CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Thailand, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and collaborated on a joint submission on Tajikistan.
Media & Resources
CIVICUS welcomes the appointment of Andrea Bolaños Vargas as the new UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
CIVICUS discusses Gen Z-led protests in Nepal with Abhijeet Adhikari (Abhi), a lawyer and political activist who took part in the protests.
The undersigned organisations urge the European Union and other regional bodies and agencies to address the human rights situation in Bahrain, in particular the ongoing crackdown on protests, incidents of torture and the inadequate provision of medical care for political detainees.
A coalition of 342 civil society organisations calls on all parties to immediately cease attacks on civilians in the Middle East and uphold international law.
CIVICUS discusses recent regressive changes to Argentina's labour laws with Facundo Merlán Rey, an activist with the Coordination Against Police and Institutional Repression (CORREPI), an organisation that defends workers' rights and resists state repression.
CIVICUS discusses Afghanistan's new Criminal Procedure Code with Wahida Omari, a human rights and legal professional specialising in human rights law, international criminal law and justice sector reform, with experience at institutions including the European Union, the International Criminal Court and the Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights.
CIVICUS speaks about protests in Indonesia with Thalitha Yuristiana, a campaigner and movement builder committed to civic awareness and environmental justice, and one of the people behind Bijak Memantau, a community-driven learning space that encourages people to learn, actively participate, organise and take collective action.
The 61st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from February 23 to April 2, 2026, resulting in 38 Resolutions and 13 Universal Period Review adoptions.
CIVICUS discusses the spread of AI-powered surveillance in Africa with Wairagala Wakabi, executive director of the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and co-editor of Smart City Surveillance in Africa: Mapping Chinese AI Surveillance Across 11 Countries, the latest report by the African Digital Rights Network (ADRN) and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
FRANCE: 'Individual acts of violence will continue to be weaponised to normalise far-right politics'
CIVICUS discusses political polarisation and far-right mobilisations in France with Aldo Rubert Echevarria, a researcher at the Research Centre on Political Action at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
CIVICUS speaks with Khabir Moncef, executive director of the Association for the Defence of Human Rights, about the conviction of Tunisian anti-racist activist Saadia Mosbah and the government's growing repression of civil society.
By Tanya Lupuwana, Communications Officer - Narratives and Networks
Across Africa, women keep democracy alive.
CIVICUS speaks about the erosion of civic space and the implications of the 20-year sentence handed to democracy campaigner and media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai with Alric Lee, co-founder of Lady Liberty Hong Kong, a civil society organisation that documents human rights violations and advocates for democratic freedoms in Hong Kong.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, calls on the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government to halt the continued harassment of activists and journalists and crackdown on protests.
By Sarah Omoyemwen Ajokpauwu, FoPA (Freedom of Peaceful Assembly) Learning and Communications Intern.
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Urgent Debate:
"Protection of Children and Educational Institutions in International Armed Conflicts: The Aerial Attacks on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, Iran, as a Grave Breach of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law"
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Mr President,
CIVICUS is gravely concerned about the unfolding situation in Iran and the Gulf region.
CIVICUS discusses Zimbabwe's proposed constitutional amendment with Narshon T Kohlo, a youth leader of the Constitution Defenders Forum, a civil society coalition that's mobilising resistance to the changes.
CIVICUS discusses the prospects for a democratic transition in Venezuela with Pedro González Caro, a university lecturer and member of the national coordination committee of Creemos Alianza Ciudadana (Citizen Alliance We Believe), a citizen platform that works for democracy in Venezuela.
The March 2026 Watchlist from the CIVICUS Monitor highlights five countries where civic freedoms are deteriorating at an alarming pace: Ecuador, Georgia, Iran, the Philippines and Benin.
The year 2000 marked the creation of the mandate of the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.
CIVICUS discusses the presidential election in the Republic of the Congo with Ivan Kibangou Ngoy, executive director of Global Participe, a civil society action-research organisation focused on democratic governance based in Pointe-Noire.
MARCH 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
We’re excited to announce the publication of our 2026 State of Civil Society Report, offering comprehensive analysis of key global trends, their impact on human rights, and civil society responses.
The process for appointing the top officials of the Attorney General’s Office and the Ombudsperson’s Office in Venezuela has raised concerns due to the lack of transparency and public participation, which are essential safeguards for appointing independent, qualified, and ethical individuals to key positions that ensure access to justice and the protection of human rights.
CIVICUS speaks with a member of 7amleh, the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, about how European Union (EU) funding and technology exports enable surveillance and human rights violations in Palestine and across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 8: General Debate
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS underscores the enduring relevance of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA).
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report of Maldives
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr.
The global civil society alliance CIVICUS welcomes the release of Belarusian human rights defenders Marfa Rabkova and Valiantsin Stefanovich, featured in its Stand As My Witness Campaign, following the Belarusian authorities’ decision to free 250 political prisoners in exchange for sanctions relief.
CIVICUS has just released the State of Civil Society Report 2026, and its message is urgent: repression is rising, civic space is shrinking, and the pressure on activists, journalists, and ordinary people who dare to speak up has never been more relentless.
CIVICUS discusses the African Union's (AU) democratic accountability gap with Olorunyomi Pauline Adedigba, a lawyer and Global Shaper at the Abuja Hub of the Global Shapers Community, working to strengthen civic space in Africa.
At this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), CIVICUS engaged across a range of high-level discussions and strategic convenings to push for stronger protections for civic freedoms at the UN and beyond, more inclusive feminist policymaking, and greater accountability within global governance systems.
CIVICUS speaks with Lorenz Blumenthaler, Political Communications Specialist at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, a German civil society organisation that strengthens democracy and counters extremism through analysis, coalition-building and grassroots support.
CIVICUS discusses Italy's restrictive immigration policies with Eleonora Celoria, a researcher at FIERI (Forum Internazionale ed Europeo di Ricerche sull'Immigrazione), a research centre on migration, and a member of the Association for Legal Studies on Immigration (ASGI), an Italian legal organisation that defends migrants' and asylum seekers' rights through advocacy, public awareness and strategic litigation.
CIVICUS calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Pakistani human rights defender Dr.
Statement at the 61st Session UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the UPR report of Mongolia
Delivered by Urantulkhuur Mandkhaitsetsen, Center for Human Rights and Development
Mr.
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the UPR report of Malawi
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 5: General Debate
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Mr.
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 4: General Debate
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Mr President,
We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Tajikistan.
To: General Listyo Sigit Prabowo
Chief of Indonesian National Police
Indonesian National Police Headquarter
Jl.
CIVICUS discusses Portugal's presidential runoff election and the rise of the far-right Chega (Enough) party with Jonni Lopes, Executive Director of Academia Cidadã (Citizen Academy) and a Steering Committee member of the European Civic Forum, an organisation working on civic engagement, democratic participation and the protection of civic space at national, regional and international levels.
CIVICUS joins 17 organisations in calling for the release of human rights defenders, Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace.
Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Delivered by Calixto Ignacio Ávila Rincón, PROVEA
Mr President,
CIVICUS and PROVEA welcome the update by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM).
Nine civil society groups including CIVICUS have written a letter to Bangladesh’s prime minister, Tarique Rahman, who was elected in February 2026 to use this opportunity to bring lasting protections of human rights.
On behalf of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation we thank the Permanent Missions of Ireland and Senegal for their co-facilitation of this important UN Human Rights Council Review (HRC) Process.
CIVICUS discusses the forthcoming constitutional referendum in Kazakhstan with Yevgeniy Zhovtis, Chief Expert Consultant at the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law.
CIVICUS’s 2026 State of Civil Society Report highlights how a dangerous convergence of authoritarian leaders, economic elites and tech oligarchs are tearing up the international rulebook to imperil democracy, peace and environmental sustainability.
CIVICUS discusses China's tech-enabled repression with Fergus Ryan, a Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), where he specialises in how the Chinese Communist Party shapes global information environments through censorship, propaganda and platform governance.
CIVICUS discusses the European Union's (EU) Strategy for Civil Society with Giada Negri, Deputy Secretary General and Director of Advocacy and Programme Management at the European Civic Forum, a civil society network that works to protect civic space, strengthen civic participation and promote dialogue.
CIVICUS discusses recent US airstrikes in north-west Nigeria with Ibrahim Baba Shatambaya, senior lecturer in social sciences at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.
By Jesselina Rana, CIVICUS' UN New York Advisor
For 80 years, men have exclusively led the United Nations.
As part of a human rights observation visit, the organizations visited several communities and interviewed human rights and environmental defenders, civil society organisations, public institutions and the international community.
The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) is a critical opportunity to reaffirm global commitments to gender equality, civic freedoms, and women’s leadership in multilateral governance.
CIVICUS discusses the new Dutch government with Aïcha Chaghouani, Advocacy and Partnerships Manager at the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, a civil society organisation that promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe.
