Sunshine Seeds / Shutterstock.com

Technology & Democracy

Rapidly advancing information and communication technologies have had a profound impact on democracy around the world.

Hungarian people living in the English city marched silently through the streets in a show of solidarity with protesters in Hungary.  Bristol, England. 16 December 2018. Editorial credit: tviolet / Shutterstock.com

Democracies in Decline

In every region of the world, democracy is under attack by populist leaders and groups that reject pluralism.

United States Capitol Building. Washington, DC. Editorial credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock.comL:

Promoting U.S. Leadership

Freedom House believes that the United States has an essential part to play in the global struggle for liberty.

A man inserts the inserts a voted ballot into the ballot box. Puglia, Italy. 26 May 2019. Editorial Credit: Editorial credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com

Election Integrity

Free and fair elections are a foundational component of political freedom.

Two young indigenous men protesting holding banner "Stop the indigenous genocide", in march for the rights of the indigenous people.  São Paulo, Brazil. 1 January 2019. Editorial Credit: PARALAXIS / Shutterstock.com

Equality & Human Rights

Democracy depends on the guarantee of equal rights under law and freedom from discrimination for all individuals in a society.

Memorial to murdered journalist Daphne Carunana Galizia. Valletta, Malta. 16 November 2019. Editorial credit: Paul Mendoza / Shutterstock.com

Media Freedom

The ability of journalists to report freely on matters of public interest is a crucial indicator of democracy.

Detail of a copy of the Constitution of Venezuela. In the hands of a demonstrator against the government of Nicolás Maduro.  Venezuela.  Decmeber 2016. Editorial credit:  StringerAL / Shutterstock.com

Government Accountability & Transparency

A well-functioning democracy requires strong safeguards against official corruption.

Nanette Castillo, mother of a victim of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.  The Hague, Netherlands. 24 September 2019.  Editorial credit: Jofelle Tesorio / Shutterstock.com

Strengthening Civil Society

Civil society organization play an important role in democratic societies, working to identify abuses and advocate for vital reforms.

Police confrontation with civilians, as people are trying to get to the protest on Tverskaya Street.  Moscow, Russia. 27 July, 2019. Editorial credit:  Aleksandr Beliakov / Shutterstock.com

Freedom of Assembly

The right to assemble peacefully is a fundamental prerequisite for any open and self-governing society.

Teenaged man with taped mouth protesting censorship at demonstration against a new copyright law by European Union, "Artikel 13." Erfurt, Germany. 23 March 2019. Editorial credit:  Timo Nausch / Shutterstock.com

Freedom of Expression

Free speech and expression is the lifeblood of democracy, facilitating open debate, the proper consideration of diverse interests and perspectives.

Two indian muslim women with poster protests against controversial anti-muslim Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB CAA).  Mumbai, India. 19 December 2019. Editorial credit:  arun sambhu mishra / Shutterstock.com

Religious Freedom

Freedom of worship is an important element of democracy, encouraging full political participation, and strengthening pluralism more broadly.

Featured Programs

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Getty image South Africa protest

Regional Programs

Freedom House is on the front lines in promoting freedom and democracy in some of the most repressive societies around the world. 

Azerbaijan protesters and police

Emergency Assistance Programs

Around the world, journalists, human rights defenders and civil society activists and organizations come under threat because they stand up for their fellow citizens.

protest in kong kong umbrella movement

Human Rights Support Programming

Implemented by the PROGRESS consortium of core partner organizations, the Human Rights Support Mechanism deploys programs that promote universally recognized human rights.

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