Taiwan is rated as “free” in the latest Freedom in the World annual report released March 3 by the U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Freedom House.
With an aggregate global freedom score of 94, one point up from last year, Taiwan finished second in Asia behind Japan, 96, “free.” It was followed by South Korea, 83, “free;” Hong Kong, 52, “partly free;” and Singapore, 48, “partly free.”
Of the 210 countries and territories included in the report, 40 percent, including Taiwan, were rated as “free,” 30 percent as “partly free” and the remainder “not free.”
In response, the MOFA tweeted, “Results are in! #Taiwan’s global score is up & the country is the 2nd freest in #Asia. A vibrant democracy & strong #COVID19 response amid a campaign of coercion got the #IslandOfResilience top marks in political rights & civil liberties. Read #FreedomInTheWorld 2021 report.”
According to Freedom House, Taiwan scored 38 out of 40 in political rights on the back of strong performances in the subcategories of electoral process, political pluralism and participation, and functioning of government.
Taiwan’s head of government, chief national authority and legislative representatives are all elected through free elections, while its electoral laws and framework are fairly and impartially implemented, Freedom House said.
In addition, the people have the right to organize in different political parties and the opposition has a realistic chance to increase its support through elections, Freedom House said, adding that various segments of society—including ethnic, racial, religious, gender and other groups—enjoy full political rights and electoral opportunities.
According to Freedom House, Taiwan’s 56 out of 60 for civil liberties was based on strong scores in freedom of expressions and belief, association and organization rights, rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.
Freedom House also spotlighted Taiwan’s success in combating COVID-19 without resorting to measures deemed intrusive or violating civil liberties.
Like many of its neighbors, Freedom House said, Taiwan benefited from prior experience with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Early implementation of expert recommendations, deployment of masks and other protective equipment, as well as efficient contact-tracing and testing efforts, all helped control the disease, Freedom House added. (SFC-E)
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