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Taiwan the only "open" nation in Asia
Taiwan stands out as the only Asian nation rated as "open" in terms of civic space, according to the "People Power Under Attack 2023" report by the human rights NGO CIVICUS.
This distinction, held for five consecutive years, evaluates freedom of speech, press, and assembly.
A CIVICUS researcher highlighted Taiwan's role as a refuge for journalists and dissidents facing oppression in nearby countries. Taiwan is praised for its free media environment, tolerance of public protests, and open dialogue with civil society groups. However, areas like the right to strike and defamation laws offer room for improvement.
In contrast, other Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia were rated "narrowed," while nations like Brunei, Cambodia, India, and Thailand remain "repressed."
The report indicates a concerning global trend, with 30% of the world's population living in "closed" countries, the highest figure since 2018, emphasizing the need for immediate action to safeguard global civic space.
