Freedom Files

Freedom Files is an analytical and advocacy NGO working to uphold democracy, the rule of law and human rights. In pursuing these goals, the organisation addresses the problems of growing authoritarianism, backsliding of democracy and deteriorating situation of human rights in Europe and Eurasia as well as the weakening of the international legal and security system. The organisation’s experts research the situation in various countries and regions, analyse the key trends, and produce reports and policy papers with recommendations to intergovernmental organisations, governments of democratic states and civil society on strategies and concrete actions to mitigate threats, exert effective pressure on violating states, and support developments in favour of democracy, rule of law and human rights. The organisation’s research looks, in particular, into the ways of functioning of autocracies using repression, corruption, and income from exports of natural resources, to control their societies, enrich the ruling groups, consolidate their rule, project their influence at the international level and protect them from criticism for human rights violaions. Along with working on country and regional situations, Freedom Files is involved in efforts to strengthen and reform intergovernmental organisations to make them more effective in addressing the current and new challenges. The organisation engages in direct advocacy with recipients of its recommendations and cooperates with partners in civil society, democratic forces and the media. Freedom Files was established in Russia in 2009 as an informal international expert group and registered as an NGO in a form of a foundation in 2014 in Poland. Its office is located in Warsaw.