Freedom House

A prodemocracy organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world. Follow @FreedomHouseLAC for more.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

As Freedom House marks 85 years defending freedom worldwide, CEO @jamiemfly announced the launch of the Investing in Freedom’s Future Campaign — a bold effort to raise $85 million to support those on the front lines of freedom and confront growing authoritarianism worldwide. Learn more about the campaign: https://t.co/oK3fbdUBw3
#FreedomHouse85

[Grace Jin Drexel @GraceJDrexel]

Thank you @RepMoolenaar raising the case of my father #FreePastorJin at the recent State Budget hearing. Grateful to hear that @SecRubio and @POTUS @realDonaldTrump 's team are continuing to push on my father's case.

感谢 Moolenaar 议员在近期的预算听证会上提出我父亲的案件 #释放金明日牧师。也很高兴听到 @SecRubio 和 @POTUS @realDonaldTrump 的团队正在继续为我父亲的案件施压推进。

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Sergey Tikhanovski spoke at @OsloFF about his imprisonment in Belarus and the reality facing those who remain behind bars.

More than 800 political prisoners remain jailed in Belarus. Freedom House will continue to stand with Belarus’s democratic forces as we call for the release of all political prisoners and an end to the Lukashenka regime’s repression. Watch Tikhanovski’s remarks: https://t.co/2radXSCgQ7 #FreeThemAll

[Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) @OsloFF]

One year ago, Sergey Tikhanovski was in a six-square-meter punishment cell. Today, he is a free man speaking at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

After five years in solitary confinement under Lukashenko’s regime, Tikhanovski reflects on what prison tried to erase: truth, dignity, and the belief that political prisoners can still come home.

His message: Freedom must be incorporated into political decisions. That’s how you free political prisoners.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Fatemeh Sepehri is serving a lengthy prison sentence for peacefully expressing her views and criticizing the Iranian regime. Reports that she continues to be denied adequate medical care despite serious health conditions are deeply concerning. Freedom House calls for her immediate and unconditional release. #FreeFatemehSepehri #FreeThemAll

[Nazanin Boniadi @NazaninBoniadi]

#FreeFatemehSepehri

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

For over 365 days, Ruth López has remained unjustly imprisoned in pretrial detention in El Salvador. We stand in solidarity with all those calling for her immediate release and for a full, transparent accounting of the circumstances surrounding her politically motivated imprisonment. Respect for human rights and the rule of law must be upheld.

[Cristosal @Cristosal]

375 días como presa política del régimen salvadoreño por denunciar la corrupción.

#LibertadParaRuth
#JuicioPúblicoParaRuth

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

“The more information you have, the more you are in the know, the more you are free.”

Accepting Freedom House’s 2026 Freedom Award on behalf of her father, Jimmy Lai, Claire Lai reflected on the principles that inspired the founding of Apple Daily and continue to guide his fight for freedom from a prison cell in Hong Kong. Freedom House remains steadfast in calling for his immediate release. #FreeJimmyLai #FreeThemAll @SupportJimmyLai
Watch her full remarks: https://t.co/mjXddnNxJv

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

“The authoritarian coalition pursuing exiles across borders is not making it up as it goes. It has a strategy, it has resources, and it is getting more effective.”

Drawing on Freedom House's latest #transnationalrepression research, @CFR_org ‘s @JoshKurlantzick explains why democracies must build stronger, coordinated responses to protect dissidents and diaspora communities. Read our report: https://t.co/ytXaU9PGXZ

[Council on Foreign Relations @CFR_org]

Authoritarian governments are reaching across borders to silence their critics—and increasingly doing it together, writes CFR expert @JoshKurlantzick.

Transnational repression is now documented in 107 countries. Freedom House counted 126 new physical incidents in 2025, bringing the total to 1,375 cases since 2014. China remains the world's most prolific practitioner, with 319 documented incidents. The dangerous reality of transnational repression includes digital surveillance, family intimidation, passport confiscation, and the grinding psychological pressure on diaspora communities.

"The authoritarian coalition pursuing exiles across borders is not making it up as it goes," writes Kurlantzick. "It has a strategy, it has resources, and it is getting more effective."

"In Southeast Asia, Thailand has become a kind of regional hub, apparently cooperating with Cambodian, Chinese, Lao, and Vietnamese authorities to detain and hand back minorities and dissidents," he writes.

"In East Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have developed something that looks a lot like a mutual transnational repression arrangement as well."

"Meanwhile, last fall, China and Russia pushed through a UN cybercrime convention filled with vague language—‘extremism,’ ‘incitement’—lifted directly from the domestic laws both countries use to criminalize political opposition. The goal, barely concealed, is to embed transnational repression into the architecture of international law itself."

"Democracies are struggling to respond to the rising tide of transnational repression. They are especially challenged as the Iran war has divided many leading democracies, and as other forms of collaboration between the United States and its partners are floundering," Kurlantzick writes.

Democracies have started fighting back, but they need to move faster, he argues. In May, the UK convicted two men for Chinese state-directed surveillance and intimidation operation targeting Hong Kong dissidents living in the UK, a trial of an alleged Chinese foreign agent managing a covert "police station" in Manhattan continued, and Norwegian authorities arrested a Chinese national suspected of gathering intelligence near Andøya Spaceport, a facility central to Europe’s satellite infrastructure.

“In a world seemingly in chaos, where the rule of law often appears to be breaking down, it is hardly surprising that transnational repression is skyrocketing,” Kurlantzick writes. “Getting serious about battling transnational repression means democracies have to start building collaborative responses.”

