The organization (The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) found that while there had been considerable progress providing legal protection for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, there were continuing issues in many countries. The most extreme punishment – the death penalty – stil exists in Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria (the 12 northern states only), Saudia Arabia and Yemen. All are members of the United Nations. The document, ILGA World’s annual update to its State-Sponsored Homophobia report, is a world survey of sexual orientation laws. Each year ILGA’s more than 1,600 LGBTQ rights organizations from around the world research and analyze over 3,750 external sources, including legislation, legal opinions, academic texts, news articles and activist testimonies. The results are presented country by country. It found that in at least 42 nations – including China, Russia and Ethiopia – freedom of expression regarding LGBTQ issues have encountered legal barriers. In 51 countries – such as Singapore, Belarus and Fiji – laws have been passed disallowing the “formation, establishment or registration” of LGBTQ organizations.