The rights for various segments of society to freely assemble and express their personal views in public are one factor contributing to Taiwan’s 26th consecutive “free” ranking in the 2024 Freedom in the World report. (MOFA)
 

Taiwan maintained its rating as “free” for 26 years in a row in the latest Freedom in the World report recently released by U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Freedom House.

With an overall score of 94 out of 100, Taiwan ranks second in Asia after Japan at 96 and ahead of South Korea at 83. Finland topped the list with a perfect score of 100, Sweden and New Zealand tied in second place at 99, while Norway came in third at 98.

Of the global population of 7.9 billion in 210 countries and territories covered by the report, 20 percent were rated as “free,” 42 percent as “partly free” and the remainder as “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 government functioning.

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 and fair elections, while its electoral laws and framework are fairly and impartially implemented, Freedom House said.

At the same time, its people have the right to organize political parties, the opposition has a realistic chance of increasing its support and gaining power through elections, while various sectors of society enjoy full political rights and electoral opportunities, the report added.

In terms of civil liberties, Taiwan’s score of 56 out of 60 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 independent judiciary and 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)