Human Rights and Freedom in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea Republic of Equatorial Guinea [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	192nd best
Location	Africa
Population	1.3m1
Life Expectancy	60.59yrs (2017)2

Equatorial Guinea is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Equatorial Guinea does worse than average when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₃, supporting press freedom₄, combatting modern slavery₅, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₆, freethought₇ and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₈. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in its average Freedom in the World rating (one of the worst in Africa). President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has gripped power since 1979, ruling over a government rife with corruption and a people whose human rights are thoroughly desecrated₉.

1. Equatorial Guinea's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets
   1. Press Freedom
   2. Slavery in the 2020s
   3. Freedom in the World
   4. Human Rights Watch Comments
   5. Nominal Commitment to HR
   6. HR Treaties Lag
3. Gender Equality Datasets
   1. Year Women Can Vote
4. Prejudice Datasets
   1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s
   2. Freedom of Thought
5. Links

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1. Equatorial Guinea's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #equatorial_guinea #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)10
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank10
1	Cape Verde	66.3
2	S. Africa	70.7
3	Mauritius	74.9
	...
46	Ethiopia	136.3
47	Cameroon	139.3
48	Congo, DR	141.0
49	Angola	143.0
50	Mauritania	144.3
51	Equatorial Guinea	147.3
52	Sudan	153.0
53	Eritrea	161.7
54	Somalia	162.1
	Africa Avg	110.04
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)10
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank10
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
188	Syria	142.4
189	Angola	143.0
190	Mauritania	144.3
191	Equatorial Guinea	147.3
192	Iran	152.2
193	Sudan	153.0
194	Brunei	153.6
195	N. Korea	154.9
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₁₁. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₁₁.

31 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₁, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₁₁.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Equatorial Guinea stated:

“The authorities conducted arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and other ill treatment and enforced disappearances, including in the context of the presidential election and the so-called �€�Cleaning Operation�€� against criminal gangs. Impunity for sexual violence continued. Pregnant girls remained banned from attending school. Undocumented migrants were deported amid a lack of due process. LGBTI people continued to face multiple forms of discrimination. The death penalty was abolished in the Penal Code but remained in the Code of Military Justice.”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₁₂

“Corruption, poverty, and repression of human rights continue to plague Equatorial Guinea under President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the world´s longest serving president, who has been in power since 1979. Vast oil revenues fund lavish lifestyles for the small elite surrounding the president, while little progress has been made on improving access to key rights, including health care and primary education, for the vast majority of Equatorial Guineans. Mismanagement of public funds, credible allegations of high-level corruption and repression of civil society groups and opposition politicians, and unfair trials, persist. [...]

Freedom of association and assembly are severely curtailed, and the government imposes restrictive conditions on the registration and operation of nongovernmental organizations. The few local activists who seek to address human rights-related issues often face intimidation, harassment, and reprisals.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₉

2. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

2.1. Press Freedom

#democracy #freedom #Freedom_of_Speech #Good_Governance #mass_media #politics #UK

Press Freedom Higher is better4
Pos.		20254
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
114	Colombia	49.80
115	Philippines	49.57
116	Kenya	49.41
117	Equatorial Guinea	48.68
118	Mali	48.23
119	Morocco	48.0413
120	Togo	48.03
121	Nigeria	46.81
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Equatorial Guinea is positioned 117th in the world regarding supporting press freedom.

The freedom to investigate, publish information, and have access to others' opinion is a fundamental part of today's information-driven world, and is linked with Freedom of Speech and Good Governance. Scores on the Press Freedom Index are calculated according to indicators including pluralism - the degree to which opinions are represented in the media, media independence of authorities, self-censorship, legislation, transparency and the infrastructure that supports news and information, and, the level of violence against journalists which includes lengths of imprisonments. The index "does not take direct account of the kind of political system but it is clear that democracies provide better protection for the freedom to produce and circulate accurate news and information than countries where human rights are flouted". The rankings are used as one of the datasets of the Social and Moral Development Index₁₄

It must be noted that press freedom is not an indicator of press quality and the press itself can be abusive; the UK suffers in particular from a popular brand of nasty reporting that infuses several of its newspapers who are particularly prone to running destructive and often untrue campaigns against victims. The Press Freedom Index notes that "the index should in no way be taken as an indicator of the quality of the media in the countries concerned".

