Afghanistan

  • Afghanistan: Systematic violations of women's and girls’ rights demand an urgent and proportionate response

    Statement at the 50th Session of UN Human Rights Council

    Urgent Debate on Afghanistan

    Delivered by Horia Mosadiq, Safety and Risk Mitigation Organization

    CIVICUS and Safety and Risk Mitigation Organization welcome the holding of this Urgent Debate.

    The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan is absolutely critical. Since the Taliban took power, the rollback of the rights of women and girls has been swift, unprecedented, and in some cases deadly.

    Women and girls are increasingly restricted in their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association and even movement, and the situation is worsening.

    Women human rights defenders fought for participation and human rights in the fragile peace process ongoing before the Taliban takeover, at significant risk and with insufficient support. With systematic oppression now in place and risk magnified to an unimaginable extent, such international support is more critical than ever.

    The grave and systematic violations of women's and girls’ rights demand an urgent and proportionate response, to protect those on the ground and to hold the Taliban accountable for abuses. There needs to be a clear sign that the international community takes seriously this situation. We urge the Human Rights Council to take action that will materially support women human rights defenders and those they protect.

    We further call on States to provide Afghan human rights defenders with financial, diplomatic and political support, including by issuing humanitarian visas and funding resettlement programmes, and to apply pressure on the Taliban to create a safer space for human rights defenders and journalists in Afghanistan.

    We thank you.

     Civic space in Afghanistan is rated as "Repressed" by the CIVICUS Monitor. 
  • Afghanistan: the Council must expedite discussions towards a more robust international accountability mechanism

    Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council 

    Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan

    Delivered by Horia Mosadiq, Afghan human rights activist

    Thank you, Mr. President,

    We express our grave concern over the ongoing discriminatory and regressive treatment against women and girls as well as the targeting of human rights defenders and civil society in the country. The recent ban on higher education and employment in NGOs is only the latest clear example of the Taliban’s concerted plan to crush women’s rights and role in Afghan society.

    The ban on access to employment in NGOs for women has significantly impacted the work of local NGOs to provide service and support for women, children and marginalised groups. It has also prevented the delivery of humanitarian support and other life-saving aid to those in need.

    Those denouncing these restrictions have been harassed and attacked. Peaceful protesters, especially women rights activists, have been subjected to increased restrictions and violence and press freedom has further deteriorated. The widespread impunity for these violations has contributed to an increasing climate of fear since the Taliban takeover.

    The international community has not done enough to hold the Taliban accountable for their abuses and discriminatory policies and it needs to act now to avert a further escalation of the crisis. Particular attention should be directed to the threats and harassment against women human rights defenders as described in the Special Rapporteur’s report.  

    We call on the Council to publicly call out the Taliban for the ongoing human rights violations and expedite discussions toward a more robust international accountability mechanism.

    We ask the Special Rapporteur, what should the Council do to adequately and promptly support civil society, especially women rights activists operating within the country?

    We thank you.

    Civic space in Afghanistan is rated as "Repressed" by the CIVICUS Monitor
  • Afghanistan: The Taliban's assault on rights, a year on from its takeover

    Report highlights assault on civic space by the Taliban and need for more action from the international community

    On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. Over the last year, the Taliban has overseen a systematic assault on civic space, which is rated as repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor

    This new CIVICUS report “The Taliban’s assault on civic space, a year on from its takeover”, shows that human rights defenders have lived in a climate of fear since the Taliban takeover and have faced harassment and threats. While some human rights defenders have been able to leave the country, the lack of adequate documents and the impossibility of obtaining visas for many countries make it extremely difficult for them to leave and forcing them into hiding.

    Activists have also been arbitrarily arrested and detained for their criticism of the Taliban. Some have also been killed. There has also been abductions of women human rights defenders by the Taliban with impunity.

