

In the 1970’s, Freedom House identified threats to freedom and democracy in the developing world, in form of extremist regimes (on both the Right and the Left) in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Freedom is possible only in democratic political systems in which the governments are accountable to their own people the rule of law prevails and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of minorities and women, are guaranteed. Dewey to create a state university that would “accept all qualified students regardless of race, color or place of habitation.” (Dewey would later sign legislation that created the State University of New York.) This marked the beginning of the role Freedom House would play in the civil rights movements.īayard Rustin, the organizer of the March on Washington, served as the chairman of Freedom House’s Executive committee, and was part of the organization throughout the ’70s and ’80s. Also among Freedom House’s leadership was the notable civil rights leader Roy Wilkins, executive director of the NAACP during the critical years of the Civil Rights movement.Īn independent nongovernmental organization, support the expansion of freedom in the world. In 1947, Freedom House urged New York Governor Thomas E.

Formed to confront Nazism, Freedom House expanded its role after World War II, promoting trans-Atlantic partnerships and vehemently opposing McCarthyism. The organization was originally founded to counter American isolationism during World War II, and played a role in pushing the United States to get involved.

Early leaders included First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (honorary chairman) and 1940 Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie. “Rather than serving as a champion of democratic practice and a counterweight to authoritarian influence from countries such as China, Modi and his party are tragically driving India itself toward authoritarianism.Founded in 1941 in New York City, Freedom House is a nongovernmental, bipartisan organization committed to promoting peace and democracy around the world. “The ruling Hindu nationalist movement also encouraged the scapegoating of Muslims, who were disproportionately blamed for the spread of the virus and faced attacks by vigilante mobs,” the report said.
#Freedom house cracked#
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cracked down on critics and used coronavirus lockdowns to displace migrant workers, according to Freedom House. India, the world’s most populous democracy, dropped from “free” to “partly free” in the report. He said the communist country’s continued work to crush Hong Kong and intimidate dissidents worldwide is felt outside China’s borders. Abramowitz in August for his work at Freedom House, along with 10 other U.S.
#Freedom house free#
“Beijing ramped up its global disinformation and censorship campaign to counter the fallout from its cover-up of the initial coronavirus outbreak, which severely hampered a rapid global response in the pandemic’s early days.”įor democratic countries looking to counter China and other authoritarian countries on the rise, the report recommended that the democracies invest in alliances with other free countries, increase public support for democratic principles through civic education, and support free and independent media, among other moves.Ĭhina sanctioned Mr. “The malign influence of the regime in China, the world’s most populous dictatorship, was especially profound in 2020,” the report said. The group has issued its report annually since 1973.Īs America’s standing faltered, the report found, the authoritarian China was exerting authority outside its borders. He said coronavirus restrictions emboldened dictators, who used the pandemic to seize and consolidate their power.

Abramowitz told reporters that the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing influence of the Chinese Communist Party and diminishing freedom in India marked some of the biggest changes in the past year.
