Behind those colours lies a detailed framework: up to 40 points measure electoral processes and political pluralism, while the remaining 60 points capture freedoms that shape daily life, such as speech, association, the rule of law, and personal autonomy. Together, these 25 indicators offer a powerful snapshot of democracy and liberty in today’s world.

At the top of the ranking are Finland (100/100), Norway (99/100) ,  and Sweden (99/100), reflecting robust democracies with strong civil liberties. Other high scorers include Ireland (97/100), Germany (95/100) and Canada (94/100). These countries, concentrated in North America, Western Europe and Oceania, typically feature independent judiciaries, competitive elections and vibrant civil societies.

At the bottom of the scale lie authoritarian regimes. North Korea scores just 3/100, registering zero for political rights. South Sudan, riven by civil war, manages 1/100, the lowest recorded value.

Syria (5/100) and Russia (12/100) fare only slightly better, while Saudi Arabia scores 9/100. Much of Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia falls into the 0–30 range, illustrating how rare comprehensive freedom remains.

Two decades of decline

The broader picture is worrying. Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2025 report (covering events in 2024) notes that global freedom declined for the 19th consecutive year. Sixty countries saw deteriorations in political rights and civil liberties, while only 34 improved.

El Salvador, Haiti, Kuwait and Tunisia experienced the steepest drops, whereas Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Syria recorded the largest gains. Violence was rife: in over 40 percent of countries with national elections in 2024, candidates faced attacks, polling stations were assaulted, or post-election protests met with disproportionate force. Civil wars and the spread of armed militias further undermined rights.

Another sobering metric comes from the Human Freedom Index , which uses 86 indicators of personal and economic freedom. It shows that average human freedom fell from 6.98/10 in 2019 to 6.76 in 2020 and 6.73 in 2021, recovering only slightly to 6.82 in 2022.

Fully 87.4 percent of the world’s population experienced a decline between 2019 and 2022, and just 14.1 percent live in the top quartile of jurisdictions. That means billions live under governments that score poorly on both political and economic freedoms.

The US government has imposed sanctions against Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other top officials, marking the anniversary of the July 2021 protests. According to the US Department of State, the sanctions include visa restrictions for officials associated with the regime's violent response to the protests, which resulted in widespread detentions and abuses. The US continues to advocate for human rights in Cuba and prohibits funding to properties linked to the regime.

Human rights abuses identified in Cuban prisons

Human Rights Watch reports significant abuses against protesters detained following the July 2021 demonstrations in Cuba. The organisation highlights arbitrary arrests and deplorable prison conditions, including overcrowding and lack of medical care. Former detainees have reported brutal treatment and punitive measures against those who complained. HRW calls for international support for human rights promotion in Cuba amidst an ongoing economic crisis.

Cuban national arrested for driving offence

Yordano Herrera, a 34-year-old native of Cuba, was arrested for driving with a suspended licence, following a DUI conviction. Law enforcement officials in Sumter County discovered his vehicle registration was expired, leading to a check of his driving history, which revealed multiple suspensions. He was charged with expired registration and driving on a suspended licence. Herrera was later released on bail after his arrest.

OFAC fines U.S. firm $600,000 for Cuba shipments

Key Holding, LLC, a Delaware-based logistics firm, will pay a $608,825 fine to the U.S. Treasury’s OFAC for potential violations of Cuba sanctions . Between Jan 2022 and Jul 2023, its Colombian subsidiary coordinated 36 shipments to Cuba worth over $3 million. OFAC found 33 shipments unauthorised under its rules, including food, machinery parts, and goods bound for Cuban state-owned entities. At the time, neither Key Holding nor its subsidiary had an OFAC compliance program in place, leading to unintentional breaches of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.

According to the report, 41 LGBTQ+ individuals have been murdered so far in 2025, representing a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The data reflects rising homicide rates but also points to an alarming consistency in the timeline: e very 48 hours, an LGBTQ+ person is killed in Colombia.

“The report presents heartbreaking figures that constitute an urgent call to eradicate the dynamics of prejudice in the country,” said Iris Marín Ortiz, Colombia’s Ombudswoman, at the report’s presentation in Bogotá.

"Every two days, according to this report, one person is murdered, an LGBTQ+ person, and every two days, one person from this population has been a victim of sexual violence. The report presents heartbreaking figures that constitute an urgent call to eradicate the dynamics of prejudice in the country," Iris added.