Read the statement in Arabic
The assassination of woman human rights defender Yanar Mohammed, a prominent Iraqi feminist and President of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), on 02 March 2026 in Baghdad, constitutes a grave attack against human rights defenders and against the struggle for women’s rights in Iraq.
CIVICUS discusses Nepal's upcoming election with youth activist Anusha Khanal of the Gen Z Movement Alliance, a youth-led civil society coalition mobilising for democratic accountability and governance reform in Nepal.
By Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS UN Advisor
The United Nations’ foundational commitment to human rights and civic participation is under growing strain, and those meant to protect it are not doing enough, writes Sigrid Lipott, UN adviser to the human rights alliance Civicus.
Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2: ID with the Special Rapporteur on torture
Delivered by Fairooz Jawad, Salam for Democracy and Human Rights
Mr President,
CIVICUS and Salam for Democracy and Human Rights welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report, especially the Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Oral statement delivered at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2: General Debate
Delivered by International Service for Human Rights (Joint statement), Raphael Viana David
Mr President,
This is a joint statement.
Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on report of Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Madam Vice-President,
We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in South Sudan, where rising political tensions, renewed fighting and escalating communal violence continue to fuel a worsening crisis.
CIVICUS discusses the situation in Venezuela following US intervention and the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro with Verónica Zubillaga, a Venezuelan sociologist who specialises in urban violence, state repression and community responses to armed violence.
Oral statement delivered at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's Oral Update on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Madam Vice-President,
CIVICUS remains concerned about the serious crimes committed by the junta following the coup including the arbitrary detention and conviction of thousands of activists after unfair trials, torture in detention and indiscriminate attacks and killings of civilians.
By Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS Secretary General
EU and India have an opportunity to transform their recently inked trade agreement into a meaningful partnership that benefits the world.
CIVICUS discusses the dissolution of political parties in Burkina Faso with a member of Burkinabe civil society, who has asked to stay anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, calls for the immediate release of five Mother Nature Cambodia environmental rights defenders, who are now featured in its ‘Stand As My Witness’ campaign.
🎧 CIVICUS Voices is back!What does it really mean to defend civic space today? In the new season of CIVICUS Voices, we hear directly from activists and organisers on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom of peaceful assembly.
CIVICUS speaks about Thailand's recent general election and constitutional referendum with a representative of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, a civil society organisation that provides legal assistance and monitors rights violations affecting activists, human rights defenders and protesters.
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office and independent civil society human rights organisations are struggling to survive.
CIVICUS discusses AI governance and data justice with Lobna Jeribi, an international senior public policy advisor with a PhD in Information Systems.
Sixty-first (61st) Session of the UN Human Rights Council (23 February – 2 April 2026)
Overview
Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council
Thematic Priorities
Country-Specific Priorities
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Overview
As we mark the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council this year, the UN human rights system faces sustained and coordinated attacks.
In today’s digital age, against a backdrop of shrinking civic space and declining democracy worldwide, the role of local civil society actors in promoting inclusive and equitable access to democratic processes cannot be overemphasised.
CIVICUS discusses the criminalisation of dissent in the Philippines with Kyle A Domequil, spokesperson of the Free Tacloban 5 Network, a campaign supporting journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, human rights defender Marielle Domequil and their co-accused and advocating for their release.
CIVICUS, together with 234 Myanmar, regional, and international civil society organisations, issued an open letter urging the UN Human Rights Council to reject the Myanmar military junta’s sham election results and take decisive action to advance accountability.
CIVICUS speaks with Hugh Dugan of the Truce Foundation, a civil society organisation inspired by the Olympic Truce that promotes Olympic values of excellence, fair play, respect and unity.
CIVICUS speaks about life in Gaza under Israel's ongoing military assault with Ali Abdel-Wahab, a data analyst and policy researcher with PalThink for Strategic Studies and the Social Developmental Forum.
CIVICUS, together with partner civil society organisations, wrote to States to underscore the importance of maintaining hybrid participation during informal consultations on resolutions throughout 2026 (HRC61, HRC62 and HRC63).
CIVICUS discusses the conviction of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio and its implications for press freedom in the Philippines with Aleksandra Bielakowska, Advocacy Manager for Asia-Pacific of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a member of the #FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio coalition.
CIVICUS discusses the results of Costa Rica's recent election with Ilka Treminio Sánchez, a political science professor and researcher at the University of Costa Rica.
CIVICUS, together with Amnesty International, AfricanDefenders, DefendDefenders, Human Rights Watch, and other civil society organisations, called on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) and strengthen international scrutiny of the country’s human rights situation.
CIVICUS participated in the third CSO-UN Peacebuilding Dialogue held on 10-11 December 2025.
OPEN LETTER
To: Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar Federal Minister for Law and Justice & Human Rights S-Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Pakistan: Overturn conviction and release human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha
Dear Minister,
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is a global alliance of civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society worldwide.
A message from CIVICUS Secretary General, Mandeep S.
While elections were held and institutions nodded, civil society bore the weight of democracy, often with too little support to navigate the shrinking spaces in which it operates.
CIVICUS discusses civil society and the prospects for democracy in Venezuela with Luz Mely Reyes, co-founder and director of Efecto Cocuyo, a media outlet that reports on the reality and struggles of Venezuelan communities.
CIVICUS discusses the genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with Mohammed Nowkhim of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPHR), a civil society organisation led by Rohingya people born out of refugee camps in Bangladesh to document atrocities, preserve survivor testimony and advocate for accountability and justice.
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.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, calls on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the international community to step up and do more to resolve the human rights crisis in Myanmar as well as reject the sham election results.
By Susan Marx, Chief Programmes Officer
Standing in solidarity — defending the right to protest, rejecting dehumanisation, supporting civil liberties organisations — is not radical.
CIVICUS discusses Uganda's presidential election with Nalongo Nana Mwafrika, a Ugandan civic activist, human rights defender and former parliamentary candidate working on accountability, democracy and young people's political participation.
CIVICUS discusses Uganda’s presidential election with Nalongo Nana Mwafrika, a Ugandan civic activist, human rights defender and former parliamentary candidate working on accountability, democracy and young people’s political participation.
CIVICUS discusses the future of Gaza with Karam Dana, interdisciplinary social scientist and professor at the University of Washington Bothell.
CIVICUS discusses Iran’s recent wave of protests and their repression with members of Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights (HOHR), a civil society organisation that documents and reports on human rights violations in Kurdistan and across Iran.
Oral Statement
UN Human Rights Council: 39th special session of the Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr.
CIVICUS discusses the situation following the US intervention in Venezuela with Guillermo Miguelena Palacios, director of the Venezuelan Progressive Institute, a think tank that promotes spaces for dialogue and democratic leadership.
Read in Portuguese
CIVICUS discusses recent protests against gender-based violence in Brazil with Beatriz Souza, programme analyst at ELAS+ Foundation, an organisation dedicated to the rights of LGBTQI+ people and women.
CIVICUS speaks to the Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRC) about labour rights abuses in Myanmar’s garment industry since the 2021 military coup.
CIVICUS speaks about the Cambodia–Thailand peace process with Dr Eugene Mark, Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Thailand Studies Programme at the Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore.
Venezuela faces a new and complex political juncture.
CIVICUS speaks with Ruth Kolevsohn, Executive Director of Good Governance Africa, about recent anti-corruption protests across Africa and calls for an International Anti-Corruption Court.
CIVICUS speaks with Belarusian activist, blogger and journalist Mikola Dziadok about his experiences as a two-time political prisoner and the repression of dissent in Belarus.
CIVICUS discusses the campaign for a global fossil fuel treaty with human rights advocate Kumi Naidoo, president of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, co-founder of the Global Artivism Initiative and Global Ambassador of Africans Rising.
CIVICUS remains deeply concerned about the outcome of the UN budget negotiations in New York.
CIVICUS speaks about HIV response in Africa with Samuel Matsikure, Key Populations Lead at Aidsfonds.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, is seriously concerned over a decision by the Ugandan authorities to suspend the operations of five human rights organisations.
Read in French
CIVICUS discusses the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Crispin Ngakani, a Congolese civil society activist and member of Aid Life Learn Environment (ALLEN), an organisation that works for community protection, the defence of human rights and humanitarian action.
CIVICUS discusses the US government’s renewed calls to annex Greenland with Rachael Lorna Johnstone, Professor of Law at the University of Akureyri, Iceland.
CIVICUS speaks with Flavia Liberona, executive director of Fundación Terram, about the results of Chile’s presidential election.
Following the illegal invasion of Venezuela and the abduction of its head of state by US forces on 3 January 2026, global civil society alliance CIVICUS urges respect for international law and the UN Charter.
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.
CIVICUS discusses civic space and democratic participation in Iraq with Iraqi human rights defender Hasan Ibrahim.
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.
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.
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.
Today, 28 December 2025, marks one year since the arrest of Egyptian–Turkish poet and opposition figure Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Lebanon.
