Across the globe, growing numbers of emboldened authoritarians are waging a relentless campaign of repression against individuals on the frontlines of freedom. As autocrats intensify their crackdown on independent and dissenting voices, courageous democracy advocates are confronted with arbitrary detentions, judicial harassment, imprisonment, attacks, disappearances, and killings. Civic activists, journalists, and political dissidents forced into exile are also increasingly targets of regimes reaching beyond borders to intimidate and silence critics. While autocrats have become more sophisticated in their tactics of repression, the international community has struggled to respond at scale to address the growing needs of democracy advocates at risk. To address these formidable challenges, a comprehensive response is needed.
NED works to foster a collaborative ecosystem of support, mobilizing resources, including access to emergency assistance, legal aid, and holistic security; enhancing coordination across the protection community; and enlisting a wide range of institutions to join in the collective effort to support democracy advocates under attack.
NED partners build and enhance support for protection and resilience, innovate and incubate new models of cooperation, organize opportunities for learning and exchange, and mobilize a global community of allies—all to ensure that at-risk individuals are equipped with the tools, skills, and resources they need to surmount threats and remain on the cutting edge of the struggle for democracy.
NED’s Strategic Initiatives
Building Democratic Resilience to Authoritarian Influence
Advancing the Fight against Kleptocracy
Challenging Authoritarian Censorship and Protecting Free Speech
Addressing the Opportunities and Threats Posed by Technology
Supporting Democracy Advocates at Risk
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