# Human rights in Madagascar

Human rights in Madagascar are protected under the national constitution. However, the extent to which such rights are reflected in practice is subject to debate. The 2009 Human Rights Report by the United States Department of State noted concerns regarding the suspension of democratic electoral processes as the result of recent political unrest. Furthermore, reports of corruption, arbitrary arrest and child labor highlight the prevalence of human rights issues in the country.

## Constitution and statutory responses

The Constitution of Madagascar was adopted in 2010. It addresses the notion of universal suffrage, individual rights and the freedom of speech.
Laws regarding a minimum age for employment as well as the prohibition of child labor were passed.

## International treaties

Madagascar's stances on international human rights treaties are as follows:
International treaties :
| Treaty | Organization | Introduced | Signed | Ratified |
| Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide | United Nations | 1948 | - | - |
| International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination | United Nations | 1966 | 1967 | 1969 |
| International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | United Nations | 1966 | 1970 | 1971 |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights | United Nations | 1966 | 1969 | 1971 |
| First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights | United Nations | 1966 | 1969 | 1971 |
| Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity | United Nations | 1968 | - | - |
| International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid | United Nations | 1973 | - | 1977 |
| Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women | United Nations | 1979 | 1980 | 1989 |
| Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment | United Nations | 1984 | 2001 | 2005 |
| Convention on the Rights of the Child | United Nations | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 |
| Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty | United Nations | 1989 | - | - |
| International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families | United Nations | 1990 | - | - |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women | United Nations | 1999 | 2000 | - |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict | United Nations | 2000 | 2000 | 2004 |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography | United Nations | 2000 | 2000 | 2004 |
| Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | United Nations | 2006 | 2007 | - |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities | United Nations | 2006 | 2007 | - |
| International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance | United Nations | 2006 | 2007 | - |
| Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights | United Nations | 2008 | 2009 | - |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure | United Nations | 2011 | - | - |

## Issues
### Censorship

Accusations of media censorship have risen due to the alleged restrictions on the coverage of government opposition. During the leadership conflict, Ravalomanana ordered the closure of "Viva TV", which was owned by his opponent, Rajoelina.

### Equality

Women's suffrage was officially recognized in 1959. However violence against women and human trafficking continues to be an issue in society.

### Legal system

The existence of key legal principles such as the rule of law and due process, is in question due to the increase in arbitrary and politically motivated arrests during the leadership conflict. In December 2014, the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor indicated that children in Madagascar engaged in three activities, namely vanilla production, stone quarrying, and sapphire mining.

### Poverty

The people of Madagascar are afflicted by extreme levels and rates of poverty. As of 2005, the Eastern coast of the country had astoundingly high poverty rates of around 80% while urban areas are just over 50%. Over 20% of the population lived on under $11.25 per day and over 80% of the population on under $15.00 per day as of 2010.
The country has seen major improvements in literacy rates. Generally, a correlation exists between literacy rates and poverty. Should the progress in increasing the number of literate Madagascans continue, poverty rates should begin to decline respectively.

## Historical situation

The following chart shows Madagascar's ratings since 1972 in the Freedom in the World reports, published annually by Freedom House. A rating of 1 is "free"; 7, "not free".
Historical ratings :
| Year | Political Rights | Civil Liberties | Status | Head of State |
| 1972 | 5 | 3 | Partly Free | Philibert Tsiranana |
| 1973 | 5 | 4 | Partly Free | Gabriel Ramanantsoa |
| 1974 | 5 | 4 | Partly Free | Gabriel Ramanantsoa |
| 1975 | 5 | 5 | Partly Free | Gabriel Ramanantsoa |
| 1976 | 6 | 5 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1977 | 5 | 5 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1978 | 6 | 6 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1980 | 7 | 6 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1982 | 6 | 6 | Not Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1983 | 5 | 6 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1984 | 5 | 6 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1985 | 5 | 6 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1986 | 5 | 5 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1988 | 5 | 5 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1989 | 5 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1990 | 4 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1991 | 4 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1992 | 4 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1993 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1994 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Albert Zafy |
| 1995 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Albert Zafy |
| 1996 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Albert Zafy |
| 1997 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Norbert Ratsirahonana |
| 1998 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 1999 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 2000 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 2001 | 2 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 2002 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Didier Ratsiraka |
| 2003 | 3 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2004 | 3 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2005 | 3 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2006 | 4 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2007 | 4 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2008 | 4 | 3 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2009 | 6 | 4 | Partly Free | Marc Ravalomanana |
| 2010 | 6 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2011 | 6 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2012 | 6 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2013 | 5 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2014 | 4 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2015 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
| 2016 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
| 2017 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
| 2018 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Hery Rajaonarimampianina |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | Partly Free | Rivo Rakotovao |
| 2020 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2021 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2022 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |
| 2023 | 3 | 4 | Partly Free | Andry Rajoelina |