CIVICUS discusses Kazakhstan’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill with Temirlan Baimash, activist and co-founder of QUEER KZ youth initiative, a Kazakhstani LGBTQI+ organisation.
By Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS Secretary General
2025 has been a terrible year for democracy.
CIVICUS discusses recent constitutional changes in Zambia with Gideon Musonda, Executive Director of the Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation, a Zambian civil society organisation.
CIVICUS discusses South Africa’s recent declaration of gender-based violence (GBV) as a national disaster with Cameron Kasambala, student and spokesperson for Women for Change, a South African civil society organisation that works to raise awareness of violence against women and children.
ZAMBIA: ‘Zambia Has Environmental Laws and Standards on Paper – the Problem is Their Implementation’
CIVICUS discusses environmental accountability in Zambia with Christian-Géraud Neema, Africa editor at the China Global South Project, an independent journalism initiative that covers and follows China’s activities in global south countries.
CIVICUS discusses Honduras’ 30 November presidential election, with no winner yet declared, with members of Expediente Público, the investigative journalism programme of the think tank Expediente Abierto, which focuses on issues of democracy, government transparency and human rights.
CIVICUS discusses Generation Z-led protests in Bulgaria with Zahari Iankov, senior legal expert at the Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law, a civil society organisation that advocates for participation and human rights.
We Volunteer Activists and CIVICUS strongly condemn the arbitrary detention and reported ill-treatment of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Iranian human rights defender Narges Mohammadi by Iranian authorities.
CIVICUS welcomes the release of Belarusian human rights defenders Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich, who were freed on 13 December 2025 as part of a broader release of 123 political prisoners by Belarusian authorities.
CIVICUS discusses international water governance and the political implications of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam with Khaled AbuZeid, Executive Director of the Arab Water Council, a Cairo-based regional organisation that works to promote integrated water management, cooperation and sustainable development across Arab countries.
Read in Portuguese
CIVICUS discusses Guinea-Bissau’s coup following its presidential election with Victorino Indeque, activist and coordinator of the Guinea-Bissau Human Rights Defenders Network, a coalition of over 30 organisations that works to protect activists, combat human rights violations and defend democracy.
CIVICUS discusses Haiti’s worsening humanitarian and security crisis with Chaduc Louis, Secretary General of the Vialet Association of Progressive Youth (AJPV), a civil society organisation that defends human rights and helps displaced people.
CIVICUS discusses Argentina’s legislative election with Carlos Gervasoni, director of the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Torcuato Di Tella University.
CIVICUS discusses a landmark court ruling halting oil and gas exploration off South Africa’s coast with members of The Green Connection, one of the two civil society organisations that led the legal challenge.
A message from CIVICUS Secretary General, Mandeep S.
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.
CIVICUS discusses growing authoritarianism in Tunisia with a representative of the Africa Independent Commission of Human Rights.
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.
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.
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.
In a joint letter, civil society organisations urge Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council to enhance their engagement with the United Republic of Tanzania and take action to prevent further abuses following the authorities’ brutal response to widespread protests after the 29 October 2025 elections.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society worldwide, strongly condemns Niger’s decision to suspend hundreds of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
By Sigrid Lipott, UN Advisor (Geneva) and Jesaselina Rana, UN Advisor (New York)
This piece explores the increasing restrictions facing civil society within UN spaces, highlighting access barriers, shrinking participation, and the urgent need for stronger protection and inclusion of civil society actors in multilateral processes.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The UN World Food Forum (WFF) is a global platform that brings together youth, civil society, scientists and policy-makers to address the urgent challenges facing the world’s food systems.
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.
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.
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, calls on the governments in eight countries in the Pacific to do more to respect civic freedoms and strengthen institutions to protect these rights.
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.
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.
We, the undersigned organisations, call for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defender Khurram Parvez.
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.
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.
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.
By Nipuna Kumbalathara, CIVICUS Communications Lead.
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.
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.
By Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS UN Advisor
As the Human Rights Council prepares to judge grave violations in Sudan, some of its own members – responsible for abuses themselves – are evading accountability, hurting the UN body’s credibility, writes Sigrid Lipott, UN adviser to CIVICUS.
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.
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.
CIVICUS discusses recent Palestine solidarity protests in Spain with representatives of SODePAZ, a civil society organisation that supports political mobilisation and people’s empowerment.
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.
The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) will hold its 83rd session from 10–28 November 2025, where it will review the human rights records of Argentina, Albania Bahrain and Israel.
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.
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.
The International Civil Society Week (ICSW) which gathered over 1,000 civil society leaders from around the world called on governments and multilateral institutions to defend democracy and civic freedoms.
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.
CIVICUS discusses the growing challenges of sustaining independent journalism in South Africa with Styli Charalambous, co-founder and CEO of Daily Maverick.
CIVICUS speaks with ‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, about the state of digital rights and online civic space in Africa.
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.
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.
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).
CIVICUS speaks to Jessie Krafft, president and CEO of the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) about the challenges and opportunities facing civil society today.
CIVICUS discusses protests in Ecuador caused by the elimination of diesel subsidies and the resulting social unrest with Micaela Estefanía Puente Betancourt.
CIVICUS statement at the 85th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights
Agenda Item 3 – Human rights situation in Africa (with a special focus on Rapidly Closing Civic Space and Systemic Violations of the Human Rights)
Delivered by Dr Paul Mulindwa, CIVICUS
Global civil society alliance CIVICUS welcomes this opportunity to address the African Commission.
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.
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.
A message from CIVICUS Secretary General, Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
I’m writing to you amid the busyness and final preparations for our International Civil Society Week in Bangkok from November 1-5.
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.
CIVICUS discusses the wave of Gen Z-led protests in Peru with young Peruvian activist Wildalr Lozano.
CIVICUS speaks about US counterterrorism laws and their impact on civil society with Poorvika Mehra, Howard S.
Foreign agents laws are proliferating, increasingly threatening the civil society worldwide, finds CIVICUS report ‘Cutting civil society’s lifeline: The global spread of foreign agent laws,’ released today.
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Niger, Singapore, Paraguay and Sierra Leone.
CIVICUS speaks with Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground, about the rising impacts of conflict and new approaches to peacebuilding.
CIVICUS discusses Colombia’s recent wave of political violence with Andrés Preciado, director of Conflict and Security at the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP).
CIVICUS discusses Italy’s protests in solidarity with Palestine with an activist with Cambiare Rotta (‘Change Course’), a leftist youth organisation that campaigns against war, fascism and neoliberal policies on university campuses.
CIVICUS discusses far-right mobilisation in the United Kingdom with Chris Jones, Director of Statewatch, a civil society organisation that monitors and exposes state actions that threaten civil liberties, democracy and human rights.
Friday, 20 October 2025 – 29 October 2025
At CIVICUS, we believe in the fundamental importance of human rights and are dedicated to advancing the work of human rights defenders and protecting civic space.
CIVICUS discusses civic space and the prospects for democracy in Belarus with a representative of the Barys Zvozskau Belarusian Human Rights House (BHRH) who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
The 60th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from 8 September to October 8, 2025, resulting in 35 Resolutions one Decision, and 14 Universal Period Review adoptions.
CIVICUS discusses Malawi’s presidential election results with Michael Simon Kaiyatsa, Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, a civil society organisation that promotes democracy, good governance and human rights.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Timor-Leste with Domingos de Andrade, known as Ameu, Case Coordinator of the civil society organisation Rede ba Rai (‘Network for Land’) and Nelson Roldão, an activist involved in several campaigns, including in support of the right to self-determination in West Papua.
CIVICUS discusses Côte d’Ivoire’s upcoming presidential election with Kaberu Tairu, country representative for Côte d’Ivoire at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, a West African think tank specialising in media innovation and development.
CIVICUS discusses AI governance challenges with Federica Marconi, researcher in the multilateralism and global governance programme at Italy’s Institute of International Affairs, a non-profit think tank that promotes awareness of international politics and contributes to the advancement of European integration and multilateral cooperation.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council has just concluded.
CIVICUS discusses Guyana’s recent election and the challenges of managing its oil wealth with Thomas Singh, Director of the University of Guyana’s Green Institute.
Sailing for Justice: How did an Anime Pirate Flag Become a Protest Banner in Indonesia?
By Vincy Mighulo Masaka and Takaedza Tafirei
Ever wondered how fandoms shape different cultures? Think about it: in the music world, fandoms dictate the latest fashion trends, with K-Pop, EDM, and Rock fans wearing their leather jackets and devotion.
CIVICUS discusses Moldova’s recent election with Nicolae Panfil, Programme Director of Promo-LEX and head of its election observation mission.
Read in Portuguese
CIVICUS discusses a recent crackdown on foreign media and the conditions for journalists in Guinea-Bissau with Indira Correia Baldé, president of the Union of Journalists and Media Technicians, an organisation that protects, defends and promotes freedom of expression, press freedom and labour rights of media professionals
On 15 August, the government of Guinea-Bissau suspended the activities of three Portuguese media outlets, ordering their journalists to leave the country by 19 August.
