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Dear John,

The courts, a critical firewall against the undemocratic concentration of political power, are under pressure around the world and in the United States.

The latest article in our Foundations of Freedom series examines how attacks on judicial independence can eventually lead to the collapse of the separation of powers and the emergence of authoritarian rule. Drawing on examples from Freedom in the World, we explore how leaders around the globe have worked to undermine courts by manipulating appointments, limiting judicial review, and ignoring rulings outright.

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Top Reads

  • Political Prisoners Spotlight: On International Human Rights Defenders Day, Freedom House, Amnesty International, and the McCain Institute hosted a virtual event recognizing the six-year anniversary of political prisoner Idris Khattak’s unjust detention in Pakistan. Read more and watch video of the event.
     
  • Appeal to the Member States of the Council of Europe to Address TNR: Freedom House joined global civil society organizations to call upon member states of the Council of Europe to address the growing dangers of transnational repression (TNR). Read more. 
     
  • Joint Statement on Religious Activist Y Quynh Bdap: Following Thai authorities' decision to forcibly return Vietnamese human rights defender Y Quynh Bdap to Vietnam, Freedom House joined a coalition of civil society organizations calling for immediate and coordinated action to guarantee his safety. Read more.
 

Freedom House in the News

  • BBC (Thailand): Meet Y Quynh Bdap, a Christian minority activist suspected of being deported to Vietnam by Thai authorities
  • ​​​​​​Engadget: The year age-verification laws came for the open internet
  • WIRED (Italy): The Russian internet is shrinking every day, pushing the country towards unprecedented digital isolation
 

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