But homicides are only part of the picture. The NGO also recorded that, on average, an LGBTQ+ person is sexually assaulted every two days, painting a broader picture of entrenched violence, discrimination, and systemic neglect.

Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California , emphatically stated at a press conference that the Trump administration's demand distorts federal civil rights laws, essentially pressuring states to abandon legal diversity programs. He asserted that California and its allied states will not yield, expressing concerns over the memo's lack of clarity and enforcement practicality. Notably, Bonta called those D.E.I. programs “entirely legal” under existing civil rights statutes.

The Trump administration justifies its stance by alleging that certain diversity efforts in schools contravene federal law , specifically arguing that practices aimed at racial inclusivity could lead to segregation. This assertion hinges on a recent Supreme Court ruling which concluded that considering race in college admissions is unconstitutional. However, the administration has not explicitly outlined which specific D.E.I. programs are considered unlawful.

The lawsuit surfaced concurrently with a federal court's directive requiring a halt in enforcement of the contested memo. This ruling was issued in response to separate legal challenges from educators and civil rights organizations like the N.A.A.C.P. Bonta accentuated that the lawsuit from the 19 states articulates distinct claims that highlight the states' interests to secure essential federal funding for education.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a vocal opponent of former President Trump, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the dire consequences that schools could face if federal funding is rescinded. Schools in Buffalo and Rochester, for example, rely on federal support for nearly 20 percent of their budgets. In her remarks, she declared her commitment to protecting civil rights laws and safeguarding the interests of students who depend on these funds .

Según un comunicado oficial de la Alcaldía de Bello, las evidencias obtenidas de las cámaras de seguridad han permitido reconocer a los responsables del asesinato. Sin embargo, por razones de seguridad en la investigación, no se han divulgado los nombres de los implicados. La Alcaldía aseguró que se está trabajando en la confirmación de sus identidades con el fin de avanzar en el proceso judicial.

El crimen ha sido descrito como un acto de odio; Sara fue brutalmente golpeada, sufriendo múltiples fracturas antes de ser arrojada a una quebrada por sus agresores, quienes incluso bloquearon la ayuda de terceros. A pesar de las difíciles circunstancias, fueron dos hombres locales quienes se aventuraron a rescatarla, en lugar de los bomberos.

Para ayudar en la captura de los responsables, las autoridades han ofrecido una recompensa de hasta 100 millones de pesos a quienes brinden información relevante. Se exhorta a la ciudadanía a comunicarse con la Policía Nacional para reportar cualquier dato que ayude en este caso.

El Informe sobre Tecnología e Innovación 2025 de la UNCTAD pone de relieve la difícil realidad de los trabajadores de IA en países como Kenia, Uganda e India, que son líderes globales en el trabajo de BPO. Una encuesta reciente reveló que en Kenia e India, los profesionales altamente educados, con títulos de posgrado en áreas como ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería o matemáticas, son a menudo relegados a tareas de baja cualificación como la anotación de texto e imágenes.

Unctad advierte que "tales desperdicios significativos de capital humano pueden verse exacerbados en mercados laborales cada vez más conectados, donde las tareas se subcontratan a nivel global". Los anotadores de datos en estos países en desarrollo enfrentan duras condiciones laborales, a menudo trabajando hasta 10 horas al día por menos de $2 por hora, y con limitadas oportunidades de avance profesional. Esto socava el valioso talento tecnológico de Kenia y expande la brecha de desigualdad.

A pesar de su sólida formación, los kenianos enfrentan desafíos para encontrar empleo significativo, tanto a nivel local como internacional, lo que los obliga a aceptar trabajos de bajo nivel en IA. Kenia, que ha mostrado un notable crecimiento en el desarrollo de talento tecnológico, registró un 41 por ciento de crecimiento en el número de desarrolladores en la plataforma Github, posicionándose como uno de los países con mayor crecimiento en África.

Además, datos de la Asociación de Capital de Riesgo Africana muestran que el financiamiento total para start-ups kenianos disminuyó en un 33 por ciento el año pasado. Esto resultó en el cierre de al menos cinco start-ups, dejando a cientos de talentosos kenianos sin empleo en un contexto económico desafiante. Para proteger a los trabajadores en la industria tecnológica, Unctad sugiere cambios clave en políticas laborales que requieran atención urgente por parte de las autoridades estatales.

The newly instated amendment emphasizes that the rights of children to moral, physical, and spiritual development supersede all other rights, apart from the right to life. Moreover, it explicitly restricts the depiction or promotion of homosexuality for individuals under 18 years of age in the interests of "child protection."