CIVICUS discusses a recent crackdown on foreign media and the conditions for journalists in Guinea-Bissau with Indira Correia Baldé, president of the Union of Journalists and Media Technicians, an organisation that protects, defends and promotes freedom of expression, press freedom and labour rights of media professionals
On 15 August, the government of Guinea-Bissau suspended the activities of three Portuguese media outlets, ordering their journalists to leave the country by 19 August.
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia
Delivered by: Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Mr.
CIVICUS discusses enforced disappearances in Mexico with a member of the International Network of Associations of Missing Persons.
CIVICUS discusses Somalia’s possible move towards direct elections with Mahad Wasuge, Executive Director of Somali Public Agenda, a civil society organisation that works on public policy and administration research.
CIVICUS discusses the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election with Lukáš Hilpert, president of Million Moments for Democracy, a Czech civic movement that mobilises people to defend democracy and demand government accountability.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests that led to a change of government in Nepal with Dikpal Khatri Chhetri, co-founder of Youth in Federal Discourse (YFD).
CIVICUS discusses recent protests that led to a change of government in Nepal with Dikpal Khatri Chhetry, co-founder of Youth in Federal Discourse (YFD).
Arabic
We, the undersigned human rights organisations, strongly condemn the escalating crackdown by Moroccan authorities on peaceful protests, including minors and human rights defenders, which has now extended into a third day.
CIVICUS discusses Facebook owner Meta’s political ad ban in the European Union (EU) with Filip Stojanovski, Director for Partnership and Resource Development at the Metamorphosis Foundation, a civil society organisation (CSO) that works to empower citizens and civil society to defend democracy.
THAILAND: ‘The Popular Will Expressed in Elections Shouldn’t be Overturned by Judicial Intervention’
CIVICUS discusses the appointment of Thailand’s new prime minister with Sunai Phasuk, Senior Researcher for Thailand at Human Rights Watch’s Asia division.
CIVICUS welcomes the interim government’s steps to respect and protect civic space since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime.
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Türkiye
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Mr President,
CIVICUS welcomes Türkiye’s engagement in the UPR process and its stated commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
By Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS Secretary General
Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage at the UN General Assembly just over a week after an independent UN Commission concluded that Israel has committed genocide — the worst crime under international law.
UNGA 80 marks an important milestone, eight decades of the United Nations’ work.
By Jesselina Rana, CIVICUS UN New York Adviser
Last week, the United Nations (UN) marked its 80th anniversary against the backdrop of an unprecedented global crisis.
Statement at the 60th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR)
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Mr.
Free Buzurghmer Yorov and All Others Held for Exercising their Human Rights
Tajikistan authorities have wrongfully imprisoned a human rights lawyer for 10 years for exercising his human rights, 12 organizations said today.
CIVICUS speaks about the political context ahead of Tanzania’s October general election with a civil society activist who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS discusses Greece’s new migration and asylum policies with Minos Mouzourakis, a lawyer and Legal and Advocacy Officer with Refugee Support Aegean, a leading civil society organisation (CSO) that provides free legal aid to refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS discusses Samoa’s recent election with Lucia S Chung Kwan, a history lecturer at the National University of Samoa.
For Immediate Release
September 24, 2025, New York, NY – Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the United Nations General Assembly Friday, CIVICUS Secretary General Mandeep Tiwana issued the following:
“Just one week after an independent UN Commission found that Israel has committed genocide, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being given the UN stage.
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
Interactive Dialogue on UN Secretary General's report on cooperation with the United Nations
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Thank you, Mr President.
CIVICUS discusses the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent advisory opinion on climate change with Abdul Mufeez Shaheed, campaigner with Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Indonesia with Yati Andriyani, a lawyer, human rights defender and board member of Indonesia for Humanity (Untuk Kemanusiaan, IKa).
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
General Debate Item 4
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Mr President,
CIVICUS believes that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises.
For Immediate Release
Monday, September 23, New York, NY – Ahead of President Donald Trump's speech to the UN General Assembly today, Secretary General of CIVICUS, Mandeep Tiwana, said:
“One of the greatest threats to peace and multilateralism today is the United States President.
CIVICUS discusses the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACtHR) recognition of the right to care with Jeffrey Vogt, international labour law expert and chair of the International Lawyers Assisting Workers Network (ILAW Network).
CIVICUS discusses North Korea’s closed civic space with Hanna Song, Executive Director of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB).
CIVICUS discusses Facebook owner Meta’s political ad ban and the European Union (EU)’s regulations with Anna Sienicka, Senior Vice President at TechSoup Europe.
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council 60th Session
General Debate item 3
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Thank you, Mr President.
CIVICUS discusses the recent peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan with Konul De Moor, political analyst for International Crisis Group, an independent organisation that works to prevent wars and shape policies to build a more peaceful world.
Read in Tamil
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, calls on the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to halt the continued harassment of activists and journalists and crackdown on protests.
FRANCE: ‘What hinders the peace process is the acceptance of occupation, colonisation and apartheid’
CIVICUS discusses France’s imminent recognition of a Palestinian state with Fabienne Messica, sociologist, author and member of the National Bureau of the Human Rights League.
By Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General of CIVICUS
No leader responsible for mass atrocities enjoys greater impunity on the international stage than Benjamin Netanyahu.
By Nipuna Kumbalathara, CIVICUS Communications Lead.
Statement at UN Human Rights Council's 60th session
Interactive Dialogue with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Thank you, Mr President.
CIVICUS discusses the campaign for a United Nations (UN) treaty to tackle plastic pollution with Aminah Taariq-Sidibe, manager of End Plastic Initiatives at EARTHDAY.
By Vincy Mighulo Masaka and Asma Darwish
“Don’t shoot to kill, shoot the leg.
Statement at UN Human Rights Council's 60th session
Item 2 – General Debate
Statement on the Democratic Republic of Congo
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev
Mr President,
CIVICUS remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in DRC.
CIVICUS discusses Peru’s new amnesty law with Nadia Ramos Serrano, founder and researcher at the Leadership Centre for Women of the Americas, a civil society organisation working on democratic development and the role of women in politics.
Today, on the International Day of Democracy, CIVICUS underlines the critical importance of active citizen participation.
By Mandeep Tiwana, CIVICUS Secretary General
The assassination of well-known conservative commentator, Charlie Kirk on September 10 has exposed significant fault-lines in American public life.
By Samuel King, researcher with the Horizon Europe-funded research project ENSURED: Shaping Cooperation for a World in Transition at CIVICUS
Algorithms decide who lives and dies in Gaza.
The undersigned human rights organisations are deeply concerned over the severe deterioration in the health of lawyer and human rights defender Hoda Abdel-Moneim, 66 years old, who has been in pretrial detention since 1st of November 2018.
CIVICUS speaks about Malawi’s 16 September general election with Tadala Chumachiyenda and Tamika Nyirenda-Banda of the Democracy Works Foundation.
Only 5% of people in Latin America live in countries that fully guarantee their basic freedoms.
CIVICUS discusses Ecuador’s new Organic Law on Social Transparency with Vivian Idrovo, coordinator of the Alliance for Human Rights Ecuador.
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan with the Special Rapporteur
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr.
CIVICUS discusses Myanmar’s upcoming general election with Lynn Htett, a human rights activist and coordinator of Towards Media, a grassroots initiative that documents human rights violations, promotes civic education and supports democratic movements in Myanmar.
Civil society continues to face restrictions on access and participation at the United Nations (UN).
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council
Excellency,
We, the undersigned organisations, urge your delegation to support the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation during the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).
CIVICUS discusses the recent Istanbul Pride amid the deterioration of LGBTQI+ rights in Turkey with LGBTQI+ activists Çağıl, Can Kortun and Jiyan Andiç.
CIVICUS speaks with Nathan Timmer, activist and press officer at Geef Tegengas (Push Back), a Dutch direct-action group that focuses on corporate accountability and human rights violations.
CIVICUS discusses protests for democracy with a Togolese human rights defender who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS discusses the deaths of Indigenous activists in custody in Tajikistan with Khursand Khurramov, an independent journalist and political analyst.
As the United Nations (UN) marks 80 years, civil society continues to encounter significant obstacles to participation.
CIVICUS discusses The Gambia’s youth-led movement for accountability over seized assets with Ebrima Jallow, popularly known as The Ghetto Pen and Secretary of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA).
60th Session of UN Human Rights Council (8 September–8 October 2025)
Overview
Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council
Thematic Priorities
Country-Specific Priorities
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview
As civic space continues to shrink globally, amid funding challenges and a UN liquidity crisis, the Human Rights Council remains a vital space for defending human rights and amplifying the voices of those most affected.
