The world records 19 years in a row with retreat in civil liberties. Portugal remains an example of democratic stability and respect for freedoms. Only corruption and the prison system leave us from perfection.
For the 19th consecutive year, the world watched a decline of fundamental levels of freedoms.
The report Freedom in the World 2025 of the non -governmental organization Freedom Housereleased this Wednesday, indicates that since 2006, global levels of freedom have registered a decline, as the Authoritarianism intensified in various parts of the globe.
This year’s report points out that, only in the last year, 60 countries have undergone significant setbacks in their political rights and civil freedoms, while only 34 positive advances.
This consistent pattern of decline suggests a growing threat to democratic principles in various regions of the globe.
This year’s report stresses that authoritarian regimes have intensified their efforts to suppress dissent and to limit civic participation.
In countries like Belarus e Myanmarthe regimes resorted to repressive measures for Silence opponentsresulting in serious human rights violations.
At the same time, armed conflicts in nations like Ethiopia and the Yemen contributed to the aggravation of humanitarian crises and the deterioration of civil liberties.
COVID-19 pandemic continued to influence the panorama of global freedoms in 2024, with some governments to maintain restrictions which, initially, were justified as public health measures and were improperly prolonged, limiting freedom of expression, meeting and movement.
In the list of countries with worst aggregated scores are the Afghanistana Belarus and the Azerbeijan.
Several resistance focuses
Despite the deterioration of the global scenario, Washington -based NGO report identifies outbreaks of resistance and democratic progress.
In some nations, pro-democracy movements have emerged with vigor, challenging oppressive regimes and demanding reforms, as happens in the Bangladesh, Syria -By the effect of the deposition of the regime of Bashar al-Assad-and in Sri Lankawhere the new regime was elected by an anti -corruption platform.
The most remarkable improvement in the index-which includes territories, in addition to countries-was in the Cashmire – Region managed by India, where elections were held for the first time since the Hindu nationalist government of Nova Deli revoked the special status of the region of Muslim majority in 2019.
Freedom House points out that although they face considerable challenges, these movements demonstrate the resilience and determination of citizens to fight for their rights.
There is still a “perfect” country
In the European context, Portugal remains as an example of democratic stability and respect for civil freedoms, with a score of 96 em 100.
Portugal country is classified as “free”reflecting a robust multiparty political system and the consistent protection of citizens’ rights, although they are relevant weaknesses in issues related to corruption and conditions in the prison system.
In the most populous global democracy, that of IndiaFreedom House refers to the trend of significant deteriorationafter 2021 has degrade its “free” classification to “partially free”.
Over USAand because the 2024 presidential elections were considered free, fair and credible, the Freedom House improved the score From this country, although emphasizing that the victory of Republican Donald Trump could have an impact on civil liberties and foreign policy.
The only country that gets a perfect score of 100/100 is Finlandclosely followed by New Zealand, Norway and Sweden.
