human rights

• CIVICUS at the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

  The opening week of the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council will be dominated by the high level segment which will include approximately 99 high level speakers including top political leaders from UN member states as well as UN Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres, and the President of the General Assembly amongst others.
   
  To note is the oral update given by the High Commissioner for human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, on the 7th March which will address a number of pressing issues on the Councils agenda as well as bringing to light issues that are not being properly addressed by the Council and merit further attention.
   
  On the agenda this session of Interest to CIVICUS will be reports on the safety of journalists, the report on effectiveness and reform of the Human Rights Council, the report on Human Rights Defenders and People on the move by Michel Forst, SR for Human Rights Defenders. Also of note, the right to privacy and a number of country specific situations. CIVICUS will be following many discussions where civic space is touched upon and will continue to advocate for an enabling environment for civil society.

  Thursday, 1 March 14:00 - 15:00 (Room XXVII) | Human Rights & Citizenship in the Gulf Region | Organised by: SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, Bahrain Center for Human Rights, CIVICUS, International Federation for Human Rights, and
  Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme
  
  Across the Gulf Region, the relationship of citizenship and human rights has become a central issue. This event will examine how the authorities have increasingly sought to strip human rights defenders of their citizenship as a reprisal for their perceived political views and legitimate human rights work. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Tor Hodenfield, CIVICUS
  • Tara O'Grady, SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights
  • Mohamed Sultan, Bahrain Center for Human Rights
  • Abdelbagi Jibril, Darfur Relief & Documentation Centre
  • Moderator: Asma Darwish, SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights

  Friday, 2 March 11:30 - 13:00 (Room XXIV) | Ethiopia: The role of the international community in ending impunity and ensuring accountability for violations of fundamental rights | Organised by: Defend Defenders,Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, and CIVICUS
  
  The event will provide an opportunity to examine the state of civic space in Ethiopia and the setbacks in has suffered over the last decade. Civic space has become increasingly controlled and restricted as human rights defenders have faced threats, arrests, and detention while attempting to exercise their rights to assembly, association, and expression. This even will ook at these threats and trends. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Yared Hailiemariam, Director, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
  • Tsedale Lemma, Editor-In-Chief, Addis Standard Magazine
  • Bayisa Wak-Woya, Director, Global Refugee & Migration Council 
  • Moderator: Hassan Shire, Executive Director, DefendDefenders

  Friday, 2 March 15:00-16:30 (Room XI) | Counterterrorism, Emergency Powers, and the Protection of Civic Space | Organised by: Article 19, ECNL, CIVICUS, ICNL, World Movement for Democracy, and International Federation for Human Rights
  
  The use of exceptional national security and emergency powers to combat terrorism has become increasingly common. The event will look at how counterterrorism measures and emergency powers have increasingly resulted in the restrictions of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to assembly, association and expression. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Fionnuala Ni Aolain, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
  • Kerem Altiparmek, Ankara University, Faculty of Political Science
  • Yared Hailemariam, Director, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
  • Lisa Oldring, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Sonia Tanic, Representative to the UN, International Federation for Human Rights
  • Moderator: Nicholas Miller, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
• CIVICUS at the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

  The opening week of the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council will commence with the high level segment which will include approximately 99 high level speakers including top political leaders from UN member states as well as UN Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres, and the President of the General Assembly amongst others.
   
  To note is the oral update given by the High Commissioner for human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, on the 7th March which will address a number of pressing issues on the Councils agenda as well as bringing to light issues that are not being properly addressed by the Council and merit further attention.
   
  Of interest to CIVICUS will be reports on the safety of journalists, the report on effectiveness and reform of the Human Rights Council, the report on Human Rights Defenders and People on the move by Michel Forst, SR for Human Rights Defenders. Also of note, the right to privacy and a number of country specific situations. CIVICUS will be following many discussions where civic space is touched upon and will continue to advocate for an enabling environment for civil society.

  Thursday, 1 March 14:00 - 15:00 (Room XXVII) | Human Rights & Citizenship in the Gulf Region | Organised by: SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, Bahrain Center for Human Rights, CIVICUS, International Federation for Human Rights, and Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme
  
  Across the Gulf Region, the relationship of citizenship and human rights has become a central issue. This event will examine how the authorities have increasingly sought to strip human rights defenders of their citizenship as a reprisal for their perceived political views and legitimate human rights work. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Tor Hodenfield, CIVICUS
  • Tara O'Grady, SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights
  • Mohamed Sultan, Bahrain Center for Human Rights
  • Abdelbagi Jibril, Darfur Relief & Documentation Centre
  • Moderator: Asma Darwish, SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights

  Friday, 2 March 11:30 - 13:00 (Room XXIV) | Ethiopia: The role of the international community in ending impunity and ensuring accountability for violations of fundamental rights | Organised by: Defend Defenders,Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, and CIVICUS
  
  The event will provide an opportunity to examine the state of civic space in Ethiopia and the setbacks in has suffered over the last decade. Civic space has become increasingly controlled and restricted as human rights defenders have faced threats, arrests, and detention while attempting to exercise their rights to assembly, association, and expression. This even will ook at these threats and trends. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Yared Hailiemariam, Director, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
  • Tsedale Lemma, Editor-In-Chief, Addis Standard Magazine
  • Bayisa Wak-Woya, Director, Global Refugee & Migration Council 
  • Moderator: Hassan Shire, Executive Director, DefendDefenders

  Friday, 2 March 15:00-16:30 (Room XI) | Counterterrorism, Emergency Powers, and the Protection of Civic Space | Organised by: Article 19, ECNL, CIVICUS, ICNL, World Movement for Democracy, and International Federation for Human Rights
  
  The use of exceptional national security and emergency powers to combat terrorism has become increasingly common. The event will look at how counterterrorism measures and emergency powers have increasingly resulted in the restrictions of fundamental freedoms, including the rights to assembly, association and expression. See full invitation.
  
