With freedom of expression, association and assembly under attack in many countries in West Africa, experience suggests a greater need in response for intervention at the early stages of the drafting process of restrictive laws, policies or moves to introduce restrictive practices. Through early intervention at an opportune moment, and engagement before the actual enactment of a law or policy, success in influencing and cooperating with a government or vested stakeholders is greatly increased. To enhance civil society capacity to respond early to threats, CIVICUS and RESOCIDE are teaming up, with the support of Irish Aid, to hold a workshop on Enhancing the Capacity of Human Rights Defenders to Monitor Public Policy and Respond to Threats in West Africa, to be held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from 2 to 3 July 2012.
