US-based human rights watchdog Freedom House has given Taiwan top marks in the latest edition of its annual “Freedom in the World” report.
The report rates the level of freedom in each of the world’s countries, giving scores in two categories: political rights and civil liberties. Scores range from one to seven, with one representing the most free and seven the least free. Taiwan’s level of freedom remained unchanged from a year ago, staying at 1.5. The report gave Taiwan a one for political rights and a two for civil liberties.
This year’s report is titled “Discarding Democracy: Return to the Iron Fist”. The report shows concern over a global decline in freedom. Freedom House said that global levels of freedom have fallen steadily over the past nine years. It said that the rise of terrorism, dictatorship and one party rule means that democratic governments and international systems are facing greater threats than they have at any point in the past 25 years.