The Growing Shadow of Autocracy Global freedom declined for the 20th consecutive year in 2025. But even in this especially challenging moment, there are reasons for optimism.

More data: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...

📣 NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2026 is now LIVE!

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.

Explore more: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...

🗓️ On March 19, join us for the virtual launch of #FreedomInTheWorld 2026!

The event will examine the state of democracy and freedom in 2025 and provide an analysis of major trends impacting fundamental rights over the last two decades.

RSVP today: freedomhouse.org/event/report...

Iran: International Community Must Stand with Iranian People, Demand Accountability for Regime’s Escalating Repression The Iranian regime’s violent crackdown on protesters is its latest effort to stifle growing dissent.

NEW STATEMENT: International Community Must Stand with Iranian People, Demand Accountability for Regime’s Escalating Repression freedomhouse.org/article/iran...

Venezuela: Guidance for a Peaceful Transition to Democracy The United States should work with opposition leaders and the international community to ensure the release of political prisoners, reestablish the rule of law, and clear the way for a freely elected ...

NEW STATEMENT: The US should work with opposition leaders and the international community to ensure the release of political prisoners, reestablish the rule of law, and clear the way for a freely elected Venezuelan government. freedomhouse.org/article/vene...

Leading the Way in the Defense of Freedom: Our Work in 2025 Amid a growing authoritarian threat, Freedom House is a beacon of hope to all those fighting for democratic principles and human dignity.

Amid a growing authoritarian threat, Freedom House remains a beacon of hope to all those fighting for democratic principles and human dignity. Learn more about our work in 2025: freedomhouse.org/article/lead...

Issue 10: July – September 2025

Did you miss it? The tenth edition of @FH_China’s China Dissent Monitor added 1,392 cases to our database for a total of 12,331 dissent events recorded since June 2022.

What we’ve learned: freedomhouse.org/report/china...

Over the past decade, Freedom House has supported more than 25,000 at-risk human rights defenders worldwide. Today we are launching a new campaign to support many more. Every dollar counts. Donate today at www.FreedomHouse.org/Donate

Protests Appear to Be Increasing in China. What Can We Learn from Them? Citizens in China are speaking out when their rights are violated. Freedom House’s China Dissent Monitor analyzes these protest actions—often uncovering broader trends in China’s politics and economy ...

After several months offline, the China Dissent Monitor (CDM)—our initiative to track dissent in the country—has been restored with the help of private donors.

But the future of CDM as a public resource hinges on continued financial support.

Read more

From Awareness to Action: Combating Transnational Repression in the United Kingdom The British government has worked to address the most acute threats, but an effective response will require consistent accountability measures for perpetrators and greater engagement with affected dia...

To learn more about TNR in the UK, check out our recent country case study: freedomhouse.org/report/trans...

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We urge European leaders to raise concerns at the highest levels given that Ukraine's EU accession hinges upon reform and call on donors to continue supporting Ukrainian civil society and independent media. Their role is more critical than ever in ensuring positive, democratic progress.

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Transnational Repression: Trends and Policy Approaches Hearing Notice Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on trends in transnational repression and potential policy approaches to addressing this problem.

Also, this week we will be testifying in a hearing at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on trends in transnational repression and potential policy approaches. More information on the hearing here, tinyurl.com/axph97ca

The G7 has recognized #transnationalrepression as a tool that undermines “national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and principles of international law.” Freedom House has been documenting, analyzing and monitoring TNR and its impacts. More info on our reports & data, tinyurl.com/58j4ktak

A message from the Freedom House Board of Trustees: Sustaining Our Commitment to the Enduring Cause of Freedom ⬇️
freedomhouse.org/article/sust...

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our China Dissent Monitor!

Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.

Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give

The past few months have been deeply disruptive and challenging. What helped us endure was the resilience of our colleagues, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering support of our board. We’re not just adapting, we’re evolving. More on how we can stand up together
lnkd.in/egXXkCKz

Today's Spotlight🔆on Freedom:

✊ The Road Ahead: Defending Democracy and Freedom Together
🇻🇪 Calling for the immediate release of Eduardo Torres
🏆 Our 2025 Annual Awards recap

More: bit.ly/FH-06-05-25
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHnewsletter

Thank you to all those who attended our Annual Awards!

