Reports & Publications

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Australia: Civic freedoms undermined by restrictive laws and stifling of protests

CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, is concerned about the ongoing erosion of civic freedoms in Australia due to increasing anti-protest laws, the stifling of protests and efforts to silence whistleblowers in recent years.
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India: Alarming assault on civic freedoms in Prime Minister Modi’s second term

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term in power was sustained by a pattern of repression to undermine democracy and civic space, the global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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Indonesia: Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on the deterioration of civic space

CIVICUS has submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee on the state of civic space in Indonesia ahead of its review of the state’s implementation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 11 March 2024.
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New Global Data Report: Rights Reversed

  Historical report from the CIVICUS Monitor looks at seven key trends from 2019 to 2023: Rise in the closure of civic space worldwide Repression in Africa south of the Sahara and MENA Civic space challenges in Europe Detentions and arrests of protesters COVID-19 pandemic and civic space Prosecution of activists Restrictive laws to silence dissent READ REPORT
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Widespread arrests, attacks and legal restrictions facing LGBTQI+ activists across Africa finds new report

Widespread arrests, attacks and legal restrictions facing LGBTQI+ activists across Africa finds new report Johannesburg | 4 July, 2023 Same-sex relations criminalised in at least 27 countries south of the Sahara Organisations shut down and offices raided for their work on LGBTQI+ rights Widespread bans on the publication of information on gay rights Anti-LGBTQI+ laws and practices disproportionately impact other excluded groups including women, children and victims of abuse  From Uganda to Cameroon, LGBTQI+ activists face significant restrictions due to the prevailing social, cultural and legal attitudes towards homosexuality and gender identity.
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Sri Lanka: Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on the deterioration of civic space

CIVICUS has submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee on the state of civic space in Sri Lanka ahead of its review of the state’s implementation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 8-9 March 2023.

New report looks at the state of civic freedoms in Ghana

CIVICUS and the West African Civil Society Institute have produced a new research brief on the state of civic freedoms in Ghana.
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Myanmar: Attacks on civic space continue unabated in the second year of the illegal coup

Two years ago, on 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military junta seized power in an illegal coup.
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New report looks at the state of civic freedoms in Chile

In October 2019, student protests in Santiago over a public transport price increase gave rise to a mass, nationwide display of discontent over social inequality and discrimination.

New report looks at the state of civic freedoms in the United States

In December 2020, the USA’s civic space rating was downgraded from narrowed to obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor, signalling significant increased restrictions on the exercise of civic freedoms.

New report looks at the state of civic freedoms in Latvia

CIVICUS has produced a new research brief on the state of civic freedoms in Latvia.

New report documents restrictions to civic freedoms in Morocco

CIVICUS has produced a new research brief on the state of civic freedoms in Morocco.

New Research brief on Uzbekistan documents ongoing violations to civic freedoms

CIVICUS has produced a new research brief on the state of civic freedoms in Uzbekistan.
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New Research brief on Sudan documents ongoing violations in the aftermath of the Coup

Killings, torture, and arrests of pro-government protesters Women activists and protesters targeted through sexual violence  Journalists detained and media outlets raided  Since the October 2021 coup, violations of civic freedoms have continued unabated, with 117 protesters killed during protests.
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Philippines: Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on the deterioration of civic space 

CIVICUS has submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee on the state of civic space in Philippines ahead of its review of the state’s implementation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 10 October 2022.
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Palestine: New Research brief documents escalation of attacks on civic freedoms

ARABIC Civic freedoms in Palestine continue to deteriorate with an escalation of attacks on civil society organisations, journalists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) by the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF).
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Cambodia: New brief highlights lack of tangible improvements around civic space

As the state of civic space in Cambodia continues to regress, CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, calls on the authorities to halt its persecution of activists, trade union activists, the opposition and others and end all restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
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Belarus: Overview of recent restrictions to civic freedoms