    Civil society organisations (CSOs) are being targeted for their work and restricted by the Taliban. According to reports by human rights groups, there have been raids and searches of CSO offices by the Taliban and some have had their bank accounts frozen. Women’s rights programmes have also been halted by the Taliban and most CSO offices have closed, fearing reprisals.

    Following the Taliban takeover, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the Taliban and demand their rights. In Kabul and other cities, the Taliban responded with excessive force, gunfire and beatings to disperse crowds, leading to deaths and injuries of peaceful protesters.

    The Taliban have also sought to repress protests, especially by women’s rights activists over the year, disrupting their protests by firing shots into the air, detaining, interrogating and ill-treating them. In some cases, teargas and batons were used. The Taliban also assaulted journalists and confiscated their equipment to stop them covering the protests. Some of the women’s rights activists have also been intimidated and coerced to air so-called confessions in which women say activists based outside the country had told them to protest.

    Journalists are at increased risk following the Taliban takeover. Scores have been arrested, detained, tortured or ill-treated, or attacked for covering the situation on the ground.

    The Taliban has also shut down key institutions. Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs was shut down, depriving women’s rights groups of a key channel for survivors of gender based-violence seeking protection and services. In October 2021, the Taliban seized the offices of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and in May 2022, dissolved the commission saying it was ‘not considered necessary’. It has also taken over Afghanistan’s Independent Bar Association (AIBA).

    Activists who have fled Afghanistan, particularly those in Central Asia, Pakistan and Turkey, are experiencing various challenges, including running out of funds, expiration of their visas and a lack of programmes for resettlement.

    The international community has taken some steps in response to the situation in Afghanistan. The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in October 2021 to appoint, for one year, a Special Rapporteur to monitor the status of human rights in Afghanistan. In May 2022, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, appointed in April 2022, undertook his first visit to the country. In July 2022, the Human Rights Council passed a consensus resolution affirming its commitment to equal rights for women in Afghanistan and called for representative participation in an organised dialogue on the issue at the next Council session.

    The UN General Assembly, in December 2021, indefinitely postponed international recognition of the Taliban government. The resolution adopted by consensus effectively held off any decision on recognition for at least 10 months. In March 2022 the UN Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for one year.

    However, all these efforts have fallen short of the calls made by Afghan civil society activists over the year for the UN to establish a fact-finding mission or similar independent investigative mechanism on Afghanistan, end all exemptions for sanctioned Taliban leaders if there is no progress on human rights and increase efforts to provide urgent support and protection for all Afghan human rights defenders, including those in exile.

    In the report, CIVICUS makes a number of recommendations to the international community:

    • Call on the Taliban to ensure all people in Afghanistan can exercise their rights to the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression, and end the harassment, abuse, arbitrary arrest and detention of all protesters.
    • Take proactive steps to provide immediate practical support and protection to human rights defenders, journalists and civil society activists at risk, including those in exile.
    • Call on the Taliban to reinstate the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
    • Support efforts to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and other serious human rights violations, including gendered dimensions of such violations and abuses, by all parties in Afghanistan, via the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism, such as a fact-finding mission or commission of inquiry, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council.
    • Call on the UN Security Council to facilitate inclusive, intra-Afghan peace talks with the effective representation of human rights defenders, particularly women and representation from all ethnic groups, and include guarantees of safety and effective and equitable representation of views.
    • Ensure that political recognition and representation is not extended to Taliban-affiliated authorities.

    Afghanistan is currently rated ‘Repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. There are a total of 50 countries in the world with this rating (see all). This rating is typically given to countries where civic space is heavily contested by power holders, who impose a combination of legal and practical constraints on the full enjoyment of fundamental rights (see the full description of ratings).

    More information

    Download the Afghanistan research brief here. 

    Interviews

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  • Afghanistan: Three years since the Taliban takeover civic space remains ‘closed’

    Afghanistan womens movement

     Photo credit: X/@WomanProtesters

    CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance remains extremely concerned about the ongoing assault on civic space in Afghanistan, three years after the Taliban takeover. We call on the international community to do more to protect human rights defenders and to hold the Taliban accountable for the ongoing violations in the country.

    Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the CIVICUS Monitor documented widespread reports of restrictions and attacks on civil society. Women human rights defenders were arbitrarily arrested and detained while others faced abductions harassment, intimidation, and violence by the Taliban with impunity. The ongoing crackdown on protests, especially by women were also documented. Journalists and media outlets were targeted, forcing many to self-censor.

    Over the past year, the alarming trend of arbitrary arrests and detentions of human rights defenders has persisted. Many have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in detention. In March 2023, Afghanistan civic space rating was downgraded from ‘repressed’ to ‘closed’, the worst rating a country can receive.

    In September 2023, Neda Parwani and Zholia Parsi were detained after raids on their homes. In November 2023, Parisa Azada, a member of the Afghan Women’s Movement for Justice and Freedom was detained for 40 days because of her fight for justice, and being  outspoken about the Taliban’s violations of women’s rights

    Nabila Rahimi, a health educator and rights activist from northern Takhar province, was detained from her office in November 2023 and beaten by Taliban soldiers during her arrest. In February 2024, Manizha Siddiqi of the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women was reportedly sentenced to two years prison, allegedly for her involvement in protests. Siddiqi did not have access to a defence lawyer, was denied family visits and was subject to torture and ill-treatment.

    At the international level, it is alarming that Afghan women human rights defenders have been  excluded from international talks including the most recent meeting in Qatar in February 2024. Such meetings have also ignored important discussions on human rights and women’s rights. Further, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has also raised concerns that states are moving towards normalising their relationship with the Taliban without a reduction in restrictions on civic space.

    “It is crucial civil society especially Afghan women human rights defenders are not sidelined in any international discussions on the future of the country. The international community should withhold recognition of the Taliban as a legitimate government until they adhere to international human rights standards, including those related to the rights protecting the activities of activists, journalists and civil society groups. It must also hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes," said Rajavelu Karunanithi, CIVICUS Advocacy and Campaigns Officer for Asia.

    Over the year, other critics of the Taliban have also been detained for speaking up including academics, writers, artists and musicians.

    Taliban brutality and arbitrary detentions at rallies have nearly eradicated public demonstrations. Remarkably, even in the face of such severe threats to their safety, some groups continue to organise events online to keep their struggle visible to both the de facto authorities’ and the international agenda. Many women’s groups hold up banners and take photos and videos of the indoor rallies to share on social media and through their networks both at domestically and internationally.

    Journalists also continue to be targeted with arrest and harassment. The Afghanistan Journalists Center, an organisation that monitors violations of media freedom, released a report in March 2024 stating that 59 journalists were detained during that period. In addition to the detentions, 80 media workers were also threatened.

    ““Three years on, the Taliban’s continued targeting of human rights defenders and critics has created a climate of fear, with many fearing arrest, torture, or even death for their activism. Governments must increase pressure on the Taliban to end this repression and release all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights” said Karunanithi.

    Civic space in Afghanistan is rated ‘closed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
  • Afghanistan: time for the international community to hold the Taliban accountable

    Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council 

    Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and the Special Rappoteur on Afghanistan

    Delivered by Horia Mosadiq

    Thank you Mr. President,

    We express our grave concern over the Working Group and Special Rapporteur’s findings of extreme and institutionalised gender-based discrimination in Afghanistan which is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The Taliban ban on Afghan women working for the UN in the country is another blatant example of its concerted efforts to crush women’s rights and we are appalled by the lack of a coordinated response from UN agencies.

    CIVICUS has continued to document how the Taliban through the General Directorate for Intelligence has continued to target women human rights defenders trying to organise and mobilise against their cruel gender policies. In recent months, a number have been detained including Parisa Mobarez, Nargis Sadat, Habiba Sharifi and Waheeda Mahrami. Those speaking up on the education rights of women and girls have also been targeted such as human rights defender Matiullah Wesa.

