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FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2018

Highlights from Freedom House’s annual report on political rights and This report was made possible by the generous support of the Smith Richardson Foundation and the Lilly Endowment. Freedom House also gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Reed Foundation, the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, David L. Fogel, and additional private contributors who wish to remain anonymous.

Freedom in the World 2018 Table of Contents

Democracy in Crisis 1 Methodology 2 The in decline 3 Mugabe’s fall from power in 4 Ethnic cleansing in 5 Worst of the Worst 6 moves to ‘Not Free’ 7 International pressure helps end decades of oppression in The Gambia 7 An Arab success story founders in 8 Countries to Watch in 2018 9 Regional Trends 11 Freedom in the World 2018 Map 12 Freedom in the World 2018 Status Changes 18 Freedom in the World 2018 Trend Arrows 19

The following people were instrumental in the writing of this booklet: Elen Aghekyan, Rukmani Bhatia, Jen- nifer Dunham, Shannon O’Toole, Arch Puddington, Sarah Repucci, Tyler Roylance, and Vanessa Tucker.

This booklet is a summary of findings for the 2018 edition of Freedom in the World. The complete analysis including narrative reports on all countries and territories can be found on our website at www.freedomhouse.org.

ON THE COVER

Cover image by KAL. FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2018

Democracy in Crisis by Michael J. Abramowitz

Political rights and civil liberties around the world deteriorated to their lowest point in more than a decade in 2017, extending a period characterized by emboldened autocrats, beleaguered , and the United States’ withdrawal from its leadership role in the global struggle for human freedom.

Democracy is in crisis. The values it embodies—par- civil and political liberties. Right-wing populists gained ticularly the right to choose leaders in free and fair votes and parliamentary seats in France, the Nether- elections, , and the rule of law— lands, Germany, and Austria during 2017. While they are under assault and in retreat globally. were kept out of government in all but Austria, their success at the polls helped to weaken established A quarter-century ago, at the end of the Cold War, parties on both the right and left. Centrist newcomer it appeared that totalitarianism had at last been Emmanuel Macron handily won the French presiden- vanquished and had won the great cy, but in Germany and the Netherlands, mainstream ideological battle of the 20th century. parties struggled to create stable governing coalitions.

Today, it is democracy that finds itself battered and Perhaps worst of all, and most worrisome for the future, weakened. For the 12th consecutive year, according young people, who have little memory of the long strug- to Freedom in the World, countries that suffered dem- gles against fascism and communism, may be losing ocratic setbacks outnumbered those that registered faith and interest in the democratic project. The very gains. States that a decade ago seemed like promising idea of democracy and its promotion has been tarnished success stories—Turkey and , for exam- among many, contributing to a dangerous apathy. ple—are sliding into authoritarian rule. The military in Myanmar, which began a limited democratic opening The retreat of democracies is troubling enough. Yet in 2010, executed a shocking campaign of ethnic at the same time, the world’s leading autocracies, cleansing in 2017 and rebuffed international criticism and , have seized the opportunity not of its actions. Meanwhile, the world’s most power- only to step up internal repression but also to export ful democracies are mired in seemingly intractable their malign influence to other countries, which are problems at home, including social and economic increasingly copying their behavior and adopting their disparities, partisan fragmentation, terrorist attacks, disdain for democracy. A confident Chinese president and an influx of refugees that has strained alliances Xi Jinping recently proclaimed that China is “blazing and increased fears of the “other.” a new trail” for developing countries to follow. It is a path that includes politicized courts, intolerance for The challenges within democratic states have fueled dissent, and predetermined elections. the rise of populist leaders who appeal to anti-immi- grant sentiment and give short shrift to fundamental The spread of antidemocratic practices around the www.freedomhouse.org 1 EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Total population Total population Total population Total population 286.7 million 992.3 million 4.1 billion 618.1 million

21% 38%

69% 85% 22% 79%

27% 40% 2% 4% 13%

EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFICEUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRYPOPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Total population Total population Total population6% Total population 286.7 million 992.3 million FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis4.1 billion 618.1 million 2% 42% IN THE WORLD 28% 21% 46% 12% 2018

21% 38% Freedom in the World methodology 69% Total Total Total Freedom in the World 2018 evaluates the state of The methodology, which is derived from the Total countries countries countries 85% countries 22% freedom in35 195 countries and 14 territories during Universal Declaration39 of , is applied 12 calendar year 2017. Each country and territory is to all countries and territories, irrespective of geo- 42 79% assigned between 0 and 4 points on a series of graphic location, ethnic or religious composition, 25 indicators, for an aggregate score of up to 100. or level of economic development. These scores are used to determine two numerical 27% 40% 58% ratings, for political rights66% and civil liberties, with a 33%Freedom in the World assesses the real-world 2% 86% 4% rating of 1 representing the most free conditions rights and freedoms enjoyed by individuals, rather13% and 7 the least free. A country or territory’s politi- than governments or government performance cal rights and civil liberties ratings then determine per se. Political rights and civil liberties can be EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFICwhether it has: ST AanTUS overall BY COUNTRY status of Free, Partly Free, affectedEUROPE: SbyT AbothTUS stateBY COUNTRY and nonstate actors, includ- or Not Free. ing insurgents and other armed groups. MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATI6%ON SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STAForTUS complete BY POPUL informationATION on the methodology, visit https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world-2018/methodology.2% 42% 28% 21% 46% 12% Total population Total population Total population 424.8 million world is not merely1.02 a billionsetback for fundamental free- ignoring all constraints7.4 billion themselves, spurring a vicious doms. It poses economic and security risks. When circle of abuse and radicalization. 5% more countries are free, all countries—including the Total Total 11% Total 12% United States—are safer and more prosperous. When The United StatesTotal accelerates its countries countries more countries countriesare autocratic and repressive, treaties 39%withdrawal fromcountries the democracy struggle 12 35 and alliances crumble,39 nations and entire regions A long list of troubling42 developments around the world become unstable, and violent extremists have52% greater contributed to the global decline in 2017, but perhaps room to operate. most striking was the accelerating withdrawal of the 83% 24%United States from its historical commitment to promot- 58% 66% Democratic33% governments allow people to help set the ing and supporting democracy. The potent challenge rules to which all must adhere, and have a say in the from authoritarian regimes made the 86%United States’ direction of their lives and work. This fosters a broader abdication of its traditional role all the more important. respect for peace, fair play, and compromise.37% Auto- 37% crats impose arbitrary rules on their citizens while Despite the U.S. government’s mistakes—and there