Indonesia has witnessed violent crackdowns on protests, with reports of arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment, unlawful killings, and digital attacks.
CIVICUS discusses New Zealand’s new electoral law with Lara Greaves, a political scientist at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, who specialises in democracy, Māori political participation and human rights.
CIVICUS discusses media freedom challenges in Somaliland with a representative of a local civil society organisation that defends journalists’ rights and supports media professionalism.
CIVICUS discusses Bangkok Pride and LGBTQI+ rights in Thailand and Southeast Asia with Ryan Silverio, Executive Director of ASEAN SOGIE Caucus, a civil society organisation that advances the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
Ahead of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (Sep/Oct 2025), CIVICUS and SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR), together with our partners, submit this joint statement urging Kuwait to uphold civic space, protect human rights defenders, and make good on its commitments under the Universal Periodic Review.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Angola with Florindo Chivucute, founder and executive director of Friends of Angola, a US-based civil society organisation established in 2014 that works to promote democracy, human rights and good governance in Angola.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS discusses oil expansion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Emmanuel Musuyu, national coordinator of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Monitoring Reforms and Public Action (CORAP), a network of over 50 Congolese organisations that defend community rights and the environment and urge sustainable development independent of fossil fuels.
CIVICUS discusses a recent United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council resolution on corruption and human rights with Betina Pasteknik, the UNCAC Coalition’s Head of Operations and Working Groups and co-chair of its Working Group on Human Rights and Corruption.
CIVICUS discusses civil society’s challenges in engaging with United Nations (UN) processes with an activist from a Salvadoran queer-led organisation who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
By Muhammed Bello Buhari, Programme Intern - Learning & Communications at CIVICUS
Democracy today is shaped as much online as it is offline.
CIVICUS discusses Cameroon’s upcoming presidential election with Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, director of the Human Rights Defenders Network in Central Africa, a civil society organisation dedicated to protecting human rights defenders in the region.
Ahead of Bolivia’s runoff presidential election, CIVICUS discusses the political landscape with Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos, a Bolivian-German political scientist.
CIVICUS discusses resistance to lithium mining with members of United in Defence of Covas do Barroso (UDCB), a grassroots movement challenging a mining project in a farming village in northern Portugal.
A message from CIVICUS Secretary General, Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
As we navigate through the second half of 2025, we find ourselves both energized and challenged.
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session, CIVICUS and over 30 partners are calling on States to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Burundi.
CIVICUS speaks with Jo Dirix, a campaigner with Vredesactie (Peace Action), a Belgium peace and disarmament civil society organisation (CSO) that successfully took the Flemish government to court over arms shipments to Israel.
CIVICUS speaks with Mercè Monje Cano, Secretary General of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), about the struggles of unrepresented peoples seeking self-determination and how UNPO supports them in asserting their rights.
CIVICUS discusses Ukraine’s recent anticorruption protests with Oksana Huss, co-founder of the global Interdisciplinary Corruption Research Network and board member of Transparency International Ukraine, one of the country’s major anticorruption organisations.
At the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025 in New York City, the CIVICUS New York Hub, represented by Mandeep Tiwana and Jesselina Rana, played a central role in engaging with member states, UN officials, and civil society representatives from across the world.
CIVICUS and partner human rights organisations have raised concerns over Norway’s decision to triennialise the Human Rights Defenders resolution at the UN Third Committee, urging continued support for defenders worldwide.
CIVICUS speaks about the Iranian regime’s execution of political prisoners with Safora Sadidi, a human rights activist with the Women’s Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran.
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (Sep–Oct 2025), CIVICUS and over 30 civil society organisations have written to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council urging them to extend the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan for two more years.
CIVICUS discusses the border crisis between Cambodia and Thailand with Sok Udom Deth, Professor of International Relations at Cambodia’s Paragon International University.
CIVICUS discusses Taiwan’s unprecedented citizen-led recall campaign against opposition politicians with Leah Lin, Executive Director and founder of the Asia Citizen Future Association (ACFA), which promotes collaboration between Taiwanese and Southeast Asian civil society, supports civil society and advocates for civic space protections.
Positive steps taken by interim government to investigate protest violations and address enforced disappearances
Lack of reforms related to NGO laws and protection for human rights defenders and journalists
New cyber law ordinance still problematic and restrictive defamation provisions remain
Police reforms stalled, controversial Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) remains untouched despite UN calls for disbandment
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, welcomes the positive steps taken by the interim government to respect and protect civic space since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime a year ago.
The United Nations’ latest annual review of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) saw numerous states that restrict civil society and repress human rights participate in a public relations exercise to talk up their achievements.
CIVICUS discusses Syria’s political transition and its implications for refugees with a representative of the Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS discusses Pride 2025 in Washington DC with Ryan Bos, the Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance, a civil society organisation dedicated to serving LGBTQI+ people’s needs.
CIVICUS discusses the authorities’ response to recent anti-government protests in Serbia with Ivan Đurić, Policy Analyst at the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability, an independent, non-partisan civil society organisation committed to developing democratic culture and civic activism.
CIVICUS discusses human rights challenges in transitions to renewable energy with Ella Skybenko, senior researcher and representative for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), a civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes corporate accountability, transparency and human rights.
We, the undersigned civil society organisations, are deeply concerned about the ongoing systematic repression of Pamiri Indigenous Peoples in Tajikistan.
By Mandeep Tiwana, secretary-general of CIVICUS and Mariya Parodi, media adviser to CIVICUS.
By Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General of CIVICUS
Successive United States governments have prided themselves on being governed by the Constitution of 1788.
CIVICUS discusses Pride 2025 and attacks on LGBTQI+ rights with Pedro Julio Serrano, president of the LGBTQ+ Federation of Puerto Rico.
CIVICUS speaks with Manuel Páez Ramírez, coordinator of the Espeletia Legal Clinic at the Externado University of Colombia, about the Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACtHR) recent advisory opinion on the climate emergency and human rights.
By Naomi Ayot Oyaro, Executive Director of CAPAIDS Uganda and Tais Siqueira, Local Leadership Lab Coordinator at CIVICUS
In Uganda, local communities are routinely sidelined in development processes, despite knowing most about their own needs.
Portuguese
CIVICUS discusses recent arbitrary detentions of Angolan activists with Pedro Domingos André ‘Paka’, also known as Pedro Paka, coordinator of Movimento Fúria-99, a human rights organisation.
CIVICUS discusses Bolivia’s upcoming presidential election with Juan Carlos Uribe and Lucas Illanes from ChequeaBolivia, an initiative that monitors and verifies social media content.
Volunteer Activists and CIVICUS call for an immediate end to violence in Iran, Israel, and the Middle East.
CIVICUS discusses Ethiopia’s proposed new law to target civil society with Yared Hailemariam, lawyer and Executive Director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Centre (EHRDC), a civil society organisation (CSO) that works to support human rights activists at risk.
CIVICUS speaks with Matt Hall, director of the Environmental Law Initiative, a New Zealand civil society organisation that is taking legal action against the government for replacing its greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy with one that relies heavily on offsetting, without proper public consultation.
By Kgalalelo Gaebee, CIVICUS' Communications Officer and Paul Mulindwa, CIVICUS' Advocacy and Campaigns Regional Lead for Africa
Mduduzi Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube’s ongoing imprisonment is more than a national tragedy.
By Jesselina Rana, UN advisor at CIVICUS
In its 80-year history the UN has never once been led by a woman.
CIVICUS discusses conflict between Iran and Israel with Negin Shiraghaei, founder of the Azadi Network, a feminist network that supports excluded communities from Afghanistan and Iran.
Arnon Nampa is a human rights lawyer and one of the founders of Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR), a leading human rights organisation.
The undersigned human rights organisations call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately end all forms of harassment or intimidation against human rights defender Mohamed Abdel Salam, Executive Director of the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE), in retaliation for his legitimate human rights work.
The 59th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from 16 June to 9 July 2025, resulting in 25 Resolutions, one technical decision, and 14 Universal Period Review adoptions.
CIVICUS discusses the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda with Gentil Akilimali, Executive Secretary of the Centre of Hope for Human Rights, a Congolese civil society organisation that supports victims of human rights violations in the DRC through legal, psychological and social assistance.
SRI LANKA: ‘Arrests were made during a time of political crisis and many were politically motivated’
CIVICUS discusses the criminalisation of protest in Sri Lanka with climate activist Melani Gunathilaka, co-founder of Climate Action Now Sri Lanka and member of the Debt for Climate global movement.
We have joined fellow civil society organisations in signing a joint letter to the UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging that the UN80 process prioritise a stronger, more principled and accountable human rights pillar.
CIVICUS discusses civil society’s efforts to advance gender rights at the global level with Foteini Papagioti, Deputy Director of Policy and Advocacy at the International Center for Research on Women, an international civil society organisation that advocates for the rights of women, girls and other structurally excluded groups.
