Interviews

Featured

COP27: ‘We doubt that we will be able to mobilise as we did around COP26’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet for Climate Justice, about civil society’s aspirations and roles in the upcoming COP27 summit on climate change.
Featured

HAITI: ‘Civil society must get involved because political actors cannot find a solution to our problems’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Haiti’s ongoing crisis and calls for foreign intervention with Monique Clesca, a journalist, democracy advocate and member of the Commission to Search for a Haitian Solution to the Crisis (Commission pour la recherche d’une solution haitienne a la crise, CRSC).
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SPAIN: ‘The main challenge is to consolidate legally recognised rights and prevent backsliding’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Carmen Miquel Acosta, gender lawyer at Amnesty International Spain, about the recently passed Organic Law on the Guarantee of Sexual Freedom, known as the ‘Only Yes is Yes Law’, and the role of civil society in advancing women’s rights.
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COP27: ‘Climate justice requires debt cancellation, reparations and non-debt climate finance for small island developing states’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Bahraini social entrepreneur Tariq Al-Olaimy about the upcoming COP27 summit on climate change.
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LEBANON: ‘The main culprits of the current crisis are bank owners and their greed for profit’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Lebanon’s ongoing financial crisis and the situation of depositors who are unable to access their savings with Alaa Khorchid, head of Depositors’ Outcry Association.
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BURKINA FASO: ‘For a major segment of civil society security is a more urgent concern than democracy’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the recent military coup in Burkina Faso with Kop'ep Dabugat, Network Coordinator of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS).
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IRAN: ‘Mahsa Amini’s case was a spark in a flammable situation’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Sohrab Razaghi, executive director of Volunteer Activists (VA), about the current women-led protests, the state of civil society and the prospects for change in Iran.
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LIBERIA: ‘Anyone who committed crimes during the civil wars should be prosecuted, wherever they are’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the current war crime trial against former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara with Adama Dempster, Secretary General of Civil Society Human Rights Advocacy Platform of Liberia.
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MALDIVES: ‘We have come a long way, but more needs to be done to further open up civic space’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the situation of women’s rights in Maldives with Safaath Ahmed Zahir, founder and president of Women & Democracy (W&D).
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CAMEROON: ‘The Anglophone discontent must be addressed through meaningful discussion with all parties’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with the Cameroonian writer and digital activist Dibussi Tande about the ongoing crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
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MEXICO: ‘The problem of insecurity is paramount, but it cannot be solved with militarisation’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the militarisation of security in Mexico and its implications for civil society with Sofía de Robina, a lawyer with Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín pro Juárez-Centro Prodh.
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LESOTHO: ‘We must work hand in hand to promote democracy and hold our leaders accountable’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the 7 October election in Lesotho with Libakiso Matlho, executive director of Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust-Lesotho (WLSA).
Featured

ITALY: ‘We anticipate hostility towards civil society working on human rights’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the recent Italian election with Oiza Q Obasuyi from the Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD).
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IRAN: ‘Mahsa’s death highlights the struggle women must face just to go about their daily lives’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Kylie Moore-Gilbert about the current women-led protests in Iran, sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the so-called ‘morality police’.
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CAMEROON: ‘The international community hasn’t helped address the root causes of the Anglophone conflict’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Cameroonian feminist researcher and writer Monique Kwachou about the ongoing crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
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EGYPT: ‘We are dealing with an extremely elaborate, very creative repressive machinery’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Egyptian activist Mona Seif about the international campaign for the release of  her brother, British-Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abdel Fattah, ahead of the COP27 climate summit  taking place in Egypt in November.
Featured

AFGHANISTAN: ‘The seizure of sovereign assets will worsen the world’s worst humanitarian disaster’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Arash Azizzada, co-founder and co-director of Afghans for a Better Tomorrow, about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
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AFGHANISTAN: ‘Lack of dialogue and punishing sanctions are undermining the promotion of human rights’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan with Hadiya Afzal, programme coordinator of Unfreeze Afghanistan.
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SOUTH AFRICA: ‘We were denied the right to give or refuse our consent, so we took Shell to court – and won’ 

