Gerardo Berthin
@gerardoberthin.bsky.social
Political Scientist passionate about applied democratic governance; work in 50+ countries supporting international development; opinions & views are my own.
4democraticgovernance.com
4democraticgovernance.com
Pinned
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”
― Jimmy Carter
― Jimmy Carter
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
Over the past decade, Freedom House has supported more than 25,000 at-risk human rights defenders worldwide. Today we are launching a new campaign to support many more. Every dollar counts. Donate today at www.FreedomHouse.org/Donate
October 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Over the past decade, Freedom House has supported more than 25,000 at-risk human rights defenders worldwide. Today we are launching a new campaign to support many more. Every dollar counts. Donate today at www.FreedomHouse.org/Donate
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
After several months offline, the China Dissent Monitor (CDM)—our initiative to track dissent in the country—has been restored with the help of private donors.
But the future of CDM as a public resource hinges on continued financial support.
Read more
But the future of CDM as a public resource hinges on continued financial support.
Read more
Protests Appear to Be Increasing in China. What Can We Learn from Them?
Citizens in China are speaking out when their rights are violated. Freedom House’s China Dissent Monitor analyzes these protest actions—often uncovering broader trends in China’s politics and economy ...
freedomhouse.org
August 19, 2025 at 8:25 PM
After several months offline, the China Dissent Monitor (CDM)—our initiative to track dissent in the country—has been restored with the help of private donors.
But the future of CDM as a public resource hinges on continued financial support.
Read more
But the future of CDM as a public resource hinges on continued financial support.
Read more
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
To learn more about TNR in the UK, check out our recent country case study: freedomhouse.org/report/trans...
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From Awareness to Action: Combating Transnational Repression in the United Kingdom
The British government has worked to address the most acute threats, but an effective response will require consistent accountability measures for perpetrators and greater engagement with affected dia...
freedomhouse.org
July 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
To learn more about TNR in the UK, check out our recent country case study: freedomhouse.org/report/trans...
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Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
We urge European leaders to raise concerns at the highest levels given that Ukraine's EU accession hinges upon reform and call on donors to continue supporting Ukrainian civil society and independent media. Their role is more critical than ever in ensuring positive, democratic progress.
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July 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
We urge European leaders to raise concerns at the highest levels given that Ukraine's EU accession hinges upon reform and call on donors to continue supporting Ukrainian civil society and independent media. Their role is more critical than ever in ensuring positive, democratic progress.
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The G7 has recognized #transnationalrepression as a tool that undermines “national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and principles of international law.” Freedom House has been documenting, analyzing and monitoring TNR and its impacts. More info on our reports & data, tinyurl.com/58j4ktak
We welcome @G7’s acknowledgement of #transnationalrepression as a global threat to democracy and urge member states to deliver on their commitment to a coordinated response.
We commend Canada for elevating this issue during its G7 presidency.
Read more: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
We commend Canada for elevating this issue during its G7 presidency.
Read more: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
June 22, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The G7 has recognized #transnationalrepression as a tool that undermines “national security, state sovereignty, human rights, and principles of international law.” Freedom House has been documenting, analyzing and monitoring TNR and its impacts. More info on our reports & data, tinyurl.com/58j4ktak
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
A message from the Freedom House Board of Trustees: Sustaining Our Commitment to the Enduring Cause of Freedom ⬇️
freedomhouse.org/article/sust...
freedomhouse.org/article/sust...
June 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A message from the Freedom House Board of Trustees: Sustaining Our Commitment to the Enduring Cause of Freedom ⬇️
freedomhouse.org/article/sust...
freedomhouse.org/article/sust...
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our China Dissent Monitor!
Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.
Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give
Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.
Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give
June 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our China Dissent Monitor!
Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.
Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give
Though we are excited, the project's funding remains limited—we urgently need more support to sustain our team's efforts to track public protest under the CCP regime.
Here's how you can help: freedomhouse.org/ways-to-give
The past few months have been deeply disruptive and challenging. What helped us endure was the resilience of our colleagues, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering support of our board. We’re not just adapting, we’re evolving. More on how we can stand up together
lnkd.in/egXXkCKz
lnkd.in/egXXkCKz
June 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The past few months have been deeply disruptive and challenging. What helped us endure was the resilience of our colleagues, the strength of our partnerships, and the unwavering support of our board. We’re not just adapting, we’re evolving. More on how we can stand up together
lnkd.in/egXXkCKz
lnkd.in/egXXkCKz
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
Today's Spotlight🔆on Freedom:
✊ The Road Ahead: Defending Democracy and Freedom Together
🇻🇪 Calling for the immediate release of Eduardo Torres
🏆 Our 2025 Annual Awards recap
More: bit.ly/FH-06-05-25
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHnewsletter
✊ The Road Ahead: Defending Democracy and Freedom Together
🇻🇪 Calling for the immediate release of Eduardo Torres
🏆 Our 2025 Annual Awards recap
More: bit.ly/FH-06-05-25
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHnewsletter
June 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Today's Spotlight🔆on Freedom:
✊ The Road Ahead: Defending Democracy and Freedom Together
🇻🇪 Calling for the immediate release of Eduardo Torres
🏆 Our 2025 Annual Awards recap
More: bit.ly/FH-06-05-25
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHnewsletter
✊ The Road Ahead: Defending Democracy and Freedom Together
🇻🇪 Calling for the immediate release of Eduardo Torres
🏆 Our 2025 Annual Awards recap
More: bit.ly/FH-06-05-25
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe_FHnewsletter
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
Thank you to all those who attended our Annual Awards!