CIVICUS speaks with Matthew Renshaw, a partner at a UK law firm that represents Nigerian communities taking legal action against Shell over environmental damage caused by its operations in the Niger Delta.
By Josef Benedict, Asia Pacific researcher and Rajavelu Karunanithi, Asia advocacy and campaigns lead for CIVICUS
From Hong Kong to India, governments are passing and weaponizing new laws to pursue and jail whoever speaks up for human rights.
Ana María Palacios Briceño and Eduardo Marenco
Ana María Palacios Briceño leads civic space research for the Americas at the CIVICUS Monitor.
Stand As My Witness campaign calls for release of imprisoned human rights defenders around the world
On the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Stand As My Witness campaign, global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls on governments around the world to immediately release all unjustly imprisoned human rights defenders.
CIVICUS discusses Kenya’s nationwide protests against police brutality with a representative of a local civil society organisation who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Australia, Nepal and Rwanda.
CIVICUS discusses the military use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Gaza with Dima Samaro, a Palestinian lawyer and researcher, and director of Skyline International for Human Rights, a civil society organisation (CSO) that defends digital freedoms and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.
We, the signatory civil society organisations, are gravely concerned about United States of America (USA) sanctions imposed on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
CIVICUS discusses Hong Kong’s latest security laws with Laura Naw, East Asian and ASEAN Programme Officer at the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), a regional human rights network comprising 90 organisations across 23 countries.
By Taís Siqueira, Local Leadership Lab Coordinator
Recent funding cuts made many admit something they’d deep down always known: the development community is in desperate need of a reset.
The 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) will take place from 14–23 July under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.
As the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council concludes, CIVICUS joins fellow civil society organisations in reflecting on key developments, raising urgent concerns, and calling for stronger accountability and protection of human rights around the world.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Panama with Lina Vega Abad, president of the board of directors of the Foundation for the Development of Citizen Freedom, a civil society organisation that defends fundamental freedoms and strengthens democracy through citizen training and accountability and transparency advocacy.
CIVICUS discusses the potential for a United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Democracy with Andreas Bummel, founder and executive director of Democracy Without Borders, an international civil society organisation (CSO) that advocates for democracy as a human right.
CIVICUS speaks with Claude Iguma, a mining governance expert with a PhD in Social Sciences, who is based in Bukavu, South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
CIVICUS discusses Spain’s moves to grant undocumented migrants formal status with Rubén Romero, coordinator of the Political Advocacy and Partnerships Department at CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim, a civil society organisation that works to create an inclusive and intercultural society that guarantees full access to rights to the most vulnerable people, particularly migrants.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS discusses Mexico’s recent judicial elections with Gladys Morales Ramírez, a Mexican researcher who holds a PhD in Social Sciences.
Statement at 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 10: Interactive Dialogue on ID on oral presentation of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of the Secretary-General on human rights in Crimea
Delivered by Oleksandra Matviichuk, Center for Civil Liberties
Mr President,
CIVICUS and the Center for Civil Liberties welcome the report of the Secretary General and the update of the High Commissioner.
CIVICUS discusses African climate litigation efforts with Liberian environmental rights activist, lawyer and law professor Alfred Lahai Brownell, president of Global Climate Legal Defence and co-founder and Lead Campaigner of the African Climate Platform, a coalition of public interest lawyers and climate activists.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 6: Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Angola
Joint oral statement on behalf of CIVICUS and Amnesty International
Mr.
CIVICUS discusses the 2025 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit with Francesca Grandi, Head of Defence and Security at Transparency International, a global civil society organisation that fights corruption and promotes transparency and integrity in public life.
On the one-year anniversary of the arrest of five Mother Nature environmental defenders, CIVICUS expresses concern over their continued imprisonment and its implications for civic freedoms in Cambodia.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Fiji
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
CIVICUS, Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO), Fiji Council Of Social Services (FCOSS) and Amnesty International welcomes Fiji’s engagement in the UPR process.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of El Salvador
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President.
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS speaks to Cristinel Buzatu, regional legal advisor for Central and Eastern Europe at Greenpeace, about how Romania’s state gas company is weaponising the courts to silence environmental opposition.
CIVICUS discusses Bangladesh’s democratic transition challenges with Taqbir Huda, human rights lawyer and former regional researcher with Amnesty International, responsible for investigating and documenting human rights violations in the region.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS and independent Burundian CSOs welcome the work of the Special Rapporteur.
CIVICUS discusses Italy’s new Security Decree with Pasquale Prencipe, a lawyer, member of the research staff of Associazione Antigone, an Italian civil society organisation (CSO) working to ensure respect for rights in Italian prisons, and editor of a recent publication, ‘The greatest attack on the freedom of protest in the history of the Italian Republic’.
The Fourth Financing for Development (FFD4) Conference will be held in Sevilla, Spain, from 30 June to 3 July 2025.
CIVICUS works to facilitate the meaningful participation of civil society in global decision-making spaces.
CIVICUS discusses China’s transnational repression with investigative reporter Scilla Alecci of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a news organisation and independent global network encompassing over 280 journalists and 140 media from over 100 countries.
Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Over the past year, Kenya’s government has launched an all-out assault on civic space to crush dissent both online and in the streets in response to last June’s anti-Finance Bill protests, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said in a new research briefing today.
CIVICUS discusses the Pandemic Agreement with Jaume Vidal, Senior Policy Advisor at Health Action International, an international civil society organisation based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that works to realise the human right to health, with a special emphasis on access to health technologies.
CIVICUS discusses autonomous weapons systems and the campaign for regulation with Nicole van Rooijen, Executive Director of Stop Killer Robots, a global civil society coalition of over 270 organisations that campaigns for a new international treaty on autonomous weapons systems.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Mr President,
CIVICUS commends the report of the Special Rapporteur and supports its findings.
CIVICUS discusses Japan’s upcoming election for its upper chamber of parliament with Aoi Horiuchi, Senior Advocacy Officer at the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), a network of civil society organisations (CSOs) working to address global issues.
CIVICUS discusses financing for development with Elena Marmo, Head of Advocacy and Campaigns at the Transparency, Accountability and Participation (TAP) Network, an international civil society coalition working to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the pursuit of more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
CIVICUS joins human rights organisations in calling on the Indian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Khurram Parvez and to end the persistent misuse of counter-terrorism laws to target civil society and suppress dissent.
This piece is written by Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General of CIVICUS.
Summary Report: Roundtable on Democratic Decline and the Establishment of a UN Mandate on Democracy
A roundtable convened by CIVICUS and Democracy Without Borders in collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation on the margins of the Oslo Freedom Forum (25–28 May 2025) brought together around twenty participants with experience in international civil society, intergovernmental organisations, academia, human rights monitoring mechanisms, and national governments.
59th Session of UN Human Rights Council (16 June to 11 July 2025)
Overview
Structural Issues
Thematic Priorities
Country-Specific Priorities
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Overview
As civic space continues to shrink globally, the Council remains a vital platform for defending human rights and raising the voices of those most affected.
Amid growing repression, a collective of civil society organisations call on El Salvador government to immediately and unconditionally release detained human rights defenders and protesters, repeal repressive legislation, and stop assault on civic space.
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report.
CIVICUS discusses the results of a recent Italian referendum on citizenship and workers’ rights with Andrea Oleandri, Co-Executive Director of the Italian Coalition for Freedom and Civil Rights (CILD), a civil society network working to promote and protect civil liberties.
CIVICUS discusses the results of Poland’s presidential election with Filip Pazderski, Programme Manager for Civil Society of the Stefan Batory Foundation, a civil society organisation that promotes democratic governance.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine has made critical strides in documenting human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and occupied territories of Ukraine.
CIVICUS global civil society alliance urges the United States of America (USA) authorities to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
CIVICUS speaks with Mercy Mutemi, a Kenyan tech lawyer at Nzili and Sumbi Advocates and legal counsel for petitioners challenging Facebook’s role in hate and violence in Ethiopia.
CIVICUS discusses prospects for democracy in Guinea with Omolara Balogun, Head of Policy Influencing and Advocacy at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), a civil society organisation that promotes civic space and youth and women’s leadership and leverages technology for development.
CIVICUS discusses the closure of offices of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Mexico with members of Integral Human Rights In Action (DHIA), a Mexican civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes and defends human rights in contexts of mobility.
CIVICUS discusses the results of Romania’s presidential election with Anda Serban, Executive Director of the Resource Center for Public Participation, a civil society organisation that promotes public participation and transparency in decision-making.
CIVICUS discusses the dangers of live facial recognition technology with Madeleine Stone, Senior Advocacy Officer at Big Brother Watch, a civil society organisation that campaigns against mass surveillance and for digital rights in the UK.
CIVICUS discusses the need for community-centred approaches to global health funding and governance with Solange Baptiste, Executive Director of ITPC Global, a South Africa-based global organisation working to achieve health and social justice for all.