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION FREE GLOBAL: STATUS BY POPULATION GLOBAL: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY Total population Total population PARTLY FREE STATUS BY COUNTRYTotal population 424.8 million 11% 1.02 billion NOT FREE 7.4 billion 25% 45% 5% 39% 18% 11% 12% 22% 39%

Total 52% Total Total countries countries 83% 24% countries 18 49 195

37% 37% 67% 30% 43%

2 MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY 11% 25% 45% 39% 18% 22%

Total Total Total countries countries countries 18 49 195

67% 30% 43% Freedom House

The United States in decline senior officials despite apparent conflicts of interest; and Freedom House has tracked a slow decline in po- litical rights and civil liberties in the United States • a reduction in government transparency, includ- for the past seven years. Prominent concerns ing an unusual pattern of false statements by the have included the influence of money in politics, administration, the president’s failure to disclose legislative dysfunction, and severe inequalities in basic information such as his personal tax data, the criminal justice system. policy and other decisions made without mean- ingful input from relevant agencies and officials, In 2017, however, the deterioration accelerated. The and the removal of information on issues of United States lost three points on the 100-point public interest from government websites for scale used by Freedom in the World due to: political or ideological reasons.

• growing evidence of Russian interference in the The United States now receives a score of 86 out 2016 election campaign and a lack of action by of 100 points. While this places it below other the Trump administration to prevent a reoccur- major democracies such as France, Germany, and rence of such meddling; the , it is still firmly in the Free category. Nevertheless, a three-point decline in a • violations of basic ethical standards by the new single year is rare for an established democracy. administration, including the president’s failure In particular, Freedom House is closely watching to divest himself of his business empire, his President Trump’s verbal attacks on the press and hiring of family members as senior advisers, and their potential impact on the public’s access to his appointment of cabinet members and other free and independent news media.

have been many—the American people and their notions of collective global security and mutually leaders have generally understood that standing up beneficial trade. The administration’s hostility and for the rights of others is both a moral imperative and skepticism toward binding international agreements beneficial to themselves. But two long wars in Af- on the environment, arms control, and other topics ghanistan and Iraq and a global recession soured the confirmed that a reorientation was taking shape. public on extensive international engagement, and the perceived link between on Even when he chose to acknowledge America’s treaty the one hand and military interventions and financial alliances with fellow democracies, the president costs on the other has had a lasting impact. spoke of cultural or civilizational ties rather than shared recognition of universal rights; his trips abroad The Obama administration continued to defend rarely featured any mention of the word “democracy.” democratic ideals in its foreign policy statements, Indeed, the American leader expressed feelings of but its actions often fell short, reflecting a reduced admiration and even personal friendship for some of estimation of the United States’ ability to influence the world’s most loathsome strongmen and dictators. world events and of the American public’s willingness to back such efforts. This marks a sharp break from other U.S. presidents in the postwar period, who cooperated with certain In 2017, however, the Trump administration made authoritarian regimes for strategic reasons but never explicit—in both words and actions—its intention to wavered from a commitment to democracy as the cast off principles that have guided U.S. policy and best form of government and the animating force formed the basis for American leadership over the behind American foreign policy. It also reflects an past seven decades. inability—or unwillingness—by the United States to lead democracies in effectively confronting the grow- President Trump’s “America First” slogan, originally ing threat from Russia and China, and from the other coined by isolationists seeking to block U.S. involve- states that have come to emulate their authoritarian ment in the war against fascism, targeted traditional approach. www.freedomhouse.org 3 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

FREEDOM IN THE BALANCE After years of major gains, the share of Free countries has declined over the past decade, while the share of Not Free countries has risen. 50 46.6% 45.1% 40 42.4%

30 34.5% 34.5% 31.0% 30.4% 31.1% 29.8% 27.2% 25.1% 20 22.3%

Percentage of Countries of Percentage 10

0 1987 1997 2007 2017

FREE Democratic norms erode within by disclosure and transparency practices observed by his predecessors. PARTLY FREE the United States The past year brought further, faster erosion of Ameri- NOT FREE ca’s own democratic standards than at any other time The president has also lambasted and threatened in memory, damaging its international credibility as a the media—including sharp jabs at individual jour- champion of good governance and human rights. nalists—for challenging his routinely false state- ments, spoken disdainfully of judges who blocked his The United States has experienced a series of set- decisions, and attacked the professional staff of law backs in the conduct of elections and criminal justice enforcement and intelligence agencies. He signals over the past decade—under leadership from both contempt for Muslims and Latin American immigrants major political parties—but in 2017 its core institu- and singles out some African Americans for vitriolic tions were attacked by an administration that rejects criticism. He pardoned a sheriff convicted of ignoring established norms of ethical conduct across many federal court orders to halt racially discriminatory pol- fields of activity. President Trump himself has mingled icies and issued an executive order restricting travel the concerns of his business empire with his role as to the United States from a group of Muslim-majority president, appointed family members to his senior countries after making a campaign promise to ban all staff, filled other high positions with lobbyists and rep- foreign Muslims from the United States. And at a time resentatives of special interests, and refused to abide when millions around the world have been forced to

Mugabe’s fall from power in Zimbabwe

The process by which elected president Robert placed Zimbabwe at the tipping point between Mugabe was compelled to resign in November un- Not Free and Partly Free prior to 2017. der pressure from the military pushed Zimbabwe over the threshold from Partly Free to Not Free in The next year will be crucial for Zimbabwe, as Freedom in the World 2018. This downgrade may general elections are expected. It remains to be seem counterintuitive given Mugabe’s long and seen whether newly installed president Emmerson often harsh rule, the sudden termination of which Mnangagwa—a stalwart of the ruling party—is prompted celebration in the streets. But it was prepared make much-needed reforms that would the regime’s years of repression of the opposition, enable free elections, or will simply retain the the media, and civil society, and its high levels of uneven playing field that had allowed Mugabe to corruption and disregard for the rule of law, that remain in power since 1980.

