Georgia remains ‘partly free’ in the latest report by independent watchdog Freedom House.
The United States (US)-based organisation released its annual Freedom in the World Report for 2017, called "Democracy in Crisis", in which it examined the condition of global political rights and civil liberties of 195 countries.
Out of these countries, 87 (45 percent) were ranked ‘free,’ 59 (30 percent) as ‘partly free’ and 49 (25 percent) as ‘not free.’
Georgia was ranked among the 59 'partly free' countries. Its score was again 64 on a scale of 1 to 100. In addition, on a seven-point scale of the freedom rating, where one point meant the most free and seven points meant the least free, Georgia ranked three points for the fourth time in a row.
The bigger picture
Freedom House President Michael Abramowitz said in the report that democratic governments allow people to help set the rules to which all must adhere, and have a say in the direction of their lives and work.
This fosters a broader respect for peace, fair play, and compromise. Autocrats impose arbitrary rules on their citizens while ignoring all constraints themselves, spurring a vicious circle of abuse and radicalization”, he said.
According to him political rights and civil liberties around the world deteriorated to their lowest point in more than a decade in 2017 and democracy is in crisis.