Let us have a look at the top 10 dictators who still maintain autocratic rule and power dominated by abuse and terror.
1. Omar al-Bashir, Sudan: Is in power since 1989 – His monumental abuses has led to mankind’s worst humanitarian catastrophe. Omar al-Bashir has launched colossal ethnic and religious cleansing that has uprooted over 2 million civilians and led to the death of more than 70,000.
2. Kim Jong Il, North korea: Is in power since 1994 – North Korea still ranks highest in terms of human rights abuses and curtailment of press freedom. It is estimated that over 250,000 are held in prison for political offenses. Public execution is a normal event in North Korea.
3. Than Shwe, Burma: Is in power since 1992 – For his dogged resistance to international pressure and continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, Than Shwe remains one of top pariah in the international community. The documented abuses of the military government included murder, rape and torture.
4. Hu Jintao, China: Is in power since 2002 – Amidst the economic liberalization and progress of the nation, the government of Hu Jintao remains as one of the most repressive. Thousands of Chinese still remain in labor camps serving sentences for a variety of political offenses.
5. Crown Prince Abdullah, Saudi Arabia: Is in power since 1995 – Facing international pressure, Crown Prince Abdullah has relented and announced the holding of the first elections in Saudi Arabia after 40 years. Saudi Arabia, under the leader of the Crown Prince, enforces the extreme form of Islam known as Wahhabism.
6. Muammar al-Qaddafi, Libya: In power since 1969 – He was once tagged as a strong supporter of international terrorism. He has exerted a lot of effort to improve his image in the international community by slowly re-establishing links with his erstwhile enemies. However, in the domestic front, not much has been changed as his government remains as repressive as ever.
7. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan: Is in power since 1999 – After seizing power after a bloodless military coup, Gen. Pervez Musharraf installed himself as President. His government is precariously engaged in the development of a nuclear program. Opposition to the government is considered as crime committed against the state.
8. Saparmurat Niyazov, Turkmenistan: Is in power since 1990 – His reign of terror borders the occultism. His wield of power invades all facets of the society and controls all aspects of the private life of its citizens. He remains in power amidst detentions, torture, disappearances, forced labor and exile.
9. Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe, Is in power since 1980 – The quality of life and security has deteriorated immensely since Robert Mugabe assumed power. Press freedom is curtailed and opposition is outlawed.
10. Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea: Is in power since 1979 – Teodoro Obiang Nguema and his family continue to wield power and influence as they remain as the main beneficiaries of the countries vast oil reserves. His government commits torture and other human rights abuses to stifle any resistance to his absolute control of the country.
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