Interviews

BENIN: ‘Loss of Trust in Democratic Systems has Become a Major Risk Factor’

Interviews
Read in French CIVICUS discusses an attempted coup in Benin with Aisha Dabo, programme coordinator at AfricTivistes, a pan-African network committed to democracy, human rights and citizen participation in the digital age.

IRAQ: ‘The Election Felt Like a Formality Because it Took Place in a Context Hostile for Dissent, Pluralism and Rights’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses civic space and democratic participation in Iraq with Iraqi human rights defender Hasan Ibrahim.

UNITED KINGDOM: ‘When Critical Thinking isn’t Welcomed, Art Offers Alternative Ways of Speaking’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks to Daria Cybulska about her 2024 Churchill Fellowship field research in Central Asia, where she explored how civil society uses art, creativity and informal organising to survive, self-organise and push for change under increasing repression.

DENMARK: ‘Civil Society Should Not Just be Heard; it Should Influence Agendas, Priorities and Practice’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the outcomes and limitations of the Annual CSO-UN Dialogue on Peacebuilding with Sweta Velpillay, co-director of Conducive Space for Peace (CSP), an international civil society organisation (CSO) that works at the intersection of civic agency, global collaboration and peacebuilding.

UGANDA: ‘Refugees are being pushed into a legal limbo as international support collapses’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses a crisis for refugee protection in Uganda with Fabian Kagimu, founder of Prism Empowerment and Development Initiative, a trans-led feminist humanitarian organisation that supports refugees, internally displaced transgender women, gender-diverse people and young people living with HIV.

KAZAKHSTAN: ‘This anti-LGBTQI+ bill can still be blocked – but only with sustained international pressure’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Kazakhstan’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill with Temirlan Baimash, activist and co-founder of QUEER KZ youth initiative, a Kazakhstani LGBTQI+ organisation.

ZAMBIA: ‘Constitutional Changes in an Election Period Tend to be Driven by Political Expediency Rather than the Public Interest’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses recent constitutional changes in Zambia with Gideon Musonda, Executive Director of the Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation, a Zambian civil society organisation.

INDIA: ‘When Civil Society is Constrained, it Cannot Challenge Power or Amplify Excluded Voices’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses civil society challenges in India with Smarinita Shetty and Devanshi Vaid, co-founders of India Development Review (IDR), a knowledge platform that documents social impact and development across Asia.

TUNISIA: ‘Tunisia has Lost the Progress that Once Made it a Regional Example of Democracy’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses growing authoritarianism in Tunisia with a representative of the Africa Independent Commission of Human Rights.

LIBYA: ‘From the Moment They Enter Libya, Migrants Risk Being Arbitrarily Arrested, Tortured and Killed’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses migrants’ rights in Libya with Sarra Zidi, political scientist and researcher for HuMENA, an international civil society organisation (CSO) that advances democracy, human rights and social justice across the Middle East and North Africa.

PHILIPPINES: ‘The Government Funds Gender Programmes While Denying Women Control of Their Bodies’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses women’s rights in the Philippines with Nica Dumlao, researcher and consultant for Asia Democracy Network, a regional organisation that works for a community of equitable, just and sustainable democracies in Asia.

SERBIA: ‘We Haven’t Inherited Democracy, so We’ve Had to Reinvent it Ourselves’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Mihajlo Matković, a student activist and member of the CIVICUS Youth Action Team, about anti-corruption protests that have swept Serbia over the past year.

TUVALU: ‘We Need a New Global Legal Framework that Rethinks Sovereignty in the Context of Climate Displacement’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses climate displacement and Tuvalu’s future with Kiali Molu, a former civil servant at Tuvalu’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently a PhD candidate at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and the University of Bergen in Norway.

JAPAN: ‘The New Prime Minister Signals a Shift Towards a Confrontational Approach that Risks Destabilising the Region’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Akio Takayanagi, professor and policy adviser at the Japan NGO Centre for International Co-operation, about Japan’s first female prime minister and what her rise to power means for the country and region.

UNITED KINGDOM: ‘The Crime and Policing Bill is one of the Most Far-Reaching Attempts to Curtail the Right to Protest’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the UK’s proposed Crime and Policing Bill with members of Liberty, the country’s largest civil liberties organisation, which campaigns for everyone to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

BRAZIL: ‘The Siren Song of the Fossil Fuel Lobby and Political Interests has Trumped Reason and Climate Science’

Interviews
Read in Portuguese CIVICUS discusses the COP30 climate summit with Juliano Bueno and Nicole Figueiredo Oliveira, technical director and executive director of the Arayara International Institute, a Brazilian organisation that works for the fair and sustainable distribution of resources.

