Former Fijian Prime Minister Sentenced to Prison

Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama sentenced to a year in prison for interfering in a criminal investigation while in office. The case involved ending a police investigation into financial mismanagement at a university owned by 12 Pacific Island nations.

Global Democracy Setbacks in 2023

Democracy faced setbacks worldwide in 2023 with violence and manipulation marring elections. Freedom House downgraded Ecuador from free to partly free and upgraded Thailand from not free to partly free. Political rights and civil liberties declined in 52 countries, with only 21 countries showing improvements.