    Peaceful protesters by women activists are routinely targeted by the Taliban with beatings and excessive force to disperse rallies and incommunicado detention. Many are denied access to legal representation or their families and tortured or ill-treated while in custody.

    The international community has not done enough to hold the Taliban accountable for their abuses and discriminatory policies - especially member states of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) – and to ensure the inclusion of women activists in discussions about their future. We call on the Council to increase pressure on the Taliban to reverse their ban on women working especially for the UN and NGOs and expedite discussions toward a more robust international accountability mechanism.

    We ask the Special Rapporteur, what should the Council do to adequately and promptly support women rights activists operating within the country?

    We thank you.

     Civic space in Afghanistan is rated as closed by the CIVICUS Monitor 
  • Afghanistan: UN and Member States must take urgent steps to protect civil society

    CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance is deeply concerned about the safety of human rights defenders, journalists and staff of civil society organisations in Afghanistan following the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government and the takeover by the Taliban.

    As called for by UN experts, we urge UN member states to take immediate steps to protect them as well as urgently call for a Special Session at the Human Rights Council on Afghanistan which will include a discussion on the speedy establishment of a fact-finding mission to be deployed to assess the situation on the ground and report back.

    The Taliban have a track record of abusing human rights, coordinating reprisals against their critics and attacking civilians with impunity. Following the takeover of Kabul, human rights defenders have reported that lists of names of representatives of civil society have been revealed by the Taliban and raids have been carried out in their homes. Human rights defenders trying to leave the country have also been prevented from boarding planes as foreign missions have prioritised evacuating their own nationals and staff. Others have gone into hiding and fear for their lives.

    The High Commissioner for Human Rights has also expressed concerns about early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women.

    “The crisis unfolding in Afghanistan requires an urgent and resolute response from the UN and member states. Proactive steps must be taken to ensure the security and protection of human rights defenders especially women. Many are at risk of being targeted by the Taliban because of their work and there must be efforts taken to evacuate and resettle them and their families,” said CIVICUS’s Civic Space Researcher, Josef Benedict.

    CIVICUS has documented attacks on civil society by the Taliban in recent years. Human rights defenders particularly women have been facing threats for undertaking their work and some have been abducted and killed. Many have had to relocate due to safety concerns even as perpetrators have not been held accountable. Recent peace negotiations failed to adequately and effectively include civil society, especially women human rights defenders.

    According to information compiled by the Afghan Human Rights Defenders’ Committee (AHRDC) 17 human rights defenders were killed between September 2020 and May 2021 alone. Over 200 human rights defenders and media representatives reported receiving serious threats. In light of the present conflict conditions and political instability, these threats have magnified.

    The UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ on 16 August urged the international community to speak in one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan is a step in the right direction.

    “The UN Security Council must seize the current opportunity to quickly restart the stalled intra-Afghan peace talks and ensure effective representation of civil society especially women. It must also call on the Taliban to respect international human rights law, protect civilians, and end reprisal attacks”, said Josef Benedict.

    The CIVICUS Monitor, an online platform that tracks threats to civil society in countries across the globe, rates civic space – the space for civil society – in Afghanistan as Repressed.
  • CIVICUS Joint UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space

    Submissions on civil society space– Afghanistan, Chile, Eritrea, Macedonia, Vietnam & Yemen

    CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on six countries in advance of the 32nd UPR session in January 2019. The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 2nd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations.  

    Afghanistan: CIVICUS, Afghanistan Human Rights Organization (AHRO), Civil Society and Human Rights Network and People’s Action for Change Organization explore the continued insecurity in Afghanistan, which has resulted in the closure of space for civil society, including through targeted attacks on humanitarian workers, protesters and journalists. We further discuss violence against women and the desperate situation faced by women HRDs in Afghanistan who are subjected to a heightened level of persecution because of their gender and their human rights activism.

