Region

Middle East and North Africa

Democracy

1.69%

of region’s population

Hybrid Authoritarian

9.44%

of region’s population

Fully Authoritarian

88.87%

of region’s population

Source: Tyranny Tracker

Overview

Algeria

Bahrain

Egypt

GNS/LAF Controlled Libya

GNU Controlled Libya

Houthi Controlled Yemen

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Morocco

Morocco Controlled Western Sahara

Oman

Palestinian Territories – Gaza

Palestinian Territories – West Bank

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

STC Controlled Yemen

Syria

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

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A Democracy Index Built to Inform Action

Middle East and North Africa's Publications

Sep 17, 2026

Manipulation of Sustainable Development: Framing of the UN SDGs by Authoritarian Regimes

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global sustainability benchmarks adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to guide an inclusive and sustainable transformation by 2030.

Human Rights Dispatch

Aug 24, 2026

Hong Kong Convicts Tiananmen Organizers, Egypt Revokes Citizenship

HRF condemns the prosecution of Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan for organizing Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen vigil and calls for their immediate release.

Human Rights Dispatch

Aug 12, 2026

Jordan Travel Ban on FIFA Whistleblower Ibhais

Abdullah Ibhais, a 2022 Qatar @FIFAWorldCup whistleblower and 2026 @OsloFF speaker, was detained on August 7, 2026, by Jordan’s General Intelligence Directorate (GID). The arrest stems from continued advocacy for human rights following his release from arbitrary detention in 2022. He was released on bail on August 8.

Jul 23, 2026

HRF Brings UN Attention to Rights Abuses in Sudan and Syria

NEW YORK (July 23, 2026) — Last week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a formal contribution to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sudan, as well as a joint submission for Syria with the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre (SJAC).

Reports

The CCP’s Deepening Footprint in Latin America and the Stakes for Democracy in the Region

Following a period of U.S. retreat that lasted until the end of 2025, and amid an ongoing realignment of the international democratic bloc, illiberal actors — particularly China, Russia, and their closest allies — continue to look for opportunities to gain influence and undermine institutions to their advantage, especially in middle-income countries, where American actions are viewed with disdain and alliances with alternative powers are seen as economic opportunities.

AI for Activists: A Guide to Supercharging Your Movement with Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is often described as the most transformative technology of our time. Its meteoric development is reshaping industries, economies, and the way people work, communicate, and create. Governments are investing billions of dollars into it. Corporations are racing to build ever more capable AI systems. News headlines alternate between promises of extraordinary breakthroughs and warnings about existential risks.

Manipulation of Sustainable Development: Framing of the UN SDGs by Authoritarian Regimes

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global sustainability benchmarks adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to guide an inclusive and sustainable transformation by 2030.

How the Regime in Equatorial Guinea Exploits Football

Equatorial Guinea’s regime has strategically exploited the global appeal of football as a political tool.