Posted on 12/30/2004 11:09:24 AM PST by lizol
RUSSIA DOWNGRADED TO “NOT FREE” Putin’s Russia Declines Amidst Further Political Restrictions, Increased Authoritarianism Other Setbacks—and Gains—in Former Soviet Union Modest Advances Registered in Middle East
NEW YORK, December 20, 2004 -- Political rights and civil liberties have become so restricted in Russia that the country has been downgraded to "Not Free," Freedom House announced in a major survey of global freedom released today.
The global survey, "Freedom in the World," shows that Russia was the only country to register a negative category change in 2004, moving from Partly Free to Not Free. However, Russia was not the only country in the former Soviet Union that experienced political and civic changes: setbacks took place in Belarus and Armenia, while freedom gained in the aftermath of civic protests in Georgia and Ukraine.
"Russia's step backwards into the Not Free category is the culmination of a growing trend under President Vladimir Putin to concentrate political authority, harass and intimidate the media, and politicize the country's law-enforcement system," said Freedom House Executive Director, Jennifer Windsor. "These moves mark a dangerous and disturbing drift toward authoritarianism in Russia, made more worrisome by President Putin's recent heavy-handed meddling in political developments in neighboring countries such as Ukraine."
Complete survey results, including a package of charts and graphs, are available online. The Ratings reflect global events from December 1, 2003 through November 30, 2004. Country narratives will be released in book form in spring 2005.
Overall, freedom progressed worldwide in 2004, with 26 countries registering gains against 11 showing setbacks. Most gains and declines did not result in category shifts. Some potentially positive steps forward took place in the Middle East and North Africa, especially in the areas of women's rights and increased civic activism.
"Freedom and democracy have shown demonstrable resilience over the last few years despite tremendous global challenges, not least those posed by international terrorism," said Ms. Windsor.
Russia's status fell from Partly Free to Not Free because of the flawed nature of the country's parliamentary elections in December 2003 and presidential elections in 2004, the further consolidation of state control of the media, and the imposition of official curbs on opposition political parties and groups. Russia's retreat from freedom marks a low point not registered since 1989, when the country was part of the Soviet Union.
Other former Soviet countries registered setbacks in 2004. In Belarus, which already ranked as the least free country in Europe, harassment of opposition political forces ensured the victory of President Aleksander Lukashenka in an election in which he ran virtually unopposed. In Armenia, the government's violent suppression of peaceful civic protestors underscored its increasingly unresponsive and undemocratic rule.
The region was not devoid of positive developments, however. Ukraine's civil liberties rating improved in the wake of pronounced civic activism, greater judicial independence, and the widespread expansion of media freedoms following a flawed presidential election. In Georgia, the January election of Mikhail Saakashvili as president, and a well administered parliamentary election in March, improved the country's political rights score after international monitors deemed voting free and fair.
"The positive experiences in Georgia and Ukraine indicate that democratic ferment and non-violent civic protest are potent forces for political change," said Ms. Windsor. "They also reinforce freedom's gradual global advance."
According to the survey, 89 countries are Free. Their 2.8 billion inhabitants (44 percent of the world's population) enjoy a broad range of rights. Fifty-four countries representing 1.2 billion people (19 percent) are considered Partly Free. Political rights and civil liberties are more limited in these countries, in which corruption, dominant ruling parties, or, in some cases, ethnic or religious strife are often the norm. The survey finds that 49 countries are Not Free.The 2.4 billion inhabitants (37 percent) of these countries, nearly three-fifths of whom live in China, are denied most basic political rights and civil liberties.
Stirrings of Change in the Middle East?
The 2004 survey data reveal positive, albeit modest, trends in the Middle East and North Africa. While no countries in the region changed status, small gains were registered in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Qatar. Egypt's civil liberties score improved because of greater civic activism, particularly by women's advocacy groups. Jordan's civil liberties score improved due to improvements in women's rights and press freedom. Morocco's civil liberties score increased after the country passed one of the most liberal family codes in the Arab world. And Qatar's score improved as a result of gains in academic freedom. Notably, there were no gains in political rights registered in the Middle East and North Africa.
Among the study's other findings:
Of the world's 192 states, 119 are electoral democracies (89 Free and 30 Partly Free), an increase of 2 since 2003. While these states are not all rated Free, all provide considerable political space and media access for opposition movements and allow for elections that meet minimum international standards of ballot secrecy and vote tabulation. Over the last 15 years, the number of electoral democracies has risen from 69 out of 167 (41 percent) to 119 out of 192 (62 percent). On average during that time frame, an additional 3 states have adopted minimal standards for free and fair elections each year. Freedom further consolidated in Central Europe. Five of the new EU countries—the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—achieved the highest possible survey rating: 1 for political rights and 1 for civil liberties. Regional Findings
Democracy and freedom remain deeply rooted in Western Europe, with 24 states rated Free. One (Turkey) is rated Partly Free. Turkey's civil liberties rating improved in 2004 due to the passage of another round of major reforms, including an increase in Kurdish language broadcasting.
