Regions
Democratic decline has affected virtually every region of the globe. While the Rule of Law Impact Lab’s mandate is global in scope, it has begun with a focus on particular countries where consultations with local partners indicate that the Lab’s sustained attention could add value.
Mexico
Mexico began its transition to democracy in the late 1990s and early 2000s, after decades of one-party rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The path to democracy has been slow and sometimes difficult, but since that time, Mexico has witnessed significant democratic gains. However, recent events have raised significant concerns about democratic decline in Mexico. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration has threatened the independence of the judiciary, the National Electoral Institute (INE), and the National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Protection of Personal Data (INAI).
Senegal
Senegal is often described as one of Africa’s most stable democracies. However, recent developments have raised concerns about democratic decline there. Although the Senegalese constitution sets a two-term limit on the presidency, it was not until July 2023 that President Macky Sall ruled out a third-term bid for office in the 2024 elections. The justice system appears to have been instrumentalized for political purposes. In addition, crackdowns on journalists and internet shutdowns have infringed on the right to free expression.
Guatemala
Guatemala has a checkered past with respect to democracy. High level-corruption has remained rampant. Judicial and prosecutorial independence have remained under attack, especially after the 2019 closure of the United Nations-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), which exposed numerous corruption schemes. Under President Alejandro Giammattei, the justice system was weaponized to target actors who have fought against corruption and human rights abuses. Journalists and civil society members continued to face threats and harassment, forcing many of them to live in exile. Following elections in 2023, the government used legal maneuvers to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office.