Authorities increasingly categorise civil society personnel and groups as extremist, in a bid to invalidate and criminalise their work, and subject them to prosecution and banning Over 765 CSOs liquidated since August 2020 as authorities leverage legislative changes to issue liquidation orders More amendments to domestic laws made to create new offences that criminalise civil society and its work Prosecution for 2020 election protests continues with the total number of political prisoners rising to 1,254 by 19 July 2022 CIVICUS has produced a new research brief on the state of civic freedoms in Belarus.
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South Sudan: Overview of recent restrictions to civic freedoms

Civil society groups criminalised Protests systematically repressed by authorities National Security Service (NSS) officials on the spot for systematic harassment Blatant attacks on journalists by state and non-state actors continue CIVICUS has produced a new report on the state of civic freedoms in South Sudan.
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Afghanistan: The Taliban's assault on rights, a year on from its takeover

Report highlights assault on civic space by the Taliban and need for more action from the international community On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan.
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Kenya: Stop restrictions on civic freedoms ahead of national elections, says new report

Excessive force used against protesters Twitter accounts shut down over calls to lower prices of food & basic commodities Attacks on freedom of speech & political interference with media and judiciary As Kenyans head to the polls on 9 August to elect a new president, a new report by global civil society alliance, CIVICUS and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) highlights the decline in civic rights in the country and urges the authorities to respect fundamental freedoms during this crucial period.
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Hong Kong: Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on the deterioration of civic space

CIVICUS has submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee on the state of civic space in Hong Kong ahead of its review of the state’s implementation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 7 July 2022.

Hungary: Orbán and Fidesz party election victory spells further concerns for civic freedoms 

‘Biased and unbalanced news coverage’ during election favouring the ruling party Civil society face orchestrated smear campaigns  Government passes decree which bans independent journalists from accessing hospitals Global alliance CIVICUS and the Civil Liberties Union for Europe are concerned about civic freedoms in Hungary following Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz Party’s landslide victory in April’s parliamentary elections, which were declared free but not fair.

Slovenia: New research on the state of civic freedoms ahead of elections

SLOVENIAN New research on the state of civic freedoms ahead of Slovenia's parliamentary elections - journalists & civil society facing restrictions The ruling SDS party has interfered & undermined the work of the Slovenian Press Agency and the largest public broadcaster, RTVSLO Budget cuts have targeted organisations and media critical of the Prime Minister’ Janez Janša’s government COVID-19 used as a pretext to restrict protest rights & the work of civil society Global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the European Civic Forum are concerned about the ongoing decline of civic freedoms in Slovenia under Prime Minister Janez Janša’s government.
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Myanmar: The deterioration of civic freedoms a year on from the coup

On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military junta seized power in a coup.
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As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the crackdown on environmental activism, finds new report

New research brief from the CIVICUS Monitor examines the crackdown of environmental activism and profiles important victories civil society has scored in the fight for climate justice.

Philippines: International community must support independent investigative mechanism to end attacks on civil society

CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, continues to call on the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism to address human rights violations and abuses in the Philippines to further accountability and justice.

Hong Kong: A year on, the National Security Law has crushed civic freedoms

New research on the state of civic freedoms in Hong Kong - a look at restrictions over the past year CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, is extremely concerned about the alarming regression of civic freedoms in Hong Kong.

Malaysia: Fundamental freedoms in decline under Perikatan Nasional government

Joint research report on the state of civic freedoms in Malaysia The Perikatan Nasional government has undermined and obstructed the exercise of fundamental freedoms during its first twelve months in power, said ARTICLE 19 and CIVICUS in a new report published today.

Sustainable Recovery Lab: Building on human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

As the UN Secretary-General has highlighted, ‘the 2030 Agenda, underpinned by human rights, provides a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable recovery from the pandemic’.