URUGUAY: ‘Civil Society Must be Recognised as a Key Pillar of Democracy’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the evolution, challenges and future of civil society in Latin America and around the world with Anabel Cruz, former CIVICUS Board chair, co-chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee and founding director of the Institute for Communication and Development (ICD) in Uruguay.

MYANMAR:‘Our Goal is to Shift the Narrative Through Community Gatherings, Digital Engagement and Storytelling’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about innovative strategies young people are using to resist the military regime and push for democracy in Myanmar with a youth activist who requested to stay anonymous for security reasons.

THAILAND: ‘Once Conversations about Democracy and Equality Begin, they are very Hard to Silence’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses restrictions on civic space in Thailand and the detention of activist and human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa with Akarachai Chaimaneekarakate, Advocacy Lead at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR).

MOROCCO: ‘We Want a Government that Listens, Serves and Invests in its People’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Generation Z-led protests in Morocco with Hicham Missiame, a local civic observer focused on public accountability and social issues who participated in the protests.

SYRIA: ‘Art offers a Space Where People can Start Picturing a Syria that Moves Beyond Conflict and Division’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Laura Al Jundi about Syria’s fragile transition following conflict and dictatorship, the challenges and hopes of activists in exile and how art and culture are becoming vital tools for rebuilding civic life and collective memory.

SUDAN: ‘Arts Are Powerful Tools for Documentation, Mobilisation and Solidarity’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the humanitarian crisis caused by conflict in Sudan and civil society’s role in responding with members of Adeela, a youth led local civil society organisation (CSO) working for a democratic Sudan.

PHILIPPINES: ‘We Refuse to Stay Silent While Those in Power Treat Public Office Like Private Property’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about anti-corruption protests started by Generation Z students in the Philippines with Raoul Manuel from Karapatan, a Philippine-based human rights alliance.

BOLIVIA: ‘The Government Will Not Be Able to Impose Unilateral Measures Without Facing a Strong Social Response’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses political changes and challenges for civil society in Bolivia as a result of its recent election with María Galindo, activist, philosopher and founding member of the Mujeres Creando feminist collective.

POLAND: ‘This Ceasefire Came After a Level of International Concern We Hadn’t Seen Before’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the Gaza ceasefire and prospects for lasting peace and self-determination of Palestinians with Patrycja Grzebyk, associate professor of International Law at the University of Warsaw, Poland.

GABON: ‘Gabon Remains at a Crossroads Between Democratic Change and Authoritarian Continuity’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Sentiment Ondo, Deputy Secretary of Tournons la Page International, about Gabon’s recent legislative, local and presidential elections and what they reveal about the country’s democratic trajectory.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: ‘The International Criminal Court’s verdict has reaffirmed that no one is above the law’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) recent verdict on a case from the Central African Republic (CAR) with Fulbert Ngodji, Central Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group, an independent organisation that provides expert analysis to help prevent and resolve deadly conflicts.

CAMEROON: ‘The Election Served to Legitimise Power Rather Than Reflect the Popular Will’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Cameroon’s recent election and the state of its civil society with Civic Watch, a local youth-led civil society organisation that advocates for information integrity, youth engagement and mobilisation.

EGYPT: ‘International Civil Society Must Unite – Transnational Repression Isn’t Just Egyptian, it’s Happening in China, Russia, Turkey and Beyond’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Egypt’s transnational repression tactics and civil society’s response with Samar Elhussieny, Executive Director of the Egyptian Human Rights Forum, a civil society organisation founded by Egyptian human rights defenders in exile that supports civil society in Egypt, documents violations and advocates for a democratic future.

AUSTRALIA: ‘Australia Has Become a Global Leader in Criminalising Climate Defenders’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Julia Grix, founder and executive director of Climate Defenders Australia (CDA), about the growing repression of climate activism and rise of anti-protest laws in Australia, and how her organisation is providing essential legal support to climate activists.

SPAIN: ‘Setting Clear Red Lines For AI Is Not About Stifling Innovation But Preventing Catastrophic Misuse’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the campaign for better AI regulation with Gabriel Wang, data scientist and AI solution architect for AI4NGO, an international organisation that seeks to empower civil society to harness the transformative potential of AI to increase its impact and address critical global and local challenges.

UNITED STATES: ‘Seven Million People Have Taken To The Streets To Stand Up For Democracy’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses US civil society action under the second Trump administration with Bridget Moix, General Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the oldest faith-based lobbying organisation in the USA, advocating for peace, justice and environmental stewardship.

SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Military Juntas Are Sending The Message That They Intend to Operate Outside Any System of Accountability’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the International Criminal Court (ICC) with Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Head of Special Projects at the Institute for Security Studies, an African organisation that builds knowledge and skills to enable sustainable peace, development and prosperity in Africa.

SPAIN: ‘Society Does Not Accept Indifference to the Suffering of the Palestinian People’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses recent Palestine solidarity protests in Spain with representatives of SODePAZ, a civil society organisation that supports political mobilisation and people’s empowerment.

BURKINA FASO: ‘We Are Not Witnessing a Democratic Transition, But The Consolidation of Absolute Power’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the closing of civic space under Burkina Faso’s military junta with a Burkinabe civil society representative who has asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.

UNITED KINGDOM: ‘Foreign Agents Laws are Designed to Give Governments Legal Cover to Repress Civil Society and Control public Narratives’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the rise of foreign agents laws and their impact on civil society and media with Kathryn Beck, Acting Director of Access to Law at the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

MADAGASCAR: ‘We no longer wanted to just survive; we wanted to build a fair future’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Generation Z-led protests in Madagascar with six members of the Youth Empowerment Madagascar association: Hanson Andriamahazo, Heritoky Mahasedra, Elie Rakotoarimanana, Jessica Rakotoarison, Daniellà Ramanambohitra and Roméo Tovonantenaina.

SOUTH AFRICA: ‘We Help Young People Test Their Ideas, Scale Their Projects and Create Sustainable Livelihoods’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Rene Parker, Board Chair of AfriLabs and Co-founder and Director of RLabs, about how young people in Africa are driving change through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Independent Media is Both a Watchdog and Guide Dog for Society: It Informs, Connects and Protects Institutions’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the growing challenges of sustaining independent journalism in South Africa with Styli Charalambous, co-founder and CEO of Daily Maverick.

NIGERIA: ‘As physical civic space shrinks, many turn to digital platforms – but those spaces are under attack too’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, about the state of digital rights and online civic space in Africa.

THAILAND: ‘The Right-To-Work Initiative is a Big Relief for Refugees and a Step Forward for Human Rights’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Thailand’s decision to grant the right to work to Myanmar refugees living in border camps with Mic Chawaratt, Asia-Pacific Regional Manager at the International Detention Coalition, a civil society organisation that works to end immigration detention and support migrants and refugees around the world.

NORWAY: ‘The results reflected a deeply divided electorate’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the results of Norway’s recent election with Johannes Bergh, Research Director for Politics, Democracy and Civil Society at the Institute for Social Research, an independent research institute based in Oslo.

SYRIA: ‘The goal should have been to build a parliament reflecting the diversity of Syrian society, but that opportunity was missed’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Syria’s political transition and the implications of its new parliament with Fadel Abdulghany, founder and head of the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR).

UNITED STATES: ‘Increased demand and fewer resources have pushed civil society to innovate to prove the value of its work’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks to Jessie Krafft, president and CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) about the challenges and opportunities facing civil society today.

ECUADOR: ‘Protesters are demanding a more transparent state accountable to its citizens’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses protests in Ecuador caused by the elimination of diesel subsidies and the resulting social unrest with Micaela Estefanía Puente Betancourt.

MALDIVES: ‘The government’s true motivation is to control the public narrative and silence dissent’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses Maldives’ new media bill with Naaif Ahmed, President of Maldives Journalists Association, a civil society organisation that promotes journalistic professional rights, supports local media and advocates for a safe and free working environment.

AUSTRIA: ‘The global reach of the UN Convention against Cybercrime makes strong oversight critical’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the United Nations (UN) Convention against Cybercrime with Pavlina Pavlova, Cybercrime Working Group Lead at the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

TURKMENISTAN: ‘Turkmen authorities are carrying out a systematic campaign to eliminate independent voices’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the disappearance of Turkmen activists Abdulla Orusov and Alisher Sahatov with human rights defender Diana Dadasheva from the civil movement DAYANÇ/Turkmenistan and with Gülala Hasanova, wife of Alisher Sahatov.

PERU: ‘Young people have lost their fear and realised change requires constant participation’

Interviews
CIVICUS discusses the wave of Gen Z-led protests in Peru with young Peruvian activist Wildalr Lozano.

UNITED STATES: ‘US counterterrorism laws make it increasingly difficult for civil society organisations to fulfil their missions’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about US counterterrorism laws and their impact on civil society with Poorvika Mehra, Howard S.

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