The government has full control over the freedom of religion and belief in the country. Religious organizations must register with the government and operate under the management of government-appointed management boards. If they refuse, the government considers them to be ‘evil religions.’ The police keep a close eye on such religious groups, investigate their activities, [...]
North Korea is preparing for its 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party, a major political meeting held once every five years. During this congress, leader Kim Jong Un plans to announce new military, nuclear, and foreign policy goals for the country. State media reports that dozens of new rocket launchers were displayed ahead of the [...]
Houthi authorities in Yemen have arbitrarily arrested over 20 Christians in the past three months. Many were taken from their homes or the streets without arrest warrants, and most have not been able to contact their families. Some detainees have health conditions that require medical care, but it is unclear if they are receiving it. [...]
In Saudi Arabia, freedom of expression is tightly controlled and often punished by the authorities. The government uses broad laws against terrorism and cybercrime to arrest, detain, and prosecute people for peaceful speech online or in public, including activists, writers, and social media users. Some people have been imprisoned for posting views on women’s rights [...]
Civic space in Brunei is rated as “repressed” by the CIVICUS Monitor, with no clear progress on basic freedoms. Brunei is an absolute monarchy where the Sultan holds full executive power under a long-standing state of emergency declared in 1962. There are no national elections and no legal protection for freedom of speech, assembly, or [...]
North Korea is one of the most oppressive states in the world, and it continued its repression in 2025. The state had strict regulations about various aspects of the lives of citizens. The censuring, surveillance, and control of markets had become stricter. The citizens lacked food and had to bear the high cost of even the [...]
Migrants from Eritrea often leave their country to escape poverty, repression, and endless military service. Many hope to reach Europe for safety and a better life, but their journey is extremely dangerous. A recent case in the Netherlands showed how badly Eritrean migrants can be abused. A Dutch court sentenced an Eritrean man, Amanuel Walid, [...]
A Tokyo court has ordered North Korea to pay compensation to people who were deceived into moving there decades ago. The case involves four former residents who said they were lured by a propaganda campaign that described North Korea as a “paradise on Earth.” Instead, they faced harsh living conditions, forced labor, strict controls, and [...]
North Korea is preparing for its first Workers’ Party congress in five years, one of the country’s most important political events. The congress is expected to review past projects, set new political and economic priorities, and reshuffle senior officials. It will also give leader Kim Jong-un a chance to strengthen his control over the government [...]
Eritrea has one of the worst press freedom situations in the world. It kept the lowest position in the 2025 Global Press Freedom Index, showing that there is almost no independent media in the country. The government controls all news, censors information, and watches people’s communications closely. Independent journalism is banned and any reporter who [...]