The annual Freedom in the World report, which ranks nations according to civil liberties and political rights, has been released. The work of nonpartisan organisation Freedom House, it judges countries according to a range of criteria. Each is then assigned a total score and placed in one of three pots: "Free", "Partly free" and "Not free".
While 88 countries (including - you'll be relieved to hear - the UK) fall into the first category, a remarkable 49 - including Turkey, Russia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, Belarus and Cuba - are in the latter.
Overall, the picture is bleak. "Democracy faced its most serious crisis in decades in 2017 as its basic tenets -including guarantees of free and fair elections, the rights of minorities, freedom of the press, and the rule of law -came under attack around the world," the report says.
"Seventy-one countries suffered net declines in political rights and civil liberties, with only 35 registering gains. This marked the 12th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.
"The United States retreated from its traditional role as both a champion and an exemplar of democracy amid an accelerating decline in American political rights and civil liberties."
Here are the 20 most tightly controlled countries on the planet, according to Freedom House:
20. Cuba
Despite the totalitarian policies, tourists have always been willing to visit this island. Those who see beyond its politics are rewarded by Cuba’s sultry salsa clubs, free-flowing rum, sandy beaches, classic cars and revolutionary history.
Freedom House score: 14/100
19. China
The international community gave tacit acceptance to China’s authoritarian style by allowing it to host the 2008 Olympic Games and the regime’s tight grip doesn’t seem to have stymied its thriving tourism industry: the Forbidden City, Great Wall of China and Terracotta Army are some of the attractions distracting visitors from the politics.
Freedom House score: 14/100
18. Yemen
War-torn Yemen has been off-limits to UK travellers for many years. What are they missing? The island of Socotra for starters, which is known for its distinct flora and fauna (37 per cent of its plant species and 90 per cent of its reptiles are found nowhere else).
Freedom House score: 13/100
17. Laos
Laos has been a mainstay of the backpacker circuit in south-east Asia for decades, but behind its raucous river parties, gilded temples, Unesco-listed towns and vertiginous forests lies a lumbering, autocratic regime that has been in place and ineffectual since 1975.
Freedom House score: 12/100
16. Ethiopia
The cradle of civilisation, Ethiopia was named the World’s Best Tourism Destination in 2015 by the European Council on Tourism and Trade, which praised the African nation for its varied landscapes, imperial history and nine Unesco World Heritage Sites. However, it doesn’t rank particularly well for freedom.
Freedom House score: 12/100
15. Bahrain
Human rights groups cite Bahrain’s dictatorial oppression, lack of parliamentary power and lack of independent judiciary as reasons why tourists should stay away from this Middle Eastern country. However, Formula Once chiefs don’t seem to be heeding this advice as they continue to host a controversial Grand Prix there every year.
Freedom House score: 12/100
14. Azerbaijan
Don’t be fooled by the caviar diplomacy: Azerbaijan may have presented a friendly face at the 2015 European Games, but the country is one of most world’s oppressed.
Freedom House score: 12/100
13. Tajikistan
Potty policies abound in this former Soviet state, which once outlawed witchcraft and beards. President Emomali Rahmon, who has been at the helm for 27 years, has a mandate to rule indefinitely.
Freedom House score: 11/100
12. Libya
One of George W. Bush's so-called "Axis of Evil" nations, Libya's ancient treasures have been off-limits for many years due to war and unrest. Muammar Gaddafi may be long gone but the country still struggles in the freedom stakes.
Freedom House score: 9/100
11. Central African Republic
For much of its history, the Central African Republic was run by a self-declared emperor called Jean Bedél Bokassa, who reportedly had a taste for human flesh. The nation, home to lowland gorillas, has been in a near constant state of war since gaining independence from France in 1960 and the current president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, faces an uphill battle to calm the situation.
Freedom House score: 9/100
10. Sudan
Sudan has some of most abundant marine life in the Red Sea and a few intrepid divers make it out to discover its largely unchartered reefs. However, corruption and violence continues to plague this country and prevent it from capitalising on its natural wonders.
Freedom House score: 8/100
9. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s ruthless dictator, Islam Karimov, clung to power from 1991 until his death in 2016. He ticked all the despotic boxes, having been accused of nepotism, corruption, election rigging, crushing the press and presiding over human rights abuses. He successor Shavkat Mirziyoyev has not yet been able to lift Uzbekistan from the lower reaches of Freedom House's ranking, though its score improved from 3 to 7.
Freedom House score: 7/100
8. Somalia
When the Somali dictator, Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, was finally overthrown in 1991, he left a power vacuum that various militant groups have since tried to fill. It is hoped that the current president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, can bring some sort of stability to the country, which simultaneously has the capacity to be one of the most dangerous and beautiful nations in Africa.
Freedom House score: 7/100
7. Saudi Arabia
The only country in the world that prohibits women from driving (for now, the ban will be lifted in June 2018), it should comes as no surprise that Saudi Arabia finds itself in this list – in fact, with its harsh interpretation of Islamic law and dire human rights record, you might be amazed it’s not higher. Yet the Saudis still hope to lure foreign travellers to its shores: in 2016 the royal regime announced an ambitious tourism plan.
Freedom House score: 7/100
6. Equatorial Guinea
With its hard earned reputation for coups, counter coups and corruption you would be well advised to steer clear of Equatorial Guinea, whose vast oil reserves should have been enough to make its people prosperous. If you can persevere with the poverty and bribery, you’ll be compensated by tropical islands, sandy beaches and endangered primates.
Freedom House score: 7/100
5. Turkmenistan
The cult of personality did not die with Stalin and Chairman Mao – in Central Asia it remains an important tool of the state, particularly in Turkmenistan, which is littered with gilded statues of former dictator, Saparmurat Niyazov. He died in 2006, but his megalomaniac replacement, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who calls himself the “protector”, has shown a similar appetite for authoritarianism and gold statues.
Freedom House score: 4/100
4. North Korea
North Korea’s brand of authoritarian politics needs no introduction. Presided over by the Kim dynasty, the current president, Jong-un, has a penchant for basketball and nuclear weapons, but curiously has also been trying to boost tourism to the country.
Freedom House score: 3/100
3. Eritrea
Located in the horn of Africa, Eritrea promises an enticing blend of Abyssinian, Arabic and European influences, but few travellers are brave enough to visit due to the country being run by a brutal dictator, Isaias Afwerki, who, amongst other things, is accused of funnelling funds to the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Freedom House score: 3/100
2. South Sudan
The world’s youngest country hasn’t got off to the best of starts: since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, it slid towards dictatorship and war, threatening one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet. Its score plummeted from 12/100 to 2/100 in this year's report.
Freedom House score: 2/100
1. Syria
It’s no surprise that Syria tops this list. The most dangerous nation on the planet, president Bashar al-Assad defiantly clings on during a civil war that has been raging for nearly seven years. The bloody conflict takes place in a country that was once considered the jewel in the Middle East’s crown.
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