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

“Only a few private media outlets exist in the country, and they are largely owned by persons close to President Obiang.”

"World Report 2018" by Human Rights Watch (2018)₉

Equatorial Guinea is one of only 19 countries who in 2025 had better press freedom than in the 2010s, with a greater improvement than any other country.

Averages by decade for Equatorial Guinea (for the ranks, lower is better):

Press Freedom	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Equatorial Guinea:	51.97	34.41
World Rank:	153rd	⇣  166th
World Avg:	27.44	65.91

2.2. Slavery in the 2020s

#burundi #eritrea #human_rights #indonesia #slavery

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better5
Pos.		Total Per 10005
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
118=	Ecuador	7.60
119	Slovakia	7.70
120=	Colombia	7.80
120=	Equatorial Guinea	7.80
120=	Philippines	7.80
120=	Nigeria	7.80
120=	Georgia	7.80
120=	Guatemala	7.80
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160.

With respect to combatting modern slavery, Equatorial Guinea ranks 120th in the world.

Modern slavery includes forced labour (often of the under-age), debt bondage (especially generational), sexual slavery, chattel slavery and other forms of abuse, some of which can be surprisingly difficult to detect, but often target those fleeing from warzones, and the poverty-stricken vulnerable.₁₅. Some industries (diamond, clothing, coal) from some countries (Burundi₁₆, Eritrea₁₆, Indonesia₁₇) are a particular concern. The Walk Free Foundation, say in their 2023 report, that 50 million people are living in modern slavery₁₆, and, nearly two-thirds of those in forced labour are employed at the end of supply chains working for large multinationals that creating products consumed by rich countries₁₈.

For more, see:

• "The Historical Slave Trade and Modern Slavery" by Vexen Crabtree (2018).

Averages by decade for Equatorial Guinea (for the ranks, lower is better):

Slavery	2010s  Average	2020s  Average
Equatorial Guinea:	6.40	7.80
World Rank:	118th	⇣  120th
World Avg:	6.54	7.15

2.3. Freedom in the World

#freedom #human_rights #hungary #politics #USA

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
189=	Swaziland	6.5
189=	Syria	6.5
189=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	6.5
192=	Equatorial Guinea	7.0
192=	S. Sudan	7.0
192=	N. Korea	7.0
192=	Belarus	7.0
192=	Afghanistan	7.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Equatorial Guinea is last in the world in terms of its average Freedom in the World rating.

Freedom House's long-standing annual report has been running since the 1970s, collecting data on political rights (PR) and civil liberties (CL). Their reports rate countries as "Free", "Partially Free" or "Not Free", however the results here are based on their numerical values. Many countries score the best combination of scores (1 and 1), which is why the table of results show many places equally placed in 1st place. In the past two decades, some well-established democracies like the USA and Hungary have been falling. Whilst most of the world in general is improving rights and freedoms over time, the 2020s has seen some regression.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Averages by decade for Equatorial Guinea (for the ranks, lower is better):

Freedom in the World	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
Equatorial Guinea:	6.4	6.8	7.0	6.6	7.0
World Rank:	140th	⇣  152nd	⇣  189th	⇣  194th	⇣  198th
World Avg:	4.3	4.2	3.6	3.4	3.4

2.4. Human Rights Watch Comments

#human_rights

Human Rights Watch Comments Higher is better3
Pos.		2017 Score3
1=	UK	9
1=	France	9
1=	Germany	9
	...
99=	Cuba	-6
100=	Yemen	-7
100=	Egypt	-7
100=	Equatorial Guinea	-7
100=	Swaziland	-7
100=	Indonesia	-7
100=	Ethiopia	-7
106=	Russia	-8
	Africa Avg	-5.6
	World Avg	-1.9
q=123.

