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	New tactics by governments as freedom declines by Freedom House, agencies USA   More aggressive tactics by authoritarian regimes and an upsurge in terrorist attacks contributed to a disturbing decline in global freedom in 2014, according to Freedom in the World 2015, Freedom House’s annual report on the condition of political rights and civil liberties.   The report finds an overall decline in freedom for the ninth consecutive year.   “Acceptance of democracy as the world’s dominant form of government—and of an international system built on democratic ideals—is under greater threat than at any other point in the last 25 years,” said Arch Puddington, vice president for research.   “Until recently, most authoritarian regimes claimed to respect international agreements and paid lip service to the norms of competitive elections and human rights,” Puddington said.   “Today they argue for the superiority of what amounts to one-party rule, and seek to throw off the constraints of fundamental diplomatic principles.”   Nearly twice as many countries suffered declines as registered gains—61 to 33—and the number of countries with improvements hit its lowest point since the nine-year erosion began.   The report cites Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a rollback of democratic gains by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s intensified campaign against press freedom and civil society, and further centralization of authority in China as evidence of a growing disdain for democratic standards that was found in nearly all regions of the world.   The report also singled out terrorism for its impact on freedom in 2014. From West Africa through the Middle East to South Asia, radical jihadist forces plagued local governments and populations. Their impact on countries such as Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Nigeria was devastating, as they massacred security forces and civilians alike, took foreigners hostage, and killed or enslaved religious minorities, including Muslims they deemed apostates.   Global Findings:   Of the 195 countries assessed, 89 (46 percent) were rated Free, 55 (28 percent) Partly Free, and 51 (26 percent) Not Free.   All but one region had more countries with declines than with gains. Asia-Pacific had an even split.   A troubling number of large, economically powerful, or regionally influential countries moved backward: Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, and Venezuela.   Continuing a recent trend, the worst reversals affected freedom of expression, civil society, and the rule of law.   In a new and disquieting development, a number of countries lost ground due to state surveillance, restrictions on internet communications, and curbs on personal autonomy.   Ratings for the Middle East and North Africa region were the worst in the world, followed by Eurasia. Syria, a dictatorship mired in civil war and ethnic division and facing uncontrolled terrorism, received the lowest Freedom in the World score of any country in over a decade.   A notable exception to the negative trend was Tunisia, which became the first Arab country to hold the status of Free since Lebanon was gripped by civil war 40 years ago.   http://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2015 http://en.rsf.org/world-press-freedom-index-2015-12-02-2015,47573.html http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Defendersurgentlyneedasafeandenablingspace.aspx http://www.ishr.ch/news/end-impunity-attacks-against-human-rights-defenders-and-enact-laws-their-protection http://civicus.org/index.php/en/socs2014 Visit the related web page
	Kenya corruption watchdog makes allegations against 175 officials by Edith Honan, Humphrey Malalo Reuters Africa, agencies   Kenya"s anti-graft watchdog published a report detailing corruption allegations against 175 government officials, with some cases involving multi-billion-dollar Chinese-backed infrastructure projects.   Five ministers have already left their positions temporarily, after President Uhuru Kenyatta made a speech in which he directed any public official cited in the report to step aside pending investigation, regardless of rank.   Kenyatta made the fight against graft a priority on taking office in 2013, but critics say he has failed to be effective. Corruption is seen as a major obstacle to business and national security in Kenya.   The report by Kenya"s Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission outlines allegations against members of parliament, senators and governors in what local media has dubbed the "List of Shame."   Presented to parliament for debate the report cites cases ranging from bribery to abuse of office to interference with the award of tenders in government projects.   "In recent years, corruption and unethical behaviour... has gained root in Kenya," the report said.   "This state of affairs has led to despair among the public, negative effect on the economy, skewed service delivery and eventually posed challenges to the...governance of the country."   In one case mentioned in the report, a tender for the construction of a 320 billion-shilling ($3.5 billion) standard gauge railway was awarded irregularly. It also alleges that officials tried to influence the award of a $500 million pipeline contract to Chinese company Sinopec Corp.   The Sinopec deal was "meant to corruptly yield $15 million" to be shared between Energy Minister Davis Chirchir and the Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko, according to the report.   A spokesman from the Chinese embassy in Nairobi had no immediate comment. Neither Sinopec, Chirchir or Sonko, could be immediately reached.   Chirchir, as well as the ministers for labour, land, transportation and agriculture, have stepped down temporarily.   http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/regarding-rights/2015/03/27/when-corruption-violates-human-rights-the-right-to-food-in-kenya/#more-1849 Visit the related web page
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