Where Freedoms Are Expanding—Slowly Around the Globe
It is no secret that freedom of speech, movement, and religious expression are in limited supply in many parts of the globe. However, amid oppressive regimes, censorship, and divided societies, there are places where freedoms continue to expand—albeit at a slow and sometimes dangerous pace. In this article, we explore the intersection of human rights activism, civil society, and democratic governance, singling out some of the world’s hotspots of human freedoms in the process.
What Country is Advancing Human Freedoms?
In the last several years, the following countries or regions have experienced notable successes in progressing their civil, social, and political rights standards:
• South Korea: The democracy in South Korea continues to strengthen and grow, with citizens now able to register online with their government and access critical services quickly and securely. Citizens are also protected under laws that promote diversity, gender equality and freedom of speech. The government is particularly diligent in protecting media and online press freedom.
• Taiwan: The self-governed island of Taiwan has emerged as one of the most socially progressive countries in the world. It has made same-sex marriage legal and is the first-ever country in Asia to recognize the union. Advocates for freedom of speech and of the press, the eradication of police brutality, and the dissolution of secret prisons all have found success in Taiwan.
• Tunisia: This small nation—which some refer to as the birthplace of the Arab Spring—is making strong progress in securing human freedoms, although some key obstacles remain. These include the jailing of individuals who speak out against the government, forced displacement of minorities, and the silencing of journalists who are critical of authorities. However, Tunisia is admired for establishing the Truth and Dignity Commission, which aims to secure justice for victims of human rights abuses.
• Kyrgyzstan: This Central Asian nation has made impressive strides in the development of its civil, political and economic rights laws. Its parliament has established legislative and legal frameworks to counter domestic violence, secure higher wages for workers, and to combat racism and discrimination.
• Chile: After a long history of human rights abuses, Chile has made strong advances in ensuring freedom of expression and increased access to education and healthcare. The young people — some of whom were leading demonstrations and protests — have found a place in democracy, acquiring an amplified and equal voice in the development of their country’s laws.
• Iraq: The war-torn nation of Iraq has implemented new laws that recognize the rights of women and allocate greater resources for their protection. There has also been progress in terms of civil engagement and free expression, although the nation must still work to tackle the violence and corruption that continue to plague its people.
What Human Rights are Best Protected?
The following human rights have seen some of the most profound progress in terms of freedom levels in the nations listed above:
• Freedom of Speech: Citizens are given the right to voice their opinions and beliefs on politics and public policies. This includes the right to protest peacefully, engage in public debate and receive access to a free media environment.
• Freedom of Movement: This right allows citizens to travel, emigrate and take up residence wherever they choose.
• Freedom of Religion: Individuals are given the right to practice the religion of their choosing, including joining specific faith-based organizations or institutions. Religious intolerance is also prohibited.
• Women’s Rights: Social, cultural and legal gender equality is ensured in nations that protect this right. This includes recognizing women as equal in the areas of political participation and employment.
• LGBTQ Colments: Gay marriage is now legal in some countries, along with laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Internet Access: Access to the internet and the freedom to access its networks is a fundamental human right in many countries.
• Access to Education: A nation’s constitution is often integrated with laws that guarantee access to education and make it a fundamental right.
• Freedom to Marry: The right to marry without the consent of anyone else is a long-standing legal protection that is now extended to same-sex couples in some countries.
What Challenges Do Countries Face?
The countries examined in this article face common human rights challenges in securing the freedoms outlined above. These include:
• Lack of Funding: Underfunded legal systems, organizations, and resources diminish the impact of organizations, associations and individuals working to secure human rights.
• Fear of Retaliation: Reprisal for speaking out against oppressive governments and authorities can be a major deterrent to people expressing their views about specific policies or practices.
• Lack of Protection for Gender-Based Violence: Protection for women and other gender-based violence victims from the law is often lacking.
• Discrimination: Despite progress, the public and private sectors are reluctant to embrace diversity, particularly when it comes to skin color and gender.
• Poor Representation: Existing government representatives and civil society actors often come from privileged backgrounds which limit the emergence of new perspectives.
• Ideological Disputes: From South Korea to Chile and beyond, societies are divided into distinct ideological factions that disagree on the issues that matter most.
• Cyberattacks: Governments, online networks, and the media are all under threat of cyberattack — and some countries have become especially adept at silencing voices and limiting access to information through such methods.
• Divided Societies: Political tensions, civil unrest, and a lack of collaboration between divergent groups makes progress slow and dangerous within some countries.
The progress made by the countries outlined in this article is evidence that freedom and human rights are far from static and can be shaped, amended, and extended with the help of engaged citizens, civil society, and democratic processes. As the struggle for freedom continues, those on both sides of the divide must remain vigilant to ensure that the momentum is maintained. Those in support of greater freedoms cannot rest, and those who look to oppress must be ready for the citizenry who already know the value of their freedoms, and will fight to protect it.