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Underground station in Tehran Metro has separate compartments for women only (2007, Tehran, Iran). Editorial credit: Vladimir Melnik / 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.

Democracy depends on the guarantee of equal rights under law and freedom from discrimination for all individuals in a society. If the rights and freedoms of one segment of the population are violated with impunity, the same sorts of abuses are likely to be visited on others. Those forced to endure a subordinate status have less incentive to play by the rules, creating a vicious circle of defiance and repression.

Freedom House supports frontline activists in their efforts to defend fundamental rights, including to document abuses, advocate for justice, end impunity, and fortify the self-protection of human rights defenders. We also provide emergency assistance to human rights defenders who come under threat and work with activists to broaden public support for upholding human rights and the fight for equality. 

Featured Analysis:

advancing rights of indigenous peoples in sourthern africa

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

Special Report

Syria diaspora activism

The Importance of Defending Diaspora Activism for Democracy and Human Rights

Special Report

A supporter of Kenya's Opposition leader Raila Odinga shows a sign to a Kenyan policeman that reads 'Kenya is democracy not police state' during a demonstration in the street of Kisumu in 2008. Credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images.

Online Survey: Kenya's Antiterrorism Strategy Should Prioritize Human Rights, Rule of Law

Policy Brief

Freedom House in the Media:

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Biden’s Uphill Battle to Hold the Internet Together opens in new tab

December 23, 2020

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International Observers, Election Experts Are Worried About US Democracy opens in new tab

November 16, 2020

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Fighting Election Results, Trump Employs a New Weapon: The Government opens in new tab

November 16, 2020

News & Perspectives:

Southern Africa Indigenous peoples San art

The Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples in Southern Africa

Perspectives

December 10, 2020

UN Human Rights Council

Deep Concern as Cuba is Reelected to UN Human Rights Council

Joint statement

October 13, 2020

Azerbaijan Arrests

Azerbaijan: Opposition Leader Sentenced to Years in Prison On Politically Motivated Charges

Press release

September 3, 2020

UkUkraine: Law Enforcement Must Respond to Open Threats of Hate-Fueled Violenceraine

Ukraine: Law Enforcement Must Respond to Open Threats of Hate-Fueled Violence

Press release

August 31, 2020

2020 Mark Palmer Prize

The 2020 Mark Palmer Prize: Call for Nominations

Press release

August 25, 2020

Moldova Press Freedom Days 2019 - Female Moldovan journalist interviewing subject

An Effective Press Requires Gender Equality

Perspectives

August 19, 2020

Featured Human Rights Work:

Guatemala City, Guatemala. Editorial credit: Lucy Brown - loca4motion / Shutterstock.com

Our Work in Guatemala

In the face of increased government pressure on Guatemalan human rights defenders and civil society organizations, Freedom House is working with activists to enhance their documentation and to raise awareness of human rights abuses and build coalitions in support of anti-impunity measures in Guatemala.  Visit our Latin America and the Caribbean program page to learn more. 

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Human Rights Support Mechanism

The Human Rights Support Mechanism is a project of the PROGRESS consortium, which provides technical assistance and support to partners and beneficiaries in developing countries around the world to protect and promote human rights.

Getty image South Africa protest

Our Work in Southern Africa

Freedom House’s Advancing Rights in Southern Africa program aims to improve the recognition, awareness and enforcement of human rights in the region, with a focus on select rights and a crosscutting emphasis on protecting the region’s most vulnerable and marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, women and youth. Visit our Sub-Saharan Africa programs page to learn more. 

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Dignity for All

The Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program provides emergency assistance; security, opportunity, and advocacy rapid response grants (SOAR grants); and security assessment and training to human rights defenders and civil society organizations  under threat or attack due to their work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex human rights.

Learn More
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Supporting Human Rights Defenders Around the World

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.

Learn More

Featured Experts

Allie Funk Expert Photo

Allie Funk

Senior Research Analyst, Technology and Democracy

alfunk

Marc Behrendt Expert Photo

Marc Behrendt

Director, Europe and Eurasia programs

Mindy Michels

Director, Emergency Assistance Programs

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

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