  PANELISTS: 

  • Fionnuala Ni Aolain, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
  • Kerem Altiparmek, Ankara University, Faculty of Political Science
  • Yared Hailemariam, Director, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
  • Lisa Oldring, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Sonia Tanic, Representative to the UN, International Federation for Human Rights
  • Moderator: Nicholas Miller, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

  Thursday, 15 March 15:00-16:00 (Room XXII) | The Link Between the Deterioration of Human Rights in Egypt and the Massive Violations in the Gulf States | Gulf Center for Human Rights | International Federation for Human Rights | OMCT | International Service for Human Rights | CPJ | ALQST | CIVICUS | CPJ

  A look at the middle east governments' coordinated efforts to target human rights defenders and journalists across the region. See full invitation.

  PANELISTS:

  • Yahya Al-Assiri, Director of ALQST for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
  • Justin Shilad, Committee to Protect Journalists
  • Nardine Al-Nemr, Academic & Activists from Egypt
  • Sara Brandt, Advocacy & Campaigns Officer, CIVICUS
• CIVICUS at the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Advocacy priorities

  In the upcoming 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (26 February to 05 April 2024) CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, will prioritise protecting civic space and fundamental freedoms, supporting civil society where they face grave risk, as well as bringing the voices of civil society and enabling the participation of civic groups and grassroots organisations to the Council.

• CIVICUS at the 61st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

  Sixty-first (61st) Session of the UN Human Rights Council (23 February – 2 April 2026)

  • Overview
  • Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council
  • Thematic Priorities
  • Country-Specific Priorities

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  Overview

  As we mark the 20^th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council this year, the UN human rights system faces sustained and coordinated attacks. Civil society's role is more critical than ever. It is essential for mobilising responses and for securing principled and consistent UN investment in human rights.

  At the 61st session of UN Human Rights Council (23 February to 2 April 2026), CIVICUS will prioritise protecting civic space and civic freedoms amid escalating human rights crises. These crises are marked by violent repression and the breakdown of international legal protections. Guided by our mandate to strengthen citizen action, we will support civil society actors facing new or unprecedented risks. We will also enable their meaningful and inclusive engagement with the Council.

  The important work of civil society is now directly at risk. Across the globe, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and grassroots face increasing threats, restrictions, and severe funding shortages.  decades of hard-won progress are at risk of being undone by the breakdown in multilateralism and erosion of democracy.

  In this moment, civil society and human rights champions must stand in solidarity to prevent further erosion of rights and to respond to the crises of our times. As warned by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association, “attacks on and dismantling of international aid systems, combined with the intensifying securitisation of global agendas, pose a radical and urgent existential threat to fundamental freedoms.”

  In this context, civic space is shrinking not only because of widespread restrictions across all world regions, but because 'the lifelines that once kept it alive are now deeply challenged'. The new edition of CIVICUS Monitor shows that over 73 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where civic space is severely restricted. These are the worst records since 2018, with 83 out of 198 countries rated as having a repressed or closed civic space, indicating routine repression of fundamental civil society freedoms.

  Against this backdrop, the Council should reaffirm its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights by renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders as a crucial avenue to secure a safe environment for defenders at risk globally. It should also extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Torture due to serious concerns around the treatment of protesters, journalists and human rights defenders detained in record number in 2025 as our global report shows.

  On country situations, the Council should extend the mandate of its mechanism on South Sudan, where victims of grave human rights violations remain without credible avenues to seek redress, and strengthen monitoring of Iran, ensuring the adequate resourcing of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission in a context of impunity and large scale repression of nationwide protests. The Council should also reinforce scrutiny on Venezuela during the transition through the mandates of the Office of the High Commissioner and that of the Fact-Finding Mission.

  Additionally, the Human Rights Council should address urgent human rights challenges in countries not currently on its agenda, in line with its preventive mandate under General Assembly Resolution 60/251. This mandate requires the Council to avert gross, systematic, and emerging human rights violations through dialogue, cooperation, and effective early-warning mechanisms.

  Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council

  • Human rights under attack at the UN

  The UN’s human rights pillar is under serious strain. As the UN undergoes its UN80 reform process, human rights face additional risks from recent UN budget cuts. Over time, the prioritisation of other sectors has led to chronic underinvestment in human rights, signalling to member states that this area is of lesser importance and de facto limiting collaboration with civil society.

  This situation is exacerbated by the recent adoption of the 2026 regular budget envisioning further cuts. These are particularly alarming at a time when some of the most egregious violations of human rights are taking place. The budget adoption represents a deeper reduction than initially proposed by Secretary‑General under the UN80 process, calling for a 15% reduction in human rights spending, and will result in the loss of over 100 staff posts at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This risks weakening the UN’s capacity to collect evidence, protect civic space on the ground, and support States in building effective human rights protection systems. The cuts are likely to have direct consequences for human rights and civic space on the ground, reducing baseline protections for activists, communities, and independent groups working to defend core civic freedoms.

  • A brand new ''Human Rights Group''

  The proposal to establish a system-wide “human rights group” under the UN80 initiative is starting to take shape. The group is expected to be co-led by the Office of the High Commissioner and the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. While strengthening and better coordinating human rights work across UN pillars is essential, civil society views the proposal with caution. Beyond the stated goal of “mainstreaming human rights,” it’s purpose, added value and likely impact remain unclear.

  If adequately structured, empowered and resourced, the Human Rights Group could strengthen system-wide coordination and help to fully integrate human rights across UN activities, decision-making and oversight. However, creating new structures without independence, while cutting budgets for the human rights pillar risks weakening accountability. It could also limit civil society scrutiny and sideline established human rights narratives, actors, and standards.

  • Weakened multilateral human rights cooperation

  Last year's decisions by the governments of Nicaragua and the US to withdraw from UN Human Rights Council scrutiny and disengage from the Universal Period Review (UPR) process set a troubling precedent. These actions risk weakening the checks and balances that allow States to be held accountable for their human rights records by peers and by civil society.

  The UPR remains a crucial avenue to elevate civil society perspectives through informed and targeted recommendations. It demonstrates civil society's potential to exert social control and public pressure on States. Ensuring that all UN Member States complete their review cycles is essential. This process can be strengthened by better linking UPR recommendations to country reports of Special Procedures and investigative bodies, further deepening the engagement of local civil society.

