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Dear John,

Nigerian humanist leader Mubarak Bala was released from prison in August 2024 after more than four years of unjust detention for expressing his views on religion. In April, Bala relocated to Germany for a six-month residency with the country’s Humanist Association.

Throughout Bala’s detention, Freedom House’s Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners worked alongside global partners to advocate for his release. In our recent interview with Bala, he reflects on his experience and the international campaign that helped secure his freedom.

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Guatemala: Freedom House proudly joined an international delegation to conduct a fact-finding mission on the state of community journalism and freedom of expression in Guatemala. Read the report.

Morocco: Freedom House joined several organizations to call on the government of Morocco to immediately release human rights defender Nasser Zefzafi on humanitarian grounds so he can care for his elderly father, who was recently diagnosed with stage IV cancer. Read More.

Guatemala: Freedom House joined several peer organizations to call on the government of Guatemala on the third anniversary of journalist Jose Rubén Zamora's unjust detainment to demand his immediate release, the full restoration of his fundamental human rights, and an end to his political persecution. Read More.

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Freedom in the World 2025 Policy Recommendations

Global freedom declined for the 19th consecutive year in 2024, underscoring the need for democracies to demonstrate basic solidarity and counter authoritarian reach. Learn more about this and other recommendations from Freedom in the World.

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