Bangkok, Dec. 8 (CNA) Taiwan is again rated as the only country in the Asia-Pacific region with an open civic space for the third year in a row in a report published Wednesday by human rights organization Civicus.
According to the report, titled "People Power Under Attack 2021," Civicus Monitor wrote that of the 26 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan remains the only country rated as "open," for the third time in a row since 2019.
In Taiwan, authorities are tolerant of criticism from civil society groups, which are able to form and operate freely without hindrance, Civicus said in a statement.
But there are also concerns about attempts to ban books that allegedly glorify Beijing and criminalize the display of the five-star People's Republic of China (PRC) flag, it added.
"Further, there is a need to revise the Assembly and Parade Act, which continues to disproportionately restrict people's right to hold protests close to specified areas, such as the Executive Yuan, courts at all levels and foreign embassies and the need to obtain approval from the government," Civicus said.
The annual report assesses civic space based on freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression. Each country is placed in one of five categories: "open," "narrowed," "obstructed," "repressed," or "closed."
The report says that the most widespread civic space violation in at least 21 Asia-Pacifc countries this year has been the use of restrictive laws to criminalize and prosecute human rights defenders. Other violations include harassment, torture or ill-treatment and the detention of journalists, activists and critics.