At a time of rising threats to democracy, and amid the sweeping termination of US foreign assistance, your support for Freedom House means more now than ever.
Congratulations again to our remarkable awardees!
At a time of rising threats to democracy, and amid the sweeping termination of US foreign assistance, your support for Freedom House means more now than ever.
Congratulations again to our remarkable awardees!
May 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Thank you to all those who attended our Annual Awards!
At a time of rising threats to democracy, and amid the sweeping termination of US foreign assistance, your support for Freedom House means more now than ever.
Congratulations again to our remarkable awardees!
At a time of rising threats to democracy, and amid the sweeping termination of US foreign assistance, your support for Freedom House means more now than ever.
Congratulations again to our remarkable awardees!
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
We are honored to announce María Corina Machado as our 2025 Freedom Award recipient.
For years, María Corina Machado has stood defiantly against the authoritarian Maduro regime, and she continues to inspire the Venezuelan people—and us—to dream of a more democratic, freer future.
For years, María Corina Machado has stood defiantly against the authoritarian Maduro regime, and she continues to inspire the Venezuelan people—and us—to dream of a more democratic, freer future.
May 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
We are honored to announce María Corina Machado as our 2025 Freedom Award recipient.
For years, María Corina Machado has stood defiantly against the authoritarian Maduro regime, and she continues to inspire the Venezuelan people—and us—to dream of a more democratic, freer future.
For years, María Corina Machado has stood defiantly against the authoritarian Maduro regime, and she continues to inspire the Venezuelan people—and us—to dream of a more democratic, freer future.
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
How can democracies can regain citizens' trust? They must pursue and deliver on ambitious projects, write @frankfukuyama.bsky.social, Chris Dann, and Beatriz Magaloni.
www.journalofdemocra...
www.journalofdemocra...
Delivering for Democracy: Why Results Matter | Journal of Democracy
Voters around the world are losing faith in democracy’s ability to deliver and increasingly turning toward more authoritarian alternatives. To restore citizens’ confidence, democracies must show they…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
May 17, 2025 at 6:32 PM
How can democracies can regain citizens' trust? They must pursue and deliver on ambitious projects, write @frankfukuyama.bsky.social, Chris Dann, and Beatriz Magaloni.
www.journalofdemocra...
www.journalofdemocra...
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
"Authoritarian efficiency is a myth; centralized power without accountability leads to failure."
www.journalofdemocra...
www.journalofdemocra...
Bolivia’s Silent Destruction | Journal of Democracy
Bolivia’s Amazon forests are becoming scorched earth, with millions of acres lost each year to raging fires. Worse, this disaster is being caused by a government more interested in corrupt profits…
www.journalofdemocracy.org
May 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
"Authoritarian efficiency is a myth; centralized power without accountability leads to failure."
www.journalofdemocra...
www.journalofdemocra...
Governments around the world are detaining, prosecuting, and imprisoning legal and judicial professionals as part of a larger assault on the rule of law. Check out the new policy brief.
tinyurl.com/4wss2vas
tinyurl.com/4wss2vas
NEW POLICY BRIEF: Political Persecution of Judges and Lawyers Is a Global Problem
Attacks on the rule of law can pave the way for broader abuses of power and the deterioration of fundamental freedoms.
freedomhouse.org
April 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Governments around the world are detaining, prosecuting, and imprisoning legal and judicial professionals as part of a larger assault on the rule of law. Check out the new policy brief.
tinyurl.com/4wss2vas
tinyurl.com/4wss2vas
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning author who ran for president in his native Peru and wrote vivid novels that explored themes of despotism, corruption and fanaticism in Latin America, has died. RIP
tinyurl.com/fchrfpps
tinyurl.com/fchrfpps
Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel Prize-Winning Peruvian Author and Politician, Dies
The erstwhile Marxist-turned-free-marketeer wrote historical novels, semi-autobiographical comedies, murder mysteries, political essays and plays.
tinyurl.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning author who ran for president in his native Peru and wrote vivid novels that explored themes of despotism, corruption and fanaticism in Latin America, has died. RIP
tinyurl.com/fchrfpps
tinyurl.com/fchrfpps
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
The most common form of election violence documented by #FreedomInTheWorld was attacks on candidates, occurring in 20 countries.
Voting places were attacked in 14, and violence during election-related protests took place in 11.