  Multilateralism is further undermined by the creation of coalitions of the willing, including the recently established “Group of Friends on Global Governance". While the group formally commits to “international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and taking real actions,” the positions and actions of some of its members tell a different story. Their efforts to defund the UN’s human rights work risk undermining human rights and fundamental freedoms.  This trend should be counterbalanced by the creation of a multistakeholder "Group of Friends of Human Rights and Civic Space," committed to defending the UN’s human rights mandate and strengthening accountability.

  • Reporting on the UN Guidance Note on Civic Space

  The UN Guidance Note on Protection and Promotion of Civic Space, published in 2020, is a landmark reaffirmation of  public participation and civic space as priority areas. It positions these as drivers of change, and essential for the successful implementation of all three pillars of the UN, including human rights. The Note commits all UN entities to supporting more systematic participation and strengthening civil society space across UN bodies.

  However, the Note risks remaining a dead letter. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which will  co-lead the Human Rights Group under the UN80 process, is well positioned to champion its implementation.  The office could report on good practices, map barriers to implementation, identify corrective actions, and collect evidence from other UN bodies, agencies and country offices. ‘Mainstreaming’ the Note is necessary as a prelude to fully integrating human rights and civic space across the UN system.

  Thematic Priorities

  At this 61st session, the Council will discuss a range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights through dedicated debates with the mandate holders and the High Commissioner. CIVICUS will mainly make interventions related to the following thematic areas: 

  • Protecting Human Rights Defenders 

  Three years after the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, there are numerous challenges HRDs continue to face. These include grave human rights violations such as arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, ill-treatment, persecution, and extrajudicial killing, amid increased surveillance, harassment, and other attempts to terrorise such critical voices.

  Protecting HRDs at risk should be prioritised to ensure a sound, healthy, democratic civic space. At this session, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders will present a report on environmental HRDs. Across entire world regions, these defenders experience inadequate documentation because of lack of recognition, while legal reporting in many countries is severely restricted. Globally, environmental defenders face increasing violations and abuses and frequently lack adequate representation and assistance. In the global South, authorities routinely abuse the notification system to prevent climate justice activists from gathering and protesting, including using excessive force, selective or arbitrary arrest, and unlawful detention to prevent or disperse gatherings.

  The appointment of a new mandate holder by the Council will be essential to ensuring a strong and effective system of Special Procedures. The new Special Rapporteur should continue reporting on the challenges facing other HRDs at risk, like those in exile and those belonging to historically excluded groups.

  We call on States to:

  1. Renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, as a key tool to promote and protect individuals and groups who peacefully work to advance human rights worldwide, for a further period of three years.
  2. Appoint an independent, impartial, highly competent expert to serve as the new Rapporteur, whose background and priorities should reflect the diversity of HRDs and the voices of excluded groups.
  3. Adopt collective and inclusive action plans with preventive and reactive measures to secure physical, mental, legal safety and protection to environmental HRDs and other HRDs at risk.
  4. Adopt specific policies and legal frameworks to ensure that the voices of Indigenous peoples, who are systematically excluded in environmental decision-making, are heard and considered.
  5. Involve the UN and other multilateral institutions in monitoring environmental protests and urge the release of unduly imprisoned environmental defenders.
  6. Guarantee the protection of HRDs through judicial, legislative, administrative, technical and other necessary measures vis-à-visthe adoption and implementation of cyber security and cyber-crime laws.
  • Torture and ill-treatment, including in detention 

  The arbitrary detention of protesters, journalists and journalists ranked among the top ten violationsof core civic freedoms in 2025. Such unlawful detention, including that of activists and other prisoners of conscience, often carries a risk of torture and ill-treatment. This raises serious concerns for the health and well-being of those already arbitrarily detained serving lengthy prison sentences related to their political and human rights activities, often imposed on politically motivated or other fabricated charges.

  Many are currently subjected to ill-treatment in detention, including denial of adequate medical treatment, in violation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. In some countries, severe torture and mistreatment are routine, even during initial or pre-trial detention. Today, there are thousands of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience suffering poor conditions and mistreatment, including some profiled in our Stand As My Witness campaign. Reported abuses include targeted harassment, excessive solitary confinement, and arbitrary denial of health care.

  We call on States to:

  1. Promptly renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Torture for a further period of three years.
  2. Call for the release of arbitrarily imprisoned and abused HRDs and political activists and demand accountability for abuse, torture and ill-treatment in detention settings.
  3. Provide human rights-compliant treatment to detainees, including in relation to the detention of minors, with international detention standards.
  4. Release political leaders and human rights defenders, and all other prisoners held solely for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly.

  Country-specific Priorities

  At this 61st session, CIVICUS will spotlight country-specific situations where civic space is under threat or where urgent action is needed to protect fundamental freedoms. Our interventions will focus on the following countries:

  Country situations on Council agenda

  Several country situations are scheduled for discussion during this session of the Human Rights Council. CIVICUS will engage in these discussions to highlight civic space violations and push for stronger Council action. These include:

