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…

Always great to see @MarioDB, especially at a moment when significant change within Cuba is possible @freedomhouse will support the people of Cuba as they seek their fundamental freedoms #SOSCuba #Cubalibre

We strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s execution of three protesters, including a teenage member of Iran’s national wrestling team, as well as a Swedish citizen. These killings, without a fair trial and reports of coerced confessions, are part of Tehran’s ongoing use of executions to terrorize its own people. The regime must halt these abuses now. #Iran

In case you missed it: Watch yesterday’s Freedom in the World 2026 launch event, where experts discuss the major trends in global freedom in 2025, and what can be done to advance political rights and civil liberties around the world: youtube.com/watch?v=EFqEwp…

Of the 195 countries covered by #FreedomInTheWorld, 54 experienced declines in political rights and civil liberties and only 35 registered improvements in 2025. 🗺️Explore the map: freedomhouse.org/explore-the-map

Inspiring to meet with #FreeJimmyLai's daughter Claire. @freedomhouse will continue to fight for Jimmy's release #journalismisnotacrime

“Those who live under repression continue to form prodemocracy movements and to protest, at great risk, in defense of their fundamental rights. They require the sustained support of those of us who enjoy the blessings of liberty.” - @jamiemfly and @gorokhovskaia in @PostOpinions washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/…

Freedom House welcomes the release of 250 political prisoners today in #Belarus, and we commend @johnpcoale and @StateDept for pushing the regime to give those released the opportunity to choose whether to stay or leave, without facing forcible displacement. Authorities must restore their full rights, including access to travel documents and basic services, and ensure they are free from harassment or renewed pressure. We are encouraged to see human rights defenders and journalists among those freed, but all political prisoners must be released without exception. #FreeThemAll

Read the latest Spotlight🔆on Freedom: 🌍 NEW REPORT: Freedom in the World 2026 📢 JOINT STATEMENT: Request to Mark Up the Transnational Repression Policy Act 🗓️ EVENT: Literary Salon and Book Launch for Tsi Conrad More: bit.ly/4dwk3m3 Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHne…

Freedom in the World is @freedomhouse's flagship annual report on the state of global freedom, in its 53rd year. Today, we released the 2026 version, full text available here: tinyurl.com/55hy896n

Starting soon: Join us for the virtual launch of #FreedomInTheWorld 2026: freedomhouse.org/event/report-l…

We are concerned by the Chinese Communist Party’s recent approval of an expansive new ethnicity law that risks further eroding the rights of minorities that have already suffered for years under the CCP’s sinicization efforts. This includes the formalization and expansion of a language policy that restricts the use of minority languages in schools nationwide.

In case you missed it: Yesterday, Freedom House hosted a virtual event—Risks, Prospects, and Paths Forward for Freedom in Iran—where experts discussed ongoing developments in #Iran and how the international community can support a path forward grounded in democracy, security, and the rule of law. Watch the full recording here: youtu.be/uEpnpO_iiug?si…

With Cuba set to continue its release of 51 prisoners in the coming days, we join Cubalex in drawing attention to the habeas corpus petition the organization submitted on behalf of artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, which argues he has already completed the five year sentence arbitrarily imposed on him. This raises even greater concerns about the legality of his continued detention. #FreeThemAll

Join us on March 19 for the virtual launch of #FreedomInTheWorld 2026, where speakers will examine the global state of democracy and freedom in 2025. Click to RSVP: freedomhouse.org/event/report-l…

Freedom House is glad to join with 34 other organizations to urge the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to mark up the bipartisan and bicameral #TransnationalRepression Policy Act (H.R. 4829/S.2525) this spring. This would be a critical step forward in the fight to counter authoritarian efforts to silence dissent beyond their borders. Read the letter here: freedomhouse.org/article/reques…

Starting soon: Risks, Prospects, and Paths Forward for Freedom in Iran. Join us: freedomhouse.org/event/risks-pr…

Four years ago today, Salma Al-Shehab was convicted by the Saudi Arabian government for sharing posts online that support women’s rights and sentenced to 34 years in prison, which was later reduced to 8 years. Though she was released early last February after serving 4 years in prison, she is still serving a four-year parole term and faces an additional 8-year travel ban. We call for a full restoration of her rights, and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners that remain behind bars. #FreeThemAll