At a time of rising threats to democracy, and amid the sweeping termination of US foreign assistance, your support for Freedom House means more now than ever.

Congratulations again to our remarkable awardees!

We are honored to announce María Corina Machado as our 2025 Freedom Award recipient.

For years, María Corina Machado has stood defiantly against the authoritarian Maduro regime, and she continues to inspire the Venezuelan people—and us—to dream of a more democratic, freer future.

Delivering for Democracy: Why Results Matter | Journal of Democracy Voters around the world are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver and increasingly turning toward more authoritarian alternatives. To restore citizens’ confidence, democracies must show they…

How can democracies can regain citizens' trust? They must pursue and deliver on ambitious projects, write @frankfukuyama.bsky.social, Chris Dann, and Beatriz Magaloni.

www.journalofdemocra...

Bolivia’s Silent Destruction | Journal of Democracy Bolivia’s Amazon forests are becoming scorched earth, with millions of acres lost each year to raging fires. Worse, this disaster is being caused by a government more interested in corrupt profits…

"Authoritarian efficiency is a myth; centralized power without accountability leads to failure."

www.journalofdemocra...

NEW POLICY BRIEF: Political Persecution of Judges and Lawyers Is a Global Problem Attacks on the rule of law can pave the way for broader abuses of power and the deterioration of fundamental freedoms.

Governments around the world are detaining, prosecuting, and imprisoning legal and judicial professionals as part of a larger assault on the rule of law. Check out the new policy brief.
tinyurl.com/4wss2vas

Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize-Winning Peruvian Author and Politician, Dies The erstwhile Marxist-turned-free-marketeer wrote historical novels, semi-autobiographical comedies, murder mysteries, political essays and plays.

Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning author who ran for president in his native Peru and wrote vivid novels that explored themes of despotism, corruption and fanaticism in Latin America, has died. RIP

tinyurl.com/fchrfpps

The most common form of election violence documented by #FreedomInTheWorld was attacks on candidates, occurring in 20 countries.

Voting places were attacked in 14, and violence during election-related protests took place in 11.

Our breakdown: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...

📣 NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2025 is now LIVE!

freedomhouse.org/report/freed...

Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.

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STATEMENT: We reaffirm our solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine as Russia's illegal full-scale invasion enters its fourth year.

A commitment to Ukrainian victory, on Ukraine’s terms, is the only acceptable outcome.

Full statement: freedomhouse.org/article/free...

German election results explained in graphics – DW – 02/24/2025 Will all votes counted in Germany's 2025 election, here's a look in charts at the wins and losses, seats in parliament, possible coalition outcomes and voter demographics.

Voters turned out in record numbers for the German election. Here’s a look in charts at the wins and losses, seats in parliament, possible coalition outcomes and voter demographics.

tinyurl.com/4n75y4mw

In the last weeks I have been re-reading one of my favorite poets, Pablo Neruda and his fragments. I have found comfort in one fragment in particular: “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”

Guatemala: When Hope and Reality Collide Bernardo Arévalo overcame tremendous obstacles to become Guatemala’s president, but the old guard that tried to derail his campaign is now retaliating against his government to protect their own corru...

A brief reflection after one year since President Arévalo assumed office in #Guatemala. I write that President Arévalo has faced fierce resistance to reform since taking his post. His supporters worry that the opportunity for meaningful change may be closing.

tinyurl.com/bdcred57

Venezuela: International Community Must Reject Maduro's Power Grab and Support Edmundo González Urrutia No inauguration ceremony can legitimize Maduro’s fraudulent claim to have won the July 2024 presidential election.

"We call on democracies around the world to recognize democratic leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the presidential election, and to reject Maduro’s fraudulent claim to have won a popular mandate."
@freedomhouse.bsky.social