  Country	Civic Space Rating	Key Issues	Recommended Actions for States
  Iran	Closed	The human rights situation in Iran has rapidly deteriorated following nationwide protests that began on 28 December 2025 over economic hardships and expanded into broad calls for political reform. Brutal crackdown on nationwide protests, including killing over 3000 protesters according to the authorities alone Mass arbitrary arrests and detentions as over 24000 people are reportedly detained Internet and communications blackout Threats, intimidation and criminalisation against the protesters including punishment by death penalty	Call for the immediate release of all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights including SAWM-profiled WHRDs. Continue to support the complementary mandates of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. Demand an end to excessive force, arbitrary detention and internet shutdowns. Support accountability for serious violations, including torture, enforced disappearances and unlawful killings. Amplify and protect the voices of Iranian civil society, inside and outside the country.
  South Sudan	Repressed	Civic space in South Sudan is deeply constrained amid political turmoil and repression, marked by: Political repression and arbitrary arrests Suppression of peaceful assembly and public servants Restrictions on expression and media freedom Internet and information control Escalating violence and instability	Demand the immediate release of individuals arbitrarily detained in political contexts and ensure fair trials. Urge the government to uphold freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and access to information. Support independent, international monitoring and documentation of rights violations. Support the renewal of the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan
  Venezuela	Closed	Following the US unlawful military intervention in Venezuela, the civic space remains severely constrained and under threat due to: Declaring state of emergency and continued repression Use of terrorism and national security charges to criminalise civil society and opposition voices Militarisation and heightened control over public life that contributes to a wider environment of fear and repression Civic freedoms continue to deteriorate amid political instability	Demand an end to arbitrary arrests and criminalisation of civil society and opposition actors Condemn the State of External Commotion Decree and of all laws used to criminalise individuals perceived as political opponents or HRDs Facilitate full, safe and independent access for international human rights protection mechanisms and support the renewal and adequate resourcing of international independent investigative mechanisms including the Fact-Finding Mission Facilitate the return and strengthening of a fully mandated OHCHR country office. Consider establishment of a dedicated international independent mechanism with meaningful civil society participation to advance a transitional justice process

   

  Country situations that require Council attention

  Beyond the countries officially on the Council's agenda, there are critical civic space crises that remain unaddressed. CIVICUS urges the Council to consider these overlooked or emerging situations:

  Country	Civic Space Rating	Key Issues	Recommended Actions for States
  India	Repressed	Civic space in India remains repressed with sustained pressure on civil society, due to: Crackdown on peaceful protests and arrests of demonstrators Internet shutdowns, censorship, and bans on books and critical content Raids, deregistration and funding restrictions on NGOs Activists held without bail under security laws; prolonged pre‑trial detention Use of UAPA and other laws to silence critics, students and HRDs Frequent internet shutdowns used to curb mobilisation and restrict information HRDs face raids, surveillance, smear campaigns and reprisals	Urge legal reforms to prevent judicial abuse targeting civil society Urge protection of the right to peaceful assembly compliance with international standards on the use of force against peaceful protesters Urge the government to limit internet shutdowns to lawful, exceptional cases Demand that CSOs can operate freely without politically motivated restrictions Urge the release of arbitrarily detained HRDs, including Khurram Parvez, and strengthening of judicial independence End misuse of counterterrorism and public order laws against dissent Ensure protection for HRDs and accountability for attacks, including by calling for an international human rights investigation mechanism on India
  Tajikistan	Repressed	Civic space in Tajikistan remains severely restricted, with an ongoing systematic repression of Pamiri Indigenous Peoples and independent civil society. The country was recently considered under the UN Human Rights Council Complaint Procedure and the issues include: Systematic repression of Pamiri Indigenous communities, including extrajudicially killings, arbitrary detentions en masse, torture, and collective punishment Violent crackdowns on peaceful protests; excessive use of force and mass arrests intimidation and arbitrary detention of journalists, and criminalisation of criticism of state authorities Over 700 NGOs are forcibly liquidated, amid unprecedented crackdown on civil society Use of vague extremism, terrorism, and “anti‑state” charges to silence activists, lawyers and HRDs.	Call on Tajik government to release all arbitrarily detained activists and HRDs, including those listed by CIVICUS’ Stand as My Witness Campaign End systematic, state‑led repression of Pamiri people and establish a UN‑mandated independent investigative mechanism into the crackdown Stop torture and ill‑treatment of detainees and ensure access to adequate medical care in detention Provide protection and humanitarian support to Pamiri refugees and asylum‑seekers abroad Support restoration of civic space, as well as protection of Pamiri Indigenous identity

   

  Click here to download the full overview of CIVICUS Advocacy Priorities at #HRC61.

  For additional information on CIVICUS’ engagement during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council or any related queries, please contact the Geneva team at .

   

   

• CIVICUS calls on Belarus to adopt Universal Periodic Review recommendations on the Freedom of Association

  Geneva. 13 May 2010. Yesterday, the Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Belarus at the United Nations Human Rights Council resonated with civil society concerns regarding severe restrictions on the freedom of association. 
  
  A number of fundamental rights violations, including against the freedom of association were highlighted during the session, especially with respect to the infamous Criminal Code Article 193.1, which criminalises participation in activities of non-registered associations as being punishable by up to two years in prison. Since its entry into force in 2006, 17 people, including several minors, have been convicted under this legal provision. Not only does this provision run contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but it also violates the Constitution of Belarus. 

• CIVICUS concerned about repressive wave in Cuba

  Spanish

  CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, is deeply worried about rising repression in Cuba. Despite the restoration of diplomatic relations with the United States and the expectations generated by the possibility of an imminent lifting of sanctions, Cuban journalists and civil society activists and their organisations are facing a serious clampdown for exercising their rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly.

  “As activists attempt to reclaim public space following recent political developments, short-term detentions have been on the rise as a way to discourage acts of democratic dissent,” said Inés Pousadela, policy and research officer with CIVICUS. “In addition to high-profile activists and protest-oriented organisations who have been traditionally targeted, groups engaged in research, monitoring and providing information to citizens have also faced increased government repression.”
   
  In October, several journalists were victims of raids on their homes and subjected to verbal threats, physical violence and the confiscation of equipment in clear acts of intimidation intended to stop them from doing their work. The Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) denounced a wave of repression directed against nine independent journalists for cooperating with the organisation. A group of journalists of the new independent media project Periodismo de Barriowere detained for reporting on the effects of Hurricane Matthew without a permit.
   
  In September, the offices of the Center of Legal Information (Cubalex), which provides free legal advice to Cuban citizens and reports on human rights issues, were raided. Police sought to justify breaking into Cubalex’s offices, intimidating its staff and confiscating paperwork and equipment on the grounds that its lawyers were carrying out “illicit economic activity” even though Cubalex does not charge for its services. The organisation’s application for legal status has been rejected by the Cuban Justice Ministry and its Director, Laritza Diversent has repeatedly faced harassment for engaging with regional and international human rights bodies.
   