Read more in the comments.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Freedom House was honored to assist Tsi Conrad in speaking directly with @OsloFF attendees from his prison cell in Cameroon’s Kondengui Central Prison, where he remains unjustly detained for his reporting on the Anglophone crisis. Through our #FreeThemAll campaign, we will continue calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
Watch his remarks: https://t.co/mFnDHQYUiz

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Thank you, Commissioner @PayaIACHR, for drawing attention to the tragic death of Indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera while in the custody of the Ortega-Murillo regime.

Freedom House joins the call for the Nicaraguan authorities to respect his family’s wishes and allow him to be laid to rest according to Miskitu traditions. His family, community, and the Miskitu people deserve truth, dignity, and justice.

[Comisionada Rosa Maria Paya A. @PayaIACHR]

Consternada por la muerte en custodia del régimen del líder indígena Brooklyn Rivera, quien fue sometido a desaparición forzada desde el 2023
Mis oraciones con su familia y el pueblo miskito. El estado debe respetar su derecho a despedirlo conforme a su espiritualidad y creencias

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Named for Ambassador Mark Palmer, a champion of democratic transitions worldwide, the Mark Palmer Prize recognizes exceptional achievements to protect and advance democracy by diplomats and government officials. This year, Freedom House is proud to honor the fifth president of Georgia, @Zourabichvili_S, for her principled leadership and commitment to Georgia’s democratic and European future. Learn more about the Mark Palmer Prize: https://t.co/Frpv9y4WFd

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

For nearly half a century, the Iranian people have endured repression, censorship, and state violence. Yet their demand for freedom endures.
At Freedom House’s Annual Awards and 85th Anniversary celebration, @NazaninBoniadi reaffirmed the importance of standing with the people of Iran in their struggle to determine their own future. Read or watch her remarks: https://t.co/FcsIkaS5hJ

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Tomorrow at @OsloFF, Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly will join a discussion on the future of philanthropy and the fight for freedom. From supporting frontline activists to investing in innovative tools like Freedom House’s China Dissent Monitor, the conversation will focus on building more sustainable support for democracy and human rights worldwide. Watch the panel on June 3 at 5:45 AM ET (11:45 AM CET): https://t.co/7d8zFXbO6o

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

The reported decision to uphold Zahra Tabari’s death sentence underscores the Iranian regime’s escalating assault on freedom of expression and due process.
Freedom House calls on Iranian authorities to halt her execution, overturn her sentence, and end the persecution of those peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms. #SaveZahraTabari #FreeThemAll

[IRAN HRM @IranHrm]

🚨 Iran: Political prisoner Zahra Tabari has been sentenced to death AGAIN by the regime’s Revolutionary Court solely for alleged affiliation with the PMOI/MEK.

The 68-year-old engineer was first sentenced to death in November 2025 by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar after a sham 10-minute trial conducted by video conference without a lawyer of her choice. Following international outrage, the case was sent for retrial—only for Judge Mohammad Ali Darvish-Goftar, Ahmad Darvish-Goftar’s son, to reimpose the death sentence on the same charges. @drmaisato

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly was honored to meet with @Zourabichvili_S, fifth president of Georgia. This year, Freedom House will award her the 2026 Mark Palmer Prize for her principled leadership, steadfast defense of democratic values, and unwavering commitment to Georgia’s European future.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly was pleased to meet with @NorwayAmbUSA Huitfeldt at @NorwayUS last week. We value Norway’s steadfast partnership in advancing democracy, defending human rights, and supporting those on the front lines of the struggle for freedom. We look forward to continuing our collaboration on these shared priorities.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

“Teacher Li” has become one of the most prominent targets of China’s #transnationalrepression campaign. Yet he continues documenting dissent, amplifying censored voices, and pushing back against authoritarian intimidation.

Freedom House is proud to collaborate with Li Ying through the China Dissent Monitor to better inform the public about protest in China. Read this profile of Li Ying in @nytimes from @LiYuan6: https://t.co/4agjeb1BwE

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Freedom House CEO @jamiemfly met with Richard Gere to discuss ongoing efforts to support the people of Tibet against the Chinese Communist Party's ongoing abuses, and counter their growing campaign of #transnationalrepression. We are grateful for his longstanding advocacy and look forward to continuing our shared efforts to advance freedom and human rights.

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Must read in @WSJ: The stories of Cuban political prisoners Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo underscore the Cuban regime’s ongoing assault on freedom of expression. Freedom House is proud to support both artists through our #FreeThemAll program and continues to call for their immediate release.
https://t.co/1mTpr8fOgs

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

On the latest episode of @carnegiecouncil’s "Values & Interests" podcast, Freedom House’s @gorokhovskaia discusses the global decline in freedom and other findings from #FreedomInTheWorld 2026.

Watch: https://t.co/fz9Iml6YPO

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

Countries that host civil society gatherings or provide refuge to exiled dissidents increasingly face pressure from authoritarian governments to abandon those commitments. Democratic governments must respond with greater support and solidarity. Read more in our latest TNR Watch: https://t.co/xVpWqfzCl1

[Freedom House @freedomhouse]

We are heartbroken by the news that Indigenous leader and human rights defender Brooklyn Rivera has died while under the custody of the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, who for nearly three years were denied communication with him and prevented from verifying his health and well-being. During his detention, the authorities repeatedly denied him access to adequate medical care.

The Nicaraguan government must be held accountable for the treatment he endured in custody. An independent, impartial, and transparent investigation must be conducted immediately to determine the cause of his death and establish responsibility.

Justice for Brooklyn Rivera requires truth, accountability, and an end to the persecution of Indigenous leaders, human rights defenders, and political prisoners in Nicaragua.

[LA PRENSA Nicaragua @laprensa]

#ÚltimoMinuto | Dictadura confirma a través de un comunicado la muerte del líder Brooklyn Rivera.

🔗 Más detalles: https://t.co/79B5frA9nM