In the Americas, 24 countries are Free, 9 are Partly Free, and 2 (Haiti and Cuba) are Not Free. Antigua and Barbuda moved from Partly Free to Free after the electoral defeat of the corrupt Lester Bird, whose departure from government created significant opportunities to promote democratic practices and strengthen the rule of law.
In the Asia-Pacific region, 17 countries are Free, 11 are Partly Free, and 11 are Not Free. Malaysia's political rights score improved as a result of more openly contested national elections.
In Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, 12 countries are Free, 7 are Partly Free, and 8 are Not Free. Dramatic progress has been confined mostly to Central and Eastern Europe, where the 12 Free countries reside. Bosnia and Herzegovina's score improved in the wake of the country's first postwar elections organized entirely by Bosnian institutions.
In the Middle East and North Africa, one country (Israel) is Free, 5 countries are Partly Free and 12 are Not Free. The survey continues to rate the Israeli-occupied and Palestinian Authority governed territories as Not Free.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 11 countries are Free, 21 are Partly Free, and 16 are Not Free. Liberia moved from Not Free to Partly Free as a result of greater political freedom that developed through the establishment of a broad-based, transitional government. Zimbabwe's political rights declined further due to increased government repression of the political opposition, and Cote d'Ivoire's civil liberties declined because of an upsurge in violence emanating from an unresolved civil conflict.
Worst of the Worst
Of the 49 countries rated Not Free, 19 received the worst possible numerical rating (7) for political rights. The broadest restrictions on political activity take place in Belarus, Burma, Cuba, China, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Laos, Libya, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Four territories, Chechnya (Russia), Kashmir (Pakistan), Tibet (China), and Western Sahara (Morocco) also received the lowest political rights rating.
The broadest violations of civil liberties—including freedom of speech, rule of law, and personal autonomy—take place in 9 countries: Burma, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Turkmenistan. Chechnya and Tibet are also included in this category.
A total of 8 countries—Burma, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Turkmenistan—receive the lowest possible scores for both political rights and civil liberties, making them the most repressive regimes in the world. Chechnya and Tibet also fall into this category.
Terrorism and Democracy
Freedom House survey data also shed some light on the debate about the relationship between the lack of political rights and civil liberties and the growing threat of international terrorism. According to a Freedom House analysis of global terrorist attacks of a five year period from 1999-2003, 70 percent of all attributable deaths by terrorism were perpetrated by terrorists and terrorist movements originating in Not Free countries. By contrast, only 8 percent of global fatalities from terrorism were perpetrated by terrorists and groupings with origins in the free world. "This suggests that the expansion of democracy and freedom is an important component in the international effort to rid the world of the terrorist scourge," said Adrian Karatnycky, principal analyst of Freedom in the World.
Increasingly we see the work of Madeline Halfbright, George Soros, and Brzezinski, just like this writing, posted here and hailed by supposed conservative posters.
It's really very sad to see what has happened to FR recently. Invaded by socialists from Poland and John Birch paranoids....what a way to go downhill.
"Former CIA director R. James Woolsey, Jr. is Freedom House's chairman and its board contains Zbigniew Brzezinski, Steve Forbes, Dan Quayle, P. J. O'Rourke. Freedom House is funded by a number of foundations, including Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation and the Soros Foundations."
Out of curiousity--why? I seem to remember that Putin was considered the candidate who'd bring Russia back to USSR style policies. It'd make logical sense that Russia would become less free under his regimen.
Have the public schools really done this much harm to us?
And that would have solved.............?
"And that would have solved.............?"
It would have:
1) Given the Muslim Chechans and other Islamic terrorists that their activities will be met with the harshest possible consequences, which they cannot afford to sustain.
2) It would have defended the honor of Russia and made Putin's nation seem very strong.
3) It would be an act of vengeance, to punish the Chechnyans for the horrible treatment of the Russians in Belsan.
4) It would be the world standing up to Islamic terrorism and saying "ENOUGH!!!"
Either Muslims stop committing terrorist acts or Islam will be destroyed.
I haven't heard of Freedom house before. I think FR will stand up against the left, but agree that we are sliding that way in America. Feeling better these days, MarMema? Hope so and to see you all soon!
Don't forget that bastion of conservatism, the Ford Foundation.
