Governments around the world use the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to limit freedoms, punish independent press operations, and attack minorities, according to a global survey through Freedom House, the U. S. -based nonprofit known for its annual assessment of global democracy.
The report, published Friday, found that 91 countries have imposed new controls on the media due to the pandemic, and at least 72 have limited freedom of expression or government complaints. considered “partially free”, such as the Philippines, to the “non-free”, adding China, Russia and Venezuela.
In total, strong measures have weakened democracy in 80 countries, accelerating a 14-year decline in freedom according to the group’s annual survey. “What began as a global fitness crisis has become a component of the global crisis of democracy,” freedom house president said. Michael J. Abramowitz in a statement accompanying the statement, titled Democracy Under Lockdown: “Governments in all parts of the world have abused their powers in calling for public fitness, taking the opportunity to undermine democracy and human rights. “
The report warned that China’s reaction to the coronavirus “could result in a dystopian style for the future: superior nationalist and propagandist rhetoric in the country in an effort to quell calls for transparency and accountability, advanced and cutting-edge technology surveillance, repression of domestic Americans. “and outside the country that stores data that contradicts the regime’s messages and the persecution of potential critics among the national elite.
He also met Sri Lanka, where Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa ordered the arrest of anyone who countered the government over COVID-19, allowed the legislature to expire without new elections and to the minority Muslim population a scapegoat. a pretext against vulnerable groups: immigrants from Serbia, Roma from Bulgaria, foreign personnel from Kuwait.
In the United States, the report criticized Trump’s leadership for creating “a mist of erroneous data about the pandemic,” “false and misleading data that puts lives at risk,” and for trying to politicize public health.
The survey covered occasions from January to September in 192 countries, surveying analysts, journalists and activists in 105 of them, but they were not optimistic. More than 60% of observers said they expected the pandemic to have an effect on political rights and civil liberties for three to five years.
Correction, October 2
The original edition of this tale has distorted a country that, according to Freedom House, uses the pandemic as a pretext to oppose migrants: Serbia, Croatia.