2024 Freedom House Report: 19th Straight Year of the Decline of Freedom Globally

Freedom House’s 2024 Annual Report observes a decline in freedom around the world for the 19th consecutive year. The report observed a decline in freedom in nearly twice as many States than those that registered increases. Widespread armed conflicts and threats from non-state actors contributed to the decline, along with increased repression, including those States that hold elections, and increased election violence around the world. Terrorism and Russian mercenaries have decreased liberty in the Sahel after military coups overthrow elected governments in Malli, Burkina Faso and Niger, while organized crime affects some Latin American States and Haiti. As in El Salvador, some States, like Ecuador violate basic rights against criminal gangs. Undermining free elections, the rule of law (including persecution of lawyers, particularly in Russia and Belarus) by persecuting opposition leaders and critics, the independence of the judiciary and the freedoms of the press and assembly were the typical tools of oppressors. Populist leaders were often able to use public support to erode constitutional safeguards. The Freedom House report particularly cited decreased liberty in El Salvador by its populist right-wing President who has remained in office beyond the constitutional term limit, while Tunisia’s President has usurped the constitution to exercise authoritarian control. The elected parliament under Kuwait’s constitutional monarchy has been undermined by a retraction of power by the Emir, while Thailand’s pro-monarchy party also either removed from office or banned opposition parties. In contrast, Bhutan has transitioned from an absolute to a constitutional parliamentary monarchy. The overthrow of the Baathist Assad regime in Syria, popular uprisings in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have increased freedom and elections in Senegal has restored the West African State to the status of free. Freedom House noted the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another in Botswana, long a free and peaceful State, which is also a first in Southern Africa. In Eastern Europe, the election defeat of Poland’s illiberal authoritarian Government by a centrist coalition was noted, as was increased authoritarianism in Serbia and corruption in Slovakia. Freedom House reported corruption as undermining freedom in various States around the world. The current lack of American leadership for freedom and its poor example of undermining safeguards is damaging the Free World’s efforts to reverse the global decline of freedom. Because increased global freedom leads to more peace, security and prosperity, the United States and supporters of liberty around the world should make it a priority to increase freedom globally.