CIVICUS Statement: Civil Society Townhall, President of the UN General Assembly
UN Headquarters, New York
Madame President,
Thank you for organising this civil society townhall.
Civil society alliance, CIVICUS is committed to supporting the UN to advance peace, human rights, sustainable development, and climate action.
Yet, we are alarmed by closing civic space which impacts civil society engagement. Our data indicates adverse civic space conditions for 93% of the world’s people. Restrictive laws, exclusion, and persecution make it harder for civil society to do its work.
We are also concerned by growing disdain for international norms. Military aggression, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide have no place in the 21st century. Protection once afforded by international institutions is eroding while impunity is on the rise. Progress on Agenda 2030 and climate action is severely off track.
When states are unwilling to uphold international human rights norms, cascading impacts on civil society actors who speak truth to power, challenge patriarchy, and uncover corruption and serious rights violations are severe. Civil society can help restore respect for the rules-based international order and the UN Charter.
We urge you to enable better participation, including through coordinated rollout of the UN Guidance Note on the Protection and Promotion of Civic Space, designation of an international day to celebrate civil society contributions, and adoption of a transparent, inclusive process to enable the selection of a feminist woman as the next Secretary-General of the UN.
We thank you.
On behalf of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
