2006 has overall been a grim year for freedom and democracy. What follows is a selective review of last year’s events, with recommendations for the liberal democracies, international agencies and other concerned parties of possible paths to take in 2007. After the appalling inaction this year by these actors, that has enabled killing and oppression in various parts of the world to continue unabated, the main theme of these recommendations is that there must be no more turning away from unpleasant truths. It is the responsibility of the international community to reinvigorate the honour of humanity by engaging in firm action to dispel the idea in some areas of the world that some humans are more equal than others. All humans are equal. All humans deserve to live in freedom, freedom from fear and oppression, with the freedom to vote for those who want the noble responsibility to rule them in democratic elections.
