Freedom House still considers Ukraine partly free
Occupied Crimea is one of the least free regions in the world
International human rights organization Freedom House in a new annual summary report again ranked Ukraine as partly free countries. This writes LB.ua.
Each country human rights defenders is evaluated by two criteria (the level of political rights and civil liberties) on a scale from 1 to 7, where 1 is the best indicator, and 7 is the worst. Ukraine, as a year ago, got 3 points for both criteria (partly free).
On a 100-point system Ukraine scored 62 points (the more – the more free country). In last year’s report, Ukraine was 61 points. Crimea which is under Russian occupation, scored 9 points. This is one of the least free areas in the world.
“Ukraine is still recovering from the mess associated with the deprivation of the presidential power of Viktor Yanukovych in 2014, as well as the crisis, which began due to the Russian occupation of Crimea and military support of the separatists in the Donbas in Eastern Ukraine. The failure of authorities to investigate widespread corruption in senior positions has undermined the level of support for the government among the population and influence on attempted reforms. In the field of civil liberties, political pressure and attacks on journalists threaten freedom of the press” – describes the Ukraine Freedom House.
Key events in 2017 in Ukraine called medical and educational reform, and strengthening of local authorities and regional administrations; the slowing of the fight against corruption and attacks on anti-corruption bodies; limitation of access to Russian sites; the continued fighting in Eastern Ukraine.
Of the 195 countries which were assessed, 88 were rated free, 58 partly free and 49 – free.
Recall that Ukraine was considered partially free from the time of the Declaration of independence in 1991 up to the Orange revolution. During the presidency of Viktor Yushchenko, the country was considered free, but with the coming to power of Viktor Yanukovych, the situation worsened again.