Human rights in Madagascar are protected under the national constitution. However, the extent to which such rights are reflected in practice is subject to debate. The 2009 Human Rights Report by the United States Department of State noted concerns regarding the suspension of democratic electoral processes as the result of recent political unrest.[1] Furthermore, reports of corruption, arbitrary arrest and child labor highlight the prevalence of human rights issues in the country.[1][2]
Parts of this article (those related to the constitution - new constitution has been adopted) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(April 2013)
Accusations of media censorship have risen due to the alleged restrictions on the coverage of government opposition.[25] During the leadership conflict, Ravalomanana ordered the closure of "Viva TV", which was owned by his opponent, Rajoelina.[1] There are concerns of spyware and surveillance on the opposition, and arbitrary detainments of journalists and politicians.[26]
Peaceful protests are sometimes violently suppressed by the authorities.[26]
Ethnic Minorities
Madagascar is an ethnically diverse country. While the majority of the population is Malagasy, they are divided into 18 tribes. The Merina people are the largest, living in the highlands, and they are sometimes in conflict with the Cotiers, or coastal people, who have more African origins.[27] 20,000 of the Karana people, with historic origins of India, are stateless. Precise demographic information in Madagascar is unavailable. In 2017, an amendment to the nationality law allowed children to receive citizenship from their mother if she was married to a foreign man (which previously had been prohibited)[28].
Mob violence and kidnapping and ransoming of ethnic minorities, like people of Indian origin, are common, because it is believed they are rich.[28]
Equality
Women's suffrage was officially recognized in 1959.[29] However violence against women and human trafficking continues to be an issue in society.[1] Pregnant young women and girls often face barriers in education, with schools banning them, considering them a "bad example". Women continue to face barriers in the workforce.[30] People with albinism are sometimes kidnapped and murdered, due to superstition.[26]
There are no anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ people.[30]
Legal system
The existence of key legal principles such as the rule of law and due process, is in question due to the increase in arbitrary and politically motivated arrests during the leadership conflict. In December 2014, the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor indicated that children in Madagascar engaged in three activities, namely vanilla production, stone quarrying, and sapphire mining.[citation needed]
According to Amnesty International, jails are heavily overcrowded, and often have inadequate food, and poor sanitation and medical care. Prisoners sometimes face lengthy pretrial detention, and denial of bail without justification. Citizens are also sometimes unaware of their rights.[26][30] The US State Department, in their Madagascar report of 2022, highlighted excessive force sometimes used by security forces. Due to corruption, there is often inadequate punishment in these cases.[30]
Poverty
The people of Madagascar are afflicted by extreme levels and rates of poverty. As of 2005, the Eastern coast of the country had astoundingly high poverty rates of around 80% while urban areas are just over 50%.[31] Over 20% of the population lived on under $11.25 per day and over 80% of the population on under $15.00 per day as of 2010.
The country has seen major improvements in literacy rates. Generally, a correlation exists between literacy rates and poverty. Should the progress in increasing the number of literate Madagascans continue, poverty rates should begin to decline respectively.[32]
Historical situation
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(November 2024)
The following chart shows Madagascar's ratings since 1972 in the Freedom in the World reports, published annually by Freedom House. A rating of 1 is "free"; 7, "not free".[33]1
1.^Note that the "Year" signifies the "Year covered". Therefore the information for the year marked 2008 is from the report published in 2009, and so on.
3.^The 1982 report covers 1981 and the first half of 1982, and the following 1984 report covers the second half of 1982 and the whole of 1983. In the interest of simplicity, these two aberrant "year and a half" reports have been split into three year-long reports through interpolation.
↑ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.Peter J. Schraeder (August 1994). "Constitution and Institutions of Governance". In Meditz, Helen Chapin (ed.). Indian Ocean: five island countries. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. LCCN95016570.
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