4 Freedom House

Ethnic cleansing in Myanmar

Myanmar has a long history of persecuting the Ro- These horrific events underscored how far Myan- hingya, a mostly Muslim community of more than mar still is from becoming a democracy. In 2015, a million people living in western Rakhine State. In voters elected a civilian leadership after decades August 2017, the military reacted to attacks from of military rule. However, under a hybrid politi- a small armed faction of the Rohingya by launch- cal system created by the outgoing regime, the ing a violent campaign against civilians that many military retains immense power and autonomy. It in the international community have described continues to use brutal tactics to fight multiple as ethnic cleansing. Over 600,000 Rohingya have ethnic insurgencies, and its campaign in Rakhine sought refuge in neighboring , report- State is supported by radical Buddhist leaders ing widespread arson, rape, and mass murder by who portray the Rohingya as a menace to national military personnel. unity and security.

flee war, terrorism, and ethnic cleansing, President mean state control over the internet and social media Trump moved to implement major reductions in the through both censorship and active manipulation that number of legal immigrants and refugees that the promotes the regime’s message while confusing users United States would accept. with lies and fakery. And it will mean more corruption, injustice, and impunity for state abuses. The president’s behavior stems in part from a frus- tration with the country’s democratic checks and Already, ’s Russia has carried out disin- balances, including the independent courts, a coequal formation campaigns before elections in countries legislative branch, the free press, and an active civil including the United States, France, and Germany, society. These institutions remained fairly resilient in cultivated ties to xenophobic political parties across 2017, but the administration’s statements and actions Europe, threatened or invaded its closest neighbors, could ultimately leave them weakened, with serious and served as an alternative source of military aid for consequences for the health of U.S. democracy and Middle Eastern . Its chief goal is to disrupt America’s role in the world. democratic states and fracture the institutions—such as the European Union—that bind them together. China and Russia expand their antidemocratic influence Beijing has even greater ambitions—and the resourc- While the United States and other democratic pow- es to achieve them. It has built up a and ers grappled with domestic problems and argued censorship apparatus with global reach, used eco- about foreign policy priorities, the world’s leading nomic and other ties to influence democracies like autocracies—Russia and China—continued to make Australia and , compelled various coun- headway. Moscow and Beijing are single-minded in tries to repatriate Chinese citizens seeking refuge their identification of democracy as a threat to their abroad, and provided diplomatic and material support oppressive regimes, and they work relentlessly, with to repressive governments from Southeast Asia to increasing sophistication, to undermine its institu- Africa. Moscow often plays the role of spoiler, bolster- tions and cripple its principal advocates. ing its position by undercutting its adversaries, but the scope and depth of Beijing’s activities show that the The eventual outcome of these trends, if unchecked, Chinese regime aspires to truly global leadership. is obvious. The replacement of global democratic norms with authoritarian practices will mean more Corrupt and repressive states threaten elections in which the incumbent’s victory is a foregone global stability conclusion. It will mean a media landscape dominat- The past year provided ample evidence that undemo- ed by propaganda mouthpieces that marginalize the cratic rule itself can be catastrophic for regional and opposition while presenting the leader as omniscient, global stability, with or without active interference strong, and devoted to national aggrandizement. It will from major powers like Russia and China. www.freedomhouse.org 5 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

LARGEST ONE-YEAR GAINS AND DECLINES IN 2017 Gains in aggregate score reflect improvements in conditions for political rights and civil liberties.

FREE -9 Gabon Tunisia PARTLY FREE -8 -6 Congo (Brazzaville) NOT FREE -6 Tanzania Note: This chart -6 Turkey shows aggregate -5 score changes -4 Hungary of 3 or more points. -4 -4 Malta -4 -4 Venezuela -3 Burkina Faso -3 Kenya -3 -3 Nicaragua -3 -3 -3 -3 -3 United States

Ecuador +3 Nepal +3 Iraq +4 Timor-Leste +4 +4 The Gambia +21

-10 -5 0 +5 +10 +15 +20 +25 Gain or Decline in Aggregate Score

Worst of the Worst

Of the 49 countries designated as Not Free, the Country Aggregate score following 12 have the worst aggregate scores for Turkmenistan 4 political rights and civil liberties. 7 Saudi Arabia 7 Country Aggregate score Somalia 7 -1 Uzbekistan 7 South 2 Sudan 8 Eritrea 3 Central African Republic 9 3 Libya 9

6 Freedom House

Turkey moves to ‘Not Free’ Turkey’s passage over the threshold from Partly an unpopular constitutional referendum to create Free to Not Free is the culmination of a long and a “super-presidential” system without meaningful accelerating slide in Freedom in the World. The checks and balances. His response to the July country’s score has been in free fall since 2014 2016 coup attempt has become a sprawling witch due to an escalating series of assaults on the hunt, resulting in the arrest of some 60,000 peo- press, social media users, protesters, political ple, the closure of over 160 media outlets, and the parties, the judiciary, and the electoral system, as imprisonment of over 150 journalists. The leaders President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fights to impose of the third-largest party in the parliament are in personalized control over the state and society prison, and nearly 100 mayors across the country in a deteriorating domestic and regional security have been replaced through emergency measures environment. or political pressure from the president. The gov- ernment has even pressed its crackdown beyond Erdoğan has pushed out his rivals and former Turkey’s borders, triggering a flood of Interpol “red allies within the ruling party, reshaped media notice” requests to detain critics abroad, among ownership to fit his needs, and rammed through other effects.

In Myanmar, the politically dominant military conduct- and intensified the crackdown on his perceived ed a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against the opponents that began after a failed 2016 coup Muslim Rohingya minority, enabled by diplomatic cover attempt. In addition to its dire consequences for from China and an impotent response from the rest detained Turkish citizens, shuttered media out- of the international community. Some 600,000 people lets, and seized businesses, the chaotic purge has have been pushed out, while thousands of others are become intertwined with an offensive against the thought to have been killed. The refugees have strained Kurdish minority, which in turn has fueled Turkey’s the resources of an already fragile Bangladesh, and diplomatic and military interventions in neighboring Islamist militants have sought to adopt the Rohingya Syria and Iraq. cause as a new rallying point for violent struggle. Elsewhere in the Middle East, authoritarian rulers in Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan broadened Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and

International pressure helps end decades of oppression in The Gambia The Gambia secured one of the largest-ever in troops in January 2017. While much-needed improvements in Freedom in the World for 2017, institutional reforms still lie ahead, fundamental registering a 21-point score increase and mov- freedoms have improved under Barrow’s govern- ing from Not Free to Partly Free. For more than ment, and successful legislative elections were two decades, the country had suffered under held in April. Among other positive developments, the oppressive rule of President Yahya Jammeh, exiled journalists and activists returned, political who first took power in a military coup. Under prisoners were released, ministers declared their his regime, government opponents, independent assets to an ombudsman, the press union began journalists, and rights activists faced intimidation, work on media-sector reform, and arrest warrants arbitrary arrest, torture, and forced disappearance. were issued for suspects in the 2004 murder of journalist Deyda Hydara. Although the country’s past elections had been marred by violence and rigging, the December The year’s developments illustrated the decisive 2016 presidential vote resulted in a surprise value of robust and well-timed international sup- victory for opposition candidate Adama Barrow. port for democratic transitions, though long-term For weeks, Jammeh refused to concede, but he advice and incentives will be necessary to ensure relented after the regional body ECOWAS sent that good governance takes root.

www.freedomhouse.org 7 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

12 YEARS OF DECLINE Countries with net declines in aggregate score have outnumbered those with gains for each of the past 12 years.

