A prodemocracy organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world. Follow @FreedomHouseLAC for more.
Washington, DC
Joined December 2008
- Tweets35.4K
- Following14.9K
- Followers122K
- Likes6.2K
Pinned Tweet
📣 NEW: #FreedomOnTheNet 2026 is now LIVE!
Global internet freedom declined for the 16th consecutive year, as governments erected new barriers to how people access information and express themselves online. Expanding internet shutdowns, growing digital isolation, and new restrictions on online access are reshaping the global internet.
Internet freedom deteriorated in 16 of the 38 countries assessed, while just 8 registered improvements. Iran experienced the year's largest decline, joining China and Myanmar among the world's worst environments for internet freedom. Bangladesh recorded the strongest improvement for the second consecutive year, while Estonia ranked as the freest online environment.
Authoritarian governments accelerated efforts to isolate their populations from the global internet. Iranian authorities imposed the longest nationwide internet shutdown ever recorded by Freedom on the Net, cutting off most of the population for approximately 88 days. In Russia, authorities expanded internet shutdowns and consolidated control over internet service providers, advancing efforts to restrict access to the global internet.
New age-verification requirements are transforming how people access online spaces. As governments increasingly mandate age checks for social media and other online content, these measures are creating new risks to privacy, security, and online anonymity. Repressive governments have also sought to exploit such requirements to expand surveillance.
Governments are grappling with the challenges posed by artificial intelligence. New measures to address AI-generated impersonation, harassment, and other online harms have advanced, but some have raised concerns about government overreach and restrictions on free expression.
Political change has also created opportunities for progress. Bangladesh and the Gambia demonstrated how the removal of repressive leaders and sustained democratic reforms can help reverse restrictions on internet freedom, even as significant challenges remain.
As the internet undergoes seismic shifts, protecting free expression, privacy, and access to information must remain central to shaping its future.
Explore the findings, country assessments, and recommendations from #FreedomOnTheNet 2026: freedomhouse.org/report/free…
🚨 Cuban authorities are escalating their crackdown on independent journalists, content creators, and civic activists. Through arbitrary detentions, surveillance, police summonses and mobility restrictions, authorities are punishing individuals for reporting, online expression, and civic engagement.
This comes as internet freedom continues to decline. In our latest Freedom on the Net assessment, Cuba’s score fell to 19/100, remaining Not Free. Reporting, creating content, and expressing political opinions are fundamental rights, not crimes. Cuban authorities must end the harassment and intimidation of civil society.
#SOSCuba #HumanRights #FreedomOfExpression #FreedomOfAssociation
🚨 Régimen cubano sitia a periodistas y activistas para impedirles asistir a la Embajada de EE. UU.
La policía política mantiene este viernes operativos frente a las viviendas de Yoani Sánchez, Camila Acosta, Adelth Bonne Gamboa, Marthadela Tamayo y Osvaldo Navarro, para impedirles salir de sus casas.
El periodista Adelth Bonne denunció la presencia de la patrulla 444 frente a su edificio. También el padre del preso político Wilber Aguilar denunció nuevas acciones represivas.
Según informó el periodista José Raúl Gallego, los operativos buscan impedir que los activistas participen en un evento previsto para hoy en la Embajada de Estados Unidos en La Habana.
La nueva jornada represiva ocurre después de las recientes detenciones de Yoani Sánchez y Camila Acosta.
Five experts reflect on the victory of the Student List opposition coalition in Serbia’s parliamentary elections, how the new government should move forward, and what democracy’s defenders can learn.
Read more: freedomhouse.org/article/aft…
Iranian authorities continue to use imprisonment and intimidation to silence independent journalists.
Yalda Moaiery's courage in the face of a 15-year prison sentence underscores the extraordinary risks journalists take to document repression.
Watch her powerful conversation with @washingtonpost's @jrezaian.
Iranian photojournalist Yalda Moaiery was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her work documenting events in Iran.
Moaiery spoke with Freedom Desk podcast host Jason Rezaian about how Iranian authorities use prison sentences to threaten and silence journalists.
“If you want to stop me, the only way that you can stop me is to kill me,” she said.
Watch the full interview: bit.ly/4eNWZis
Nominations are now open for the 2027 Mark Palmer Prize!
Freedom House is seeking nominations of diplomats and international officials who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing democracy and defending human rights.
Submit your nomination by January 31, 2027: freedomhouse.org/mark-palmer…
ALT The image is an announcement for the 2027 Mark Palmer Prize by Freedom House. It features text stating, "Call for Nominations: 2027 Mark Palmer Prize" and "Honoring courageous diplomacy in defense of democracy." The deadline is "Nominate by January 31, 2027." There is also a photo of Mark Palmer. Freedom House's logo and "Celebrating 85 Years" are displayed.
As we noted in our joint statement, Joshua's meetings with US officials, including then-Senator Rubio, were cited in the case against him: freedomhouse.org/article/hon…
Peaceful advocacy is not a crime. Joshua must be freed. #FreeJoshuaWong #FreeThemAll
Joshua Wong has already spent six years behind bars for standing up for democracy in Hong Kong. His new 10-year sentence is another grave injustice.
As @benedictrogers writes, the international community must do more than condemn Beijing's repression. It must press for Joshua's freedom.