    Chile: CIVICUS and Pro Acceso Foundation (Fundación Pro Acceso) highlight serious concerns regarding the persistent misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Law to silence members of the Mapuche indigenous community advocating for land rights. We are also concerned by the lack of government commitment to amend legislation regulating the right to peaceful assembly and by the violent suppression of social protests, especially those led by the student movement and indigenous communities. 

    Eritrea: CIVICUS, EMDHR and Eritrea Focus highlight the complete closure of the space for civil society in Eritrea to assemble, associate and express themselves. We note that there are no independent civil society organisations and private media in the country. We further discuss how the government selectively engages with international human rights mechanisms including UN Special Procedures. 

    Macedonia: CIVICUS, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network and the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation outline serious concerns over the institutional harassment of NGOs in receipt of foreign funding since 2016. Despite a recent improvement in respect for civic freedoms, the submission discusses several restrictions on investigative journalists and media outlets. We also remain alarmed over smear campaigns against human rights defenders and critics of the government orchestrated by nationalist groups. 

    Vietnam: CIVICUS, Civil Society Forum, Human Rights Foundation (HRF), VOICE and VOICE Vietnam examine systematic attempts in Vietnam to silence HRDs and bloggers, including through vague national security laws, physical attacks, restrictions on their freedom of movement and torture and ill-treatment in detention. The submission also explores strict controls on the media in law and in practice, online censorship and the brutal suppression of peaceful protests by the authorities.

    Yemen: CIVICUS, Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Front Line Defenders discuss the ongoing extreme violence against and HRDs and journalists including regular abductions, kidnappings and detention in undisclosed location. We further examine restrictions on freedom of association including raids on CSOs causing many to reduce their activities drastically and even closed entirely. 

    See full library of previous UPR country submissions from CIVICUS and partners. For the latest news on civic space in all UN Member States, see country pages on the CIVICUS Monitor
  • Countries on CIVICUS Monitor watchlist presented to UN Human Rights Council

    Statement at the 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Delivered by Lisa Majumdar

    Thank you, Madame President.

    A number of countries have experienced serious and rapid decline in respect for civic freedoms in the last months. We call upon the Council to do everything in their power to immediately end the ongoing civic space crackdowns which are a foreshadowing of worse violations to come.

    In Afghanistan, against a backdrop of deepening human rights, humanitarian and economic crisis, activists face systematic intimidation and are at grave risk. The Taliban are carrying out house-to-house searches for activists and journalists, and have responded with excessive force, gunfire and beatings to disperse peaceful protests, leading to deaths and injuries of peaceful protesters. The Council previously failed to take swift action to establish a monitoring and accountability mechanism. We urge it to remedy this missed opportunity now.

    In Belarus, attacks on human rights defenders and independent journalists have intensified, against the backdrop of recent draconian changes to the Mass Media Law and to the Law on Mass Events which were adopted in May 2021. We call on the Council to ensure that arbitrarily detained human rights defenders are released, and perpetrators of violations are held to account.

    Since the end of May, Nicaragua’s authorities have carried out a further crackdown on civil society and the opposition. Dozens of political leaders and human rights defenders were arrested and prosecuted as the government acted to silence critics and opponents ahead of presidential elections in November, a context which renders free and fair elections impossible. It is essential that the Council escalates its international scrutiny of Nicaragua to further accountability and justice for crimes under international law.

    We thank you.

    Civic space in Afghanistan, Belarus and Nicaragua is rated as repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor 
  • Five countries added to watchlist of countries where civic freedoms are under serious threat

     

    • Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sudan, and Venezuela join global watchlist
    • Escalating rights violations include killings, attacks on protesters, media restrictions and arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders
    • International community must pressure governments to end repression

    Five countries from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America have been added to a watchlist of countries which have seen a rapid decline in fundamental freedoms in recent weeks and months. The new watchlist released by the CIVICUS Monitor, an online platform that tracks threats to civil society across the globe, identifies growing concerns in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sudan, and Venezuela.

