Peregraf
Today marks World Democracy Day. As per the Democracy Index for this year, compiled by the Normandy Research Institute and released by the European Parliament, Iraq has been positioned 130th out of 138 nations concerning threats to democracy, achieving a score of merely 3.6 out of 10.
The report indicates that both Iran and Turkey have experienced a decline in their democratic development, with Iran positioned at 110th place, a drop of seven spots from the previous year, while Turkey is ranked 94th, falling four places compared to the prior year.
Switzerland exhibits the least risk to democracy, achieving a score of 8.5 out of 10, whereas Syria faces the greatest threat to democracy, with a score of 2.6 out of 10, placing it at 138.
The report indicates that Azerbaijan has advanced 36 positions, moving from 70th place last year to 34th place this year, primarily as a result of peace negotiations with neighboring Armenia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
This year, Senegal, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and India have advanced 19 positions in comparison to the previous year.
The Normandy report identifies 11 distinct threats to global peace and democracy, which include terrorism, economic crises, climate change, energy instability, conflict and violence, cybersecurity issues, misinformation, the integrity of democratic processes, fragile states, transnational crime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Iraq
The report outlines the history of coups and conflicts in Iraq since 1979, indicating that the nation continues to face significant security instability and a range of ongoing crises.
In 2023, Iraq was positioned 133rd, reflecting an improvement of three places from the previous year; however, challenges to peace and democracy persist within the country. The report highlights the anti-government protests that occurred between 2019 and 2021, alongside ongoing deficiencies in public services. While some degree of stability has been attained, significant barriers to the provision of public services and the creation of employment opportunities remain.
The report indicates that Iraq is confronted with multiple threats from Iranian-backed militias, which target US installations, and is also at risk from terrorism, positioning it as the 11th most affected country globally.
Iraq ranks among the Arab nations that are significantly impacted by climate change, and it is anticipated that the country will encounter challenges related to water and food scarcity, as well as elevated temperatures in the future.
The report highlights the situation concerning Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako. On July 3, 2023, Iraqi President Latif Rashid annulled a special presidential decree that had granted Patriarch Louis Raphaël Sako the authority to oversee the Chaldean endowment in his capacity as the head of the Chaldean Church. Nevertheless, on June 5, 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani reinstated Louis Raphaël Sako as the Chaldean Patriarch.
Artificial intelligence and democracy
The theme for this year's World Democracy Day is 'Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Good Governance.' It emphasizes the importance of managing artificial intelligence effectively across all levels to harness its benefits while addressing the associated risks.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlights the capacity of artificial intelligence to improve public engagement, promote equity, enhance security, and foster human development, while also cautioning against the risks associated with its unregulated use.