21 December 2005
FREEDOM HOUSE SURVEY SHOWS WORLDWIDE RIGHTS GAINS
The state of freedom in the world substantially improved world-wide, with the number of repressive states declining to the lowest level in more than a decade, according to a new study by Freedom House.
"Freedom in the World 2006" reveals that the number of countries rated "Not Free" declined from 49 in 2004 to 45 in 2005.
The global report surveys the state of political rights and civil liberties in 192 countries and 14 territories, and assigns ratings based on criteria including freedoms of the press, belief and association.
Eight countries were rated the most repressive, including Burma, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and North Korea.
Regionally, the Arab Middle East made important gains in political rights and civil liberties, says Freedom House. A measurable improvement was seen in several countries, including Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Visit: http://www.freedomhouse.org/media/pressrel/122005.htm
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