Freedom House

📣 NEW: #NationsInTransit 2024 is now LIVE! https://lnkd.in/g3_zPWmT Democratic governance in the region spanning from Central Europe to Central Asia marked 20 consecutive years of decline. The region's deepening democratic divide revealed a shifting geopolitical order. Of the 29 countries covered by our report, 10 suffered declines in their Democracy Score, while just five earned improvements. The continued assault of basic freedoms by Eurasian autocracies and the challenges to democratic institutions within Hybrid Regimes easily outweighed democratic countries’ modest gains. A geopolitical reordering is underway, with countries throughout the region sorting themselves into two opposing blocs: those committed to a liberal, democratic order and those that violently reject it. Moscow’s ongoing attempt to conquer Ukraine and the Azerbaijani regime’s inhumane conquest of Nagorno-Karabakh illustrate the deadly consequences of authoritarian expansion. Autocracies have deepened their repression and cooperated to upend international norms. Democracy Scores further deteriorated in four of the eight Consolidated Authoritarian Regimes analyzed in our report. These regimes collaborate in and outside the region to evade sanctions, crush opposition, and circumvent accountability for violations of international law—building a new order yet to be countered by the democratic community. Democracies in the region showed improvements, but Poland’s democratic recovery will be crucial for the future of the wider region. Four of the five countries whose Democracy Scores improved were already classified as Semi-Consolidated or Consolidated Democracies. Though Poland’s score declined due to the ex-ruling party’s electoral manipulation efforts, an opposition victory poses a vital opportunity to restore the country’s democratic institutions. Hybrid Regimes were caught between the democratic and autocratic blocs, with some on a clear, antidemocratic trajectory. Ukraine was the only Hybrid Regime to experience a Democracy Score improvement. The 11-country group of Hybrid Regimes can be broken down as those autocratizing, those democratizing, and those in between. For lasting democratic change, international partners will need to tailor their policies accordingly. To effectively counter authoritarian gains, democratic governments must broaden their approach to democracy promotion. Beyond their traditional focus on free elections, rights protection, and institutional reform, they must be ready to invest more substantially in military preparedness and provide Ukraine with necessary aid. Failure to do so with only perpetuate the current negative trend. Read our full report and review our recommendations for how to address these trends by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/g3_zPWmT

“We were already tired of this life, living in constant fear…” Our partners interviewed >300 displaced residents of 71 communities across Nagorno-Karabakh to document the Azerbaijani govt's recurrent disregard for intl law. Read their findings: https://lnkd.in/gjMQNS2m

Do you have demonstrated success in developing new business opportunities and a commitment to defending democracy around the world? We’re hiring a new Business Development Manager to support and improve our proposals for public sector donor-funded programs. For more details and to apply: https://lnkd.in/geVQgMJ3

🇮🇷 NEW Policy Brief: Restricting the Flow of Funds to Iran’s Repressive Regime FH’s Patricia Karam argues that the US must develop a revised, improved, and bipartisan Iran policy to mitigate the regime's repression at home and abroad. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnEMF3dY

“The people of Latin America and the Caribbean cannot strive for more equitable, stable, prosperous, and democratic societies if authoritarian regimes are permitted to carry out political violence and repression with impunity.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gDSM3mj6

“As in the past, corrupt & autocratic regimes today use political imprisonment to stifle dissent…Currently, ~1,500 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Cuba (1,113), Nicaragua (141), & Venezuela (282).” ✍️ FH's Jacquie Marte & Alejandra Argueta https://lnkd.in/gDSM3mj6

🇫🇷 This weekend, French voters cast their ballots in the second round of France's surprise parliamentary elections. The country is rated Free by both #FreedomInTheWorld 2024 and #FreedomOnTheNet 2023. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ghgsG_JE

Authoritarian regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean have long used political imprisonment to silence opposition and dissent. FH's Jacquie Marte and Alejandra Argueta discuss how the world's democracies can help combat this repression and its legacy. https://lnkd.in/gDSM3mj6

🇹🇷 Deadline extended! We’re still looking to award one Turkish NGO up to $9,500 as part of our “Civic Space Empowerment” grants program. Apply by July 12 to be considered ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/e5y7gJPk

🇺🇸 #OTD in 1776, the United States declared its independence from the British Empire. Today, the country is rated Free by both #FreedomInTheWorld 2024 and #FreedomOnTheNet 2023. Learn more about the state of freedom in the United States here: https://lnkd.in/gGBPxf4C