V-Dem Report: Mauritius in Top 10 Autocracy List

In the past three years, V-Dem has been sounding the alarm, pointing out that “democracy in Mauritius is hanging by a thread”.

In its report published on Thursday, March 7th, the Swedish institution places the country at the top of the list of the ten first “autonomous” autocracies.

The report highlights that the recent introduction of several regulations that restrict the work of broadcasters and journalists, as well as a significant increase in government censorship of the media since 2019, have damaged Mauritian democracy.

This has led to Mauritius being downgraded to an electoral autocracy in 2023.

Freedom of expression, including press freedom, is what “wannabe autocrats” often target and in the most severe manner.

“Among the worst governments when it comes to intensifying media censorship are the following countries: El Salvador, India, and especially Mauritius,” the report reads.

Mauritius, a long-standing island nation and democracy where several rights and freedoms have significantly deteriorated in recent years, concludes V-Dem.

Source: l’Express