In practical terms, this amendment allows authorities to ban public activities organized by LGBTQ+ communities, which includes events like Budapest Pride. Further measures permit law enforcement to employ facial recognition technology to identify participants at banned events, potentially imposing fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints or approximately 546 US dollars. Critics express that such constitutional alterations serve to distract the public from pressing national issues and bolster support for Orban ahead of forthcoming elections .

Previously reported by UNN, the ruling FIDESZ party has consistently expressed intentions to prevent annual pride parades in Budapest, highlighting an ongoing conflict between the government and LGBTQ+ rights advocates in Hungary.

Drawing on data from Statista, this piece highlights some of the largest and most impactful anti-government protests of recent years.

South Korea - Candlelight protests in 2016

The Candlelight Demonstrations in South Korea between 2016 and 2017 marked a turning point in the country’s democratic journey. It was triggered by a massive political scandal involving then-President Park Geun-hye who was found out to have allowed her close confidante, Choi Soon-sil, to secretly influence state affairs without any official position as well as access classified documents. These peaceful protests drew millions of citizens to the streets, ultimately leading to the impeachment and removal of a sitting president — a historic moment for South Korean democracy then.

Chile - Subway fare protests in 2019

In October 2019, what began as a protest over a small subway fare increase in Santiago, Chile's capital, quickly escalated into one of the largest and most significant social uprisings in Chile’s modern history. The events became known as the "Estallido Social" (Social Outburst), and they went far beyond public transportation issues, highlighting deep-rooted economic inequality, social injustice, and dissatisfaction with the political system.

India’s - Farm bill protests in 2020

In 2020, India witnessed a massive, sustained protest by farmers, primarily from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, against three newly passed agricultural laws . These laws, aimed at liberalising the agricultural sector, sparked fears of corporate exploitation and a dismantling of existing support systems for farmers. The protests quickly grew into a nationwide movement, drawing global attention and support.

Germany - Anti-semitism protests (2024–2025)

The most recent of all ground-shaking protests is the anti-semitism protests between 2024 and 2025. Thousands of people marched in Berlin to protest against increasing anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence. The protest was organised by civil society groups, religious organizations, and political parties. Slogans like "Never Again is Now" and "No Place for Hate" echoed through the capital. And just like that, similar protests were held in Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, and Leipzig, showing the nationwide response

According to Sara, who is currently in the Netherlands, she is not been i n contact with her father since he was whisked away from Manila on Wednesday, March 12 to The Hague.

"Our expectations today, number one is that we will be given permission to visit the former president. We are waiting for the papers. We already submitted all the requirements. Next is we are praying and hoping that the court will grant our request to move the initial appearance just so that we can properly sit down with the former president and discuss the legal strategies since we haven't talked to him yet," Sara told AFP.

Rodrigo Duterte is facing trial for "injustices against humanity" through a war on drugs which resulted in the deaths of over 6000 individuals during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

"We fought for it for decades, and today is a remarkable day where love is love," said Sappanyoo "Arm" Panatkool, reflecting on the long journey towards equal marriage rights. His partner, Apiwat "Porsch" Apiwatsayree, added, "I think it takes time to make people accept differences. But at least, the law now supports us." Apiwat also encouraged others to take advantage of the new law, saying, "If you are ready [to get married] today, then do it today. If you are not ready, you have your whole life ahead of you as Thailand is now okay for your love."

The landmark legislation, passed in a historic parliamentary vote last June, positions Thailand as the third Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and the Philippines. The law officially took effect 120 days after it was ratified by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Teacher Chayapa Rattanakewil, 37, expressed her excitement about the new law , noting that civil servants can now extend benefits to their same-sex partners. "I think now is the moment [for same-sex marriage]. Because civil servants have some benefits, and we should have been allowed to use them for our partner. I want the best for my partner, so I'd like to share my benefits with her. It's the best kind of equality," she said.

For many activists in Thailand, this achievement represents the culmination of years of advocacy. Same-sex marriage rights had been a major topic of debate and pushback, particularly amid Thailand’s political instability with frequent coups and mass street protests.

The order, issued on Wednesday by the capital's police chief, stated that Dias was "hereby removed from office as a member of the Dakar city council," effectively ending his tenure as mayor. The 49-year-old politician, a vocal critic of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's government, condemned the decision in remarks to journalists at city hall. However, his press conference was disrupted when police entered the room and ordered everyone to leave.