My new op-ed on the sentencing of Joshua Wong to another ten years in prison
#FreeJoshuaWong
spectator.com/article/joshua…
ICYMI: Freedom House strongly condemns the unjust sentencing of Hong Kong prodemocracy leader Joshua Wong and joins 40 human rights organizations in demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
We urge the Trump administration to raise his case directly with Chinese leaders ahead of the upcoming APEC and G20 summits: freedomhouse.org/article/hon…
Freedom House retweeted
By the time Joshua reaches the age of 40, he would have spent almost half his life in jail.
This tells what the regime fears most: hope, courage, and new ideas. But keeping him behind bars would not put out the fire of dissent Joshua has already sparked. It’s in our DNA by now.
One of Hong Kong's best-known democracy activists, Joshua Wong, was sentenced to 10 more years in jail on Thursday for collusion with foreign powers.
Wong has already spent almost six years behind bars and was previously expected to be freed in January
u.afp.com/SyR5
Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly met with former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States @OMarkarova, now chair of the advisory board of @UkraineHouseDC.
They discussed Freedom House's ongoing work in Ukraine, including our advocacy for the release of Crimean Tatar human rights defender Server Mustafayev, and the importance of continued international support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy.
After 14 years of rule by Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia now faces the challenge of rebuilding democratic institutions weakened by corruption and political interference.
Five experts examine what the new government must prioritize to restore accountability and protect democratic freedoms.
Read more: freedomhouse.org/article/aft…
The world must not look away from Cuba. Independent journalists are being targeted, harassed and detained simply for doing their jobs and reporting the truth.
Silencing the press is an attack on fundamental freedoms. The detention of @14ymedio's Yoani Sánchez is the latest example of the Cuban regime's ongoing campaign against independent journalism
We stand with Cuba's independent journalists and call for the immediate release of Yoani Sánchez and for respect for press freedom across the island.
#Cuba #PressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime
🚨 Detienen en La Habana a la periodista independiente Yoani Sánchez, directora de 14ymedio. Su arresto ocurre en una semana en la que otros comunicadores también han sido detenidos o interrogados, según denuncias de organizaciones de prensa.
Más en el enlace en el primer comentario.
#Cuba #YoaniSánchez
Spyware strikes again. The German government has warned public officials that they may have been targeted with spyware tech in light of recent Apple notifications. Freedom House urges democracies around the world to counter the misuse of commercial cyber intrusion technologies like spyware. These tools pose a threat to national security and human rights defenders globally.
German Lawmakers and Ministers Get Apple Warnings of Possible iPhone Spyware Attacks.
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger confirmed Sunday that Bundestag members and federal officials have received Apple "mercenary spyware" alerts since October 29, with Germany's cyber agency advising them to assume their devices may be compromised.
Thank you, @RepMoolenaar and @ChinaSelect, for standing with Joshua Wong and calling for his release.
Freedom House also condemns his sentencing under Hong Kong's National Security Law and urges the international community to press for his immediate and unconditional freedom.
A CCP controlled Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong on concocted charges of foreign collusion under the CCP’s sweeping National Security Law. Chairman @RepMoolenaar has issued the following statement:
Freedom House is proud to join the Direct-to-Cell Coalition, a group of civil society organizations advocating for access to satellite internet capabilities in repressive environments like Iran. Internet access is critical for human rights defenders and journalists to document and hold authoritarian regimes accountable for mass atrocities. Read more about the Coalition here: direct2cell.org/
China's #transnationalrepression extends to pressuring governments to forcibly return Uyghurs fleeing persecution. Thailand must not deport these two Uyghur men to China, where they face grave risks of torture and enforced disappearance. The fate of 40 Uyghurs deported from Thailand to China in 2025 remains unknown. Thailand must not repeat this mistake.
Thai authorities should not forcibly return two Uyghur men to China, where they face grave risks of torture and other serious abuses.
The two men, whose names are not public for security reasons, were transferred from prison to immigration detention in Bangkok after receiving a royal pardon, apparently in preparation for deportation.
We welcome the EU's condemnation of Joshua Wong's unjust sentencing and its call for his immediate release.
International pressure is essential to holding Beijing and Hong Kong authorities accountable for their crackdown on democratic freedoms.
Joshua Wong must be free. #FreeJoshuaWong #FreeThemAll
#HongKong: Statement by the Spokesperson
The EU deplores today’s politically motivated sentencing of pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong.
We call for his immediate release.
link.europa.eu/mqRQQp
Protesters across China are refusing to give up, even when their grievances go unresolved for months or years.
Our latest China Dissent Monitor identifies at least 1,359 protests linked to other demonstrations, highlighting the persistence of dissent despite government repression.
Explore the findings: freedomhouse.org/report/chin…
In response to the November 5 sentencing of Hong Kong prodemocracy leader Joshua Wong to an additional 10 years in prison, Freedom House led a joint statement with 40 human rights organizations condemning this injustice and calling for his immediate and unconditional release. We urge President Trump to raise his case with Xi Jinping at APEC and the G20.
Read the joint statement: freedomhouse.org/article/hon…
#FreeJoshuaWong #FreeThemAll
China's prolonged property slump is leaving workers without the wages they're owed.
Our latest China Dissent Monitor finds that 52.8% of worker protests in Q3 2026 occurred at construction sites, highlighting mounting economic pressures.
Explore the findings: freedomhouse.org/report/chin…
Serbia's student-led opposition has ended 14 years of rule by Aleksandar Vučić.
What can democracy’s defenders learn from this victory?
Five experts weigh in on the lessons of Serbia's election and the path toward democratic renewal.
Read more: freedomhouse.org/article/aft…