80

IMPROVED DECLINED 72 70 71 67 67

63 62 60 60 59 59 56 54 54

50 49

43 43 43 Number of Countries Number of 40 40 38 37 36 35 34 34 33 30 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

asserted their interests in reckless ways that per- ises of reform from a powerful new crown prince in petuated long-running conflicts in Libya and Saudi Arabia added an unexpected variable in a region and initiated a sudden attempt to blockade , a that has long resisted greater openness, though his hub of international trade and transportation. Their nascent social and economic changes were accom- similarly repressive archrival, , played its own part panied by hundreds of arbitrary arrests and aggressive in the region’s conflicts, overseeing militia networks moves against potential rivals, and he showed no that stretched from to Afghanistan. Prom- inclination to open the political system.

An Arab success story founders in Tunisia

Sharp democratic declines in Tunisia in 2017 cy may not withstand pressure from a resurgent old threatened to downgrade the only country in the guard that was never fully dismantled. with a status of Free. Following the oust- er of its longtime dictator in 2011, which launched Looming problems in 2017 included the continued the Arab Spring, Tunisian political factions and civil postponement of subnational elections, the ability society worked together to draft a democratic con- of power brokers from the old regime to protect stitution and hold free elections, moving the coun- their interests through new legislation, failure to try from Not Free to Free in just four years. However, create and fully fund independent bodies called for the events of the past year indicate that while the in the constitution, executive domination of the international community was quick to praise the legislature, and intimidation of the media. If Tunisia country’s achievements, it did not provide enough continues on its current path, the hard-won gains sustained support and attention. Without careful of 2011 could disappear, and democracy will lose development and consolidation, the new democra- its foothold in a repressive and unstable region.

8 Freedom House

The humanitarian crisis produced in Venezuela by deeply flawed electoral process in Kenya contributed to President Nicolás Maduro’s determination to stay in political violence there, while South Sudan’s leaders chose power continued to drive residents to seek refuge to press on with a bloody civil war rather than make peace in neighboring countries. But other Latin American and face a long-overdue reckoning with voters. states also proved problematic: Brazil’s sprawling corruption investigations implicated leaders across North Korea presented one of the most glaring threats the region. Mexico’s embattled administration resisted to world peace, aggressively building up its nuclear reforms that would help address rampant graft, orga- arsenal in an attempt to fortify an exceptionally op- nized crime, and a crumbling justice system. pressive and criminal regime.

In the of Congo and Burundi, incum- Freedom in one country bent rulers’ ongoing use of violence to flout term limits depends on freedom for all helped to generate internal displacement and refugees. A Democracies generally remain the world’s wealthiest so-

Countries to Watch in 2018 The following countries are among those that may be approaching important turning points in their demo- cratic trajectory, and deserve special scrutiny during the coming year.

• Afghanistan: Opposition alliances are crys- • Mexico: The July 2018 general elections will tallizing ahead of long-overdue parliamentary serve as a referendum on an administration elections, but preparations for the polls have that has failed to curb rampant violence and been lacking, and it is uncertain whether they corruption, and has become increasingly will be held as planned in 2018. hostile toward independent media and civil society activists. • : Newly elected president João Lou- renço moved to weaken the control of his pre- • Saudi Arabia: Crown Prince Mohammed bin decessor’s family in 2017, but it remains to be Salman’s controversial reform program is likely seen whether he will make a serious effort to to cause even more upheaval in Saudi govern- stem endemic corruption or ease restrictions ment and society, as small gains in social free- on politics, the media, and civil society. doms and attempts to attract foreign investors go hand in hand with attempts to quash • : The ruling Georgian Dream party re- dissent and fight off perceived opponents. cently pushed through constitutional amend- ments that—combined with the financial • South Africa: Under a new leadership elected in backing of its reclusive billionaire patron—will December, the ruling African National Congress make an effective challenge by the fractured will be under pressure to clean up its image— opposition in future elections even more un- which has been sullied by corrupt former party likely, potentially cementing the party’s control leader and current national president Jacob for years to come. Zuma—ahead of general elections in 2019.

• Iraq: Improved security has helped create • United States: The media and the judiciary— space for competition among newly registered both of which have a long history of indepen- parties and candidates ahead of the 2018 dence—face acute pressure from the Trump elections, which will test the resilience of the administration, whose smears threaten to country’s political system. undermine their legitimacy.

• Macedonia: A democratically elected, ethni- • Uzbekistan: The new government has taken cally inclusive government is seeking to root tentative steps toward greater openness and out corruption and other systemic abuses that international engagement, but lasting change grew worse under its scandal-plagued prede- in one of the world’s most repressive political cessor, and it could even resolve the lingering systems will require sustained international “name dispute” with Greece that has impeded attention as well as support for independent the country’s path toward EU membership. voices in the country’s media and civil society.

www.freedomhouse.org 9 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

LARGEST 10-YEAR DECLINES Dramatic declines in freedom have been observed in every region of the world.

-34 Turkey -31 Central African Rep. -28 Mali -27 Burundi -25 -22 Mauritania -21 -21 Venezuela -21 Yemen -20 Hungary -20 Nicaragua -19 -17 Tajikistan -15 Honduras -14 Gabon -13 Dominican Republic -12 Nauru -12 Russia -11 Congo (Brazzaville) -11 Mexico -11 Niger -11 -11 -10 Eritrea -10 Guinea-Bissau -10 Kenya -10 -10 Liechtenstein -10 Syria

-35 -30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 Decline in Aggregate Score

cieties, the most open to new ideas and opportunities, yond their borders. The citizens and leaders of democ- the least corrupt, and the most protective of individual racies must now recognize that the reverse is also true: liberties. When people around the globe are asked To maintain their own freedoms, they must defend the about their preferred political conditions, they embrace rights of their counterparts in all countries. The reality of democracy’s ideals: honest elections, free speech, globalization is that our fates are interlinked. accountable government, and effective legal constraints on the police, military, and other institutions of authority. In August 1968, when Soviet tanks entered Czecho- slovakia to put down the Prague Spring, a small group In the 21st century, however, it is increasingly difficult to create and sustain these conditions in one country of dissidents gathered in Red Square in Moscow and while ignoring them in another. The autocratic regimes unfurled a banner that read, “For your freedom and in Russia and China clearly recognize that to maintain ours.” Almost 50 years later, it is this spirit of transna- power at home, they must squelch open debate, pursue tional democratic solidarity and defiance in the face of dissidents, and compromise rules-based institutions be- autocracy that we must summon and revive.

