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25 years later, looking back at my CIVICUS journey
by Anabel Cruz, Board Chair 2016-2019
In early 1993, democracy was rather “young” in many parts of the world. Only less than four years had passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall; Apartheid had not yet been totally dismantled and the first elections in South Africa held with universal suffrage were to happen the year after, in 1994. At the same time, the early nineties saw several countries in Latin America taking their first steps towards elected democracies, after more than a decade of military dictatorships.Internet did not exist yet, and global communications were something at least very new, slow and difficult. Only one year earlier, in 1992, a professor of sociology at the University of Aberdeen had described globalisation as the compression of the world and the intensification of the consciousness of the world as a whole.
So, in that context, isn’t it really admirable that a group of individuals, from diverse regions and parts of the world, came together to found CIVICUS, as a global alliance of civil society organisations? Those visionaries defined the mission of the new Alliance as: “to strengthen citizen action and influence, based on the underlying principle that free and effective societies exist in direct proportion to their degree of citizen participation and influence." (CIVICUS Organising Committee, minutes Lisbon meeting January 1993).
Today, more than 25 years later, this mission is still valid and current, and it is also our permanent challenge. Freedom, participation and solidarity remain as one of our basic goals and fundamental values.
My 25-year journey with CIVICUS
As I reflect on my own journey with CIVICUS, a series of images come to my mind, and I relive my first contacts with CIVICUS like one of those high-speed movies. I learned of the new organisation in the first months of 1993: while helping to consolidate local democracy, civil society organisations in Latin America were seeking new international horizons and collaborations.
I never imagined that my visit to Independent Sector in Washington DC, at that moment hosting the recently founded Alliance, would result in such a long-lasting and enduring relationship. For the last 25 years, I have had the privilege of following and participating in CIVICUS history, its achievements, challenges, strategies and course corrections, from diverse positions: I have been a member, a partner, a Board member, the Chair of Board in two different opportunities.
One of CIVICUS first successful steps was probably its first international meeting. Soon after the organisation was founded, in 1995, the first CIVICUS World Assembly took place in Mexico City: 500 people from more than 50 different countries came together to learn about the new organisation and to have conversations on how to strengthen citizen action and cooperation opportunities. Since that moment, 16 global events have been organised in all parts of the world, global gatherings for civil society to connect, debate and create shared solutions, now known as International Civil Society Week (ICSW). The most recent one, in Belgrade, Serbia happened just last month, and was a vibrant gathering attended by over 700 delegates from 92 countries.
From the very beginning, CIVICUS prioritised activities such as networking, information-gathering and building the capacity of existing and new national and regional associations. Consistent with this, the Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) was one of CIVICUS’ first, and still enduring, programmes, bringing together national associations and regional platforms from around the world for more than 20 years to foster greater cooperation across boundaries.
Building civil society knowledge in a changing world
From its inception in 1993, CIVICUS has sought to make a significant contribution to recording the rise of civil society around the world, and to building a knowledge base on civil society by civil society. A first World Report on Citizen Participation came out as early as 1995, intended to get a grasp on the state of civil society worldwide. Later in 1997 The New Civic Atlas was published, as a compilation of civil society profiles from 60 countries around the world. In order to provide consistency with regard to the issues covered and a more rigorous comparative framework and after a number of consultations, in 1999 CIVICUS was ready to launch a new idea, the Civil Society Index (CSI).
I remember so well the words of former CIVICUS Secretary General Kumi Naidoo, reporting years later that participants of the CSI consultations had described the project as “an exercise in madness,” especially due to the lack of data on civil society in most countries, and the contested definition of civil society that would not allow comparisons or global analysis. But CIVICUS challenged the paradigms once again and the so-called Diamond Tool was presented in the CIVICUS World Assembly in Manila, as the preliminary methodological design for the CSI project.
Subsequently, CIVICUS developed a fully-fledged project design and the CSI had its pilot phase from 2000 to 2002, with the CSI implemented in 13 countries. The evaluation of the pilot phase recommended modifications in the methodology and considered the Index project as “an innovative, contextually flexible, empowering and uniquely participatory tool for self-assessment by civil society stakeholders of the state of civil society in their countries” Two full phases followed, from 2003 to 2006, with the participation of 53 countries, and from 2008 to 2011, with the CSI implemented in 56 countries and also at regional level in six African countries.
The results of the decade of CSI implementation yielded an enormous contribution to the body of knowledge about civil society around the world. The world was changing very fast, new actors burst onto the scene: The Indignados Movement in Madrid, the student protests in Chile and in other countries, the Arab Spring, all these new started to rise in late 2010 with peaks during 2011 and 2012. The CSI findings were clear and very well oriented, pointing out a noticeable disconnect between established civil society organisations and the increasing number of citizens involved in both new and traditional forms of activism. It does not come as surprise that the final CSI report title was “Bridging the gaps: citizens, organisations and dissociations” (2011) and concluded that the CSI needed to evolve to encompass the changing landscape.
Conditions for civil society proved to be volatile and can change very rapidly, so information cannot be out of date. Indeed, more agile tools were needed, without compromising the rigor that characterized the CSI tool, in order to continue providing a leading barometer of that human impulse to freedom, justice and collective endeavour.
