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Freedom in the World 2019 Summary

Core Content

Freedom in the World 2019 highlights a global decline in political rights and civil liberties over the past 13 years, with 13 consecutive years of deterioration in freedom. The report attributes this decline to a combination of authoritarian consolidation, populist movements, and erosion of democratic institutions in established democracies. It underscores the need for renewed commitment to defending and expanding democratic norms worldwide.

Main Points

Global Decline in Freedom

• In 2018, Freedom in the World recorded the 13th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.
• The share of Not Free countries increased to 26%, while Free countries dropped to 44%.
• The decline is not limited to authoritarian states; even long-standing democracies such as the United States have seen regression.

Causes of the Decline

• Post-Cold War democratization has rolled back, with many countries that were once Free or Partly Free now regressing.
• Authoritarian regimes have increasingly abandoned democratic practices, including banning opposition, jailing leaders, and removing term limits.
• Antiliberal populist movements, especially on the far right, have gained traction by promoting exclusionary national identities and undermining minority rights.
• Digital authoritarianism has intensified, with countries like China exporting models of internet censorship and surveillance globally.

Key Trends

• Rule of Law has been the most affected subcategory in the past 13 years.
• Freedom of expression has faced sustained attacks, including the imprisonment of journalists and the criminalization of dissent.
• Protection of migrants and refugees has been undermined by policies that violate international human rights standards.
• Ethnic cleansing has become a growing trend, with Myanmar and Syria being notable examples.

Regional Trends

Asia-Pacific

• Military influence remains strong in several countries, with Cambodia and Myanmar witnessing severe repression.
• In Myanmar, the military was accused of genocide against the Rohingya people, with over 700,000 fleeing to Bangladesh.
• In China, ethnic Uighurs, Kazakhs, and Hui have been subjected to mass internment in "reeducation" camps.
• Malaysia saw a significant shift with the defeat of the Barisan Nasional coalition and the arrest of Najib Razak due to a corruption scandal.
• Bangladesh experienced political violence and irregularities in parliamentary elections.
• In Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena attempted to dissolve parliament, but the Supreme Court ruled against it, preserving democratic gains.

Americas

• Migration crises in Latin America, particularly in Venezuela and Nicaragua, have been driven by government repression.
• Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro extended his rule through a flawed election and economic collapse.
• In Mexico and Brazil, populist leaders won key elections amid political violence.
• Ecuador's Lenín Moreno initiated reforms, including restoring presidential term limits and reducing corruption.

Key Recommendations

• For Democracies: The report calls for a united front among democratic nations and a defense of democracy as a universal right.
• For the Private Sector: There is a need to support democratic values and protect human rights through corporate practices and advocacy.

Notable Improvements

• Despite the overall decline, some countries showed positive changes:
  • Angola: New president João Lourenço took steps against corruption and increased judicial independence.
  • Armenia: Mass protests led to the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan, and a reformist parliament was elected.
  • Ethiopia: A new prime minister was appointed following years of protests, leading to the release of political prisoners and more public discourse.
  • Ecuador: Reforms were initiated to restore term limits and reduce corruption.

Conclusion

• The promise of democracy remains, but it is under serious threat.
• Global cooperation and renewed commitment to democratic principles are essential to counter the rise of authoritarianism and antiliberalism.
• The future of democracy depends on defending it not just as a set of minimum safeguards, but as a universal guarantee of freedom and dignity.