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about civil society’s recent court victory against Shell in South Africa with Sinegugu Zukulu, programme manager of Sustaining the Wild Coast (SWC).
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BRAZIL: ‘If Bolsonaro continues as president, it is a threat to the Amazon and therefore to humanity’

Interviews
PORTUGUESE  CIVICUS discusses the state of environmental activism in Brazil with Daniela Silva, a socio-environmental educator and co-founder of the Aldeias Project, an education, art, culture and environment project for children and young people in the municipality of Altamira, in the Brazilian state of Pará.
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MYANMAR: ‘The ruling military junta uses fear as a domination tool’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the human rights situation and prospects for democracy in Myanmar with a civil society activist based in Myanmar, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
Featured

UNITED NATIONS: ‘Getting a strong Ocean Treaty across the line would be nothing short of historic’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Ellie Hooper of Greenpeace Aotearoa about civil society’s role in the ongoing negotiations towards the development of a United Nations Ocean Treaty.
Featured

UNITED NATIONS: ‘Ocean Treaty negotiations are largely a backroom discussion that excludes civil society’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks John Paul Jose about civil society’s role in the ongoing negotiations towards a United Nations (UN) High Seas Treaty.
Featured

ANGOLA: ‘Much effort was put into excluding people from the electoral process’

Interviews
PORTUGUESE CIVICUS speaks about the recent Angolan election and its aftermath with Catarina Antunes Gomes and Cesaltina Abreu from the Social Sciences and Humanities Laboratory of the Catholic University of Angola (LAB).
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SIERRA LEONE: ‘Civil society needs international support to monitor the implementation of the new land laws’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Berns Lebbie, lead campaigner and national coordinator of Land for Life (LfL) in Sierra Leone, about two new laws aimed at improving the ability of communities to protect their land rights and the environment.
Featured

UNITED NATIONS: ‘From now on, states should adopt a human rights approach to environmental regulation’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Victoria Lichet, executive director of the Global Pact Coalition, about the resolution recently passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognising the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right.
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ANGOLA: ‘Chances for real democracy in Angola are quite low’

Interviews
Portuguese  CIVICUS speaks about the recent presidential and National Assembly election in Angola with Pascoal Baptistiny, Executive Director of MBAKITA – Kubango Agricultural Benevolent Mission, Inclusion, Technologies and the Environment.
Featured

CHILE: ‘The million-dollar question is how society will react if a new constitution does not come out of this’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Chile’s impending constitutional referendum with Julieta Suárez Cao, PhD in Political Science and Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the Catholic University of Chile.
Featured

PALESTINE: ‘Colonial powers of the global north have normalised murder and devastation in the global south’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with a Palestinian civil society activist, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, about the use of online activism to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine and seek international support.
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PANAMA: ‘Protests reflect structural inequalities and frustration at blatant corruption’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about recent protests in Panama with Eileen Ng Fábrega, Executive Director of the Panamanian Chamber of Social Development (CAPADESO).
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EGYPT: ‘The president is desperate for international attention ahead of 2024 election’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Ahmed Samih about the repression of civic space in Egypt ahead of the COP27 climate summit, which will be held in Egypt in November.
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SIERRA LEONE: ‘We advocate for a civic space where people can protest with no risks’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about recent protests in Sierra Leone with Andrew Lavali, Executive Director of the Institute for Governance Reform, a civil society organisation (CSO) that advocates for good governance in Sierra Leone.
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NICARAGUA: ‘The regime seeks to annihilate all forms of autonomous citizen organisation’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with María Teresa Blandón, a Nicaraguan human rights defender and director of Feminist Programme La Corriente, a civil society organisation (CSO) whose legal status was recently cancelled by the authoritarian regime led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo.
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CANADA: ‘The Pope didn’t deliver a clear apology to Indigenous people on behalf of the Catholic Church’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Virginie Ladisch of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) about the recent apology of Pope Francis to Canadian Indigenous peoples and the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
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MALAWI: ‘The tactics used by the current administration are the same used by its predecessors’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about recent protests in Malawi with Michael Kaiyatsa, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR).
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DRC: ‘The United Nations’ peacekeeping mission has failed’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the ongoing protests against the United Nations (UN) Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), MONUSCO, with social activists Espoir Ngalukiye and Sankara Bin Kartumwa.
Featured