Equatorial Guinea comes 15th-worst in the world in terms of commentary in Human Rights Watch reports.

Human Rights Watch comments concentrate mostly on negative issues, however, they also make positive comments for those countries that engage in human rights defence around the world, or who make improvements at home. By adding up positive and negative comments (including double-points for negatives that involve large scales and crimes against humanity), the Social and Moral Index turns HRW commentary into quantified values. Some countries may be unfairly penalized because HRW have not examined them, and, some countries "get away" with abuses if they manage to hide it, or if it goes unnoticed - a negative point has been given for those countries in which HRW specifically state that access to investigators has been barred. The points were limited to a minimum of -10 because there are some points at which things are so bad, with abuses affecting so many, it is difficult to be more specific about the depths of the issues.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.5. Nominal Commitment to HR

#human_rights

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better6
Pos.		2009 Treaties6
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
130=	Ivory Coast	13
130=	Afghanistan	13
130=	Gambia	13
130=	Equatorial Guinea	13
130=	Antigua & Barbuda	13
130=	Nepal	13
130=	Djibouti	13
137=	Ethiopia	12
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

In terms of its nominal commitment to Human Rights, Equatorial Guinea is positioned 125th in the world.

There are many international agreements on human rights, and, many mechanisms by which countries can be brought to account for their actions. Together, these have been the biggest historical movement in the fight against oppression and inhumanity. Or, putting it another way: these are rejected mostly by those who wish to oppress inhumanely. None of them are perfect and many people object to various components and wordings, but, no-one has come up with, and enforced, better methods of controlling the occasional desires that states and peoples have of causing angst for other states and peoples in a violent, unjust or inhumane way. Points are awarded for the number of human rights agreements ratified by the country, plus the acceptance of the petition mechanisms for disputes. The maximum possible score in 2009 was 24.

For more, see:

• "Human Rights" by Vexen Crabtree (2019).

2.6. HR Treaties Lag

#human_rights #international_law #micronesia #politics #small_islands

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better19
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty19
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
152	Andorra	12.91
153	Bhutan	13.01
154	Swaziland	13.16
155	Equatorial Guinea	13.18
156	Vanuatu	13.21
157	Guinea-Bissau	13.23
158	Liechtenstein	13.28
159	Ireland	13.38
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Equatorial Guinea is 155th in the world in terms of speed of uptake of HR treaties.

Human Rights (HR) Treaties Lag is a count of how long it took each country to sign each of 11 key HR treaties. From the date of the first signatory of each treaty, all other countries have one point added to their score for each day they delayed in signing. Results are presented as average time in years to sign each one. The lower a country's score, the more enthusiastically it has taken on international Human Rights Treaties - which are, of course, minimal standards of good governance. The slowest are the countries of Micronesia, Melanesia, Australasia and Polynesia all lagged by over 12 years per treaty. The best regions are The Americas, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

3. Gender Equality Datasets

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

3.1. Year Women Can Vote

#christianity #gender_equality #human_rights #politics #women

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
141=	Kenya	1963
141=	Fiji	1963
141=	Afghanistan	1963
141=	Equatorial Guinea	1963
141=	Bahamas	1963
146=	Sudan	1964
146=	Libya	1964
146=	Papua New Guinea	1964
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Equatorial Guinea ranks 139th in the world when it comes to the year from which women could participate in democracy.

Women now have equal rights in the vast majority of countries across the world. Although academic literature oftens talks of when a country "grants women the right to vote", this enforces a backwards way of thinking. Women always had the right to vote, however, they were frequently denied that right. The opposition to women's ability to vote in equality with man was most consistently and powerfully opposed by the Catholic Church, other Christian organisations, Islamic authorities and some other religious and secular traditionalists.

