Civil rights 'under serious attack' across the globe
Nearly six in 10
countries are seriously restricting people’s freedoms, according to a new
report that warns of a growing repression around the world. According to the
study, there is little or no space for activism in countries such as Eritrea
and Syria, and also worrying signs in countries where democracy is considered
well established, such as France, the US, Hungary and India.
The report by
Civicus Monitor, an alliance of civil society groups, found that
fundamental rights – such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – were
under attack in 111 of 196 countries.
Countries were also
found to be passing repressive laws and using new technologies to control
public debate. In China, censorship using new technologies had reached
unprecedented levels since President Xi Jinping took power, the report warned.
Cathal Gilbert, civic
space research lead at Civicus, said such measures were only the tip of the
iceberg, with states more frequently resorting to harassment and violence. “Extra-legal measures,
such as attacking journalists or beating up protestors, are much more common,”
he said. “These tactics are cynically designed to create a chilling effect and
deter others from speaking out or becoming active citizens.”
Among the countries
listed as a concern were the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, where authorities have clamped down on dissenting
voices following the political crisis that began in 2015, and
Guatemala, where at least 21 human rights defenders were killed during
2018. read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/nov/27/civil-rights-under-serious-attack-across-the-globe
