Not Free
17
/ 100
| Political Rights | 5 / 40 |
| Civil Liberties | 12 / 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
17 / 100 Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60. See the methodology.
* Indicates a territory as opposed to an independent country.
Freedom in the World reports assess the level of political rights and civil liberties in a given geographical area, regardless of whether they are affected by the state, nonstate actors, or foreign powers. Related, disputed, or occupied territories are sometimes assessed separately if they meet certain criteria, including distinct conditions for political rights and civil liberties and boundaries that are sufficiently stable to allow year-on-year comparisons. For more information, see the report methodology and FAQ.
Transnistria is internationally recognized as part of Moldova, but has operated with de facto independence since a brief military conflict in 1992. Its government and economy are heavily dependent on subsidies from Russia, which maintains a military presence in the territory. Political competition is tightly restricted, and the ruling political group is aligned with powerful local business interests. Media freedom is restricted, authorities closely control civil society activity, and due process is not upheld by local authorities, who have carried out targeted arbitrary arrests.
- A resolution adopted in July by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly noted systematic human rights abuses in Transnistria, including illegal arrests and arbitrary detentions, torture and other abuse in custody, and forced recruitment and ill-treatment within the security forces. In September, a conscript soldier reportedly died under unclear circumstances on the grounds of a prison, marking the fourth death among Transnistrian soldiers that year.
- In May, Tiraspol authorities released local activist Victor Pleșcanov, who had been sentenced to prison in 2022 over his critical remarks about the Russian military. In August, authorities released Vladimir Dudnic, a Moldovan citizen who had been detained since traveling to the territory in 2022. However, a number of other arbitrarily detained individuals remained in custody at year’s end.
This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.
For additional background information, see last year’s full report.
A1 0-4 pts
| Was the current head of government or other chief national authority elected through free and fair elections? | 0 / 4 |
A2 0-4 pts
| Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? | 0 / 4 |
A3 0-4 pts
| Are the electoral laws and framework fair, and are they implemented impartially by the relevant election management bodies? | 1 / 4 |
B1 0-4 pts
| Do the people have the right to organize in different political parties or other competitive political groupings of their choice, and is the system free of undue obstacles to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? | 1 / 4 |
B2 0-4 pts
| Is there a realistic opportunity for the opposition to increase its support or gain power through elections? | 1 / 4 |
B3 0-4 pts
| Are the people’s political choices free from domination by forces that are external to the political sphere, or by political forces that employ extrapolitical means? | 0 / 4 |
B4 0-4 pts
| Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, racial, religious, gender, LGBT+, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? | 1 / 4 |
C1 0-4 pts
| Do the freely elected head of government and national legislative representatives determine the policies of the government? | 0 / 4 |
C2 0-4 pts
| Are safeguards against official corruption strong and effective? | 0 / 4 |
C3 0-4 pts
| Does the government operate with openness and transparency? | 1 / 4 |
D1 0-4 pts
| Are there free and independent media? | 0 / 4 |
D2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? | 2 / 4 |
D3 0-4 pts
| Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free from extensive political indoctrination? | 1 / 4 |
D4 0-4 pts
| Are individuals free to express their personal views on political or other sensitive topics without fear of surveillance or retribution? | 1 / 4 |
E1 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom of assembly? | 0 / 4 |
E2 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for nongovernmental organizations, particularly those that are engaged in human rights– and governance-related work? | 1 / 4 |
E3 0-4 pts
| Is there freedom for trade unions and similar professional or labor organizations? | 0 / 4 |
F1 0-4 pts
| Is there an independent judiciary? | 0 / 4 |
F2 0-4 pts
| Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? | 0 / 4 |
F3 0-4 pts
| Is there protection from the illegitimate use of physical force and freedom from war and insurgencies? | 1 / 4 |
F4 0-4 pts
| Do laws, policies, and practices guarantee equal treatment of various segments of the population? | 1 / 4 |
G1 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? | 2 / 4 |
G2 0-4 pts
| Are individuals able to exercise the right to own property and establish private businesses without undue interference from state or nonstate actors? | 1 / 4 |
G3 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy personal social freedoms, including choice of marriage partner and size of family, protection from domestic violence, and control over appearance? | 1 / 4 |
G4 0-4 pts
| Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? | 1 / 4 |
