Taiwan has achieved a quarter of a century of freedom, according to its rating as “free” in the latest Freedom in the World report released March 9 by U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Freedom House.
With an overall score of 94 out of 100, the same as last year, Taiwan is ranked second in Asia. Japan, at 96, scored the highest, while South Korea scored 83, “free;” Singapore, 47, “partly free” and Hong Kong, 42, “partly free.”
Finland, Norway and Sweden tied in first place with a perfect score of 100, New Zealand came in second at 99, while Canada finished third at 98. South Sudan, Syria and Tibet all scored 1, the lowest ranking.
Of the global population of 7.9 billion included in the report, 20 percent were rated as “free,” 41 percent as “partly free” and the remainder were “not free.”
According to Freedom House, Taiwan scored 38 out of 40 in political rights on the back of its strong performances in the subcategories of electoral process, political pluralism and participation, and functioning of government.
The report said Taiwan’s vibrant and competitive democratic system has allowed for regular peaceful transfers of power since 2000, and protections for civil liberties are generally robust.
Taiwan’s head of government, chief national authority and legislative representatives are all elected through free elections, while its electoral laws and framework are fairly and impartially implemented, Freedom House said.
In addition, its people have the right to organize in different political parties and the opposition has a realistic chance of increasing its support through elections, Freedom House said. Various segments of society—including ethnic, racial, religious, gender and other groups—enjoy full political rights and electoral opportunities.
Taiwan’s score of 56 out of 60 for civil liberties was based on evident freedom of expression and belief, associational and organizational rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.
Freedom House cited Taiwan’s free and independent media, as well as individual freedom to assemble, express personal views and practice religious faith in public, among other factors, as examples of categories in which the country scored highly. (SFC-E)
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