CIVICUS has listened and has tried to respond to the changing situations and the multiple demands. The State of Civil Society Report, published annually since 2013 and the CIVICUS Monitor launched in 2016, are part of that necessary evolution. The State of Civil Society Report has become CIVICUS' flagship annual publication, providing the key trends affecting civil society organisations (CSOs) and citizen movements. Furthermore, the CIVICUS Monitor is a research tool aimed to share reliable, up-to-date data on the state of civil society freedoms in all countries. Danny Sriskandarajah, our Secretary General from 2012 to 2018, defined the CIVICUS Monitor as “the first robust and comprehensive tool to track conditions for civil society around the world”.
The road ahead…
CIVICUS is indeed one of the few organisations whose main job is to protect and promote civil society writ large, all over the world. And in the years to come, no doubt that CIVICUS will continue listening to our members, partners, to our primary constituencies and will always be ready to innovate, will work hard to understand realities to defend civic and democratic freedoms, to strengthen the power of people, and to empower a more accountable and innovative civil society.
As we prepare to address new challenges, we are fortunate to find ourselves in a position of strength at CIVICUS: with a stable financial base, a committed and diverse board, a broad and growing membership and a talented secretariat team led by Lysa John, our inspiring new Secretary General. We have the best conditions to continuing strengthening citizen participation around the world.
As I step down from the Board soon, I can only say how privileged and grateful I feel. Thank you for the opportunity of having served for so many years, for all the learnings, for the love and friendship that I have received, for having met the most committed people to justice that can exist. CIVICUS is about shared values, solidarity and inclusion. I will always be a champion for those values. Thank you CIVICUS!
Anabel Cruz
Chair of the Board of CIVICUS 2016-2019
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Affinity Group of National Associations
Affinity Group of National Associations
Affinity groups are groupings of CIVICUS members that exist to take forward CIVICUS’ mission and values. The Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) brings together national associations from around the world to foster greater co-operation across national and regional boundaries and to increase their ability to collaborate on mutual areas of interest.
The establishment of AGNA in 2004 was influenced by the realisation that national associations in countries around the world provide a collective voice for civil society in their countries and regions. It was recognised that national associations are unique in having few, if any, comparative organisations in their respective countries; their natural peers are geographically dispersed, so there is a need for an international forum to facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices.
AGNA was created to adress the following identified needs:- the need for an international citizens’ coalition;
- to reverse the current understanding of capacity building characterised by a North to South flow of knowledge, information and experience sharing;
- to provide a support network for national network leaders; and
- to reduce the ‘re-invention of the wheel’ and improvisation in the leadership of NGOs/NPOs.
How We Work
The geographic representation of AGNA covers Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America. Currently, AGNA has representation in 77 countries around the world.
To facilitate knowledge transfer between the bodies, AGNA members engage in peer-learning and activities generating from five major working groups: the enabling environment and government relations; legitimacy, transparency and accountability; governance; sustainability; and advocacy.
The collective membership meets once a year during the Annual General Meeting, where they discuss the challenges, opportunities and priorities for the forthcoming year. The network is governed by a steering committee composed of 8 regional representatives, elected by members each year.
Resources
AGNA Member Profiles
AGNA Steering Committee Members
Terms of Reference of Working Groups:
Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability; Advocacy; Sustainability and Resources; Enabling Environment and Government Relations; Governance and Membership
Research and PublicationsResource Guide for National Associations:
Part 1: Understanding National Associations English | Spanish | French
Part 2: Managing National Associations English | Spanish| French
Part 3: Establishing National Associations English | Spanish| French
Part 4: Determining Institutional Structures English | Spanish | French
Part 5: Running National Associations English | Spanish | French
Part 6: Managing Institutional Relationships English | Spanish | French
Also available in: Spanish; Russian; ChineseSnapshots of Civil Society in AGNA countries
AGNA members give us a brief summary of the situation of civil society in their respective countries, with a special focus on their challenges and opportunities, as well as their resourcing situation.
Argentina 2015 2016 | Bolivia 2015 |Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016 | Cambodia 2016 | Dominican Republic 2016 | Estonia | Fiji 2016 | Finland 2015 2016 | France 2016 | Ghana | Honduras 2016 | India 2015 2016 | Jamaica 2016 | Japan 2015 2016 | Jordan 2015 2016 | Kenya 2016 | Kyrgyzstan | Liberia 2016 | Lithuania 2016 | Macedonia 2016 | Mexico | Nicaragua - Kepa | Nicaragua – Coordinadora Civil | Nigeria 2016 | Norway 2015 2016 | Palestine 2016 | Philippines | Poland 2015 2016 | Samoa 2015 2016 | Scotland | Serbia | Solomon Islands | Spain | Tajikistan 2015 2016 | Turkey 2015 2016 | Uganda 2015 2016 | United Kingdom | Uruguay | Zambia
State of Civil Society Report 2016- AGNA report (English | French | Spanish)
Joint ResearchSolomon Islands and New Zealand
Joint research paper by SCVO and OFOP presented at ISTR Conference
Reports from Peer Learning ExchangesReport from Peer-Learning on Advocacy & Campaigning December 2016
Report from Global Civil Society Exchange November 2016
Report from Peer-Learning on CSO Accountability April 2014
Report from Caribbean Peer Learning Exchange
Report form IS Peer Learning Event by CANGO China
Report from Peer-Learning Exchange NNNGO-SCVO
Report on NANGO-SCVO Peer-Learning Event September 2009
Reports from the Annual General Meetings and Workshops can be found here.
