Freedom House

📣NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2026 is now LIVE! freedomhouse.org/report/freedom… Military coups, violence against peaceful protestors, and efforts to weaken constitutional safeguards drove deterioration in 2025, which also marked the 20th consecutive year of decline in global freedom. Global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025. A total of 54 countries experienced deterioration in their political rights and civil liberties, while only 35 countries registered improvements. The biggest score declines were in Guinea-Bissau, Tanzania, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and El Salvador. The biggest improvements were recorded in Syria, Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Gabon. The 20 consecutive years of decline in global freedom have been a boon for the world’s autocracies, which have swelled in number and hardened their repression. In 2005, 45 countries were rated Not Free; today, 59 are rated Not Free. While respect for many fundamental rights has deteriorated during the last 20 years, media freedom, freedom of personal expression, and due process have suffered the heaviest impacts. Autocrats have not been the only culprits behind attacks on these rights. Leaders in democracies have tried to undermine oversight and restrictions on their power, weakening freedom of expression and the rule of law in the process. Most people around the globe live in Partly Free and Not Free countries. 40 percent of the world’s population reside in a country that experienced a decline in political rights and civil liberties in 2025. The US score declined by 3 points in 2025, bringing the total number of points lost since 2005 to 12. Following Bulgaria and Nauru, this is the third largest 20-year decline of any country still rated Free. Most democracies remain resilient in the face of daunting challenges. Despite internal pressures and threats from foreign powers, democracies continue to demonstrate that their domestic political systems are responsive and capable of course correction. Of the 87 countries rated Free in 2005, a total of 76—more than 85 percent—have remained Free throughout the two-decade period of global decline. Explore more from #FreedomInTheWorld 2026: freedomhouse.org/report/freedom…

Freedom House is encouraged to hear that Narges Mohammadi has been discharged from intensive care and continues receiving treatment. She should be immediately and unconditionally freed, alongside all political prisoners in Iran, and allowed to recover in peace without persecution, harassment, or the threat of reimprisonment. #FreedThemAl

Must Read: A new @WSJ feature tells the story of Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, whose detention has become emblematic of the CCP’s broader crackdown on religious freedom and independent Christian communities in China. Freedom House continues working through our #FreeThemAll program to support efforts to secure his release.

Freedom House stands with the families of those who have suffered as a result of enforced disappearance, torture, and abuse in Venezuela. The circumstances surrounding Víctor Hugo Quero Navas’s death and the anguish endured by Carmen Navas demand accountability and justice. All political prisoners must be released. #FreeThemAll

Tomorrow: Join Freedom House live for our Annual Awards and 85th Anniversary celebration as we honor courageous individuals advancing freedom and democracy at one of the most challenging moments in decades. Tune in to the livestream and join the conversation with #FreedomHouse85: youtube.com/live/eFNhh58a2…

Last week, Freedom House President @GerardoBerthin joined @WorldPittsburgh for a conversation on democratic governance, polarization, and the global challenges facing free societies today. Watch a recording of the event: youtube.com/watch?v=5cNR0Z…

Last week, during the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly met with Cuban pro-democracy activist @carolinabferrer, Executive Director of @CiudadaniayL, for a conversation on the realities facing civil society in Cuba after nearly 70 years of authoritarian rule. Their conversation underscored the importance of freedom of association as a cornerstone of civic life, enabling citizens to organize, advocate, and shape their future. Supporting independent voices like Barrero’s remains essential to advancing human rights and pushing back against the severe restrictions on civic space in Cuba. Freedom House remains steadfast in its commitment to support independent Cuban civil society and human rights defenders as they work toward a freer, more democratic future.

Congratulations to Freedom House Board Chair Norman Willox on receiving the distinguished Ellis Island Medal of Honor. This prestigious recognition honors individuals whose accomplishments and commitment to service exemplify leadership, integrity, and dedication to community. We are grateful for Norm’s continued leadership and proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.

Last week, Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly was honored to meet with Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO) to reaffirm our shared commitment to the protection, return, and reintegration of Ukrainian children taken by Russia. They also discussed the importance of securing the release of political prisoners and civilian detainees.

