Taiwan has reached a quarter of a century of freedom, according to its classification of “free” in the last report Freedom in the World published by the US non-governmental organization Freedom House.
With an overall score of 94 out of 100, the same as last year, Taiwan ranks second in Asia. Japan, with 96, had the highest score; South Korea, 83, as “free”; followed by Singapore, 47, as “partly free,” and Hong Kong, 42, as “partly free.”
Finland, Norway and Sweden tied for first with a perfect score of 100, New Zealand was second with 99, while Canada finished third with 98. South Sudan, Syria and Tibet had 1, the lowest score.
Of the 7.9 billion people on the planet included in the report, 20 percent were classified as “free,” 41 percent as “partly free” and the rest as “not free.”
According to Freedom House, Taiwan scored 38 out of 40 on political rights thanks to its good results in the subcategories of electoral process, political pluralism and participation, and government functioning.
According to the report, Taiwan’s vibrant and competitive democratic system has allowed for regular and peaceful transfers of power since 2000, and the protection of civil liberties is generally strong.
China loses to Taiwan in Hong Kong
Taiwan’s head of government, highest national authority and legislative representatives are elected in free elections, and the laws and electoral framework are applied fairly and impartially, according to Freedom House.
In addition, its population has the right to organize in different political parties and the opposition has a realistic chance of increasing its support through the elections, said Freedom House. 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 in civil liberties was based on evident freedom of expression and religion, rights of association and organization, rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights,” the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. .
Freedom House cited Taiwan’s free and independent media, as well as individual freedom to assemble, express opinions, and practice religious faith in public, among other factors, as examples of categories in which the nation scored highly.