If you would like to join AGNA, please review the membership criteria and, if you meet them, complete the application form. If you have any questions about the network, email .
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AGNA Regional Members
AGNA Regional Members
Africa
REPONGAC: Réseau des Plates-formes Nationales d’ONG de l’Afrique Centrale/ Network of National NGO Platforms from Central Africa
REPONGAC is a regional network of national platforms from Central Africa created in 2008 en Brazzaville by initiative of the national NGO platforms of Angola, Congo, Central African Republic and Rwanda. The network, with its Secretariat based in Democratic Republic of Congo, aims at promoting, developing and protecting national platforms and other networks of CSOs in the region to become legitimate and credible actors in their quest for real democratic systems. Their main areas of work area advocacy, capacity development and policy influencing. For more information, visit http://www.repongac.org/
REPAOC: Réseau des Plates-formes Nationales d’ONG de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre/ Network of West and Central African NGO National Platforms
REPAOC is a regional network of NGO platforms that was whose inception dated back in 2006 during the World Social Forum held in Bamako. It was institutionalised in 2007 in Dakar, Senegal. It consists of 14 National NGO Platforms. In total, it includes more than 800 local, national and international NGOs, working every day in the field with highly marginalized populations. REPAOC intends to strive collectively to fight against poverty and for to promote human rights at regional and international levels in a background of increasing North-South, but also South–South inequalities. It has 4 objectives: Ensure greater representation for West and Central African NGOs at regional and international level, both governmental and non-governmental; Take collective stands with national, regional and international institutions by undertaking common opinion campaigns; Strengthen the organisation of NGO National platforms for developing services for members, to ensure greater co-action with national government bodies and guarantee independence of its members; and Help African civil societies to be heard in international media. For more information, visit http://www.repaoc.org/
WACSI: West Africa Civil Society Institute
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), based in Accra, Ghana, is a non-profit organisation that was established by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) in 2005. The organisation seeks to strengthen the institutional and operational capacities of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) through capacity strengthening programmes for increased and effective policy engagement, the promotion of development, good governance and democratic values in West Africa. It serves as a resource centre for training, research, experience sharing. The organisation seeks to enhance the capacity of civil society to adequately and effectively partner government and the private sector to achieve sustainable development in West Africa. For more information, visitwww.wacsi.org
Asia
ADA: Asia Development Alliance
Asia Development Alliance (ADA) was created in 2013 as a new initiative that brings together leaders of national and sub-national CSOs platforms engaged in international development cooperation to promote effective cooperation and solidarity in addressing common development challenges in the 4 Asian regions. With its Secretariat in India, the main agenda of ADA is to share national and international experiences, analysis of international development agenda and processes, and strategic planning among national and sub-national platforms in cooperation with international CSO networks. More concretely, post-Busan High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, Post Rio+20, MDGs and G20 Development Agenda are expected to be addressed under the theme “Promote Asian Solidarity for the World We Want – Asian Civil Society Strategies on Global Development Challenges” in the context of Post 2015 process. For more information, visit http://adaasia2015.org
The Americas and the Caribbean
Rendir Cuentas
Rendir Cuentas is a regional network of CSOs created in 2010 to promote the transparency and accountability for and by civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean. The group aims at establishing systematic self-regulation practices through peer-learning and the transference and adoption of voluntary and common standards. Rendir Cuentas is composed by 25 organisations form 6 countries sin the region working in two areas: I) Identification, analysis, systematization and dissemination of good practices; II) promotion of self-regulation practices within civil society. For more information, visit: http://rendircuentas.org
RedLad: Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para la Democracia/ Latinamerican and Caribbean Network for Democracy
RedLad is a platform created in 2008 by more than 480 civil society organisations, networks, activists, academia, trade unions and social movements from Latin America and the Caribbean. The main objective of the platform is to strengthen democratic systems in the region, defend human rights and promote sustainable development and social cohesion. RedLad works in the areas of capacity development, knowledge generation and advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.redlad.org/
CPDC: Caribbean Policy Development Centre
The Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) is a coalition of Caribbean non-governmental organizations with base in Barbados. It was established in 1991 to sensitize NGOs and the general public on key policy issues and to impact policy makers on decisions which put the interests of Caribbean people at the centre of the Caribbean development strategy.
Since its inception CPDC has lobbied regional and international governments on behalf of the sections of the Caribbean populations whose voices are less heard. In doing so CPDC has become accepted as a significant social partner in the development of the region. For more information, visit http://www.cpdcngo.org/Europe
ENNA: European Network of National Civil Society Associations
The European Network of National Civil Society Associations (ENNA) was created in 2011 as an international not-for-profit association. ENNA is a membership organisation, bringing together organisations, platforms, and associations that work at a national level to promote the cross-sectoral interests of the not-for-profit/public benefit/civil society sector. ENNA’s members work across different sub-sectors of civil society. They work on topics that affect all not-for-profit actors regardless of whether they work solely on social issues, environmental issues, socio-cultural activities, or any other topic of societal interest. For more information, visit http://www.ennaeurope.org/
MENA
ANND: Arab NGO Network for Development
The Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) is a regional network working in 10 Arab countries with seven national networks and 23 NGO members. ANND was initiated in 1997 and has its secretariat office in Beirut, Lebanon, since 2000. ANND’s program work focuses on advocating for social and economic rights in the Arab region. It works in three main areas: 1. development policies in the region, 2. social and economic reform agendas, which integrate the concepts of sustainable development, gender justice, and the rights-based approach, and the role of international and regional organizations, and 3. economic and trade liberalization policies and its social and economic implications. On a horizontal level, ANND makes use of networking, capacity building and sharing, provision of research and information materials, advocacy strengthening, coalition building, monitoring, evaluation, and engagement with policy-making processes and related institutions among civil society groups. For more information, visit www.annd.org
Pacific
PIANGO: Pacific Islands Association of NGOs
The Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) is a regional network of NGO focal points or coordinating bodies known as National Liaison Units (NLUs) based in 21 Pacific Island countries and territories. PIANGO was formally established in 1991 to assist NGOs in the Pacific to initiate action, give voice to their concerns and work collaboratively with other development actors for just and sustainable human development. PIANGO's primary role is to be a catalyst for collective action, to facilitate and support coalitions and alliances on issues of common concern, and to strengthen the influence and impact of NGO efforts in the region.