10 Freedom House

Regional Trends

Americas Gains and declines show value of electoral turnover

Despite the decline in democracy worldwide in EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS:AMERICAS STATUS: SBYTA POPULATIONTUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION 2017—andEURASIA: Venezuela’s STATUS B Ycontinued POPULATI descentON into dicta- AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION torship and humanitarianTotal population crisis—the Americas region Total population Total population Total population displayed someTotal signs populationof resilience. Total population Total population Total population 286.7286.7 million million 992.3992.3 million million 4.14.1 billion billion 618.1618.1 million million FREE Under new president Lenín Moreno, Ecuador turned away from the personalized and often repressive rule PARTLY FREE 21%21% of his predecessor, Rafael Correa. Moreno has eased 38%38%NOT FREE pressure on the media, promoted greater engagement with civil society, proposed the restoration of term lim- 69%69% its, and supported anticorruption efforts, including a 85%85% case against his own vice president. Moreno had been 22%22% 79%Correa’s chosen successor, but his unexpectedly re- 79%formist stance once again demonstrated the potential for regular elections and transfers of power to disrupt 40% authoritarian entrenchment. 27%27% 40% 2%2% 4% Meanwhile, under a new administration that took 4% 13%13% office in late 2015, Argentines benefited from a freer press as part of the country’s recovery from the EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY authoritarianEURASIA: tendenciesSTATUS BY COUNTRYof former president Cristina AMERICAS:AMERICAS STATUS: S TBYAT COUNTRYUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Fernández de Kirchner. In Colombia, more citizens 6% could enjoy basic due process rights as the govern- 6% 2% 42% 28% 21% 46% 2% ment implemented reforms to limit pretrial42% detention 28% 21% 46% 12%12% and continued to expand its territorial control under a

2016 peace agreement with left-wing rebels.

Nevertheless, declines outpaced gains in the re- Total Total gion as a whole in 2017.TotalTotal In Honduras, after an Total Total Total countries countries countries Total early presidential countriesvote count favored the opposition countries countries countriescountries candidate, a belatedly updated1212 total handed victory 3535 3939 42 to the incumbent, prompting protests, curfews, and 42 calls for a new election. In Bolivia, the constitutional court—which had been elected through a highly politicized process—struck down term limits that 58% 66% 33% would have58% prevented incumbent leader Evo Morales 66% 33% 86% from seeking reelection. Voters had rejected the lifting 86% of term limits in a 2016 referendum, and international observers called the court’s reasoning a distortion of human rights law. MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION Nicaragua carried out deeply flawed municipal SUB-SAHARANSTATUS BY PO AFRICAPULATIO: N WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION elections that favoredTotal the population party of President Daniel Total population TotalTotal population population TotalTotal population population 424.8 million 1.02 billion www.freedomhouse.org424.8 million 1.02 billion 11 7.47.4 billion billion 5%5% 11%11% 12%12% 39%39%

52%52% 83% 83% 24%24%

37%37% 37%37%

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARANSTATUS BY COUNTRY AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY 11%11% 25% 25% 45%45% 39%39% 18%18% 22%22%

Total Total TotalTotal Total Total countries countriescountries countries countries 18 countries 195 18 4949 195

67% 67% 30%30% 43%43% FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2018

FREE PARTLY FREE NOT FREE

12 Status Countries FREE 88 PARTLY FREE 58 Freedom in the World 2018 assessed 195 countries NOT FREE 49 around the globe. Total 195

www.freedomhouse.org 13 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018 EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Ortega, and the government enacted judicial reforms EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC:ASIA-PACIFIC STATUS: S TBYAT POPULATIONUS BY POPULATION Total population that further centralizedTotal population state authority and shifted Total population EUROPETotal: STAT USpopulation BY POPULATION Total286.7 population million power from juriesTotal992.3 to judges. population million Separately, Mexico was Total4.1 populationbillion Total618.1 population million 286.7 million shaken by new revelations992.3 millionof extensive state surveil- 4.1 billion 618.1 million lance aimed at journalists and civil society activists 21% who threatened to expose government corruption and 38% 21% other wrongdoing. 38% 69%Asia-Pacific 69% 85% Antidemocratic forces 22% 85% 79% on the march 22% 79% Repressive regimes in Asia continued to consolidate

27%their power in 2017, while marginalized communities 40% faced dire new threats. 2% 27% 40% 4% 13%2% Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen oversaw a deci- 4% 13% sive crackdown on the country’s beleaguered opposi- EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY tion andAMERICAS press corps: STA TasUS his BY Cambodian COUNTRY People’s Party ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY prepared for national elections in 2018. The politicized AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY6% ASIA-PACIFIC:ASIA-PACIFIC STATUS: S TBYAT COUNTRYUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY Supreme Court dissolved the opposition 2% 42% National28% Rescue Party, and party leader6% Kem Sokha 21% 46% 12% 2% was charged with treason. In a series of blows to free 42% 28% 21% 46% 12% expression, the authorities shuttered the independent Cambodia Daily, pushed several radio stations off the air, and announced that sharing criticism of the Total government on social Totalmedia was a crime. Total Total countries countries countriesTotal Total Total countriesTotal The Communist Party leadership35 in Beijing exercised 39 countries12 countries countries countries42 12 ever-greater influence in 35Hong Kong as it attempted 39 to stamp out growing public support for local self-de- 42 termination. Four prodemocracy lawmakers were expelled from the legislature on the grounds that their 58% 66% 33% oaths of office were “insincere,” making it easier for 86% 58% progovernment forces to pass major legislation66% and 33% rules changes. In addition, the government obtained 86% harsher sentences against three prominent protest freedom of speech and dissent in 2017. The murder leaders, and the Chinese legislature annexed a law of prominent liberal blogger Yameen Rasheed had criminalizing disrespect of the national anthem— MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: a chilling effect,WORLD encouraging: STATUS people BY PO PtoUL self-censorATION which is often booed by Hong Kong soccer fans—to STATUS BY POPULATION rather than speak out against religious extremism. MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION the territory’sSUB-SAHARAN Basic Law, effectively AFRICA: compelling the WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Moreover, the military was used to block opposition Total population local legislature to Totaldraft a matchingpopulation measure. Total population efforts to remove the speaker of parliament, and a Total424.8 population million 1.02 billion Total population number of lawmakers wereTotal ousted7.4 populationbillion for defecting from 424.8 million In Myanmar, the military’s brutal1.02 campaignbillion of rape, 5% mutilation, and slaughter aimed at the Rohingya the ruling party. 7.4 billion 11% 12%5% minority forced over 600,000 Rohingya to flee the country. The crisis, and the civilian leadership’s failure 11%In a bright39% spot for the region, Timor-Leste, one of the 12% to stop it, underscored severe flaws in the country’s poorest nations39% in Southeast Asia, conducted fair hybrid political system, which grants the military enor- elections that led to a smooth transfer of power. The 52% mous autonomy and political power. process helped to consolidate democratic develop- 52% 83% ment in24% the country and allowed new parties and The Maldives suffered from acute pressure on younger politicians to gain seats in the parliament. 83% 24%

