FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2023 Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy restricted people’s freedom of movement and access to basic resources. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador declared a state of exception and suspended constitutional rights as part of a crackdown on gangs. The resulting arbitrary arrests, deaths in custody, lack of due process, and restrictions on speech severely damaged civil liberties. In neighboring Honduras, President Xiomara Castro similarly announced a state of exception and suspended constitutional protections in many neighborhoods, ordering the military to lead the campaign against gang violence. These official responses were aimed at addressing a genuine threat to public security, but their undemocratic methods made a poor foundation for the observance of basic freedoms in the future. ASIA-PACIFIC: Democracy movements contend with authoritarian retrenchment ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY POPULATION ASIA-PACIFIC: STATUS BY COUNTRY population Total Total population FREE 4.3 billion 4.3 billion PARTLY FREE 5% 5% 54% 54% 23% 23% 44% Total Total countries countries 39 41% 41% 33% While some countries in the Asia-Pacific region have overcome decades of dictatorship to establish resilient democracies, authoritarian forces elsewhere continue to push back against domestic calls for liberty and justice. Examples of progress in 2022 were largely driven by prodemocracy political movements and small improvements in judicial independence, anticorruption efforts, and freedom of movement. In Sri Lanka, protesters persevered through police violence and ultimately forced the resignation of the long-dominant Rajapaksa family from their multiple positions in government, though years of mismanagement left the country with serious economic and governance challenges. In Malaysia, the results of general elections offered the promise of political and social reforms, and the judiciary displayed increased independence by upholding the 2020 corruption conviction of former prime minister Najib Razak. The Philippines also held elections, and 26 @ FreedomHouse NOT FREE 44% FREE 39 33% while the son of a former dictator won the presidency, the competitive campaign had the effect of mobilizing millions of young voters. In Myanmar, broad-based resistance to the military junta that ousted elected leaders in 2021 kept the regime from consolidating control over the country or gaining international legitimacy. Residents of several countries, including India and Australia, enjoyed greater freedom of movement following the rollback of COVID-19 restrictions. However, democratic rights in India remain under pressure, particularly for marginalized groups, with authorities in Uttar Pradesh responding to Muslim-led protests by demolishing the property of Muslim citizens. In Vietnam, a one-party state where freedom is still heavily restricted, the government made notable efforts to combat COVID-19-related corruption, including by investigating and prosecuting officials implicated in price-fixing and bribery scandals. #FreedomInTheWorld PARTLY FRE