Elected Dakar mayor in 2022 as part of a coalition that included Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko's Pastef party, Dias remains a prominent opposition figure.

Dias had already been stripped of his parliamentary seat in November following the Supreme Court’s validation of his voluntary homicide conviction. The case stemmed from a 2011 political rally that turned violent, resulting in the death of wrestler Ndiaga Diouf. Dias argued that he acted in self-defense during the incident. Tried alongside a dozen co-defendants, he received a six-month prison term and an 18-month suspended sentence in 2017.

Despite widespread protests, a second reading of the bill was passed in September, with proponents arguing it would “protect girls from immoral relationships.” The amendment could make Iraq the country with the world’s lowest age of consent, with Iran currently having the second lowest at 13.

Law 188 , also known as Iraq’s personal status law, has long been praised for its progressive stance on women’s rights in a region where such protections are often limited. However, if the new amendment passes, it would set back decades of progress by removing the legal marriage age of 18 and making it possible for girls as young as nine to marry.

Civil rights advocates are sounding the alarm. Razaw Salihy, an Iraq researcher at Amnesty International, called on lawmakers to reconsider the proposed changes. "These amendments would strip women and girls of crucial protections and allow for child marriages," she is quoted by the Standard .

Further emphasising that the amendment could have severe impact on the lives of women and girls across Iraq.

Civil society groups and international human rights organisations continue to advocate against the amendments, warning of lasting repercussions on women’s rights and protections in Iraq.

Tunisian authorities have taken decisive actions in response to a tragic migrant shipwreck off the coast of Djerba, leading to the arrest of 12 individuals, including a smuggler. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of 15 migrants, has drawn attention to the growing crisis as Tunisia becomes a significant departure point for those attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing, reports Barron's . This year alone, over 400 lives have been lost or gone missing in similar incidents, highlighting the perils faced by migrants seeking a better life in Europe.

Human rights activist detained

Human Rights Watch has condemned the pre-trial detention of Sihem Bensedrine, a prominent human rights defender and former head of Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission. Detained on charges of fraud and forgery linked to her efforts in investigating historic abuses, HRW asserts that her imprisonment represents a retaliatory measure by the Tunisian government to thwart transitional justice initiatives. According to the Jurist News , this development raises serious concerns about judicial independence as the nation gears up for the presidential elections on October 6.

Death toll from migrant shipwreck

The death toll from the recent boat sinking near Djerba has escalated to 16, with the coastguard and navy recovering multiple bodies, predominantly of undocumented immigrants, including infants. Those involved in such perilous crossings often face dire circumstances in their pursuit of safety and stability, reports Daijiworld .

Hanging democracy

A Democracy News Alliance study has raised alarm over Tunisia's regression towards authoritarianism amidst economic turmoil as the October 2024 elections loom. Despite Tunisia being initially hailed as a beacon of democratic progress post-Arab Spring, current analyses suggest that President Kaïs Saïed's consolidation of power threatens to reverse these gains. The report indicates a decline in Tunisia's fiscal capability, leading to discontent among citizens as unemployment and poverty rates continue to soar, The Manila Times report.

Presidential candidate jailed

A Tunisian court has sentenced presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel to 12 years in prison on charges of falsifying documents, says his lawyer, according to News Central . This marks the third prison sentence imposed on Zammel in two weeks, just five days before the country’s presidential election. Zammel, the leader of the opposition Azimoun party, was accused of falsifying voter signatures for his candidacy. Despite being imprisoned, he remains eligible to run in the election. Zammel denies the charges, claiming they are politically motivated by President Kais Saied’s government.

"It seems to me we are at a fork in the road. We can either continue on our current path — a treacherous 'new normal' — and sleepwalk into a dystopian future. Or we can wake up and turn things around for the better, for humanity and the planet," Turk said in an AFP footage.

The UN rights chief also called out top economies that allow these tensions and conflicts to fester just for their selfish political gains.

"There are those politicians, amplified by some media outlets, who scapegoat migrants, refugees, and minorities, as we have seen, for example, around electoral periods in Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, to name a few. They capitalise on anxiety and despair, pitting one group against the other, and they seek to distract and divide. History has shown us that hateful words can trigger hateful actions."

The world in a decade has witnessed some of the most dangerous military takeovers, wars and media repression it has ever seen.

