CIVICUS

FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Civil society seeking collective responses for the year 2008
By Kumi Naidoo, CIVICUS Secretary-General

Issued Date: 16 January 2008

Dear e-CIVICUS Subscriber,

As we step into 2008, we hope as civil society to build on the achievements of 2007, learn from the lessons of past years and respond in a more co-ordinated manner to what lies ahead this year. While there is enough reason to hope for a more responsive and reliable civil society in 2008, we remain aware of the daunting challenges that await us, some of which are highlighted below.

Civil society has observed with great concern the disturbing trends in recent months in countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Georgia and Kenya. The people of Pakistan have had to contend with the imposition of emergency rule, the suspension of their constitution and attacks and restrictions on members of the judiciary, human rights organisations and other activists. We also learned with great sadness and shock of the assassination of the leader of one of the opposition parties and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007. There is absolutely nothing that justifies such barbaric acts and as civil society we collectively condemn such actions. The democratic tenets and rights of citizens in that country have been seriously threatened, and the government of Pakistan must ensure that as the people of Pakistan exercise their democratic rights in a fortnight from now, structures are in place for free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

In Georgia and Myanmar, attacks on political parties and other groups have not gone unnoticed, while in Kenya violence that gripped the country in the aftermath of the 27 December elections has led to the deaths of more than 500 citizens. The “credibility” of both the elections has been called into question in some quarters and the political situation in these countries remains volatile. Innocent lives have been lost and sections of the population face a humanitarian crisis. These are serious threats to the democratic dispensation in these countries and they require concrete and immediate action. We call on governments to act responsibly to protect and uphold the rights of all citizens at all times. Governments must be aware that the consolidation and entrenchment of democracy cannot be realised by denying basic rights to citizens and attacking organisations, but should rather be achieved by the legitimising and opening up of democratic space for all.

It is also a matter of grave concern that several countries, some of which have established democracies, continue to institute legislation and laws which constrain the operations of civil society and in some cases infringe on the basic rights of citizens. Some of these laws are premised on the so-called “global war on terror” and may well target innocent people and legitimate organisations. The use of repressive legislation in a number of other countries to limit the activities of human rights organisations, political parties, individuals and other civil society networks has also been viewed with deep concern by civil society. Civil society organisations are strongly aware of the need to continuously expose such actions and to demand action from the relevant authorities to take action in stopping them. This year, civil society networks will need to increase their efforts to support and defend the rights of citizens and civil society organisations that are threatened.

We are optimistic about the fact that as citizens around the world celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, civil society organisations will continue in their efforts to make the world a better place for all by identifying and acting in a timely manner in all cases where the rights of citizens are trampled upon.

Because of the strategic position increasingly being assumed by civil society, and the role it plays in global affairs, it has come under heavy criticism from governments and other civil society critics. Such criticism in most cases centres on issues of legitimacy, transparency and accountability. In an effort to maintain and enhance high ethical standards, I am pleased to mention once again that an encouraging number of international NGOs signed the Accountability Charter in 2006 and it has become the norm for other civil society networks to institute self-regulatory mechanisms at different levels. In 2008, civil society will continue to ensure that it does not betray the trust placed in it, and will strive to lead by example.

Civil society organisations will continue to take full advantage of opportunities while at the same time responding to external threats. It is also important to continuously find ways of improving internal governance structures. Climate change, poverty, conflict, inequality and disease continue to pose threats to the lives of citizens and to the operations of civil society, and we must ensure speedy and appropriate responses with the resources at our disposal.

As civil society we have come to the realisation that, to be more effective in creating a just and equitable world, we need to increase our joint efforts to seek collective responses and act in unison. The strength that comes with unity cannot be underestimated. This has been evident in recent years as millions of people raised their voices during events marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, reminding governments of the need to take action against poverty and inequality. Similarly, one of the highlights for 2008 is the 8^th CIVICUS World Assembly and as civil society, we welcome another opportunity for people from varying sectors, including leaders in business and government representatives, to deliberate on issues related to “people, participation and power.” Much can be achieved if civil society networks act collectively on relevant issues and acknowledge the fact that they can respectfully agree to disagree on areas of divergence.

There is also a need for civil society to reflect inwardly and consider how best to enhance its effectiveness. While acknowledging on the one hand that diversity is a major strength for civil society, it is also important to note that diversity can sometimes be used as a pretext to focus on selected issues at a specific level to the detriment of broader issues that affect the lives of all citizens. We hope that in 2008 the various networks, individuals, societies, communities and organisations that make up civil society will work together on common issues and in a collaborative manner to create a more just and equitable world.

I conclude by thanking each one of you for all your efforts during 2007 towards improving the lives of people around the world and wish you the very best in all your endeavours in 2008. I had hoped to share with you the “good news” of our Ethiopian colleagues, Daniel and Netsanet. They unfortunately remain in prison. Next week’s column will give an update of the latest situation with regard to these two courageous activists.

Warmest regards,

Kumi Naidoo

To send you comments, suggestions or contributions of articles, e-mail editor@civicus.org.

Below you will find all previous columns published.

• A time for peace, reflections and rededication

• 10 December - Human Rights Day

• International Volunteer Day: A Day for recognition and reflection

• The crossroads at Bali -- Choosing our destiny

• 16 Days of nActivism against Gender Violence

• Civil society under siege in Pakistan

• Aid must be more effective...and more accountable too

• Participation will be the focus of the 8th CIVICUS World Assembly

• Islam: The New Fascism?

• Standing Up for the People of Burma

• Closing the gap between volunteering and social activism

• A poor climate makes for poor people

• It starts with you: become a volunteer GCAP organiser and Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty and Inequality