We just have to help people see past the wonderful blinders, including words like "freedom house" the liberals abroad use to disguise themselves and fool freepers who are not up to date in slavic issues.
Now their you go and spoil their delusions with facts. They'll ignore it, they always do. No matter how bad things get in Russia, they will support the resurgence of totalitarianism there till the end.
Slavic issues, it is something very familiar to me :)
"Supposedly he's our ally in the War on Terror..."
The best of Putin - December 2004:
"Putin denounced the U.S. “dictatorship” in international relations, accused the West of acting like a “kind but strict uncle in a pith helmet” lecturing Russia and ridiculed Bush’s plans for elections in Iraq next month."
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1300014/posts
"I have strong doubts that it's possible to create conditions for democratic elections (in Iraq) when its entire territory is occupied by foreign troops," he said.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1307186/posts
"Today according to our estimates there are nine cities in Iraq where there are hostilities but they still want to carry out elections," he said, condemning European elections monitors' plans to observe the poll from Jordan as a "farce".
"We do not understand how there can be an election in a country under conditions of total occupation... It's absurd. It's a farce. Everything is upside down."
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1307427/posts
Russia has every reason to criticize the United States, President Vladimir Putin said at a Kremlin press conference.
“We’re also not too happy about what’s going on in the United States,” the Russian Information Agency Novosti quoted him as saying. “Do you think that the electoral system in the United States is without problems? Is it necessary to recall how the elections went this time and the previous time?”
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1308004/posts
In 2004, Putin declared the collapse of the USSR a "national tragedy on an enormous scale."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin
What else could he do, since he was already occupying Chechnya ?
He could have nuked Chechnya (after removing the Russian troops.)
He could have razed Grozny to the ground with artillery and airstrikes.
These would have avenged the victims and sent a powerful message to the terrorists and their supporters (85%+ of the Chechnyan population)
And then he should have arrested terrorists and their supporters, and hung them publicly outside the Beslan school.
I know Putin says some pretty weird, anti-Western things. He even defended Slobodan Milosevic, saying the West had victimized him.
But he has a good relationship with Bush and I think he is saying these anti-Western things to voice the concern of all Russians about the isolation of their country. The only country still really allied with Russia is Belarus. They've lost Ukraine, Georgia, the Central Asian states, and just about every other Warsaw Pact nation. Putin is a nationalist, though a wimpish one. We're conservative; if we were Russian, we would probably be saying some of the same things. Many Russians like Stalin because he made their nation strong.
Putin has also supported Bush in the election, and is friends with Bush.
Like I said before, he seems to be a nice person, but he has dreams of resurrecting the Russian empire, so he needs to be watched like a hawk.
"Already did that with their new toy, a new fuel air bomb"
No wonder the New York Slimes hates Putin so much. Just thinking of all those poor, innocent terrorist sympathizers being blown to hell must have every bleeding heart liberal in tears. Soon public school teachers will have kids writing essays comparing the Eeeevil Imperialist Occupation of Chechnya to the Holocaust.
If Chechnya is ever about to get vaporized, and they ask the US for help, I dont think we should lift a finger.
Yep key word here is supposedly. He has never done anything to combat either AL Quaida or the goons that commited the Beslan murder. I hate the way the MSM and even our own government portrays Russia and China as allies in the War on Terror. China is arming terrorist nations with nuclear weapons and supports North Korea while Russia has done nothing at all to combat terrorism.
"Yep key word here is supposedly. He has never done anything to combat either AL Quaida or the goons that commited the Beslan murder. I hate the way the MSM and even our own government portrays Russia and China as allies in the War on Terror. China is arming terrorist nations with nuclear weapons and supports North Korea while Russia has done nothing at all to combat terrorism."
China our ally? In the War on Terror? China isnt our ally. Not in the WOT, not in trade, nothing.
They should be considered a hostile, dangerous rival at least, and I would even say they are an open enemy of the US. The war just hasnt started yet.
The reason Russia is considered an ally in WOT, though a rather tepid, unreliable one, is that Russia helped us in Afghanistan (no doubt they were eager to see the jihadis who had defeated them get their asses kicked) and also, Russia has been the victim of many Islamic terror attacks, so the US and Russia have that in common.
However, IMHO, the Russians have responded weakly to devastating attacks upon them.
Yes I know. China is openly hostile. Infact the US is still in a State of War against North Korea and China. Just that the fighting has died down (at least publically). There was also a shooting war between China and Taiwan back in the 1950s. Taiwan defeated China in that engagement while the US 7th fleet supported Taiwan (mostly logistically). This was during the height of the artillery duels between Taiwan and China over the Kinmen and Quuemoy islands. Grr I wish MacArthur got to nuke Shanghai and Beijing as he wished.
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