JORDAN: ‘Transnational feminist solidarity is vital in the struggle against gender-based violence’

Interviews
 Content warning: this interview contains references to femicide and violence.
Featured

KENYA: ‘People are discouraged from voting when they think that voices do not matter’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the recent presidential election in Kenya with Ken Ogembo, programme manager of Siasa Place.
Featured

SIERRA LEONE: ‘We are dealing with a relentless campaign by anti-rights groups’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the struggle for sexual and reproductive health rights in Sierra Leone with Nicky Spencer-Coker, head of advocacy and movement building of Purposeful Sierra Leone.
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THAILAND: ‘Spyware was used to monitor protesters’ online activity’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the use of surveillance technology against civil society activists in Thailand with Sutawan Chanprasert, founder and executive director of DigitalReach, a civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes digital rights, human rights and democracy in Southeast Asia.
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GUINEA: ‘The democratic future of the region is at stake in our country’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the lack of progress in the transition to democracy in Guinea since its 2021 military coup with Abdoulaye Oumou Sow, head of communications for the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC).
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JAPAN: ‘Links between politics and the religious right have impeded progress on LGBTQI+ rights’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Akira Nishiyama, executive officer of the Japan Alliance for Legislation to Remove Social Barriers based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation, J-ALL).
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CANADA: ‘Indigenous people who are most marginalised experience significant human rights violations.’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Indigenous people’s rights in Canada with Melanie Omeniho, president of Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak/Women of the Metis Nation (LFMO).
Featured

AUSTRALIA: ‘Indigenous Australians must be represented at the heart of policy-making’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Indigenous peoples’ rights in Australia with Paul Wright, National Director of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), a civil society organisation (CSO) that works in solidarity with and advocates for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Australia, including by aiming to change the attitudes and behaviours of non-Indigenous Australians.
Featured

UNITED NATIONS: ‘The power of anti-rights groups is growing; difficult times lie ahead’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Tamara Adrián, founder and director of DIVERLEX-Diversity and Equality Through Law, about the successful civil society campaign for the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations’ (UN) Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Featured

EGYPT: ‘Women’s rights are not a priority in the government’s agenda’

Interviews
Content warning: this interview contains references to sexual assault, rape and femicide.
Featured

BANGLADESH: ‘Civil society made a lot of efforts to stop Japan financing the Matarbari project’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about the cancellation of the Matarbari 2 coal-fired power plant project in Bangladesh with Sharif Jamil, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA), a platform that organises civil society movements against environmental degradation.
Featured

‘Due to closed civic space, it is difficult to build the resilience of communities inside the country’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Helen Kidan, executive member of the Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR), about 20 years of crackdown by the Eritrean government and continuing human rights violations.
Featured

CAMEROON: ‘Indigenous people should be at the forefront of our own movement and speak for ourselves’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks about Indigenous peoples’ rights in Cameroon with Barrister Unusa Karimu, board member of Mbororo Social and Cultural Development Association (MBOSCUDA).
Featured

SPAIN: ‘We demand legal and safe channels for migration; attempts to stop it will only cause more suffering’

Interviews
CIVICUS speaks with Solidary Wheels about the deadly consequences of European governments’ anti-migrant policies, in light of the deaths of migrants at an attempted crossing of the Spain-Morocco border on 24 June.

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