Freedom House has published its annual global report to register decline in global freedom, but said surprising improvements have been observed in Armenia.

The current situation in individual countries — including Malaysia, Armenia, Ethiopia, Angola, and Ecuador — show that democracy has enduring appeal as a means of holding leaders accountable and creating the conditions for a better life, the report says.

In Armenia, massive nonviolent demonstrations forced the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan, the country’s leader since 2008, who had tried to evade term limits by moving from the presidency to the prime minister’s office. After snap elections in December, a new reformist majority in the parliament has pledged to promote transparency and accountability for corruption and abuse of office.

Massive nonviolent demonstrations in the country forced the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan, the country’s leader since 2008, who had tried to evade term limits by moving from the presidency to the prime minister’s office.

After snap elections in December, a new reformist majority in the parliament has pledged to promote transparency and accountability for corruption and abuse of office.

However, the report maintains, Armenia, alongside neighboring Georgia, continues to be a partly free country.

Turkey, Iran, Azerbainan and Russia, meanwhile, are ranked not free.