On 5 May, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed a case brought by the Sudan government against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alleging violations of the Genocide Convention due to the UAE’s alleged funding and arming of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
CIVICUS discusses Hungary’s foreign agents bill with Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights organisation that defends human dignity through legal and public advocacy.
CIVICUS discusses struggles for historical justice with Graciela Montes de Oca, a member of Mothers and Relatives of Detained and Disappeared Uruguayans, a Uruguayan civil society organisation that seeks truth, justice and prevention of future crimes like those committed under dictatorship.
CIVICUS discusses Zambia’s Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) bill with Josiah Kalala, Executive Director of Chapter One Foundation, a Zambian civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law.
CIVICUS discusses South Korea’s upcoming presidential election with Hyun-Phil Na, Executive Director of the Korean House for International Solidarity, a civil society organisation that promotes democracy and human rights across Asia and the Pacific.
CIVICUS discusses Albania’s recent election with Erida Skëndaj, Executive Director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), a non-partisan civil society organisation (CSO) dedicated to promoting fair and democratic elections.
CIVICUS global civil society alliance announced today the appointment of Mandeep Singh Tiwana as its new Secretary General (SG).
CIVICUS speaks about the impact of the US funding freeze with Ginna Anderson, Associate Director of the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights and leader of its Justice Defenders Program.
The Israeli Parliament is debating a controversial bill that would impose an 80 per cent tax on foreign donations to civil society organisations primarily funded by ‘international political entities’.
CIVICUS discusses Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other international organisations with Wisthon Noguera, an activist, student and deputy coordinator of the National Youth Platform of Nicaragua.
More than 70 civil society organisations—including CIVICUS—have sounded the alarm over Italy’s new Security Decree, warning it poses a serious threat to democracy amid a systemic deterioration of the rule of law.
CIVICUS discusses civic space conditions in Tajikistan with Leila Seiitbek, a human rights lawyer and chairperson of Freedom for Eurasia, a civil society organisation that documents and exposes corruption, kleptocracy and human rights abuses.
CIVICUS discusses Portugal’s recent election with Jorge Máximo, a board member of Transparency International (TI) Portugal, a civil society organisation (CSO) that tackles corruption, promotes transparency and good governance and defends human rights and democratic values.
CIVICUS discusses Venezuela’s legislative and regional elections and the consolidation of its authoritarian regime with Rafael Uzcátegui, a human rights defender, sociologist and co-director of Laboratorio de Paz, a Venezuelan civil society organisation working for democracy, human rights and civil society strengthening.
A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners and allies
A lot has transpired in the first few months of 2025.
CIVICUS discusses restrictions on civil society with Glanis Changachirere, founding director of the Institute for Young Women Development, a Zimbabwean civil society organisation (CSO) working for women’s rights and against structural inequalities.
CIVICUS discusses international development funding with Harpinder Collacott, executive director of the Global Public Investment Network (GPIN).
From 2–22 May 2025, CIVICUS participated in the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the preceding NGO Forum held in Banjul, The Gambia.
Eritrea remains one of the world’s most repressive states, where widespread human rights violations continue with impunity.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS speaks with two representatives of Malian civil society – Modibo Diakite, president of the Association for the Socio-Economic and Technological Development of Youth (ADEJ-Mali), and Fakassi Fofana, coordinator of a partner humanitarian organisation – about the likely consequences of a draft law to tax civil society organisations (CSOs).
CIVICUS speaks with Mark van Baal, founder and director of Follow This, about its decision to pause filing climate-related shareholder resolutions.
CIVICUS discusses the devastating impact of palm oil extraction in West Papua with Tigor Hutapea, legal representative of Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, an organisation campaigning for Indigenous Papuan people’s rights to manage their customary lands and forests.
CIVICUS discusses recent tensions between India and Pakistan with Altaf Hussain Wani, chair of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations, a think tank focused on peace research and advocacy based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in the disputed Kashmir region.
CIVICUS discusses ongoing protests in Turkey with lawyer Eren Keskin, chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD).
CIVICUS discusses the election of Pope Leo XIV with Paul Elie, senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, and regular contributor to The New Yorker.
CIVICUS discusses the challenges facing Nepal’s Dalit community with Rup Sunar, chairperson of the Dignity Initiative, a Kathmandu-based research and advocacy organisation working to dismantle caste-based discrimination.
CIVICUS discusses amendments to Indonesia’s national military law with Andrie Yunus, Deputy Coordinator for External Affairs at the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), an organisation that advocates for human rights and the abolition of the death penalty.
CIVICUS speaks with Eric Bjornlund, President and CEO of Democracy International, about the impacts of the US foreign aid freeze and the resulting legal challenges the Trump administration is facing.
CIVICUS discusses a UK court ruling on gender definitions with Keyne Walker, political and strategic director at TransActual, a trans-led civil society organisation that focuses on healthcare and legal protections.
By Samuel King, a researcher with the Horizon Europe-funded research project ENSURED: Shaping Cooperation for a World in Transition and Inés M.
CIVICUS discusses Romania’s presidential election with Anda Serban, Executive Director of Resource Center for Public Participation (CERE), a civil society organisation (CSO) that focuses on public participation and transparency in decision-making processes.
CIVICUS has joined over 300 global leaders, human rights experts, and organisations in a collective appeal urging the United Nations to act urgently to stop the execution of political prisoners in Iran.
We congratulate the Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa for receiving the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano 2025 World Press Freedom Prize.
POLAND: ‘Despite the repeal of ‘LGBT-free zones’, LGBTQI+ people still lack basic legal protections’
CIVICUS discusses progress on LGBTQI+ rights in Poland with Annamaria Linczowska, Advocacy and Litigation Officer at Campaign Against Homophobia (KPH), a Polish LGBTQI+ rights group that works to counter violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through political, social and legal advocacy.
By Jesselina Rana, the UN Advisor at CIVICUS’s New York office and Mandeep S.
By Jesselina Rana, the UN Advisor at CIVICUS’s New York office and Mandeep S.
CIVICUS speaks about democratic decline in the USA with humanitarian and civil society activist Samuel Worthington, former president of the US civil society alliance InterAction and author of a new book, Prisoners of Hope: Global Action and the Evolving Roles of US NGOs.
CIVICUS discusses the Australian election with Saffron Zomer, Executive Director of the Australian Democracy Network, a local organisation that campaigns for a more accountable, fair, open and participatory democracy.
CIVICUS discusses Trinidad and Tobago’s recent recriminalisation of same-sex relations with Angelique Nixon, Director of CAISO: Sex and Gender Justice, a feminist civil society organisation that promotes LGBTQI+ rights.
CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening civil society and citizen action around the world.
CIVICUS discusses protests in Greece with Stefanos Loukopoulos, Director of Vouliwatch, a civil society organisation that monitors parliamentary work and strengthens democratic institutions.
CIVICUS joins national and international civil society organisations in expressing grave concern over recent legislative amendments in Peru that threaten civic space and the work of human rights defenders.
CIVICUS discusses Peru’s controversial anti-NGO law with Álvaro Henzler, President of Asociación Civil Transparencia, an organisation working for quality democracy and fair political representation.
CIVICUS speaks with members of Youth Demand about a recent police raid on their meeting.
CIVICUS discusses Canada’s 28 April election with Beatrice Wayne, Director of Research and Policy at the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non-partisan civil society organisation (CSO) dedicated to strengthening Canadian democracy.
CIVICUS discusses Turkey’s ongoing protests with Rümeysa Çamdereli, Research Director of the YADA foundation, a civil society organisation (CSO) that works to strengthen civil society’s impact.
At CIVICUS, we believe in the fundamental importance of human rights and are dedicated to advancing the work of human rights defenders and protecting civic space.
CIVICUS speaks with human rights lawyer Moniza Kakar about Pakistan’s controversial campaign to expel Afghan refugees.
CIVICUS discusses Ecuador’s presidential election with Jorge Tapia de los Reyes, Coordinator of the Democracy and Politics Department and the Political Funding Observatory of the Citizenship and Development Foundation (FCD).
CIVICUS speaks about an escalating crisis in South Sudan with Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) South Sudan.
CIVICUS discusses the dangers facing civil society activists and whistleblowers in South Africa with Corlett Letlojane.
CIVICUS speaks with Ukrainian gender rights activist Maryna Rudenko about the gendered impacts of the war in Ukraine and the importance of including women in peacebuilding efforts.
CIVICUS discusses recent changes in the French political landscape with Valentin Stel, Co-Director of SOS Racisme, a civil society organisation that has been working for 40 years to improve public policy and tackle racism, antisemitism and racial discrimination in France.
The 58th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from February 24 to April 4, 2025, resulting in 32 Resolutions and 14 Universal Period Review adoptions.
By Andrew Firmin, CIVICUS Editor-in-Chief, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in North Macedonia with Borjan Eftimov, a student activist from the local group YOUth Choose.