PIANGO is based in Fiji and exists to enable the Pacific extended family of NGOs to more effectively promote and advance the interests and wellbeing of their people. More specifically, PIANGO is a network of Pacific NGOs, existing to facilitate communication, provide a common voice at regional and international forums, assist NGOs to strengthen and develop Pacific identities, unity, cultures and forms of social action, as well as to improve the wellbeing of the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.piango.org/ -
CIVICUS Fellowship Programme
The CIVICUS Fellowship Programme is an exciting new venture in which key experts will be placed into national and/or regional organisations for the period of two years. Host organisations will be selected from CIVICUS’ Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA), which brings together national and regional associations from across the globe to foster greater co-operation and increased ability to collaborate on mutual areas of interest. The primary aim of the programme is to promote knowledge exchange and learning, and build the capacity of both the host organisation and their members by providing specialised support in a particular focal area. Examples of these focal areas include research, fundraising, communications, project management, advocacy and network management.
We're pleased to announce the second round of the CIVICUS Fellowship Programme is now open!
In this round, we invite AGNA members from Africa, Caribbean and Central America, Asia, and the MENA region to apply as the host organisation by 13 March 2017. Please send your completed application (in English, French, or Spanish) or any questions you may have to .
If you are interested in becoming a fellow, please note that recruitment will start at the end of March 2017.
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Dominican Republic: Big Opportunities, Bigger Challenges for Civil Society Domestic Resourcing
This article is part of the #StoriesOfResilience series, coordinated by CIVICUS to feature groups and activists on their journey to promote better resourcing practices for civil society and to mobilise meaningful resources to sustain their work.
The term sustainability is being used maybe more than ever by civil society organisations (CSOs) in Latin America and the Caribbean, as they are feeling increasingly challenged by constant changes in the funding architecture that supports the region. First, the global financial crisis that engulfed the world a decade ago significantly reduced international aid - the main source of funds for most of the sector. Then, the new realities of their developing economies have also taken a toll on the amount and type of funds CSOs can access. Last, but not least, the rise of populism in many countries is further threatening funding. Under these circumstances, more and more CSOs wonder if they will be able to secure a future. -
Looking ahead: Expanding our efforts to protect civic space
A message from Lysa John, Secretary-General of CIVICUSDear CIVICUS members and allies,
We were excited to host the CIVICUS Board and representatives from our key networks – Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) and the Youth Action Team (YAT) – in Johannesburg this November! It is the first time we have met together in South Africa since the start of the pandemic. On 30 November, we hosted our online Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) and launched a series of events to mark our very first ‘Membership Engagement Month’. Our annual report for 2021/22, which is available in three languages, was also adopted in this period and provides an excellent summary of our achievements and challenges in the past year.
We expect 2023 to be an exciting year for the CIVICUS alliance! Our flagship reports – the State of Civil Society and People Power Under Attack – will be published in the first half of the year. Together, these will provide a refreshed range of evidence and resources for activists and networks defending civic space and advocating for civil society.
In keeping with the key shifts outlined in CIVICUS’ Strategic Plan for 2022-27, the Secretariat will make a deliberate effort to ensure that the intersection between civic space restrictions and structural forms of discrimination is the focus of our actions and investments at all levels. We will continue to invest in strengthening the freedom of peaceful assembly and creating better protection mechanisms for human rights defenders through a combination of advocacy and solidarity efforts, and expect to initiate an exciting range of initiatives program on digital freedoms with a number of global and regional partners.
2023 will also be a moment to mark three decades of our own existence. We will coordinate a series of campaign actions to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. We anticipate working closely with CIVICUS members and allies to amplify issues that need public and political attention in this period, and invite you to discuss opportunities for collaboration with our teams.
Finally, as many of you know, recent events related to an unfortunate accident have caused considerable shock and distress to staff, partners and allies who have been connected to our colleague, Mandeep Tiwana’s work. A number of processes to respond to the event are underway, this includes coordinating with Mandeep and his family to support his recovery and phased return to work. Our Board and staff have been an immense source of wisdom in this period, and we are working closely together to put in place measures for additional capacity. We wish him much strength and thank all of you, our members and allies, for your compassion and support.
CIVICUS offices will close on 21 December and re-open on 3 January. We look forward to connecting and co-creating with you again next year.