India: Report highlights ongoing misuse of restrictive laws during pandemic to keep activists behind bars

Report highlights judicial harassment of activists, targeting of journalists and crackdown on protesters  Modi government has continued to use state resources to sustain its persecution of activists and critics during COVID-19 pandemic  CIVICUS calls for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained human rights defenders The Indian government is using a variety of restrictive laws - including national security and counter-terrorism legislation - to arrest and imprison human rights defenders, peaceful protesters and critics.
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Threats to civil society’s HIV and AIDS progress have lessons for COVID-19 response

Activism and AIDS: Together with @frontlineaids & @Aidsfonds_intl, new research examines the risks and restrictions facing civil society in the fight to end the epidemic | #OpenCivicSpace #HIVCOVID19 Full report: https://t.
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Bangladesh: Two years on, impunity for attacks against student protesters

Two years since student protest movements mobilised in Bangladesh, there is still no accountability for human rights violations against protesters.
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Global Monitor Report: Twice as many people live in repressed countries compared to a year ago

Findings based on data released today by the CIVICUS Monitor, a global research collaboration which rates and tracks respect for fundamental freedoms in 196 countries.

Silence Does Not Mean Consent: The Dire State of Human Rights in Equatorial Guinea

Located in the west of Central Africa between Cameroon and Gabon, and with a population of less than a million people, Equatorial Guinea is often described as one of the most censored countries in the world.
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In Defence of Humanity: Women Human Rights Defenders and the struggle against silencing

In recent years, combined with existing threats, the rise of right-wing and nationalist populism across the world has led to an increasing number of governments implementing repressive measures against the space for civil society (civic space), particularly affecting women human rights defenders (WHRDs).
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New Paper: Regulating Political Activity of Civil Society -- A look at 4 EU countries

A comparative analysis of regulation of civil society organisations’ ‘political activity’ and international funding in Ireland, Netherlands, Germany and Finland.
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Repression in Paradise: Assault on fundamental freedoms in the Maldives

Repression in Paradise: Assault on fundamental freedoms in the #Maldives.
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India: Democracy threatened by growing attacks on civil society 

According to the policy brief, published by CIVICUS in November 2017, although civil society in India has been playing essential roles ever since the country's struggle for independence, the space for civil society - civic space - is increasingly being contested.
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People Power Under Attack

CIVICUS Monitor Ratings Update October 2017 Updated ratings from the CIVICUS Monitor, released 4 October 2017, provide further evidence that the space for civil society - civic space - continues to close around the world.
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Peers and Partners: Empowering Children to take Civic Action

While threats against civic space are well documented around the world, little is said on how civic space trends are being experienced by children, and how children’s rights and abilities to be active agents for change in their countries and communities are being affected.
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Report: Civil Society Rights and the Extractive Industries

People’s rights to organise, speak out and take action are being extensively violated in a large number of member countries of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
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New Report: Civic Space in the Americas

People’s rights to organise, speak out and take action are being extensively violated in a large number of countries in the Americas.

Keeping up the pressure: enhancing the sustainability of protest movements

The report explores key factors that contribute to or undermine the sustainability of contemporary protest movements.
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People power under attack: findings from the CIVICUS Monitor

According to new findings from the CIVICUS Monitor, just three percent of  people live in countries where space for civic activism - or civic space- is truly open.
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Addressing Civic Space Restrictions in Uganda: What Role for the UPR?

This policy action brief, prepared by CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, and the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), examines a range of restrictions on civil society’s fundamental rights recently experienced in Uganda.

BRIEF REPORT: WIDENING SPACE BY YOUNG HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

  On 21 November 2016, CIVICUS together with Amnesty  International, Defence  for  Children  International,  KidsRights and World Vision convened a side event- Widening Space by Young Human Rights Defenders.
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THREATS TO CIVIC SPACE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

If citizens are to have strong opportunities to take part in the making of decisions that affect their lives, there needs to be space for civil society to function, flourish and play a full range of roles.
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Against all odds: The perils of fighting for natural resource

Many countries worldwide rely on the exploitation of natural resources as an important source of economic activity and public income.

CIVICUS Monitor Findings Report

Data from the CIVICUS Monitor shows that 3.

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