Today’s multiple and connected crises – including conflicts, climate breakdown and democratic regression – are overwhelming the capabilities of the international institutions designed to address problems states can’t or won’t solve.
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Mongolia, Malawi and Maldives.
In the heart of Istanbul, a remarkable transformation is underway.
CIVICUS discusses Botswana’s new government with Dumiso Gatsha, director of Success Capital, a local youth-led LGBTQI+ organisation.
CIVICUS discusses global democratic decline with Soheïla Comninos, consultant at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and lead author alongside Scott Warren, Fellow at the Institute, of its new report, Global Democracy Theory of Change.
CIVICUS discusses enforced disappearances in Mexico with Anna Karolina Chimiak, co-director of the Justice Centre for Peace and Development (CEPAD).
In an increasingly digital world, democratic practices are evolving to encompass new forms of participation.
A side event titled "Democracy and Human Rights" was convened on March 25, 2025, in the margins of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
CIVICUS discusses Turkey’s proposed law targeting LGBTQI+ rights with an activist from Women for Women’s Human Rights Association, a civil society organisation fighting for equality and non-discrimination in Turkey.
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CIVICUS discusses the arrest of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte with Maria Sol Taule, deputy secretary general of the human rights organisation Karapatan.
By Andrew Firmin,
Today’s multiple and connected crises – including conflicts, climate breakdown and democratic regression – are overwhelming the capabilities of the international institutions designed to address problems states can’t or won’t solve.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on the Democratic Republic of Congo
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott , CIVICUS
Mr President,
Escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between DRC forces and M23 forces backed by Rwanda has resulted in devastating consequences, with over 8,500 casualties reported since January, including 5,000 in Goma alone.
CIVICUS speaks with Daniel Simons, Senior Legal Counsel Strategic Defence for Greenpeace International, about the lawsuit brought by an oil and gas company against Greenpeace and its broader implications for civil society.
CIVICUS, together with six other international NGOs, calls on states from all regions to support renewing the mandate of the independent international Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
General Debate Item 4
Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS is convinced that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises, and the rapid deterioration of civic space is among the early warning signs on which the Council should promptly act.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the UPR report on the Equatorial Guinea
Delivered by
Lucas Jorge Olo Fernandes, Lusophone Platform of Human Rights
Mr President,
We thank CIVICUS for assisting the Commission of Jurists, the Lusophone Platform of Human Rights, Centro de Estudios e Iniciativas para el Desarrollo, ONG – Cooperación y Desarrollo (CEIDGE) and EG Justice to address the council.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Adoption of the UPR report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Delivered by
Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS
Mr President,
CIVICUS welcomes the government of DRC's engagement with the UPR and adoption of the Law on Protection and Responsibility of HRDs.
Criminalising student human rights defenders (HRDs) protests shows a disturbing continuation of repression of right to peaceful assembly and protest in Bangladesh.
By Ines Pousadela, CIVICUS Senior Research Specialist, co-director and writer for CIVICUS Lens and co-author of the State of Civil Society Report.
CIVICUS discusses the foreign agents’ law recently adopted in Republika Srpska, one of the two main political entities that make up Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Damjan Ožegović, Senior Researcher and Legal Affairs Associate at Transparency International (TI) Bosnia.
CIVICUS discusses recent protests in Serbia with Alma Mustajbašić, researcher at Civic Initiatives, a Serbian civil society organisation that advocates for democracy, human rights and citizen engagement.
Democracy faces existential threats, but civic action remains a powerful force for renewal.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Thank you, Mr President.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Delivered by Beatriz Borges
Thank you, Mr.
CIVICUS discusses military applications of AI and the urgent need for regulation with Franco Giandana Gigena, Policy Analyst at Access Now, a digital rights organisation that advocates for human rights in the technological age.
The slashing of US aid funding by Donald Trump and Elon Musk, and cuts or planned cuts in international support by several European states, threaten to cut off the oxygen supply to a civil society already in a critical condition.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Thank you, Mr President.
The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women marks important milestones, with the 80th UN anniversary and the 30th Beijing Platform anniversary, amid growing threats to women's rights.
CIVICUS discusses challenges following Kosovo’s election with Taulant Hoxha, Executive Director of the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF), an independent civil society organisation (CSO) that supports local groups to develop a more participatory and democratic society.
CIVICUS and fellow human rights organisations have issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations, calling for immediate and sustained support for Bangladesh during this pivotal moment of political transition.
The United States of America is added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist due to threats to civic freedoms under Trump administration.
The escalating conflict between M23 and DRC forces has cost thousands of lives since January, induced widespread displacement, and a humanitarian crisis.
The “anti-Gandhi bill” (Bill 1236) will worsen country’s already declining respect for freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.
Civic space is rapidly faltering amid massive protests against government corruption that led to a train station disaster.
Pakistan is added to civic space watchlist with authorities targeting activists, stifling protests and restricting digital spaces.
CIVICUS discusses the election of the next Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General with Viviana Krsticevic, Executive Director of the Centre for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), a civil society organisation that works to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights in the Americas through the use of the inter-American system and other international mechanisms.
By Jesselina Rana, CIVICUS UN Advisor, in New York
In 2025, the United Nations will celebrate 80 years of shaping global policies, fostering peace, and driving international development.
CIVICUS joins 23 organisations in urging Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Ali Al Hajee, who was arrested on 1 March 2025 in connection with his peaceful social media comments.
CIVICUS discusses recent developments in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Reagan Miviri, researcher and analyst at Ebuteli (‘staircase’), a Congolese research institute focused on issues of politics, governance and conflict.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR’s report on transitional justice
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS
Thank you, Mr President.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 2 General Debate
Delivered by May Thiri Khin, Burma Human Rights Network
Thank you, Mr President,
CIVICUS and the Burma Human Rights Network welcome the High Commissioner’s oral update on Myanmar.
CIVICUS discusses LGBTQI+ rights struggles and the backlash in Namibia with Miguel Gomes Antonio, Executive Director of the Southern African Christian Initiative (SACHI), a regional civil society organisation (CSO) that advocates for social and political development, democracy and good governance, social and economic justice and peace, religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue.
Tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have escalated following an alleged attack on Guyanese soldiers near the Cuyuni River.
CIVICUS discusses Nepal’s Social Network Bill with Dikshya Khadgi, a Nepali feminist digital rights lawyer and activist and a member of AALAWYA, a feminist advocacy and movement lawyering collective rooted in the values of justice, equality, radical care and cross-movement building.
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua
Delivered by Amaru Ruiz Aleman
Dear members of the Human Rights Council and the Group of Experts,
The new constitution imposed by the Nicaraguan government, which reforms more than 60% of the articles, was not consulted with the citizens, and therefore lacks legitimacy.
CIVICUS discusses attacks on women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights with Natalia Gherardi, Executive Director of the Latin American Team on Justice and Gender (ELA), an Argentinean civil society organisation that works at the regional level.
CIVICUS discusses Kenya’s proposed Family Protection Bill with Arsenekah Ezekiel, executive director of World Post Changers Network, a Kenyan civil society organisation (CSO) that advocates for LGBTQI+ rights.
After three years of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, CIVICUS discusses the civil society response with Mykhailo Savva, member of the Expert Council of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, a civil society organisation (CSO) dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights.
The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, set to take place from 30th June to 3 July in Spain, presents a crucial opportunity to reform global financing systems, including much-needed changes to the international financial architecture; with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) off track and progress on poverty and hunger stalling, or even reversing.
A message from Interim Co-Secretary Generals, Claire Nylander and Mandeep Tiwana
Dear CIVICUS members, partners, and allies
We write to you amid the immense disruptions caused by the arbitrary suspension of development aid by the new administration in the United States.
CIVICUS discusses civil society in Nicaragua with Amaru Ruiz, a Nicaraguan activist, president of Fundación del Río and president of the board of the Central American Association for Development and Democracy (ACDD).
At the 58th session of UN Human Rights Council (24 February to 4 April 2025) CIVICUS will prioritise protecting civic space and civic freedoms.
CIVICUS discusses the current crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) with an activist and human rights defender who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons.
CIVICUS discusses the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas with Yossi Mekelberg, Professor of International Relations and Senior Consulting Fellow at Chatham House’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.
By Seun Akinyemi and Vincy Mighulo Masaka, Project Officers - Host Liaison, Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI).
CIVICUS discusses Myanmar’s upcoming election with Nyein, a human rights advocate and researcher with the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma).
By Jessica Corredor Villamil, Chief Officer, Advocacy and Solidarity Action at CIVICUS.
CIVICUS joined 11 human rights organisations in a joint letter urging the European Union (EU) to take action on human rights concerns in India, ahead of the College of Commissioners visit to India.
CIVICUS discusses the USA’s ambitions towards Greenland with Rachael Lorna Johnstone, Professor of Law at the University of Akureyri in Iceland and the University of Greenland, and Fulbright Arctic IV Scholar.