In solidarity,
Lysa John
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Pakistan: Civil society calls for the immediate release of Mohammed Ismail
UPDATE 26 November 2019:
🇵🇰Our friend and partner, Professor Ismail, has just been released on bail by the #Pakistan government. He should never have been arrested in the first place and the charges still pending against him should be dropped immediatelyhttps://t.co/VvCCg3wBIu pic.twitter.com/cFSJPuX4BN
— CIVICUS (@CIVICUSalliance) November 26, 2019
The undersigned members of CIVICUS, the global alliance of civil society organisations, and the Affinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) call for the immediate release of Professor Mohammed Ismail from pre-trial detention in Pakistan and an end to all forms of harassment, intimidation and threats against him and his family.
Mohammed Ismail is a long-standing member of AGNA, a network of 90 national associations and regional platforms from around the world. He is the focal person for the Pakistan NGO Forum (PNF), an umbrella body of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Pakistan. His daughter Gulalai Ismail is a human rights defender who has faced persecution from authorities for her advocacy for the rights of women and girls, and her efforts to end human rights violations against the ethnic Pashtun people. She was subsequently granted asylum in the United States of America.
In July 2019, Mohammed Ismail was accused of charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act in connection with the legitimate human rights work of his daughter, Gulalai Ismail. On 24 October 2019, he was accosted outside Peshawar Court by men dressed in black militia uniforms, who forced him into a black vehicle. His whereabouts remained unknown until the morning of 25 October, when he appeared in the custody of Pakistan’s Federal Investigations Agency before a judicial magistrate and brought with further charges under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act. He remains detained and his bail requests have been rejected by the courts.
We are furthermore deeply concerned by credible reports we have received around the appalling conditions under which Professor Ismail is being detained which may amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. He has been denied medical care despite having multiple health conditions including a neurological disorder, dislocated discs in his back, kidney pain and high creatinine levels. He has also been denied medical care for his hypertension.
Prior to his detention, Mohammed Ismail and his family had faced months of intimidation, including at least three raids on their family home in Islamabad, as well as threats of physical harm to Gulalai Ismail’s younger sister.
The accusations against Mohammed Ismail are unfounded and appear to have been leveled by the authorities to silence Mohammed Ismail and Gulalai. Such judicial harassment and intimidation highlights the hostile environment for human rights defenders, journalists, and others in Pakistan to exercise their freedom of expression and be critical of the state.
We, CIVICUS and AGNA members urge the Pakistan authorities to release Professor Ismail immediately and unconditionally, and to put an end to all acts of harassment against Professor Mohammed Ismail, Gulalai Ismail and their family and drop all charges against them. We also call on the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure that all human rights defenders in Pakistan can carry out their legitimate activities without any hindrance or fear of reprisals.
- PCS Palestine
- Hui E! Community Aotearoa
- Uganda National NGO Forum
- Plataforma de ONG de accion social
- Balkan Civil Society Development Network
- Botswana Council of NGO’s
- Réseau des Organisations de la Société Civile pour le Développement (RESOCIDE)
- PIANGO
- Network of Estonian Non-profit Organizations
- Instituto de Comunicación y Desarrollo
- Alianza ONG
- Samoa Umbrella Non Government Organization
- NGO Federation Nepal
- Nigeria Network of NGOs
- Scotland’s International Development Alliance
- Civic Initiatives, Serbia
- SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health
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Pakistán: la sociedad civil mundial pide la liberación inmediata de Mohammed Ismail y el cese de toda forma de acoso e intimidación
Novedad sobre el caso a 26 de noviembre de 2019:
🇵🇰Our friend and partner, Professor Ismail, has just been released on bail by the #Pakistan government. He should never have been arrested in the first place and the charges still pending against him should be dropped immediatelyhttps://t.co/VvCCg3wBIu pic.twitter.com/cFSJPuX4BN
— CIVICUS (@CIVICUSalliance) November 26, 2019
Los miembros abajo firmantes de CIVICUS, la alianza mundial de organizaciones de la sociedad civil y el Grupo de Afinidad de Asociaciones Nacionales (AGNA) exigen la liberación inmediata del profesor Mohammed Ismail de la detención preventiva en Pakistán y el cese de toda forma de acoso e intimidación y amenazas contra él y su familia.
Mohammed Ismail es miembro desde hace tiempo de AGNA, una red de 90 asociaciones nacionales y plataformas regionales de todo el mundo. Él es el punto focal del Foro de ONG de Pakistán (PNF), un organismo que agrupa a otras organizaciones de la sociedad civil (OSC) en Pakistán. Su hija, Gulalai Ismail, es una defensora de los derechos humanos que se ha enfrentado a la persecución de las autoridades por defender los derechos de las mujeres y las niñas, y por intentar poner fin a las violaciones de los derechos humanos contra el grupo étnico pastún. Tras este episodio, se le ha concedido asilo en los Estados Unidos de América.
En julio de 2019, en aplicación de la Ley Antiterrorista, Mohammed Ismail fue acusado de cargos en relación con el trabajo legítimo de derechos humanos de su hija, Gulalai Ismail. El 24 de octubre de 2019, fue asaltado fuera de la Corte de Peshawar por hombres vestidos con uniformes militares negros, que lo obligaron a subir a un vehículo negro. Estuvo en paradero desconocido hasta la mañana del 25 de octubre, cuando compareció, bajo la custodia de la Agencia Federal de Investigaciones de Pakistán, ante un magistrado judicial y se le acusó de cargos adicionales en virtud de la Ley de Delitos Electrónicos de Pakistán. Sigue detenido y las solicitudes de libertad bajo fianza presentadas han sido rechazadas por los tribunales.
