Two days ago I saw an article about the freedom index and as if someone has arranged the events in my life, last night while searching for some documentaries, YouTube offered me one about Turkmenistan having the most bizarre and ruthless dictatorship, after which came another documentary about Brunei. Both countries are on the freedom index list obviously and if you know a bit about the world, you know at which end these countries are situated.
Photo by Andrés Beltrán on Unsplash
The things the documentary says about Turkmenistan are shocking to say the least but only for those who were born and lived in a free country. The reporters went through a lot of trouble to get what they could on camera, as in most places filming was prohibited and the only option was the use of a hidden camera at their own risk.
It's shocking that such country exists and even worse than it is not the only one, there are other countries in a similar situation.
Here's the two ends of the list, you can check where your country is situated and if you don't find it on the list, you can visit the page and search it manually.
You may be wondering what criteria has been considered when putting together the list and without knowing them all, here are a few that the article mentions and also looks logical: strong electoral systems, independent courts, press freedom, and protections for civil liberties.
It's good to see 11 out of the first 15 countries are European and if you know what life is like in Europe, you understand why. At the other end of the list you can only find ex soviet countries, that are still dominated by Russia to some extent and that can't or don't want to move on from dictatorship yet. I'm kind of surprised Russia and China are not lower on the list, but as I see it, both are working hard on earning a place near Turkmenistan for themselves.
Photo by Tegan Conway on Unsplash
The two documentaries were very different in so many ways. The journalists could not really get real interactions with locals and even if they were able to speak to a few of people, they were either the people of this brutal regime or terrified of the consequences. People from Brunei were very different, more open, but what struck me a lot was how people see their freedom compared to other countries.
Brunei is one of the six remaining absolute monarchies, where the sultan and his family are living in the biggest palace of the world, which is three times the size of the Versailles palace. Have you been to Versailles? I have and trust me, the palace is huge. This is all self assigned wealth as in an absolute monarchy, the only person who has a saying in this is the sultan. It is temporary in my opinion as 95% of the countries income comes from gas and oil, both resources are limited, so the wealth is going to end, when they run out of these resources, if they don't do something to make the economy sustainable. It's no brainer really.
The reason why people seem happy and satisfied with their lives is because they don't know any other. Those who decided to stay and live in Brunei don't really know what living a different life is.
The main religion is Islam and the small part of population that refuses to convert to Islam pay a heavy price. Those who have converted to Islam, have advantages like free education, free living and seem happy to give up their identity.
Photo by Vojtech Bruzek on Unsplash
While I was watching the life of the family featured in the documentary, was trying to understand how can they live like that, but I'm afraid I never will. Working full time as a teacher, earning your living basically, but giving all your salary to your husband, so he can give you pocket money that you use to buy dresses he has to approve of is beyond comprehension for me and this is just one example.
Religion is not a choice, it is mandatory and going to the mosque is as well, otherwise you get fined. The family had a room in their home just for prayers and were praying for an hour each day. Smoking and drinking are banned by law and homosexuality and adultery can bring you the death penalty. Smoking and drinking is not something you should do, as we all know neither is healthy, but should be the decision of every responsible individual and shouldn't be forced on you by the government. who you love should also be your decision and your private business, no one should have the power to impose any will on you. Adultery is again a question of education and will and I don't think anyone should have the power to take your life for it.
Free speech is a myth, there are subjects like sex, politics and the royal family you should avoid talking about, if you don't want to get in trouble.
Not everyone is ok with this imposed lifestyle, so some people decided to live elsewhere and enjoy the freedom other countries grant their citizens, but those are not many.
Photo by Danielle Suijkerbuijk on Unsplash
It's the middle of 2026, life is changing everywhere, but not in the same way and definitely not at the same pace. I'm curious to see for how long these brutal regimes can keep up with terrorizing their people just to keep them quiet and obedient.
Back to Europe, we see what it means when someone has too much power and use it not only to keep their citizens in miserable conditions and terrorized, but also to attack other countries to widen their power and dominance.
Life has to change!
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