Priority Countries |
While China has emerged as an economic super power and Chinese citizens are able to achieve a far greater level of prosperity and connectivity to the outside world than ever before, they continue to be denied many fundamental political rights and civil liberties. In fact, more than half of the world’s population living in countries designated “Not Free” by Freedom House live in China. Freedom House works to bring attention to the suppression of basic human rights in China includingthe repression of religious and ethnic minorities and the shifting limits on freedom of expression in the country including censorship of the press and the Internet.
The Nobel Committee's decision in November 2010 to award the Peace Prize to imprisoned dissident Liu Xiaobo has brought renewed attention to China's treatment of democracy activists. Of course, it heightened international awareness of the plight of Liu, who has been imprisoned since 2008 for his role in writing the Charter 08 manifesto that called for expanded freedom in China. But it also shone light on China's philosophy of guilt by association: Soon after the announcement of the award, Liu's family members, fellow democracy activists, and even strangers who merely tweeted their support of him were targeted by the government in many ways, including house arrest, close monitoring by government officials, and detainments. To learn more about how the Chinese government clamped down on pro-democracy advocates and Liu supporters following the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, read Freedom House's roundup of those targeted by authorities.
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Percentage of Population Living in "Not Free" countries (Freedom House)
Publications:
Additional resources:
As China Internet Controls Increase, Freedom House Calls for Urgent International Response, July 15, 2010
China’s Policies Towards Spiritual Movements, testimony given by Sarah Cook before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China Roundtable, June 18, 2010
The Dark Side of China’s Aid, by Chris Walker and Sarah Cook, International Herald Tribune, March 24, 2010
Making the Web Safe for Democracy, by Daniel Calingaert, Foreign Policy, January 19, 2010
Google Applauded for Stance on China Internet Censorship, January 13, 2010
Egypt
Through press releases, op-eds, testimony in front of the US Congress and visits to the region, Freedom House seeks to expose the repression of fundamental human rights in Egypt – specifically the shrinking political space, the debilitating restrictions placed upon civil society actors, the regular use of torture and the growing harassment and discrimination faced by members of the media.
Freedom House is an active member of the Carnegie Working Group, a group of seven human rights organizations focusing primarily on the development of an electoral system that is free and fair. Freedom House also monitors the amount and use of foreign aid entering the country in order to determine what percentage is used for democracy promotion.
Publications:
Freedom of the Press 2010: Egypt
Additional resources:
Why Cairo Believes Obama’s Democracy Support is Nothing More than Empty Words, by Sherif Mansour, The Huffington Post, June 3, 2010
Egypt Attempts to Suppress Calls for Electoral Reform, April 6, 2010
Egyptian Government Continues to Use Emergency Law to Crack Down on Freedom of Speech, March 5, 2010
Bloggers Stifled Again in Egypt, January 15, 2010
Egypt: Settling for Stagnation, by Thomas A. Dine and Daniel Calingaert, The Huffington Post, December 16, 2009
Freedom of Expression in Egypt, testimony by given Paula Schriefer before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, May 7, 2009
Iran
Through press releases, special reports, and other activities that shine a light on Iran’s repressive Islamic regime, Freedom House strives to draw attention to fundamental human rights abuses in the country. Advocacy on Iran focuses specifically on attempts by the government to suppress political opposition, persecution of the country’s religious minorities and human rights defenders, and growing restrictions on freedom of expression and association, which have included increased restrictions on internet and mobile phone communications and harsh crackdowns on peaceful protest.
In response to major restrictions placed on the Iranian media, Freedom House established a monthly Persian/English language webzine called Gozaar. Meaning ‘transition’ in Persian, and accessible from within Iran, Gozaar directly addresses a wide range of issues related to democratic reform and human rights in Iran. Launched in September 2006, Gozaar has become a focal point of civic debate on critical issues concerning the country’s political evolution, bringing together thinkers and activists while drawing international attention to their struggle. Despite persistent government efforts to block and discredit Gozaar, every month it reaches an average of 15,000 first-time readers, most of whom are inside Iran.