  CIVICUS calls on the Cuban government to enable the exercise of civic freedoms to speak up, organise and petition the authorities. Accordingly, we urge Cuban authorities to (i) cease the harassment of activists and journalists carrying out their regular legitimate activities, (ii) begin a process of dialogue to create a more enabling environment for civil society and the independent media, and (iii) initiate reforms to give legal recognition to a wider plurality of civil society endeavours.
   
  Cuba is listed in the ‘closed’ category of the CIVICUS Monitor

• CIVICUS condemns crackdown on Civil Society in Bahrain
  Johannesburg. 10 December 2010. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is deeply concerned about the deteriorating operating environment for civil society in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The past few months have been marred by growing intolerance towards dissenters, which began in the run up to the October elections and continues in the post election phase.

  Authorities in Bahrain are waging a relentless campaign against activists whose views are not in line with the official position. Currently, 24 prominent human rights defenders are facing trial under Bahrain's anti-terrorism laws. They have been charged with collaborating with foreign organisations and circulating false information. They have also been accused of forming terrorist networks, destruction of public and private property and defaming the authorities.

  The arrested activists have complained about torture and abuse meted out to them by the National Security Agency. They have so far appeared in court on four occasions and the next hearing has been scheduled for 23 December. During their first appearance in court on 27 October, detainees informed the court that while in detention they were beaten, electrocuted, verbally and physically assaulted and denied adequate sleep. Those detained were not allowed access to legal representation during interrogation and some family members did not know where they were being detained for two weeks after their arrest. It has also been reported that prior to, during and after the elections about 350 other activists have been arrested.

  "In a worrying trend, it has become commonplace in Bahrain to arrest activists for writing articles and delivering speeches which are critical of the government's discriminatory policies and official corruption,"  said Netsanet Belay, CIVICUS' Director of Policy and Research. "Persecution and torture of public-spirited individuals offering legitimate criticism against official policies and the clampdown on their organisations amounts to a repudiation of Bahrain's accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture."

  The Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), a CIVICUS partner for the Civil Society Index and one of the few remaining independent groups striving for the protection of civil and political freedoms in the country, has been targeted in the recent crackdown. On 6 September, the Ministry of Social Development issued an order to dissolve the Board of the BHRS and went ahead to appoint an administrator 'an employee from the Ministry' to lead the BHRS. The BHRS has had to go to court in response to these arbitrary actions and its fate currently depends on the court's response. The first hearing of the case scheduled for 26 October has been postponed to 4 January 2011.

  According to Abdullah Aldorazi of BHRS, "The unfair order issued by the Ministry of Social Development to dissolve the Board of the BHRS is a security strategy aimed at preventing the documentation of atrocities carried out by the authorities during the crackdown and preventing families of the detainees from using the society as a safe haven."

  CIVICUS urges the authorities of the Kingdom of Bahrain to live up to their commitments under international law and guarantee civil society the space to freely express, associate and assemble.

  CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is a global movement of civil society with members and partners in over a hundred countries. The Civil Society Watch (CSW) Project of CIVICUS tracks threats to civil society freedoms of expression, association and assembly across the world.

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  For more information please contact CIVICUS:

  
  Jessica Hume ( , +27 82 768 0250), Communications Manager

  or

  David Kode ( , +27 73 775 8649), Policy Officer
  Office Tel: +27 11 833 5959

  CIVICUS House, 24 Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, Newtown 2001, Johannesburg, South Africa
  PO Box 933, Southdale 2135, Johannesburg, South Africa
  tel: +27-11-833-5959 | fax: +27-11-833-7997 | email:
  web: www.civicus.org

• CIVICUS condemns the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

  17 November 2009. Johannesburg, South Africa. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation condemns the introduction of the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 in the Uganda Parliament on 14 October 2009. The Bill contains derogatory references to members of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community as well as sexual rights activists -- whom it accuses of “seeking to impose their values of sexual promiscuity on the people of Uganda.”

  “The Bill flagrantly violates personal freedom and the guarantee of non-discrimination enshrined under international human rights law,” said Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General of CIVICUS. “It is deeply disturbing that such a Bill that seeks to breach the country’s existing human rights commitments has been introduced in the Ugandan Parliament.”

• CIVICUS Joint UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space

  Submissions on civil society space– Afghanistan, Chile, Eritrea, Macedonia, Vietnam & Yemen

  The #UN is conducting human rights reviews for #Afghanistan, #Chile, #Eritrea, #Macedonia, #Vietnam & #Yemen. A comparative look at the state of #civicspace in these countries. See recommendations: https://t.co/aBpYi1tNlR pic.twitter.com/C8dl7djPw5

  — CIVICUS (@CIVICUSalliance) August 1, 2018

  CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on six countries in advance of the 32nd UPR session in January 2019. The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 2nd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations.  

  Afghanistan: CIVICUS, Afghanistan Human Rights Organization (AHRO), Civil Society and Human Rights Network and People’s Action for Change Organization explore the continued insecurity in Afghanistan, which has resulted in the closure of space for civil society, including through targeted attacks on humanitarian workers, protesters and journalists. We further discuss violence against women and the desperate situation faced by women HRDs in Afghanistan who are subjected to a heightened level of persecution because of their gender and their human rights activism.

  Chile: CIVICUS and Pro Acceso Foundation (Fundación Pro Acceso) highlight serious concerns regarding the persistent misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Law to silence members of the Mapuche indigenous community advocating for land rights. We are also concerned by the lack of government commitment to amend legislation regulating the right to peaceful assembly and by the violent suppression of social protests, especially those led by the student movement and indigenous communities. 

  Eritrea: CIVICUS, EMDHR and Eritrea Focus highlight the complete closure of the space for civil society in Eritrea to assemble, associate and express themselves. We note that there are no independent civil society organisations and private media in the country. We further discuss how the government selectively engages with international human rights mechanisms including UN Special Procedures. 

