The Least Free Countries in the World

I've come to the conclusion that these are the least free countries in the world after ananlysing a number of factors, nicluding freedom of expression, economic freedom, political freedom, civil liberties, freedom of association, movement, religion, assembly and internet freedom.

1. North Korea



Under the rule of Kim Jong-Un, North Korea remains one of the world’s most repressive countries. All basic freedoms have been severely restricted under the Kim family’s political dynasty. A 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry found that abuses in North Korea were without parallel in the contemporary world. They include extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence. North Korea operates secretive prison camps where perceived opponents of the government are sent to face torture and abuse, starvation rations, and forced labor. Fear of collective punishment is used to silence dissent. There is no independent media, functioning civil society, or religious freedom.

2. Eritrea



This one-party state ruled by the autocratic regime of the president and his small circle of senior advisers and military commanders is widely considered one of the world’s most repressive. Corruption is a major problem. The politicized and understaffed judiciary has never ruled against the government. Protection of property rights is poor. The state often expropriates private property without notice, explanation, or compensation. Freedom of speech, press, movement, assembly, and association are severely restricted. Less than 1% of the population has access to the internet. Those that practice "unregistered" religions, criticize the government, try to flee the nation, or escape military duty are arrested and put into prison. In 2015, a 500-page UNHRC report detailed allegations of extrajudicial executions, torture, indefinitely prolonged national service and forced labor, and indicated that sexual harassment, rape and prolonged sexual servitude by state officials are also widespread.

3. Syria



The situation for human rights in Syria is considered exceptionally poor among international observers. A state of emergency was in effect from 1963 until April 2011, giving security forces sweeping powers of arrest and detention. Syria has a long history of arbitrary arrest, unfair trials and prolonged detention of suspects. Thousands of political prisoners remain in detention. Freedom of expression, movement, religion, association, and assembly are strictly controlled. Property rights are severely restricted, and members of the ruling family and their inner circle dominate the economic landscape with absolute power. Women and ethnic minorities face discrimination. According to Amnesty International, the government may be guilty of crimes against humanity based on "witness accounts of deaths in custody, torture and arbitrary detention," during the crackdown against the 2011 uprising.

4. Turkmenistan



Although the constitution declares Turkmenistan to be a secular democracy, the country is an authoritarian dictatorship. Human rights problems include arbitrary arrest; torture; disregard for civil liberties, including restrictions on freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and movement; and citizens’ inability to change the government through free and fair elections. Other continuing human rights problems included denial of due process and fair trial; arbitrary interference with privacy, home, and correspondence; discrimination and violence against women; trafficking in persons; and restrictions on the free association of workers.

5. Uzbekistan



A decade after government forces massacred hundreds of largely peaceful protesters in the city of Andijan, the Uzbek government continues to deny justice to the victims. In March, authoritarian President Islam Karimov’s 26-year rule was extended by another five years in elections international observers found lacked any meaningful choice and violated Uzbekistan’s constitution. The government denies citizens the freedoms of association, expression, and religion, using the country’s pervasive security services to maintain rigid control over the population. Thousands of people are imprisoned on politically motivated charges, torture is endemic, and authorities regularly harass human rights activists, opposition members, and journalists. People who practice their religion outside strict state controls are persecuted. Authorities force millions of adults to harvest cotton every fall under harsh conditions, netting enormous profits for the government.