North Korea, Sudan make worst regimes list

May 10, 2007 (WASHINGTON) — North Korea, Sudan and Uzbekistan continue to be among the most repressive countries in the world, a Washington-based group says.

According to the democracy advocacy group Freedom House, those countries stood out even among the 17 nations which were found to have the worst record for political rights and civil liberties over the last five years or more.

“Repressive regimes can be incredibly resilient,” said Arch Puddington, director of research at the Washington-based group. “Some of the countries on this list are global bullies; others are responsible for unspeakable humanitarian crises. In practically every case, these regimes are resistant to change and are indifferent to their citizens’ political rights, civil liberties and basic human needs.”

The other 14 nations that were named in the group’s latest annual study on the world’s most repressive regimes are: Belarus, Burma, China, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Laos, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe. Also included in the list were three territories: Chechnya, Tibet and Western Sahara.

“These regimes have toughened and refined their techniques of control over the years, and are determined to suppress the opposition, no matter how small. It is thus essential for those who champion freedom to recognize that contributing to change in these settings will require commitment and a great deal of patience,” Puddington said.

(UPI)