  Macedonia: CIVICUS, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network and the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation outline serious concerns over the institutional harassment of NGOs in receipt of foreign funding since 2016. Despite a recent improvement in respect for civic freedoms, the submission discusses several restrictions on investigative journalists and media outlets. We also remain alarmed over smear campaigns against human rights defenders and critics of the government orchestrated by nationalist groups. 

  Vietnam: CIVICUS, Civil Society Forum, Human Rights Foundation (HRF), VOICE and VOICE Vietnam examine systematic attempts in Vietnam to silence HRDs and bloggers, including through vague national security laws, physical attacks, restrictions on their freedom of movement and torture and ill-treatment in detention. The submission also explores strict controls on the media in law and in practice, online censorship and the brutal suppression of peaceful protests by the authorities.

  Yemen: CIVICUS, Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Front Line Defenders discuss the ongoing extreme violence against and HRDs and journalists including regular abductions, kidnappings and detention in undisclosed location. We further examine restrictions on freedom of association including raids on CSOs causing many to reduce their activities drastically and even closed entirely. 

  See full library of previous UPR country submissions from CIVICUS and partners. For the latest news on civic space in all UN Member States, see country pages on the CIVICUS Monitor

• CIVICUS makes a case for the release of Popov at the 14th Session of the Human Rights Council

  Item 3
  Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights
  ID on the Reports of the Special Rapporteurs on Violence against Women, Extreme Poverty and the Right to Health
  7 June 2010

  
  Mr. President,

  CIVICUS wishes to thank all three Rapporteurs for their reports and wants to highlight a few aspects of their work.

  1. On violence against women: CIVICUS welcomes Ms Rashid Manjoo's first report and her focus on reparations. In particular, we want to underscore the importance she gives to structural and multiple forms of discrimination and that reparations cannot be just about returning women to the situation on which they were found before the individual instance of violence, but instead should strive to have a transformative potential. We would like to ask her to elaborate further on how to achieve this transformative potential on the ground, for example the area of dismantling patriarchal understanding that is so often the reason for systemic violence.

  2. On extreme poverty: CIVICUS thanks Magdalena Sepulveda for her very clear demand to invest in social protection floors, including through non-contributory pensions, as a human rights obligation for governments as duty bearers, to prevent older persons from falling into extreme poverty and society as a whole from gliding into an appalling inequality. CIVICUS also commends her for her stand during her Zambian visit on the rights of civil society to participate freely and/or in cooperation with governments on all these important decisions regarding social protection issues, and not be curtailed through any unwarranted controls and restrictions on their independence and freedom of association.

• CIVICUS stands in solidarity with Egyptian activist Azza Soliman, urges end to persecution against her

  Global civil society alliance CIVICUS is deeply concerned at the harassment of Egyptian activist Azza Soliman. Ms Soliman, a well-respected defender of women’s rights, is the founder of Centre for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance (CEWLA). She was arrested on 7 December by Egyptian police from her home in Cairo in a worrying escalation of the continuing crackdown on civil society in Egypt. Ms Soliman was later released on 20,000 EGP (1,100 USD) bail.

  “Azza Soliman has been an ardent advocate of women’s rights in Egypt for over 20 years and is no stranger to persecution for her work," said Mandeep Tiwana, Head of Policy and Research at CIVICUS. “We believe that the current acts of intimidation against her, including through the imposition of questionable legal charges, are another ploy to silence her and prevent her from carrying our her legitimate work in the defence of human rights.”

  Ms Soliman has been presently charged with contravening Article 78 of the Egyptian Penal Code, which criminalises receipt of international funding for perceived “activities against national interest.” She is also being questionably accused of tax evasion. Last month, on 19 November, she was prevented from leaving Cairo Airport to travel abroad. In an attempt to further harass her, Egyptian authorities have also frozen her private assets and those of the legal firm that she directs.

  In 2015, Ms Soliman had to endure a lengthy trial and was subjected to judicial persecution for providing testimony as a witness in the murder of poet and writer Shaimaa al-Sabbagh during a public protest by the police. She was ultimately acquitted of the charges of unauthorised protest and breach of security and public order framed against her.

  CIVICUS believes that Ms Azza Soliman is being persecuted for her legitimate work as a human rights defender. CIVICUS urges the Egyptian Government to end acts of persecution against Ms Soliman and to take steps to create a safe and enabling environment for civil society in the country.

  Egypt is rated as repressed on the CIVICUS Monitor.

• CIVICUS UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space

  CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint and stand-alone UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on 9 countries in advance of the 28th UPR session (November 2017). The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 2nd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations.  

  Countries examined: Benin, Gabon, Guatemala, Pakistan, Peru, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and Zambia.

• CIVICUS UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in Benin, Guatemala, Pakistan, Peru, Sri Lanka and Zambia

  The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States once every 4.5 years.

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  CIVICUS and its partners have submitted UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on six countries in advance of the 42^nd UPR session in January-February 2023. The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 3^rd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations. 

  Benin - See consolidated report | See full versions in English and French – The submission by the Coalition des Défenseurs des Droits Humains-Benin (CDDH-Bénin), West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN/ROADDH), the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) and CIVICUS, highlights the adoption of restrictive legislation, particularly the Criminal Code and the Digital Code, with its provisions being used against human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists. Additionally, the submission also draws attention to the increasing restrictions and violations of the freedom of peaceful assembly, which includes blanket bans on protests, the militarisation of law enforcement and the use of excessive force, including live ammunition, against protesters, along with increasing legal restrictions to the right to protest.

  Guatemala - See consolidated report | See full versions in English | Spanish –CIVICUS, REDLAD and Accíon Ciudadania detail the use of extreme violence against HRDs and journalists, aggravated by the continued criminalisation and stigmatisation they face from authorities and non-state actors. In this submission, we also express our concern on the adoption of a restrictive legislative framework which could significantly impact on the work of civil society in Guatemala, in a context where the work of CSOs is already vulnerable to obstruction through abusive judicial and administrative proceedings.