Publications:
Freedom of the Press 2010: Iran
Additional resources:
Freedom House Demands Immediate Release of Baha’is in Iran, August 11, 2010
Prisoner Abuse in Iran Demands International Outcry, August 9, 2010
Iran’s New Civic and Political Landscape, testimony given by Andrew Apostolou before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, February 25, 2010
Citing Iran Crackdown, Freedom House Launches Net Freedom Initiative, December 30, 2009
UN Should Pass Resolution Condemning Iran Human Rights Abuses, November 19, 2009
Russia
Freedom House is deeply engaged in the critical issue of freedom in Russia. Through press releases, op-eds, special reports, visits to the region and other activities, the organization has actively raised concerns about increasing repression and the loss of freedoms in Russia. Freedom House has also identified Russia as one of the world’s most significant authoritarian regimes because of its geopolitical influence at both an international and regional level in its special report, Undermining Democracy.
Of particular focus is the Russian North Caucasus region, where an influx of refugees into this volatile area has raised devastating human rights issues. Freedom House regularly monitors these developments through its longstanding advocacy initiative the American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus.
Publications:
Freedom of the Press 2010: Russia
Nations in Transit 2010, Freedom House annual report on democratic development in 29 countries from Central Europe to Eurasia.
Additional Resources:
In the Eye of the Storm: Chechnya and the Mounting Violence in the North Caucasus, briefing for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, July 21, 2010
Freedom House Calls on Medvedev to Veto FSB Legislation, July 16, 2010
Freedom House, Rights Groups Call for Justice on Anniversary of Russian Activist’s Murder, July 15, 2010
Threats to Media Freedom in the OSCE Region, testimony given by Sam Patten before the Helsinki Commission, June 9, 2010
Defending rules of a rules-based order, Politico.com, by Christopher Walker and Robert Orttung, June 2, 2010
Status of Human Rights in the Russian Federation, testimony given by Sam Patten before the Tom Lantos Commission, May 6, 2010
Freedom House Applauds Resolution on North Caucasus, June, 23, 2010
Freedom House, Russian Rights Group Announce New Partnership, February 9, 2010
Freedom of Assembly Under Assault in Russia, January 29, 2010
A Decade of Putinism, by Christopher Walker, Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2009
A 'Cairo moment' for Obama in Moscow?, by Paula Schriefer, Christian Science Monitor, July 1, 2009
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Freedom Alerts
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was released on bail on June 22 after being held since April 3, but is on probation and not allowed to speak publicly. Police released Weiwei, who is suffering from a chronic disease, after he confessed to tax evasion. It is widely believed that Weiwei’s outspoken criticism of Chinese leadership and political views were the real reason behind his arrest, not the “economic crimes” with which he was charged.
Protests erupted on June 22, 2011 in Bahrain after eight activists were sentenced to life in prison. Security forces fired tear gas at protesters marching in the capital of Manama. Among those sentenced to life in prison were political figures Hassan Mushaima, blogger Abdul-Jalil al-Singace and activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. Fourteen others are in custody, and thirteen sentenced to long-term jail sentences for attempting to “overthrow” the monarchy and “links to terrorist organizations abroad.”
Lebanese authorities banned the film "Green Days" directed by Hana Makhmalbaf, from being shown at the Forbidden Film Festival in Beirut, after Lebanese intelligence agencies and an Iranian ambassador pressured film festival organizers. The film, documenting the protests following the 2009 Iran presidential election, was banned in Iran and supposed to be shown at the Forbidden Film Festival, which is a part of the Beirut International Film Festival.
On June 18, reporter Waqar Kiani was beaten in Islamabad, Pakistan after publishing a piece in The Guardian about the abduction and torture of intelligence agents. Men dressed in police garb ordered Kiani out of his car and then beat him.
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