The CIVICUS programme Civil Society Watch (CSW) works to protect and defend the space for civil society to freely operate around the world.

CSW aims to mobilise quick, principled and effective responses to events that threaten civil society's fundamental rights to collectively express, associate and organise. CSW builds on CIVICUS' long-standing role as a global voice in defence of civic rights. It also contributes to CIVICUS' mission to strengthen civil society worldwide and protect space for civic expression, particularly in those areas where it is under threat.

How is civil society threatened?

Using fear of terrorism and foreign influence to justify restrictions, more and more governments are criminalising peaceful dissent, harassing social activists and campaigners and introducing legal and administrative barriers to the activities of civil society organisations.

The threats civil society face include, among others, the introduction or existence of laws restricting the registration or funding of organisations, individual but systemic targeting of human rights defenders, including arrest, detention and restrictions on travel, arbitrary closure of organisations, and barriers or attacks on the exercise of the rights to free expression and assembly. In 2008 alone, CIVICUS tracked such threats in 61 countries. In the same year, over 14 countries introduced or sought to introduce laws restricting civil society and undermining human rights.

These countries join scores of others that already have laws, policies and practices in place which stifle the work of civil society organisations. The existence and effective functioning of civil society rests on guarantees of the freedoms of expression, association and assembly. When these freedoms are restricted, civil society struggles to perform its vital roles as watchdogs on government excesses, protectors of human rights, as well as providers of health, counseling, education, recreation and other social services that contribute to the achievement of vital development goals.

How does CIVICUS respond?

The following are a few examples of how CIVICUS has taken action in the past.

Uzbekistan: In 2005, Uzbekistan was thrust into the international headlines with the killing of hundreds of protesters by Uzbek security forces in Andijan. The government dismissed accusations of police violence and the disproportionate use of force, and instead claimed the protest had been a terrorist uprising. Even before this tragedy, however, civil society in the country had been under systematic legal and administrative attacks for a number of years, leading to the closure of most independent organisations. Most recently, CIVICUS published an advocacy report on the growth and decline of civil society in Uzbekistan. CIVICUS has also issued press releases and appeals regarding growing restrictions, and the imprisonment of human rights defenders.

Ethiopia: Thousands of people were detained following protests accusing the government of rigging the May 2005 parliamentary elections. While most were released, the human rights campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were detained along with 131 journalists, politicians and civil society leaders on a range of charges from genocide to treason. Their crime? To lobby the government to allow local civil society organisations to monitor the elections. Their arrest and detention was symptomatic of an increasingly harsh environment for civil society - especially organisations critical of the government. Shortly after their arrest, CIVICUS co-organised a fact finding mission that met with President Meles Zenawi and attained his assurances the pair would be out after a swift trial. CIVICUS continued to lobby the government, monitor the trial and carry out international solidarity campaigns. One campaign organised public gatherings and expressions of support for them in over five countries, another attracted almost 400 messages of solidarity with them over the December holiday season. On 29 March 2008, Daniel and Netsanet were released.

Russia: Russia introduced a highly controversial NGO Law in 2005, raising concerns among both local and international organisations. The Law has seen the closure of organisations and has been organised as cumbersome and heavy handed. In reaction to the law, CIVICUS published a number of appeals and statements voicing concern about the possible effects of the law. CIVICUS also organised a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and 14 other international NGOs to lobby against the law. Following the meeting, CIVICUS coordinated a series of letters to lobby the President to abide by his promise of ensuring a review of law's implementation. CIVICUS is currently working with a number of local and international organisations to continue this work.

Zimbabwe: Civil society in Zimbabwe has come under increasing threat over the last seven years. Activists are regularly harassed and arrested, and restrictive laws limit the ability of civil society to peacefully assemble, register organisations and receive funding. CIVICUS began working with Zimbabwean civil society organisations in 2003. Much of the campaigning focused on encouraging regional leaders to condemn the ongoing repression in the country. From 2003 to the present, CIVICUS has: published a comparative analysis of laws affecting civil society in Zimbabwe, and three other Southern Africa; conducted lobbying visits with representatives of various African governments; co-organised solidarity rallies and concerts in border cities to Zimbabwe, in South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia; produced a video documenting regional solidarity with Zimbabwe; coordinated a solidarity visit by well-known artists, media personalities and civil society activists to Zimbabwe. In addition to these actions, CIVICUS also coordinated a number of appeal campaigns, and lobbied through regional governmental meetings.