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Fears of Voicing Free Speech Rise in Former Soviet Republics: Poll

Jun 9th, 2008 • Posted in: Research Report

Only one of 14 surveyed nations shows less fear between 2006 and 2007, Gallup finds

From Gallup.com:

“In 10 of 14 former Soviet republics Gallup surveyed, residents’ likelihood to say most or many people in their country are afraid to openly express their political views rose significantly between 2006 and 2007. In seven countries, the proportion responding this way now represents a majority.

“The most dramatic increases occurred in Georgia and Lithuania; in each country residents were about twice as likely in 2007 as they were in 2006 to say many or most of their fellow citizens are afraid to express their political views. But substantial increases were also seen in countries where this perception was already common. In Tajikistan and Armenia, for example, the figures rose from about half of residents to about 7 in 10.

“…In several of the countries where freedom of expression ratings have dropped, it’s possible to identify specific trends or events that reflect an ongoing climate of fear and intimidation….

“In several of the former Soviet republics where the perception that people are afraid to express themselves is less common, residents were nonetheless more likely to feel this way in 2007 than in 2006….

“Kyrgyzstan was the only former Soviet state in which fewer residents said many or most people are afraid to express their political opinions in 2007 (33%) than in 2006 (45%). In that country, mass demonstrations in January and April 2007 played a pivotal role in triggering political reform. In both instances, the president was compelled to agree on constitutional compromises that ceded more power to parliament. Respondents in Kyrgyzstan are also far more likely than those in most former Soviet republics to say they are satisfied with the way democracy works in their country….”