Además, estamos profundamente preocupados por los informes fidedignos que hemos recibido sobre las condiciones deplorables en las que se mantiene al profesor Ismail detenido, que puede considerarse como trato cruel, inhumano y degradante. Le ha sido denegada la atención médica, a pesar de tener múltiples problemas de salud, incluido un trastorno neurológico, discos dislocados en la espalda, dolores renales y altos niveles de creatinina. También se le ha negado atención médica para tratar su hipertensión.
Antes de su detención, Mohammed Ismail y su familia habían sido objeto de actos de intimidación, incluyendo al menos tres redadas en su hogar familiar en Islamabad, así como amenazas de daños físicos a la hermana menor de Gulalai Ismail.
Las acusaciones contra Mohammed Ismail son infundadas y parecen haber sido presentadas por las autoridades para silenciarlo a él y a Gulalai. Este acoso e intimidación judicial resaltan el ambiente hostil para los defensores de los derechos humanos, periodistas y otros actores en Pakistán que ejercen su libertad de expresión y expresan sus críticas al estado.
Nosotros, miembros de CIVICUS y AGNA, pedimos a las autoridades de Pakistán que liberen al Profesor Ismail de forma inmediata e incondicional y pongan fin a todos los actos de acoso contra el Profesor Mohammed Ismail, Gulalai Ismail y su familia y retiren todos los cargos en su contra. También solicitamos a las autoridades que tomen medidas inmediatas para garantizar que todos los defensores de derechos humanos en Pakistán puedan llevar a cabo sus actividades legítimas sin ningún impedimento o temor a represalias.
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Pakistan: la société civile demande la libération immédiate de Mohammed Ismail et mettre fin à l'harcèlement
Dernière nouvelle à propos du cas du professeur Mohammed Ismail:
🇵🇰Our friend and partner, Professor Ismail, has just been released on bail by the #Pakistan government. He should never have been arrested in the first place and the charges still pending against him should be dropped immediatelyhttps://t.co/VvCCg3wBIu pic.twitter.com/cFSJPuX4BN
— CIVICUS (@CIVICUSalliance) November 26, 2019
Les membres soussignés de CIVICUS, l'Alliance mondiale des organisations de la société civile et leGroupe d'Affinité des Associations Nationales (AGNA) exigent la libération immédiate du professeur Mohammed Ismail de la détention préventive au Pakistan et mettre un terme à toutes les formes de harcèlement et d’intimidation et menaces contre lui et sa famille.
Mohammed Ismail est, depuis longtemps, membre d'AGNA, un réseau de 90 associations nationales et plates-formes régionales du monde entier. Il est le point focal du Forum des ONG pakistanaises (PNF), une organisation qui rassemble d'autres organisations de la société civile (OSC) au Pakistan. Sa fille, Gulalai Ismail, est une défenseuse des droits humains qui a été victime de persécution par les autorités du fait de son plaidoyer en faveur des droits des femmes et des filles et de ses efforts pour mettre fin aux violations des droits humains envers le groupe ethnique pachtoun. Elle a, par la suite, obtenu l'asile aux États-Unis d'Amérique.
En juillet 2019, Mohammed Ismail a été accusé d'infractions à la Loi Antiterroriste par rapport au travail légitime de sa fille, Gulalai Ismail, en faveur des droits humains. Le 24 octobre 2019, il a été abordé devant le tribunal de Peshawar par des hommes vêtus d'uniformes militaires noirs, qui l'ont forcé à monter dans un véhicule noir. Il reste porté disparu jusqu'au matin du 25 octobre, lorsqu’il a comparu devant un magistrat judiciaire, sous la garde de l'Agence Fédérale d'Investigation du Pakistan, et a été inculpé de nouvelles accusations en vertu de la loi sur la criminalité électronique au Pakistan. Il est toujours en détention et les demandes de libération sous caution déposées ont été rejetées par les tribunaux.
En outre, nous sommes profondément préoccupés par les rapports fiables reçus au sujet des conditions épouvantables dans lesquelles le professeur Ismail est placé en détention, qui peuvent être considérées comme des traitements cruel, inhumains et dégradants. Il a été privé de soins médicaux malgré ses multiples problèmes de santé, notamment un trouble neurologique, des disques disloqués au dos, des douleurs aux reins et des taux élevés de créatinine. On lui a également refusé des soins médicaux pour traiter son hypertension.
Avant sa détention, Mohammed Ismail et sa famille avaient été victimes d'intimidations pendant des mois, y compris au moins trois rafles dans leur maison familiale à Islamabad, ainsi que de menaces de blessures physiques à la jeune sœur de Gulalai Ismail.
Les accusations portées contre Mohammed Ismail ne sont pas fondées et semblent avoir été présentées par les autorités pour le faire taire et aussi museler Gulalai. Ce harcèlement et cette intimidation judiciaire mettent en évidence le climat hostile où des défenseurs des droits humains, des journalistes et d'autres acteurs au Pakistan exercent leur liberté d'expression et expriment leurs critiques à l'égard de l'État.
