Just like democratic nations, elections are held regularly in the Islamic Republic of Iran, but they fall far short of democratic standards due in part to the undue influence of the hard-line Guardian Council, an unelected body that prohibits all candidates it deems inadequately loyal to the clerical establishment. Ultimate power rests in the hands […]
Authorities and private security groups guarding diamond mines of Lunda Norte Province allegedly restrict movements of local residents. The process for securing entry and exit visas remains problematic and mired in corruption. Bribing is often essential in order to obtain employment and residence. Predatory elites show the tendency to either disrupt or co-opt emerging new […]
Judicial independence is enshrined in the constitution. While the judiciary has displayed some impartiality in recent years, the perception of corruption and delays in providing justice remain to pose challenges. In August 2023, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo adviced Ghanaians not to pay bribes to those who allegedly work for judges. In September 2023, the Akufo-Addo […]
The Barrow government has taken many steps to improve the judiciary, including establishing additional courts to address case backlogs, ending the use of contract judges, and giving greater budgetary autonomy to courts. The government has even reconstituted the Judicial Service Commission, which has the responsibility to appoint lower-court magistrates and advises the president on higher-level […]
Although the constitution provides for freedom of speech and press, the government regularly pressures, threatens, and imprisons journalists. While there are many media outlets, several are owned by government allies who influence their coverage. Widespread self-censorship by journalists hampers independent reporting in practice. The government offers subsidies to state-run media but has simply refused to […]
Freedom of movement is guaranteed under the constitution. But, minority ethnic groups and political activists have confronted inordinate delays in obtaining passports and other citizenship documents. Traditional chiefs control movement and residence within their communities and usually deny access to groups advocating for democracy or human rights. Individuals who violate customary rules can be evicted […]
Pervasive insecurity and an absence of state authority can be smelt in much of the country. Whole lot of peace deals between the government and various armed groups have been recurrently breached. Violent assaults against civilians, including sexual violence, are an acute risk in many parts. Independent journalists enjoy almost no support, and workers with […]
The government shut down all independent media outlets way back in 2001. Many outlets provide coverage to Eritreans from outside the nation, including Paris-based Radio Erena, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and satellite station Asena TV. According to CPJ (the Committee to Protect Journalists), as of late 2023, 16 journalists are languishing in jail for their […]
The Civil Contract party, which got parliamentary majority through competitive elections, efficiently controls government policy and legislation. Even though Prime Minister Pashinyan promised to lessen the influence of business interests over policymaking, two influential businessmen entered the parliament on his party list. Some opposition lawmakers also maintain close ties to powerful businesspeople. Moscow seemed to […]
Jamaica has democratic political system. Competitive elections are held and orderly rotations of power happens there. But, corruption is a serious problem, and enduring relationships between officials and organized crime entities are believed to persist. Violent crime remains a worry, as does harassment of and violence against LGBT+ people. Electoral Process The ceremonial head of […]
Before the 2018 Velvet Revolution a change of government in Armenia seemed most unlikely. Opposition to president Serzh Sargsyan’s government had been progressively growing, escalating in light of the announcement on 12 April that he would run for the post of prime minister, having served two terms as president. Four years earlier, Sargsyan had promised […]
The president is elected for seven-year terms via direct elections. Term limits are not in place. Since the early 1990s, elections have not been considered competitive or credible by international observers. President Ilham Aliyev won a fourth term in 2018 with some 86 percent of the vote amid clear evidence of electoral fraud and a […]
The judiciary still remains subject to political influence and corruption, lacks transparency and is understaffed. The judiciary suffers from acute lack of resources and personnel. Shortly after overthrowing Alpha Condé, junta leader Doumbouya ordered the return of properties and cars from judges who approved Conde’s third term. Besides the creation of a new anticorruption court, […]
Rule of Law Judges are highly prone to corruption and political pressure, and the court system lacks the resources and capacity to function efficiently. Corruption is very common among police, and officers very often fail to observe safeguards granted by law against arbitrary arrest and detention. Very rarely criminal cases are brought to trial or […]
