Overview of Human Rights in Gabon

Gabon is a republic headed with a strong presidency.  The country’s human rights record remains poor. Several areas stand out as needing improvement.

Corruption is rampant throughout all levels of government. The judiciary is sometimes seen as being susceptible to governmental influences. Freedoms of the press, speech, association, assembly, and movement can be revoked at the will of those in power. The right to privacy is often restricted as well. 

The police forces in Gabon use several tactics to frighten those who might dissent against the government in power. Methods such as arbitrary arrest and detention, uses of excessive force, beatings, and torture are used against dissidents.

Trafficking in persons and child labor are also concerns which the government, in recent years, has started taking measures to combat.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

124th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.