Nous, les membres de CIVICUS et de l'AGNA, exhortons les autorités pakistanaises à libérer le professeur Ismail immédiatement et sans condition, à mettre un terme aux actes de harcèlement à l'encontre du professeur Mohammed Ismail, de Gulalai Ismail et de leur famille, et de retirer toutes les charges portées contre eux. Nous demandons également aux autorités à prendre des mesures immédiates pour veiller à ce que tous les défenseurs des droits de l'homme au Pakistan puissent mener leurs activités légitimes sans aucune entrave ni crainte de représailles.
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Perspectivas de futuro: Ampliar nuestros esfuerzos para proteger el espacio cívico
Mensaje de Lysa John, secretaria general de CIVICUS
Estimada membresía de CIVICUS y aliados,
En noviembre tuvimos el placer de recibir en Johannesburgo a la Junta Directiva de CIVICUS y a representantes de nuestras principales redes: el Grupo de Afinidad de Asociaciones Nacionales (AGNA) y el Equipo de Acción Juvenil (YAT). Es la primera vez que nos reunimos en Sudáfrica desde el inicio de la pandemia. El 30 de noviembre, celebramos nuestra reunión anual en línea y pusimos en marcha una serie de eventos para conmemorar nuestro primer "Mes del compromiso con la membresía". Nuestro informe anual para 2021/22, disponible en tres idiomas, también se aprobó en este periodo y ofrece un excelente resumen de nuestros logros y retos en el último año.
Esperamos que 2023 sea un año apasionante para la alianza CIVICUS. Nuestros informes más representativos -El estado de la sociedad civil y El poder ciudadano bajo ataque- se publicarán en el primer semestre del año. Estos informes, en conjunto, brindarán una serie de evidencias y recursos actualizados para los activistas y las redes que defienden el espacio cívico y que trabajan por la sociedad civil.
En concordancia con los principales cambios esbozados en el Plan Estratégico de CIVICUS para 2022-27, el secretariado hará un esfuerzo consciente para garantizar que la intersección entre las restricciones del espacio cívico y las formas estructurales de discriminación sea el centro de nuestras acciones e iniciativas a todos los niveles. Seguiremos apostando por el fortalecimiento de la libertad de reunión pacífica y la creación de mejores mecanismos de protección para quienes defienden los derechos humanos aunando esfuerzos en materia de incidencia política y solidaridad, y esperamos poner en marcha un interesante programa de iniciativas sobre libertades digitales con una serie de socios mundiales y regionales.
2023 será también un momento para conmemorar tres décadas de nuestra propia existencia. Coordinaremos una serie de acciones de campaña para conmemorar el 75 aniversario de la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos y el 25 aniversario de la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Defensores de los Derechos Humanos. Prevemos trabajar en estrecha colaboración con organizaciones miembros y aliadas de CIVICUS para amplificar las cuestiones que requieren atención pública y política en este periodo, y les invitamos a debatir las oportunidades de colaboración con nuestros equipos.
Por último, como muchos de ustedes saben, recientemente se ha producido un desafortunado accidente que ha conmocionado y angustiado considerablemente al personal, a los socios y a los aliados relacionados con el trabajo de nuestro colega Mandeep Tiwana. Ya se han puesto en marcha una serie de medidas para hacer frente a la situación, entre ellas la coordinación con Mandeep y su familia para facilitar su recuperación y su reincorporación gradual al trabajo. Nuestra junta directiva y nuestro personal nos han ayudado mucho en este periodo, y estamos colaborando estrechamente para poner en marcha medidas que nos permitan disponer de capacidad adicional. Esperamos que se recupere y agradecemos a todos ustedes, nuestros miembros y aliados, su compasión y apoyo.
Nuestras oficinas permanecerán cerradas desde el 21 de diciembre hasta el 3 de enero. Esperamos volver a conectar y co-crear con ustedes nuevamente el próximo año.
En solidaridad,
Lysa John
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República Dominicana: grandes oportunidades pero mayores retos para la movilización de recursos domésticos
Este artículo es parte de la serie #HistoriasDeResiliencia, coordinada por CIVICUS para destacar los esfuerzos de grupos y activistas que promueven mejores prácticas de financiación y movilización de recursos valiosos para la sociedad civil.
El término sostenibilidad se utiliza cada día más por las organizaciones de la sociedad civil (OSC) en América Latina y el Caribe, las cuales se sienten crecientemente desafiadas por los constantes cambios en la arquitectura de financiación que da soporte a la región. Primero, la crisis financiera global que sumergió al mundo hace una década redujo significativamente la cooperación internacional que era la fuente principal de fondos para la mayoría del sector. Luego, las nuevas realidades producto de las economías en desarrollo también han afectado la cantidad y el tipo de fondos accesibles para las OSC. Y no se puede dejar de mencionar la presión en el financiamiento impuesta por el auge del populismo en muchos países. Bajo estas circunstancias, un número creciente de OSC se preguntan si podrán asegurarse un futuro. -
Strengthening our alliance: Key Outcomes from Board Week, MEM2024, and Team Initiatives
A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
Hope this message finds you well despite the turbulent times we are living in. As we navigate the impact of a surge in authoritarian and populist politics and the senseless cruelty of war, our commitment to strengthening civil society and citizen action to create more peaceful, just, equal and sustainable societies is steadfast.
Highlights
We continue to amplify civil societyvoices affected by war, join globalcalls for a ceasefire in the Middle East and take ahuman rights perspective on events in the region throughCIVICUS Lens, our rolling analysis initiative. Vitally, we also continue to draw attention to the devasting impacts for civil society of conflicts inMyanmar,Sudan, Ukraine and elsewhere.
