Index on Censorship magazine has unveiled the result of its annual “Tyrant of the Year” contest with the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as the winner of the 2022 edition. The British publication singled out the president of Mexico for the high levels of violence recorded, the attacks on journalists and activists, as well as, the climate of impunity that prevails in the country.
In the competition, decided by the popular vote of Internet users, the Mexican president prevailed over other leaders such as Kim Jong-Un from North Korea, Vladimir Putin from Russia, Daniel Ortega from Nicaragua, and Ali Khamenei from Iran. All leaders of countries pointed out in the West for their lack of respect for Human Rights or the repression against their inhabitants.
According to the publication and citing Index policy and campaign officer, Nik Williams, responsible for having nominated AMLO in the race: “The large number of votes for Obrador is testimony to the structural threats to freedom of expression in Mexico that has made it the most dangerous place in the world for journalists, outside of a war zone.”
In addition, Index on Censorship highlighted the president’s closeness with the military, the relationship with former US President Donald Trump, the signs against women, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the national and international press. “For the good of journalists, their families and colleagues, as well as Mexican society in general, we hope that Obrador will take the necessary measures to protect press freedom. Only then will this be the first and last time he is voted Tyrant of the Year.”
Before the result was announced, the president was publicly informed about this exercise by the British magazine at his press conference on January 13. AMLO said he was unaware of the fact, but limited himself to saying that “it is part of it “, referring to his presentation on the creation of various organizations whose purpose is to defend private interests by disqualifying adversaries.
“When Obrador came to power in 2018, he did so with the promise of leading the country out of a cowardly spiral of crime, corruption, and inequality. People were cynical about these promises at the time and it’s a shame to see that his cynicism was correct. As a result, Mexico remains very much on Index’s radar and we will continue to cover the country in our magazine and online,” Index on Censorship concluded.
In total, there were 12 leaders who were nominated for their respective administrations. The countries in question are going through situations of war, violence, and repression against the civilian population, extreme secrecy in the face of the supervision of organizations that defend Human Rights, long periods in power, restrictive public policies, the dismantling of institutional controls and direct accusations of being dictatorships.
Thus, López Obrador was chosen over North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega, Iran’s Ali Khamenei, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Belarus’ Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Min Aung Hlaing from Myanmar (or Burma), Mohammad bin Salman from Saudi Arabia, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani from Qatar, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo from Equatorial Guinea and Xi Jinping from China.
Index on Censorship magazine has unveiled the result of its annual “Tyrant of the Year” contest with the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel L . . .
