A message from CIVICUS Secretary General, Mandeep S. Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies,
Here's wishing you a good and meaningful 2026.
This year has indeed begun with a bang which makes our work ever more relevant. Even if cherished civic freedoms are under threat, the spirit of resistance against political oppression, economic deprivation and misogyny fueled gender-based violence remains strong. When civil society colleagues speak to us, they tell us of another better world being possible: one where peace, dignity and justice can prevail through citizen action.
The stories we are hearing from Iran, Uganda, the United States and Venezuela are not isolated headlines. They are warning signs of a deeper crisis driven by baser human instincts of greed, cruelty and control powered by disinformation and erosion of international norms amid state capture by the obscenely rich and powerful. This is fuel for authoritarianism and populism.
IRAN – Height of brutality
We are appalled by the Iranian authorities' brutal crackdown against courageous protestors, many of whom were young people. Thousands have been subjected to summary executions, enforced disappearances and torture with raging impunity. The regime has wantonly engaged in arbitrary detentions and information blackouts for which it must be held accountable. We have spoken about the situation in Iran at the UN Human Rights Council.
Our message is consistent: the international community cannot afford to look away. Without justice, the cycle will keep repeating itself with immense loss of life and human suffering. In moving ahead, Iranian voices must be heard, not filtered or forgotten.
UGANDA – A hollow election
Uganda’s 2026 presidential elections were marked by systemic irregularities to rubber stamp yet another extension of incumbent president Yoweri Musevini’s 40+ year rule. Alongwith the political opposition, civil society organisations and concerned citizens were attacked to impede election transparency efforts. The vote which took place amid a nationwide internet shutdown, abductions, and crackdown on opposition members, created conditions to make a free and fair election impossible.
We urge the international community to reject the farce of the sham election imposed on the people of Uganda.
UNITED STATES – Disregarding civic freedoms
Attacks on protestors in Minneapolis are a painful reminder of the cost of resistance against oppression. They were doing what civil society does: standing up against injustice and protecting their neighbours. Renee Good and Alex Pretti were subjected to extra-judicial executions for their active citizenship and civil disobedience against lawless behaviour by immigration agents. Only a year into the Trump administration, attacks on activists, press freedom and civil society organisations have been relentless.
Our 40+ case studies show how civic freedoms and the rule of law are being violated as the United States gets ready to mark 250 years of its Declaration of Independence in 2026. No one should have to lose their life for exercising the right to peaceful protest or for seeking to bear witness to prevent atrocities.
VENEZUELA – International law under threat
The situation in Venezuela has created new dilemmas for civil society as we enter a dangerous era of illegal power grabs and might-is-right conduct in international affairs which could ignite even more violent conflict around the around with devastating impacts. In any case unilateral military actions that violate the UN Charter set bad precedents.
We have joined Venezuelan and international civil society in calls for a genuine democratic transition that includes unconditional release of political prisoners, repeal of the state of emergency, and opening up of the country to international observers and human rights mechanisms.
As we journey into 2026, one thing is clear: we refuse to be mere spectators to diminishing freedoms. As civil society we can rise to the occasion by deepening our connections with impacted communities, communicating truths with publics in more compelling ways, and by standing up for our values in the face of impunity. Solidarity and principled courage are needed when situations are most challenging.
With gratitude,
Mandeep S. Tiwana