14 37% 37% 37% 37%

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY 11% STATUS BY COUNTRY 25% 45% 11% 39% 18% 25% 45% 22% 39% 18% 22% Total Total Total countriesTotal countries countriesTotal Total 195 countries18 countries49 countries 18 49 195

67% 30% 43% 67% 30% 43% Freedom House

EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION and make the national currency fully convertible. The EURASIA:EUR STATUSASIA: S TBYAT POPULATIONUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION Total population new administrationTotal has population also granted more breathing Total population EUROPETotal: STA TpopulationUS BY POPULATION Total286.7 populationmillion room to civil society;Total992.3 some populationmillion local groups reported a Total4.1 billion population Total618.1 millionpopulation 286.7 million decrease in state harassment,992.3 million and a Human Rights 4.1 billion 618.1 million Watch delegation was allowed to enter Uzbekistan for 21% the first time since 2010. FREE 38% 21% PARTLY FREE In other parts of the region, however, governments 38%NOT FREE 69%sought to stave off change. In and Kyrgyz- stan,69% heavily flawed voting highlighted the continuing 85% erosion of democratic norms surrounding elections. 22% 85% 79% The dominant parties in both countries relied on 22% 79% harassment of the opposition, voter intimidation, and misuse of administrative resources to maintain a 27% 40% grip on power. In Armenia’s case, the blatant electoral 2% misconduct27% stands at odds with the country’s pursuit 40% 4%of a closer relationship with the European Union, 13%2% with4% which it signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced 13% Partnership Agreement in November. EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY Perhaps the most alarming threats6% to democracy EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY 2% 42% in the region involved authoritarian forces6% reaching 21% 46% across borders28% to punish their critics. Exiled Azer- 12% 2% 42% baijani journalist28% Afgan Mukhtarli was kidnapped in 21% 46% 12% Tbilisi by men who allegedly spoke Georgian, then transported across the border to Azerbaijan, raising Total concerns that GeorgianTotal authorities were complicit Total in the abduction. In Ukraine, a prominent Chechen Total countriesTotal countriesTotal countriesTotal couple who were fierce opponents of Vladimir Putin countriesTotal countries12 and supported Ukrainecountries in35 the Donbas conflict fell countries39 countries42 12 victim to an assassination attempt35 that killed one and 39 42 injured the other. Numerous plots against politicians were also reported during the year, with Ukrainian au- 58% thorities mostly pointing the finger at Russian66% security 33% services. 86% 58% 66% 33% 86% Europe Eurasia Right-wing populists win seats Some doors open MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION and rejectSUB-SAHARAN democratic AFRICA: values WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION as others close STATUS BY POPULATION MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION ReverberationsSUB-SAHARAN from the 2015–16 AFRICA refugee: crisis con- WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION Observers haveTotal long speculated population about the problems tinued to fuel the riseTotal of xenophobic, population far-right parties, Total population and opportunitiesTotal424.8 posed by populationmillion presidential succession which gained ground inTotal elections1.02 billionpopulation in France, Germany, Total7.4 billion population in , where424.8 a number million of entrenched rulers the Netherlands, and Austria. have held office for decades. In Uzbekistan, specu5%- 1.02 billion 7.4 billion 11% lation turned into cautious optimism in 2017, as the12% 5% Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National country’s new administration—formed following the 11% 12% Front, defeated mainstream presidential candidates 39% 2016 death of longtime president Islam Karimov— with her pledges to suspend immigration and hold 39% took steps toward reform. Among other moves, the a referendum on France’s EU membership, though government ended forced labor in the annual cotton she lost in the second round to centrist newcomer 52% 52% harvest for some segments of the population, and83% Emmanuel Macron. The Euroskeptic, anti-immigrant announced plans to lift the draconian exit-visa regime Alternative for Germany became the first far-right 24% 83% 24%

www.freedomhouse.org 15 37% 37% 37% 37%

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY 11% 25% 45% 11% 39% 18% 25% 45% 39% 18% 22% 22% Total Total Total countriesTotal countriesTotal countriesTotal countries18 countries49 countries195 18 49 195

67% 30% 43% 67% 30% 43% FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION consolidate power by uprooting democratic institu- EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE:EUROPEEUROPE STATUS: S: STTAATTUSUS BY B B YPOPULATIONY P POOPPULULAATITIOONN tions and intimidating critics in civil society. Smears TotalTotal population population TotalTotal population population TotalTotal population population TotalTotal population population of the opposition appeared in public media in both 286.7286.7 million million 992.3992.3 million million 4.14.1 billion billion 618.1618.1 million million countries, and both passed laws designed to curb the activities of nongovernmental organizations. Poland’s FREE ruling party also pressed ahead with an effort to assert 21%21% PARTLY FREE political control over the judiciary, adopting laws that 38%38% NOT FREE will affect the Supreme Court, the local courts, and a council responsible for judicial appointments. 69%69% 85%85% 22% Events in the Western Balkans demonstrated a need 22% for continued engagement in the region by major 79%79% democracies. In Macedonia, mediation by Washington and Brussels helped resolve a years-long political cri- sis, paving the way for a new, democratically elected 27%27% 40%40% 2%2% government. But in Serbia, EU leaders’ tolerance of 4% 13% Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić’s authoritarian ten- 4% 13% dencies allowed him to further sideline the opposition and undermine what remains of the independent EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY media after winning the country’s presidency in April. EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE:EUROPEEUROPE STATUS: S: STTAATTUSUS BY B B YCOUNTRYY COUNTRY COUNTRY 6% 6% 2% Middle East and North Africa 42% 21% 46% 2% 42% 28%28% 21% 46% 12%12% Authoritarian rule and