  Pakistan - See consolidated report | See full version in English –In this submission, CIVICUS and Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) report, among other issues, the legal and extra-legal barriers imposed on civil society organisations (CSOs) registration and operations in Pakistan, the criminalisation, threats and harassment of human rights defenders and the failure to hold perpetrators to account. It also highlights the alarming efforts to intimidate and censor journalists and media outlets, the criminalisation of online expression and restrictions and attacks on peaceful protests, especially by ethnic Pashtun minorities and women’s rights activists.

  Peru- See consolidated report | See full versions in English and Spanish –CIVICUS and Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH) underline the pervasive violence against HRDs, civil society groups and protesters, who continue to face attacks harassment stigmatisation and killings. State and non-state actors, despite the newly adopted protection mechanisms, have been able to escalate attacks with impunity. The submission further reports cases of judicial harassment against journalists and the gradual reduction of the space for a free and independent press.

  Sri Lanka - See consolidated report |  See full version in English –In this joint submission, CIVICUS and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) denounce the ongoing use of excessive force against HRDs and protesters and restrictive laws to limit civic space and fundamental freedoms. Between 2017 and 2022, we observed alarming trends of a government crackdown on protests, arbitrary detention against activists and violations of the freedoms of opinion and expression. The submission further reports the alarming and continuous judicial persecution, harassment and intimidation of HRDs, journalists, student protesters and others expressing dissenting opinions against the government.

  Zambia - See consolidated report |  See full version in English – CIVICUS and Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services Initiative Zambia (GEARS Initiative) report acts of intimidation and attacks on citizens, HRDs, CSOs and journalists in the period leading up to and during the presidential and parliamentary elections in August 2021. The submission also documents the continued use of excessive force by security forces in response to protests. We are moreover particularly worried by the restrictive legal framework, which undermines the freedoms of association, assembly and expression.

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  Civic space in Guatemala, Peru, Sri Lanka and Zambia is rated Obstructed, whereas Benin and Pakistan’s is rated as Repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor.

• CIVICUS warns of grave dangers to civil society activists in Kenya

  Johannesburg. 18 May 2010. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation warns that the operating environment for civil society in Kenya remains fraught with danger. As the spotlight is focused on impunity in Kenya by the international community including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and special representatives of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), civil society activists are facing grave risks.

  Groups advocating for ending impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations and those that have documented the violations are particularly threatened. On 4 May 2010, a meeting organised by Bunge la Mwannanchi on the post election violence in Kenya was dispersed and four of its activists were detained and later released without charges. In April this year, Kenneth Kirimi, a member of the civil society group, Release Political Prisoners, was arbitrarily detained and severely tortured by security operatives requiring him to need medical treatment. He was questioned with regard to his work on collecting information about extra-judicial killings and sharing of information with the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Philip Alston.

• CIVICUS: #WhyWeMarch

  On Saturday, 21 January 2017, millions will gather in Washington D.C. and in hundreds of other cities around the world to take part in the Women’s March. CIVICUS stands in solidarity with the demonstrators who in the spirit of democracy, seek to honour the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice, and reject the sexist and bigoted rhetoric used during the US election against minorities and excluded groups.

  Globally, the sister marches carry a message of solidarity in celebration of our multiple, diverse and intersecting identities and reject all forms of patriarchy and the discriminatory systems that support them worldwide. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society.

• CIVICUS: States should put human rights at the centre of all responses to COVID-19
  • During the global COVID-19 pandemic states should not impose emergency law as a pretext to restrict civic rights
  • Human rights defenders and political prisoners should be released to curb the spread
  • Governments should be transparent in responding to threats posed by COVID-19
  • CIVICUS urges states to lift emergency measures as soon as the threat of the virus diminishes

  As the global community continues to take measures to halt the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately eradicate it, states should ensure that the protection of human rights are at the centre of all responses.

  In March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared that the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus reached the level of a global pandemic. WHO in turn requested that all governments take necessary action to stop the spread of the disease.

  However, as observed with other emergencies, some governments have used crises to curtail civic freedoms and maintain restrictions - even after health threats that justified governments’ actions subsided. States responding to the spread of the COVID-19 virus must ensure that international human rights laws and standards are central to their responses.

  While the focus and attention of the global community over the coming months will be directed towards the virus, states may increase attacks on civil society and impose restrictions. States should take pro-active measures to ensure that civil society organisations and vulnerable groups are adequately protected. In China, activists have been harassed and intimidated for sharing information on the virus while reporting has been censored. In other parts of Asia, repressive laws are being deployed to arrest those supposedly spreading untruths about the virus.

  As an infectious disease, the risk of COVID-19 increases in closed spaces like jails, police cells and detention centres. Overcrowding, poor nutrition and lack of access to proper hygiene increase the risk of infection to prisoners. States have an obligation now to release human rights defenders and political prisoners from jail in an effort to curb the spread.

  Some prisoners in Iranian jails have contracted the virus. While we commend the Iranian authorities for temporarily releasing 85,000 prisoners, human rights defenders - whose only crime was to defend the rights of women and juveniles - should also be released. Other states with a history of detaining human rights defenders and members of the political opposition, such as Egypt, Vietnam and Cameroon, should follow suit.

  Declarations of states of emergency for health and security reasons must be done in conformity with the law: states should not impose emergency law as a pretext to restrict civic rights and target particular groups, minorities and individuals. Emergency laws should not be imposed to silence human rights defenders and they must be lifted as soon as threats posed by the virus diminish. Further, civil society groups should be consulted where possible.

  It is compulsory for all those affected, especially marginalised groups and civil society groups working with them, to have access to meaningful information regarding the nature and extent of the threats posed by the virus. They should also have information on ways to curb risks in a timely manner. Internet restrictions and shutdowns in countries like Myanmar, India and Ethiopia are putting thousands at risk.

