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Around the World

Russia
President Medvedev has signed a law extending the presidential term from four years to six, raising speculation that Vladimir Putin will seek another term. Read more in Nations in Transit 2008: Russia

Guinea
The African Union has suspended Guinea after last week's military coup following President Conte's death. Learn more about Guinea in Freedom in the World 2008: Guinea

Bangladesh
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League has won a landslide victory in Bangladesh's election. Read more in Freedom in the World 2008: Bangladesh

Australia
Australia could become one of the strictest Internet regulators among democratic countries if a proposed Internet filter goes forward. Read more about Australia's media environment in Freedom of the Press 2008: Australia

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Voice of Freedom

Welcome to Freedom House

Freedom House, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, is a clear voice for democracy and freedom around the world. Through a vast array of international programs and publications, Freedom House is working to advance the remarkable worldwide expansion of political and economic freedom. [More]

Globalizing Autocracy, U.S. Foreign Policy and Democracy Assistance

Freedom House Deputy Executive Director Thomas O. Melia examined the globalization of authoritarianism and the future of democracy assistance at an event at the National Press Club December 10. The event, hosted by Georgetown University's Democracy and Governance Program and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, coincided with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read Melia's remarks.
Read Freedom of Association Under Threat, Freedom House's latest report.

Human Rights Day

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we should first and foremost celebrate that the world has come a long way, not only in terms of recognizing the importance of human rights, but in actually respecting them as well. Read more.

Sussman Honored as Free Speech Champion

Former Freedom House Executive Director Leonard Sussman is the first recipient of the Bullen Press Freedom Advocacy Prize awarded by the World Press Freedom Committee, an organization of 45 journalistic groups worldwide. The award honors Sussman as a "champion of press freedom" for creating Freedom House's annual press freedom survey in 1980, which the committee calls "the statistical standard ranking of how free the press is in every major country." Sussman, who led Freedom House for 21 years and has written extensively on press freedom, accepted the award December 9 in New York. 

Egyptian Bloggers Reveal Hardships in Video at ICANN

Freedom House released a video examining the challenges that Egyptian bloggers face at a conference on internet governance held in Cairo, Egypt November 2-7. In the film, Egyptian bloggers speak of overcoming torture, political intimidation and censure as they push against government restrictions on freedom of expression. The video aired at the 33rd International Public Meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the international body that coordinates Internet domain names and addresses. Freedom House plans to formally launch its Internet Freedom Project in early 2009 and already has a blog that follows internet freedom issues.

Press Releases

Democratic Palestinian State Only Cure for Violence

December 30, 2008 - Freedom House is deeply concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the damage being done to the prospects for peace in the Middle East as Israel and Hamas escalate their attacks on one another.

Huntington Remembered as "Intellectual Giant"

December 29, 2008 - Freedom House is saddened by the death of Samuel Huntington, an influential political scientist and professor at Harvard University who served as a longtime trustee of Freedom House.

UN Vote Threatens Freedom of Expression

December 18, 2008 - The Coalition to Defend Free Speech condemned today’s vote at the UN General Assembly to approve a resolution urging nations to take action against speech defamatory of religion.

Kyrgyz Demand to Censor RFE/RL Signals New Democratic Low

December 17, 2008 - Freedom House is deeply disturbed by the Kyrgyzstan government's decision to suspend transmission of Radio Azattyk, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Kyrgyz service, until it submits its programs for prior approval.

 

In the News

60 years later, fight for rights carries on

December 09, 2008 - Toronto Star, by Olivia Ward

Troubles Plague UN Human Rights Council

December 09, 2008 - Council on Foreign Relations, by Lauren Vriens

Lawyers, Activists Search for Abducted Rights Monitor

December 04, 2008 - Voice of America, by Jonga Kandemiiri

Security with Hillary

December 01, 2008 - National Review blog