instability reinforce one another In a region ravaged by war and , Tunisia Total Total has stood out for its successful transition to demo- TotalTotal Total Total Total cratic rule after hosting the first Arab Spring uprising countries countries countries Total countries countries countries countriescountries in 2011. In 2017, however, earlier signs of backsliding 1212 3535 3939 42 became far clearer: municipal elections were once 42 again postponed, leaving unelected councils in place seven years after the revolution, and figures associ- ated with the old regime increased their influence over the vulnerable political system, for example 33% 58%58% 66%66% 33% by securing passage of a new amnesty law despite 86%86% strong public opposition. The extension of a two-year- old state of emergency also signaled the erosion of democratic order in Tunisia. party to enter Germany’s legislature since 1945, MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: following a campaign in which its leaders demanded Tunisia’s security situation has been undermined by MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLDWORLD: S: STTAATTUSUS B BYY P POOPPULULAATITIOONN SSTTAATTUSUS B BYY P POOPPULULAATITIOONN the deportation of “large numbers of refugees” and lawlessness in neighboring Libya, where disputes Total population characterized Islam as incompatible with German between rival authorities in the east and west have Total population TotalTotal population population TotalTotal population population identity. In Austria, the similarly Islamophobic Free- led to political paralysis. Reports of modern-day slave 424.8 million 424.8 million 1.021.02 billion billion 7.47.4 billion billion dom Party finished third in parliamentary elections markets were added to other abuses against refugees 5% and entered a governing coalition headed by the and migrants stranded in militia-run detention camps. 5% conservative People’s Party. In the Netherlands, the Their captivity in Libya stems in part from an EU-led 11%11% 12%12% notoriously xenophobic Party for Freedom chipped crackdown on human trafficking across the Mediter- 39%39% away enough support from mainstream parties to ranean. finish second, becoming the parliament’s primary 52% opposition group. Libya’s problems also pose a threat to Egypt. The 52% authoritarian government of President Abdel Fat- In Hungary and Poland, populist leaders continued to tah al-Sisi has allegedly supported the anti-Islamist 83%83% 24%24%

16

37%37% 37%37%

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLDWORLD: S: STTAATTUSUS B BYY COUNTRY COUNTRY SSTTAATTUSUS B BYY COUNTRY COUNTRY 11%11% 25%25% 45%45% 39%39% 18%18% 22%22%

Total Total Total TotalTotal Total countriescountries countries countriescountries 18 countries 195 18 4949 195

67%67% 30%30% 43%43% EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION Total population Total population Total population Total population Total population286.7 million Total population992.3 million Total population4.1 billion Total population618.1 million 286.7 million 992.3 million 4.1 billion 618.1 million

21% 21% 38% 38% 69% 69% 85% 22% 85% 79% 22% 79%

27% 40% 27% 40% 2% 2% 4% 13% 4% 13%

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY 6% 6% 2% 42% 28% 21% 46% 12% 2% 42% 21% 46% 28% 12%

Total Total Total Total Totalcountries Totalcountries Totalcountries Total countries countries countries countries 12 35 39 countries42 12 35 39 42

58% 66% 33% 58% 66% 33% 86% 86%

Freedom House

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: and improved security has helped to create space WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION MIDDLEMIDDLE EAST EAST: ANDSTAT NORTHUS BY P OAFRICA:PULATI ON SUB-SAHARANSTATUS BY AFRICA POPUL:A TION WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION for competitionSTATUS B amongY POPUL newlyATIO registeredN parties and Total population candidates ahead of the 2018 elections. IS also lost Total population Total population Total population 424.8 million territory in Syria,Total but the populationrepressive1.02 billion Assad regime Total population7.4 billion 424.8 million gained ground, and civilians1.02 billion in areas captured from IS 7.4 billion 5% by U.S.-backed fighters faced widespread devastation 5% and concealed explosives. 11% 12% 11% 12% 39% Yemen’s civil war churned on despite a late-year rift 39% in the rebel alliance, leaving some three-quarters of the population in need of humanitarian aid. Small 52% groups of war-weary protesters in Sanaa repeatedly 52% 83% turned out to demand the release of political prison- 24% 83% 24% ers and an international response aimed at ending the violence. The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s ousted government continued its indiscrim- 37% 37% inate bombing campaign, while in Saudi Arabia itself,37% 37% Mohammed bin Salman worked to consolidate power after replacing the previous crown prince in June. Among other rapid and opaque decisions during MIDDLEMIDDLE EAST EAST AND :NORTH STATUS AFRICA: BY COUNTRY the year, he arbitrarilySUB-SAHARAN detained AFRICA hundreds: of princes, WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY MIDDLESTATUS EASTBY COUNTRY: STATUS BY COUNTRY officials,SUB-SAHARAN andST AbusinessmenTUS BY AFRICA COUNTRY under: the pretense of an WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY STATUS BY COUNTRY 11% anticorruption campaign. 11% 25% 45% Sub-Saharan39% Africa 18% 25% 45% 39% 18% 22% New leaders from old parties 22% may fail to bring reform Total New leaders replaced longtimeTotal incumbents in Angola Total Total and Zimbabwe in 2017, but their background in the Total countries Totalcountries countries countries ruling elite raised doubts about their promises of countries 18 countries49 195 18 change. 49 195 The dramatic exit of President Robert Mugabe in late 2017 left the future of democracy in Zimbabwe un- 67% certain. While his departure after nearly four decades 30% 67% 43% 30% in office was widely welcomed, he resigned43% under pressure from the military, and his successor, former campaign of the de facto government in eastern Libya vice president and ruling party stalwart Emmerson in order to buttress its own floundering efforts to Mnangagwa, was a key member of Mugabe’s repres- combat extremist violence, which has extended from sive regime. the Sinai to touch all corners of Egypt. Rather than reforming its abusive security services and enlisting In Angola, newly elected president João Lourenço support from all segments of Egyptian society, how- began to dismantle the family-based power structure ever, the regime continued its repression of dissent in set up by his predecessor, José Eduardo dos Santos, 2017 and adopted a restrictive new law designed to who served as president for 38 years and was still choke off international funding for nongovernmental head of the ruling party. In one of his first moves as organizations and provide legal cover for their arbi- head of state, Lourenço, a ruling party member who trary closure. had served as dos Santos’s defense minister, fired the former leader’s daughter as chairwoman of the nation- Elsewhere in the region, Iraqi forces declared victory al oil company. It remained unclear, however, whether over the Islamic State (IS) militant group in December, Lourenço would tackle corruption comprehensively or

