Freedom House, the nonpartisan organization that keeps a watchful eye on personal liberty throughout the world, has updated its report on the state of individual rights. The news is not good. About twice as many countries suffered declines of freedom as registered gain, 61 to 33.
According to its latest research, “More aggressive tactics by authoritarian regimes and an upsurge in terrorist attacks contributed to a disturbing decline in global freedom in 2014.”
Freedom House describes what amounts to sea-change in the international perspective on governance.
“Acceptance of democracy as the world’s dominant form of government—and of an international system built on democratic ideals—is under greater threat than at any other point in the last 25 years,’ said Arch Puddington, vice president for research. “Until recently, most authoritarian regimes claimed to respect international agreements and paid lip service to the norms of competitive elections and human rights,” Puddington said. “Today they argue for the superiority of what amounts to one-party rule, and seek to throw off the constraints of fundamental diplomatic principles.”
Among the major world powers, both Russia, for its invasion of Ukraine, and China, for its increased centralization of power and disdain for democratic standards, were cited as key reversals for the cause of freedom.
It is not only nation-states that constituted major threats to personal liberty. Terrorist movements also played a key role. “From West Africa through the Middle East to South Asia, radical jihadist forces plagued local governments and populations. Their impact on countries such as Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Nigeria was devastating, as they massacred security forces and civilians alike, took foreigners hostage, and killed or enslaved religious minorities, including Muslims they deemed apostates.”
These were the “key findings” described in the report:
- Of the 195 countries assessed, 89 (46 percent) were rated Free, 55 (28 percent) Partly Free, and 51 (26 percent) Not Free.
- All but one region had more countries with declines than with gains. Asia-Pacific had an even split.
- A troubling number of large, economically powerful, or regionally influential countries moved backward: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela.
- Continuing a recent trend, the worst reversals affected freedom of expression, civil society, and the rule of law.
- In a new and disquieting development, a number of countries lost ground due to state surveillance, restrictions on internet communications, and curbs on personal autonomy.
- Ratings for the Middle East and North Africa region were the worst in the world, followed by Eurasia. Syria, a dictatorship mired in civil war and ethnic division and facing uncontrolled terrorism, received the lowest Freedom in the World score of any country in over a decade.
- A notable exception to the negative trend was Tunisia, which became the first Arab country to hold the status of Free since Lebanon was gripped by civil war 40 years ago.
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