Our breakdown: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Voting places were attacked in 14, and violence during election-related protests took place in 11.
Our breakdown: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
March 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The most common form of election violence documented by #FreedomInTheWorld was attacks on candidates, occurring in 20 countries.
Voting places were attacked in 14, and violence during election-related protests took place in 11.
Our breakdown: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Voting places were attacked in 14, and violence during election-related protests took place in 11.
Our breakdown: freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
📣 NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2025 is now LIVE!
freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
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freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
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February 26, 2025 at 5:01 AM
📣 NEW: #FreedomInTheWorld 2025 is now LIVE!
freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
(1/🧵)
freedomhouse.org/report/freed...
Violence and repression around elections, ongoing armed conflicts, and the spread of authoritarian practices contributed to the 19th consecutive year of global freedom in decline.
(1/🧵)
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
STATEMENT: We reaffirm our solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine as Russia's illegal full-scale invasion enters its fourth year.
A commitment to Ukrainian victory, on Ukraine’s terms, is the only acceptable outcome.
Full statement: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
A commitment to Ukrainian victory, on Ukraine’s terms, is the only acceptable outcome.
Full statement: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
February 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
STATEMENT: We reaffirm our solidarity with the heroic people of Ukraine as Russia's illegal full-scale invasion enters its fourth year.
A commitment to Ukrainian victory, on Ukraine’s terms, is the only acceptable outcome.
Full statement: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
A commitment to Ukrainian victory, on Ukraine’s terms, is the only acceptable outcome.
Full statement: freedomhouse.org/article/free...
Voters turned out in record numbers for the German election. Here’s a look in charts at the wins and losses, seats in parliament, possible coalition outcomes and voter demographics.
tinyurl.com/4n75y4mw
tinyurl.com/4n75y4mw
German election results explained in graphics – DW – 02/24/2025
Will all votes counted in Germany's 2025 election, here's a look in charts at the wins and losses, seats in parliament, possible coalition outcomes and voter demographics.
tinyurl.com
February 24, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Voters turned out in record numbers for the German election. Here’s a look in charts at the wins and losses, seats in parliament, possible coalition outcomes and voter demographics.
tinyurl.com/4n75y4mw
tinyurl.com/4n75y4mw
In the last weeks I have been re-reading one of my favorite poets, Pablo Neruda and his fragments. I have found comfort in one fragment in particular: “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”
February 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
In the last weeks I have been re-reading one of my favorite poets, Pablo Neruda and his fragments. I have found comfort in one fragment in particular: “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”
A brief reflection after one year since President Arévalo assumed office in #Guatemala. I write that President Arévalo has faced fierce resistance to reform since taking his post. His supporters worry that the opportunity for meaningful change may be closing.
tinyurl.com/bdcred57
tinyurl.com/bdcred57
Guatemala: When Hope and Reality Collide
Bernardo Arévalo overcame tremendous obstacles to become Guatemala’s president, but the old guard that tried to derail his campaign is now retaliating against his government to protect their own corru...
tinyurl.com
January 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A brief reflection after one year since President Arévalo assumed office in #Guatemala. I write that President Arévalo has faced fierce resistance to reform since taking his post. His supporters worry that the opportunity for meaningful change may be closing.
tinyurl.com/bdcred57
tinyurl.com/bdcred57
Reposted by Gerardo Berthin
"We call on democracies around the world to recognize democratic leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the presidential election, and to reject Maduro’s fraudulent claim to have won a popular mandate."
@freedomhouse.bsky.social
@freedomhouse.bsky.social
Venezuela: International Community Must Reject Maduro's Power Grab and Support Edmundo González Urrutia
No inauguration ceremony can legitimize Maduro’s fraudulent claim to have won the July 2024 presidential election.
freedomhouse.org
January 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"We call on democracies around the world to recognize democratic leader Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner of the presidential election, and to reject Maduro’s fraudulent claim to have won a popular mandate."
@freedomhouse.bsky.social
@freedomhouse.bsky.social
Exploring the state of freedom following the year of global elections. I explained to @elpais.com that "...in at least 26 of the 75 elections that were held this past year, there was some kind of manifestation of violence." ⬇️
tinyurl.com/yvfdmypc
tinyurl.com/yvfdmypc
The super year for elections: Taking stock of the state of democracy after a period of unprecedented attacks
2024 saw almost half of the world’s population head to the polls. The year highlighted the risks of democratic erosion, due to the actions taken by oligarchs or foreign powers. However, it also showed...
tinyurl.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Exploring the state of freedom following the year of global elections. I explained to @elpais.com that "...in at least 26 of the 75 elections that were held this past year, there was some kind of manifestation of violence." ⬇️
tinyurl.com/yvfdmypc
tinyurl.com/yvfdmypc
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”
― Jimmy Carter
― Jimmy Carter
January 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
“I have one life and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”
― Jimmy Carter
― Jimmy Carter