For more, see:

• "Gender Equality" by Vexen Crabtree (2023).

4. Prejudice Datasets

4.1. LGBT Equality in the 2020s

#equality #homosexuality #human_rights #ICCPR #intolerance #sexuality #tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better8
Pos.		Total Score8
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
159	Mauritius	-3.94
160	Ivory Coast	-3.95
161=	Benin	-4.09
161=	Equatorial Guinea	-4.09
163	Niger	-4.12
164	Bahrain	-4.13
165=	Congo, DR	-4.13
165=	St Lucia	-4.13
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215.

Equatorial Guinea ranks 161st in the world regarding LGBT equality in the 2020s.

Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) folk is rife across the world. Legal restrictions co-exist alongside social stigmatisation and physical violence₂₀. LGBT tolerance and equal rights have been fought for country-by-country against tightly entrenched cultural and religious opposition. Adult consensual sexual activity is a Human Right and protected by privacy laws₂₁. Despite this, it is illegal to be homosexual in over 60 countries (as of 2025)₂₂. The Vexen LGBT Equality Index as part of the Social and Moral Development Index grants points to each country depending on its LGBT stance since the 1970s_23,24. Europe is by far the least prejudiced region, but in the Middle East and Africa cultural prejudice goes hand-in-hand with state intolerance, all too often including physical violence.

For more, see:

• " LGBT Rights Across the World: Which are the Best and Worst Countries?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Penal Code criminalizes same-sex acts; imprisonment terms

ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Equatorial Guinea had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination.

Averages by decade for Equatorial Guinea (for the ranks, lower is better):

LGBT Equality	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average	2020s  Average
Equatorial Guinea:	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.50	-4.09
World Rank:	128th	⇣  129th	⇣  141st	141st	⇣  151st	⇣  161st
World Avg:	-2.98	-2.87	-2.60	-2.15	-1.10	-1.21

4.2. Freedom of Thought

#europe #freedom_of_belief #freethought #human_rights #netherlands #religion #religious_tolerance #secularism #the_enlightenment

Freedom of Thought Lower is better7
Pos.		20217
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
131=	Madagascar	3.3
132=	Burundi	3.5
132=	Guinea	3.5
132=	Equatorial Guinea	3.5
132=	Tanzania	3.5
132=	Turkey	3.5
132=	Turkmenistan	3.5
132=	Togo	3.5
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

Regarding freethought, Equatorial Guinea ranks 132nd in the world.

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Belief are upheld in Article 18 the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights₂₅. It affirms that it is a basic human right that all people are free to change their beliefs and religion as they wish₂₆. No countries voted against this (although eight abstained). This right was first recognized clearly in the policies of religious toleration of the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe in the post-enlightenment era₂₇ of the 19th century. In democratic countries, freedom of belief and religion is now taken for granted₂₈. In 2016 a study found that over 180 countries in the world had come to guarantee freedom of religion and belief₂₉. The best countries at doing so are Belgium, The Netherlands and Taiwan_7,30 and the worst: Afghanistan, N. Korea, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia_7,31.

Long-term studies have shown that religious violence and persecution both decrease in cultures where religious freedom is guaranteed₃₂. Despite this, there still are many who are strongly against freedom of belief₂₆, including entire cultures and many individual communities of religious believers. Their alternative is that you are not free to believe what you want and they often state that you cannot change religion without being punished (often including the death penalty): this is bemoaned as one of the most dangerous elements of religion₃₃ and "the denial of religious freedoms is inevitably intertwined with the denial of other freedoms"₃₄ and the solution is, everywhere, to allow religious freedom and the freedom of belief.

For more, see:

• "Freethought - Freedom of Belief and Freedom of Religion" by Vexen Crabtree (2022).