Beyond the Russian-Ukranian war which has lasted over two years (from February 24, 2022 - present), the Gaza Strip and West Bank residents have mourned and buried the dead since the beginning of 2024.

As of Thursday, August 15, Palestine's official health ministry reported 40,005 Palestinians dead and 92,401 wounded.

The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israeli territories. According to Israel, the militants killed over 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and captured 253 people, taking them into Gaza.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues to worsen as recent flooding has resulted in significant loss of life and property. In Hodeidah province, the death toll has reached 95, with 34 individuals injured as reported by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. According to Newsroom Odisha , the heavy rainfall has led to the collapse of numerous houses, affecting over 12,000 homes. Further complicating this situation, in Al-Mahwit province, 20 people are reported missing and at least 30 fatalities have been linked to the floods and landslides. The World Health Organization has raised alarming concerns regarding potential disease outbreaks due to contaminated water and inadequate sanitation amid the ongoing civil conflict, which has severely compromised the infrastructure and public health resilience in Yemen.

Declining fish stocks

Yemeni fishermen are innovating in response to declining fish stocks caused by persistent civil war and environmental degradation. They are increasingly adopting artificial reefs (ARs) constructed from discarded materials such as firewood, tyres, and metal, an approach that aims to replace dying coral reefs and attract marine life. However, this practice poses environmental risks as these manmade materials could pollute the waters and potentially harm existing marine ecosystems. As reported by the New Arab , The decline in Yemen's fish stock has been drastic, plummeting from 400,000 metric tons in 1993 to an estimated 40-50,000 metric tons in 2023, significantly impacting the fishing sector's contribution to the national GDP, which has decreased from 15% to just 3%.

UN calls for release of detained staff

Human rights concerns are further amplified as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, demands the immediate release of six UN personnel detained for three months under dubious allegations by Houthi authorities. The spokesperson has dismissed the accusations as unfounded, citing that one individual may have confessed under duress, as seen in a distressing video. according to the Mirage News , These six detainees are part of a larger group of 17 UN staff currently held, with several reportedly incommunicado since 2021. The UN has reiterated the necessity for due process and legal representation, labelling the allegations as fabricated, and called upon the Houthis to facilitate UN efforts rather than hinder them.

Houthi mines cleared

In a separate domain, the 2024 STEAM Festival, themed “Fun Chemistry”, has recently commenced at the King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh and is set to continue until September 30. Directed by Ahmed Salim, this event encompasses 100 workshops, panel discussions, and live demonstrations designed to promote public understanding of science and its relevance to daily life. The festival, organised in collaboration with various Saudi ministries and institutions, responds to the kingdom's escalating demand for scientific expertise while fostering local innovations in alignment with Vision 2030. Arab News highlights that the significant components of the festival involve over 25 pavilions dedicated to the exploration of chemistry’s historical context, contemporary technologies, and sustainable methodologies, aiming to provide diverse educational opportunities across all societal segments while accentuating the fusion of art with technology and engineering.

Efforts to salvage the burning oil tanker

Finally, amidst ongoing regional tensions, efforts to salvage the burning oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea have been stalled due to safety concerns, as reported by a European Union naval mission. The tanker, which carries one million barrels of oil, poses a substantial risk of an ecological catastrophe in the event of a spill, a situation aggravated by the ongoing conflict involving the Israel-Hamas situation. As reported by ABC News , the Houthis have intensified their targeting of vessels, claiming these actions are directed towards ships associated with Israel and its allies, with threats of environmental disasters aimed at securing concessions from the international community.

The protests were initially sparked by the government's quota system for public sector jobs. This system reserves a significant portion of positions for the children of war heroes and other specific groups, which students argue is discriminatory and undermines merit-based recruitment.

The situation escalated when peaceful demonstrators from Dhaka University were attacked by individuals believed to be affiliated with the ruling Awami League

The violence quickly spread, with reports of police using tear gas, sound grenades, and even live ammunition against protesters. By July 18, the death toll had risen to 32, with the highest number of fatalities occurring on July 19, when 75 people were killed in a single day. The government imposed a "shoot at sight" curfew and a communication blackout, further intensifying the unrest.

However, on Tuesday, July 23, the Bangladesh government announced it would comply with a Supreme Court ruling to open 93% of state jobs to competition, addressing a major student demand after a week of intense protests.

The protests have not been limited to Dhaka. Cities like Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Barishal have also seen significant unrest. The government's heavy-handed response has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers, who accuse it of using excessive force and violating human rights.