www.freedomhouse.org 17 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018

simply consolidate his own control over the levers of Freedom in the World 2018 power and public wealth. Status Changes Leaders in several other countries clung to power, The Gambia’s status improved from often at the expense of their citizens’ basic rights. Not Free to Partly Free due to the Kenya’s Supreme Court initially won broad praise for installation of newly elected president annulling the results of what it deemed to be a flawed Adama Barrow into office in January and the presidential election. However, the period before holding of competitive legislative elections in the court-mandated rerun was marred by a lack of April. Among other openings associated with substantive reforms, incidents of political violence, the departure of former president Yahya and a boycott by the main opposition candidate, Raila Jammeh, exiled journalists and activists Odinga. These factors undermined the credibility returned, political prisoners were released, of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory, in which he ministers declared their assets to an ombuds- claimed 98 percent of the vote amid low turnout. man, and the press union began work on media-sector reform. In neighboring Tanzania, the government of Presi- dent John Magufuli—who took office in 2015 as a Timor-Leste’s status improved from member of the only ruling party the country has ever Partly Free to Free due to fair elections known—stepped up repression of dissent, detaining that led to a smooth transfer of power opposition politicians, shuttering media outlets, and and enabled new parties and candidates to arresting citizens for posting critical views on social enter the political system. media. And in Uganda, 73-year-old president Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, sought to remove the Turkey’s status declined from Partly presidential age limit of 75, which would permit him to Free to Not Free due to a deeply flawed run again in 2021. Museveni had just won reelection constitutional referendum that centralized the previous year in a process that featured police power in the presidency, the mass replacement violence, internet shutdowns, and treason charges of elected mayors with government appointees, against his main challenger. arbitrary prosecutions of rights activists and other perceived enemies of the state, and Even in South Africa, a relatively strong democratic continued purges of state employees, all of performer, the corrosive effect of perpetual incumben- which have left citizens hesitant to express cy on leaders and parties was apparent. A major cor- their views on sensitive topics. ruption scandal continued to plague President Jacob Zuma, with additional revelations about the wealthy Uganda’s status improved from Not Gupta family’s vast influence over his government. Free to Partly Free due to the resilience The story played a role in the ruling African National of the media sector and the willingness Congress’s December leadership election, in which of journalists, bloggers, and citizens to voice Zuma’s ex-wife and ally, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was their opinions, though the political environ- defeated by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. ment remained tightly restricted under the regime of long-ruling president Yoweri Museve- ni.

Zimbabwe’s status declined from Partly Free to Not Free due to the process by which elected president Robert Mugabe was compelled to resign in November under pressure from the military.

18 EURASIA: STATUS BY POPULATION AMERICAS: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STATUS BY POPULATION

EURASIA: TotalSTATUS B populationY POPULATION AMERICASTotal: STAT USpopulation BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFICTotal: ST ApopulationTUS BY POPULATION EUROPE: STotalTATUS B populationY POPULATION 286.7 million 992.3 million 4.1 billion 618.1 million Total population Total population Total population Total population 286.7 million 992.3 million 4.1 billion 618.1 million 21% 38% 21% 69% 38% 85% 69% 22% 79% 85% 22% 79% 27% 40% 2%

27%4% 40% 13% 2% 4% 13% EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY

EURASIA: STATUS BY COUNTRY AMERICAS: STATUS BY COUNTRY6% ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY EUROPE: STATUS BY COUNTRY2% 42% 21% 46% 28% 6% 12% 2% 42% 28% 21% 46% 12%

Total Total Total Total countries countries countries Total Total Total countries 12 35 39 Total42 countries countries countries countries 12 35 39 42

58% 66% 33% 86% 58% 66% 33% 86%

Freedom House MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION STATUS BY POPULATION MIDDLE EASTTotal: STAT populationUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: WORLD: STATUS BY POPULATION SUB-SAHARANSTATUS BYTotal PO AFRICA:PUL ApopulationTI OSTATUSN BY POPULATION Total population 424.8 million 1.02 billion 7.4 billion Total population Total population FreedomTotal population in the World 2018 424.8 million 5% 1.02 billion 11% 7.4 billion 12% Trend Arrows 5% 39% 11% 12% Ecuador received an upward trend arrow due to reduced 39% pressure on the media and civil society, as well as progress on 52% anticorruption efforts, under newly elected president Lenín More- no. 83% 52% 24% Nepal received an upward trend arrow due to the first 83% 24% national, regional, and local elections held under a new constitution, with high voter turnout despite some reports of 37% 37%violence.

37% 37% Bolivia received a downward trend arrow due to a constitu- tional court ruling that abolished term limits and paved the

MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: wayWORLD for President: STATUS Evo BY Morales COUNTRY to run for a fourth term in 2019. STATUS BY COUNTRY Cambodia received a downward trend arrow due to a crack- MIDDLE EAST: STATUS BY COUNTRY SUB-SAHARANSUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: AFRICA STATUS: BY COUNTRY WORLD: STATUS BY COUNTRY 11% STATUS BY COUNTRY down on the political opposition, including the dissolution of the main25% opposition party and treason45% charges against its leader. 11% 39% 18% 22% Hong25% Kong received a downward45% trend arrow due to the 39% 18% expulsion of four prodemocracy lawmakers from the legisla- 22% ture, jail sentences against protest leaders, and other apparent Total efforts by pro-BeijingTotal authorities to stamp out a movement calling Total for local self-determination. countries countries countries Total Total Total195 18 49 Hungary countriesreceived a downward trend arrow due to increasing countries countries intimidation of civil society groups and the opposition, which 18 49 has left citizens more195 reluctant to speak out on political topics. Morocco received a downward trend arrow due to harsh 67% 30% 43% state responses to major demonstrations throughout the 67% year. 30% FREE 43% Serbia received a downward trend arrow due to President PARTLY FREE Aleksandar Vučić’s continued consolidation of power, includ- NOT FREE ing through opaque party financing methods, politicization of law enforcement, and attempts to undermine critical journalists with financial investigations and smears in government-friendly media.

Tanzania received a downward trend arrow due to mounting repression of the opposition, media outlets, and social media users who are critical of the increasingly authoritarian president, John Magufuli.

Tunisia received a downward trend arrow due to further postponement of municipal elections and growing pressure on the political system from powerful elements of the former regime.

www.freedomhouse.org 19 FREEDOM Democracy in Crisis IN THE WORLD 2018 Notes

20 Freedom in one country depends on freedom for all. Freedom House is a nonprofit, 1850 M Street NW, 11th Floor www.freedomhouse.org nonpartisan organization that Washington, DC 20036 facebook.com/FreedomHouseDC supports democratic change, @FreedomHouseDC monitors freedom, and advocates 111 John Street, Suite 810 202.296.5101 | [email protected] for democracy and human rights. New York, NY 10038