Freedom House

The government’s recent pressure on nongovernmental organizations threatens a central pillar of the country’s democratic system—and ordinary Kenyans appreciate what they stand to lose. In late November, at a meeting organized by the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Attorney General Githu Muigai lambasted nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for acting “like teenagers out to externalize local problems” and failing to “look at themselves in the mirror.”

As Azerbaijan’s government prepares to host the first European Games in Baku starting June 12, it is hoping once again to paper over its paranoid authoritarian rule with a lavish display of wealth and international prestige.

Killings and disappearances of journalists and activists have been all too common in Mexico over the past decade, but the last year seems to have marked a new low point for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression.

As Lebanon’s parliament debates canceling national elections and extending its own term by more than two years, Freedom House issued the following statement: "Lebanon's legislators should respect the constitution and the right of Lebanon's citizens to have a say in who governs them, and that requires parliamentary elections," said Charles Dunne, director of Middle East and North Africa programs. "Despite security concerns in the country, arbitrarily prolonging the parliament’s term in office does not promote political stability or rule of law. Lebanon’s leaders should hold elections this year as scheduled, as a meaningful step toward ending the country’s political crises." Lebanon is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2014 and Partly Free in Freedom of the Press 2013.