Freedom in the World 2019
Highlights from the Freedom House Report - Democracy in Retreat?
What does FREEDOM mean? Freedom stands for something greater than just 'the right to act, speak or think however I want'. Exercising my Freedom I must respect and not limit somebody else's freedom! In a Democracy, Freedom stands for more than that: it has to secure and guarantee for everyone an equal opportunity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You don't have to be a politician or a political science expert to understand that freedom can not mean just 'to be free to do whatever you want’. Taken literally, that approach would produce anarchy: every person for himself or herself. We believe in respect, collaboration, and synergy! We believe in a world with Democratic values and principles and with many guaranteed and protected Freedoms!
These are 4 of the most important Freedoms (or characteristics of Freedom):
1. The first is freedom of speech and expression.
2. The second is freedom of every person to have a religious or spiritual faith and to worship their God in his own way.
3. The third is freedom of choice, the freedom to vote, to elect or to be elected.
4. The fourth is freedom of movement, the freedom to live and move wherever a person wants.
A Free man is the one who benefits from all his civil liberties and his human rights.
Here are some highlights from this report:
>> From the Total World Population of 7,6 billion people:
- Only 39% of people are considered Free.
- 25% are considered Partially Free.
- While 37% are not Free.
>> From the Total of 195 Countries in the World:
- Only 44% of people are considered Free.
- 30% are considered Partially Free.
- While 26% are not Free.
>> The Countries with net declines in aggregate Freedom score have outnumbered those with gain, for the past 13 years.
In 2018, Freedom in the World recorded the 13th consecutive year of decline in global freedom. The reversal has spanned a variety of countries in every region, from long-standing democracies like the United States to consolidated authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. The overall losses are still shallow compared with the gains of the late 20th century, but the pattern is consistent and we can deduce that Democracy is in retreat.
That is why we challenge yoU to Upgrade Democracy!
The truth is that democracy needs defending, and as traditional champions like the United States stumble, core democratic norms meant to ensure peace, prosperity, and freedom for all people are under serious threat around the world.
For example, elections are being hollowed out as autocracies find ways to control their results while sustaining a veneer of competitive balloting. Polls in which the outcome is shaped by coercion, fraud, or other manipulation are increasingly common. Freedom House’s indicators for elections have declined at twice the rate of overall score totals globally during the last three years.
The offensive against freedom of expression is being supercharged by a new and more effective form of digital authoritarianism
Another norm under siege is the protection of the rights of migrants and refugees, including the rights to due process, to freedom from discrimination, and to seek asylum. All countries have the legitimate authority to regulate migration, but they must do so in line with international human rights standards and without violating the fundamental principles of justice provided by their own laws and constitutions.
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