Our most recent CIVICUS MonitorWatchlist, released in September, draws attention to deterioration in civic space conditions in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Thailand and Zimbabwe. In particular, we’ve worked tohighlight the absurdity of Azerbaijan, a petrostate withclosed civic space, hosting the COP29 climate summit at a time when civil society’s demands for climate justice must be heard.
Our commitment to advocate for the release of arbitrarily imprisoned human rights defenders such as Guatemalan journalistJose Ruben Zamora remains strong. We are ever mindful of the risks of civil society activism. Our communications team has produced a short film on the life of assassinated Honduran environmental and community activist,Juan Lopez.
Our work on the Digital Democracy Initiative and the EU System for Enabling Environment (SEE) is in full swing, including through the strengthening of our systems and compliance processes. Opportunities for partnership throughdigital resilience and crisis response grants can accessed through our website. Our Freedom of Peaceful Assembly team recently hosted the #WeRiseCampaign Harvesting Week resulting in 15 new partnership agreements.
We remain active at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the UN Human Rights Council and at the UN headquarters, including in our work to highlight the importance of civic space and civil society participation in theSummit of the Future processes.
A Week of Engagement in Johannesburg
We’re pleased to let you know that we recently concluded a successful board meeting at our offices in Johannesburg during the week of 11 November, when we also launched our annual Membership Engagement Month. Members of our board and staff engaged in strategic discussions and interacted withAffinity Group of National Associations (AGNA) and theYouth Action Team (YAT) representatives. The week provided opportunities to reflect on theUS election results and the resulting risks for civil society around the world.
Membership Engagement Month (MEM2024): Connecting, Learning, and Growing Together
We are now in the midst of our Membership Engagement Month, a key opportunity for CIVICUS members to connect, learn and collaborate on themes that matter the most to our community. With a curated line-up of events, webinars and information sessions, MEM2024 offers a robust schedule to enhance engagement, foster learning and drive change. We encourage all our members to get involved and engage during this month. For more information, please get in touch with our team atmembership@civicus.org.
Secretary General Transition
This September’s UN General Assembly meetings in New York offered a stellar opportunity to bid farewell to our outgoing Secretary General, Lysa John, through a heartwarming physical event well attended by our members, partners and staff. During Lysa’s tenure we made vital strides as a secretariat and an alliance.
The search for our next Secretary General is on and is currently being led by our Board. If you are interested in applying or know of someone who may be, more information on the job requirements and application process can be foundhere.
Looking ahead – Annual General Meeting, Innovation Awards and CIVICUS Monitor Findings
We will be holding our Annual General Meeting online on Thursday, 5 December 2024 in two batches to account for different time zones. We encourage all members to participate and learn about our work and achievements. We will be sharing highlights from our latestAnnual Report, which is now out.
We are working on the next iteration of theNelson Mandela-Graca Machel Awards with a cohort of previous awardees and will be formally releasing a call for applications before the end of the year.
Following a super-election year, our annualCIVICUS Monitor ratings and People Power Under Attack report will be released in early December to coincide with International Human Rights Day. Do watch this space.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
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Veinticinco años después: una mirada a mi viaje con CIVICUS
por Anabel Cruz, presidenta de la Junta Directiva de CIVICUS 2016-2019
A principios de 1993, la democracia era aún bastante «joven» en muchas partes del mundo. Apenas habían transcurrido menos de cuatro años desde la caída del Muro de Berlín; el apartheid todavía no se había desmantelado por completo y las primeras elecciones sudafricanas mediante sufragio universal se celebrarían el año siguiente, en 1994. Al mismo tiempo, a principios de los noventa, varios países de América Latina habían dado sus primeros pasos hacia democracias representativas tras más de una década de dictaduras militares.
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Young leaders breaking down the Agenda 2030 to the National level
Virtual Global Exchange on Zoom: Young Sustainable Development advocates will break down the 2030 Agenda from Global to Local accountability mechanisms for civil society.
August is a month to commemorate the great effort millions of young people around the world are doing to support the well benign of their communities, defending human rights and protecting democracies all over the world. This Virtual Global Exchange session will highlight the experiences of young leaders holding decision-makers accountable to their Sustainable Development promises.
Under the framework of the ongoing series of webinars for civil society around Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability, join this interactive virtual exchange and tell us: how is civil society participating in your country or region to advance, monitor and adapt the Sustainable Development Goals to local contexts? What have been the greatest learnings from this experience? What are your recommendations for organisations starting these efforts during COVID-19?
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Virtual Global Exchange on Zoom: Breaking down the 2030 Agenda
When:Wednesday 19 August 2020
Time:9:00 México / 16:00 South Africa
Where:Zoom
RegistrationshereThe event will be held in Spanish with simultaneous translation to English and French.
Guest speakers:Rosario Garavito, The Millenials Movement; Marcia Alarcón, TECHO Paraguay; Roberto Baeza, The Hunger Project Mexico
Moderator:Roberto Zárraga, Red Global de Acción Juvenil
Read more: “Believe Better” A working paper on young people’s inclusion in national follow up, review and accountability process of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.What is the Agenda 2030?
The Agenda is a commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 world-wide, ensuring that no one is left behind. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda was a landmark achievement, providing for a shared global vision towards sustainable development for all.