  In this regard, CIVICUS calls on states to:

  • Collaborate with the media and civil society to be transparent in responding to threats posed by COVID-19. Address misinformation at all times without relying on censorship and criminal sanctions
  • Refrain from using responses to COVID-19 as a pretext to impose restrictions of civil society, target human rights defenders and curb online freedoms
  • Release all human rights defenders and political prisoners who were imprisoned for their human rights activities, or for expressing views contrary to those of the state
  • Lift emergency laws and relax measures imposed to curb the spread of the virus as soon as the threats diminish
  • Maintain reliable and unfettered access to the internet and end all deliberate interference with the right to access and share information

  ENDS

   

  Contact:

  Nina Teggarty, CIVICUS Communications Officer, Campaigns & Advocacy

  Email:

  Phone: +27 (0)785013500

  CIVICUS media team:

• CIVICUS' advocacy priorities at the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council

  As a global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, CIVICUS’ key priorities and recommendations ahead of the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council relate to protecting fundamental freedoms and supporting civil society where they face grave risk.

• CIVICUS' Advocacy Priorities at the 54th session of the Human Rights Council

  As a global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, CIVICUS’s key priorities and recommendations ahead of the 54^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (11 September - 13 October) relate to protecting fundamental freedoms and supporting civil society where they face grave risk.  In addition, the 54^thSession will provide an opportunity to address country situations of serious concern, including those that are not on the Council agenda.

• CIVICUS' UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Burundi

  The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States once every 4.5 years.

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  CIVICUS and its partners have submitted UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on two countries in advance of the 43^rd UPR session in April-May 2023. The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 3^rd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations. 

  United Arab Emirates -  See consolidated report | See full version in English –The submission by CIVICUS, Emirates Detainees Advocacy Centre (EDAC), Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) highlights concerns over the increasing barriers against civil society organisations (CSOs) operating independently in the UAE and the persistent targeting of  civil society organisations (CSOs). The UAE authorities have created a hostile environment for CSOs and denied labour unions the right to operate and advocate for the rights of workers. The report also documents the use of security-related legislation to persecute human rights defenders (HRDs), academics, journalists and bloggers, who have been subjected to harsh prison conditions and kept in detention beyond their sentences.

  Burundi - See consolidated report | See full version in English –In this submission, CIVICUS, Defend Defenders, Ligue Iteka and Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues (APRODH) report the persistent human rights violations and abuses in Burundi, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and arbitrary arrests, as well as severe restrictions on civil and political rights and widespread impunity. The submission further highlights the targeting of CSOs and HRDs through restrictive laws and practices, and judicial harassment in the form of fabricated cases and unfair trials.

• Civil and political rights are backsliding in West Africa ahead of elections

  There has been a rapid decline in civic freedoms and democratic norms in Francophone West Africa with ruling presidents evading term limits and muzzling their opposition and pro-democracy groups, CIVICUS said ahead of presidential elections in Guinea (18 October) and Côte d’Ivoire (31 October).

  Over the next six months a series of elections will take place across Francophone West Africa. Voting kicks off in Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire later this month, followed by elections in Burkina Faso (November), Niger (December-January) and Benin (April). Togo already had a contested presidential election in February 2020.

  In Togo, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, violence and political tensions are being fuelled by presidents refusing to step down. In Benin, recent changes in eligibility requirements mean that members of the opposition may not be able to run for presidency, while Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Burkina Faso are confronting or emerging from violent armed conflicts which are being used to justify repressive laws and policies. In addition, the restrictions introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and armed groups spilling over from the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea are making the political situations more volatile.

  In this tense political environment, the new report “Civic space backsliding ahead of elections in Francophone West Africa” examines the tools of repression being used to undermine opposition groups, human rights defenders, activists and journalists. with a focus on Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Togo.

  It documents recent Internet disruptions, the arrest of hundreds of pro-democracy activists and journalists and the killing of dozens of peaceful protesters in demonstrations organised over the last three years. Governments are using restrictive laws, over-complicated registration processes, judicial harassment and excessive use of force to clampdown on civil society, particularly when dissent is expressed online or during protests.

  “Instead of working with civil society groups to create an enabling environment for free and fair elections, authorities across Francophone West Africa have resorted to muzzling human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists. In the hope of stamping out all opposition, they have created a climate of fear which fuels political violence, erodes the rule of law and undermines regional stability,” said François Patuel, senior researcher on West Africa and author of the report.

  In Guinea, where President Alpha Condé will run for a third term on 18 October 2020, over fifty people were killed since October 2019 in protests organised by the political opposition and pro-democracy group Front National de Défense de la Constitution (National Front for the Defence of the Constitution, FNDC). In March 2020, the constitutional referendum which opened the way to Alpha Condé running for a third term was marred with a social media shutdown and intercommunal clashes in the Guinea Forest region which left over 30 people dead. Dozens of FNDC supporters and journalists have been detained since the creation of the movement in April 2019.

  In Côte d’Ivoire, at least 12 people were killed in protests and clashes between political supporters following President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to run for a third term for the presidential election scheduled on 31 October 2020. Public protests have been banned since August 2020. The authorities have adopted laws criminalising false news and used them to target journalists, bloggers and politicians expressing dissent, including members of parliament such as Alain Lobognon who remains in detention since December 2019. In gross contempt to regional institutions, Côte d’Ivoire has been ignoring orders from the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to release pro-Soro supporters and allow Guillaume Soro and Laurent Gbagbo to stand for elections.

  “Local human rights groups do not take up sensitive political cases for fear of reprisals. Even lawyers are scared.” --Woman human rights defender, Abidjan, 15 May 2020.

  “On paper, the right to freedom of expression is supposed to be protected. But in practice, journalists are intimidated when they write on sensitive topics such as land rights, police brutality and corruption.” -- Interview with a human rights defender, Lomé, 14 May 2020.

  With civic freedoms backsliding across West Africa Francophone, civil society organisations need support from regional and international partners to remain safe, to ensure their voice is heard in international and regional fora and to increase the pressure on national authorities for positive human rights change. ECOWAS and the African Union, in particular, must step-up their response to the authorities’ disregard for regional standards and instruments, including their efforts to undermine the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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  Interviews

  To arrange interviews, please contact: 
  François Patuel, Consultant & Senior Researcher on West Africa for CIVICUS, , +221 77 693 78 46