Human rights in Madagascar

Human rights in Madagascar are protected by the country's national constitution. But how well these rights are honored in real life is often debated. In 2009, a report by the United States Department of State pointed out problems, like delays in fair elections because of political troubles. There are also issues such as corruption, arbitrary arrest, and child labor, which show that many people in Madagascar still face challenges with their rights. These problems remind us of the importance of working to protect everyone's rights and make sure they are treated fairly.

Constitution and statutory responses

Madagascar’s Constitution, adopted in 2010, talks about important ideas like everyone having the right to vote and the freedom to share thoughts.

The country also has laws that set a minimum age for work and ban children from being forced to work in tough jobs.

International treaties

Madagascar's views on international human rights treaties are shown below.

Issues

Accusations of limiting news reports have grown because of claims that the government stops stories about opposition groups. During a leadership fight, a leader closed down a TV station owned by his rival. There are worries about spying on opposition members and unfair arrests of journalists and political leaders. Opposition groups sometimes face restrictions.

Peaceful protests are sometimes handled too roughly by authorities.

Madagascar has many different ethnic groups. The largest group, the Merina, lives in the highlands and sometimes has disagreements with coastal groups. Some people of Indian origin, known as the Karana, are without citizenship. In 2017, a change in the law allowed children to get citizenship from their mother if she was married to someone from another country, which was not allowed before.

There are still problems with unfair treatment of women and human trafficking. Young pregnant girls often face problems in school, as some schools do not allow them to continue their education. Women also face challenges in finding jobs. People with albinism sometimes face danger because of superstitions.

The legal system faces challenges, including unfair arrests and long times before trials. Prisons are often crowded and do not have enough food or proper medical care. Sometimes, security forces use too much force, and because of corruption, these actions are not always punished.

Many people in Madagascar live in poverty. On the eastern coast, about 80% of people live in poverty, while in cities, it is just over 50%. Over 20% of the population lives on less than $11.25 a day, and more than 80% live on less than $15.00 a day. Improving education and literacy rates can help reduce poverty over time.

Historical situation

The chart below shows how Madagascar has been rated each year since 1972 in the Freedom in the World reports by Freedom House. The ratings go from 1, meaning "free," to 7, meaning "not free."