Freedom House is monitoring reports that the national security case against Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, @joshuawongcf, has been transferred to a higher court. Joshua Wong, who is 29 years old, now faces up to life imprisonment for his activism as a student and co-founder of the pro-democracy party Demosisto. Joshua is one of the many political prisoners that should be immediately and unconditionally released ahead of any visit by Xi Jinping to the United States. #FreeThemAll hongkongfp.com/2026/05/14/jai…

One year after her arbitrary detention, Ruth López remains unjustly imprisoned on questionable charges, without full respect for due process and judicial guarantees. Her detention and continued prosecution raise serious concerns of politically motivated persecution. We call on the Salvadoran State to ensure a public trial that fully upholds due process, judicial independence, and international human rights standards, without undue delay. We also call for the application of alternative measures to pretrial detention that would allow her to remain free while proceedings continue. In addition, we urge the immediate removal of restrictions on communication with her family and legal defense team. #LibertadParaRuth #TenganDecencia

Freedom House President @GerardoBerthin and CEO @jamiemfly were honored to meet with @MariaCorinaYA in Washington, DC, last week. Freedom House stands with the people of Venezuela and supports their democratic aspirations. In this moment of transition for the country, we continue to urge the United States and other democracies to support the Venezuelan people’s demands for justice and free elections. Read more here: freedomhouse.org/article/beyond…

As Americans gather on the National Mall for Rededicate 250, Freedom House continues calling attention to the cases of Pastor Gao Quanfu, Pang Yu, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, and other Christians detained for peacefully practicing their faith in China. Religious freedom is a universal right, and we will continue working to #FreeThemAll.

This week, Freedom House hosted a private discussion with leading voices from Venezuelan civil society and the policy community on the future of democratic transition in Venezuela. Participants explored the urgent need to dismantle repressive structures, support political prisoners and civil society, and create conditions for lasting democratic reform.

We’re hiring! Freedom House is seeking a Deputy Director for the Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners. This Washington, DC-based hybrid role is a senior advocacy and strategy position that will help shape and advance policy, advocacy, and partnership efforts in support of political prisoner cases and related human rights priorities. Learn more: phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe0https://ph…

After years of unjust detention by the Cuban regime, political prisoner Sissi Abascal, the youngest member of the Damas de Blanco, has been freed and arrives in Miami after forced exile. We welcome her with hope, while insisting that all Cuban political prisoners must be released fully and unconditionally. #FreeThemAll

Jimmy Lai’s continued imprisonment and deteriorating health underscore the urgency of securing his release. Freedom House stands with his family and all those advocating on his behalf and looks forward to honoring him with this year’s Freedom Award next week. #FreeJimmyLai #FreeThemAll

Freedom House is grateful to @SpeakerPelosi and all congressional leaders speaking out on behalf of Jimmy Lai and other political prisoners unjustly detained in China and Hong Kong. Next week, Freedom House will honor Jimmy Lai with this year’s Freedom Award at our Annual Awards and 85th Anniversary celebration in recognition of his courageous defense of free expression and democracy. #FreeJimmyLai #FreeThemAll

As Cuba’s humanitarian crisis deepens and protests increase across the island, we are closely monitoring growing reports of arbitrary detentions and repression targeting Cubans demanding dignity and freedom. The March imprisonment of 16-year-old Jonathan Muir Burgos following protests in Morón was a chilling reminder that the Cuban regime is willing to jail even minors for exercising their fundamental rights to expression and peaceful assembly. No child should face prison for speaking out. Cuba must immediately release Jonathan Muir and all political prisoners. #FreeThemAll

Reports that Cuban officials offered political prisoners Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo Pérez the possibility of exile, only to leave them imprisoned, underscore the cruelty of the regime’s treatment of political prisoners. Forced exile is not freedom, and political prisoners must never be used as bargaining chips. The same concern extends to Saylí Navarro and Félix Navarro, who also remain unjustly detained alongside more than 1,200 political prisoners across Cuba. Cuban authorities must immediately and unconditionally #FreeThemAll.

Freedom House remains deeply concerned about the health of imprisoned @NobelPrize laureate Narges Mohammadi amid reports of worsening medical complications linked to prolonged stress and pressure. The Iranian authorities should ensure she receives proper medical treatment and release her immediately. #FreeThemAll