Freedom Atlas: Democracy and Human Rights Under Pressure

Berlin – Only 3.5 percent of the world’s population live in countries that guarantee all freedoms to their citizens, according to a study by civil society organizations.

In total, 40 countries are classified in the “Atlas of Civil Society”, published by the Protestant Relief Organization “Bread for the World” in Berlin. This also means that a large part of the population lives with certain to severe restrictions on their rights.

Attacks on Democracy and Human Rights

For the annually published Atlas, “Bread for the World” relies on data collected by the Civicus Network from civil society organizations worldwide. The study covers 197 countries and territories. 

“Democracy and human rights are being attacked worldwide in a way we have not seen for decades. The rule of law, separation of powers, and protection against state arbitrariness are threatened or no longer exist in more and more countries,” explained the president of “Bread for the World,” Dagmar Pruin. Only with a free civil society can there be a vibrant democracy. 

Freedom Rights in Germany Classified as “Impaired”

The report categorizes countries into five categories. In the 40 countries classified as “open”, the state guarantees all civil society freedoms. In Europe, this includes Austria, Estonia, and the Scandinavian countries, among others. Worldwide, New Zealand and Jamaica are included.

Less than half of the EU countries – only twelve countries – are classified in the “open” category. This development raises not only national but also European questions, as EU member states are obliged to uphold the fundamental values of the Union, such as the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental rights. At the same time, countries like Hungary and Slovakia – as well as Poland in the past – are under scrutiny from the EU for repeatedly violating the principles of the rule of law.

Germany is in the second-best group “impaired,” which includes 42 countries and 11.1 percent of the world’s population. The rights to freedom of assembly or expression are mostly respected by countries in this category, but violations do occur. Argentina, Slovakia, and the USA are also classified here. The downgrading of Germany, which occurred with the previous report, is justified by “Bread for the World” among other things with the harsh crackdown on the climate protest group Last Generation and increasing violence against journalists. 

Not Everything is Rosy in Europe Either

The Atlas classifies 35 countries with 12.9 percent of the world’s population as “restricted”. Civil society organizations are harassed, and the police often use violence against gatherings. Several European countries appear here: Greece, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and also Ukraine. 

The civil society is considered “repressed” in 51 countries, covering 42.6 percent of the world’s population, according to the survey. Governments monitor, imprison, or kill critics, and there is censorship. Among others, Algeria, Mexico, Turkey, and Thailand are listed in this report. 

Almost 30 Percent Live with Harsh Restrictions

Russia and 28 other countries are classified as “closed”. “There is an atmosphere of fear,” it states in the explanation. Criticism of the regime is severely punished. In total, 29.9 percent of people worldwide live under these conditions, such as in Belarus, the Palestinian territories, the United Arab Emirates, North Korea, and Vietnam. In nine countries, the situation has worsened, while in nine others it has improved. 

This year’s report focuses on attacks on the rule of law. For example, rule of law principles are undermined by laws that enable administrative arbitrariness or harass non-governmental organizations and media. (June 2)