    Activists and civil society organisations in these countries are experiencing an infringement of their civic freedoms as protected by international law. These violations include the use of excessive force by security forces during peaceful protests and journalists being arbitrarily detained and harrassed in both Sudan and Venezuela. In Serbia, space for independent media is under concerted attack while massive anti-government demonstrations are taking place. In Saudi Arabia, authorities continue the crackdown on women human rights defenders, who are being subject to arbitrary detentions and ill treatment for their activism on gender issues. While, in Afghanistan, there has been a record high number of civilian casualties (3,800 in 2018). The upcoming July presidential elections pose additional security risks and a threat to shrinking civic space, as over 400 civilians and voters were killed or injured (including eight candidates), during last October’s parliamentary elections.

    “It is deeply concerning to see escalated threats to basic rights in these countries,” said Ms. Barreto, CIVICUS Civic Space Research Lead. “It is critical that these five governments wake up to their failure to respect international law and take swift action to respect their citizens’ most basic freedoms in a democratic society and create an enabling environment for civil society organisations” Belalba said. “We also call upon neighbouring states and international bodies to put pressure on these countries to end the repression and ensure positive steps are taken to guarantee the safe space for civil society to continue their legitimate work”

    Large-scale anti-government demonstrations have been ongoing across Sudan since 19th December 2018 calling for President Omar Al-Bashir to step down in the context of a growing frustration over the harsh economic and social situation. In response, the authorities have launched a violent campaign targeting protesters, including doctors, teachers, journalists, women activists and opposition political leaders. With the declaration of a state of emergency, civic space restrictions continue to increase with hundreds of protesters on trial and dozens sentenced in summary trials on charges of participating in demonstrations.

    Serbia has witnessed sustained protest since December 2018. Protests started after an opposition politician was assaulted by unknown assailants wielding metal rods. For the most part, authorities in Serbia have largely ignored or attempted to downplay the scale of the protests. However on 17th March 2019 after 14 consecutive weeks of demonstrations, police in Belgrade used excessive force to disperse protesters that were calling for greater press freedom and fair elections. After encircling the Presidential building, clashes between protesters and police broke out, leading to the use of tear gas by Serbian authorities. Ten people were arrested in the confrontation. The government has also orchestrated a smear campaign against protesters  labelling opponents of the government as “paid” activists working against Serbian interests.

    Despite claims that the Saudi Arabian government is leading reforms to improve the situation of women in the country, Saudi authorities continue to persecute women activists. Since the crackdown began in May 2018, at least 22 women human rights defenders have been arrested and subjected to human rights violations because of their activism on gender issues. Reports indicate that several detained rights defenders have been subjected to torture including sexual assault and harassment.

    In Venezuela, since January 2019, massive anti-government protests have continued to take place in the country. The government has responded by using excessive force against demonstrators, arbitrarily detaining protestors, including teenagers, as well as detaining and harassing human rights defenders and journalists. Just between 21 and 25 January, at least 41 people died in circumstances linked to the protests,and more than 900 people were arbitrarily detained. For years, protesters in Venezuela have been met with excessive force by authorities, as people take to the streets to demand a change in government, the pattern of repression will likely intensify. Human rights organisations working to deliver humanitarian aid are especially targeted with harassment, and in some cases, their offices have been raided. It is estimated that more than three million venezuelans have fled the country due to the humanitarian crisis and denial of basic rights such as health and food.

    Since the beginning of 2019, at least three journalists have been killed in Afghanistan. The country was the world's deadliest for journalists in 2018 with 13 reporters and 2 other media professionals killed. Citizens risk being killed and attacked for participating in government elections and civil society is currently excluded from peace negotiations between the Taliban and the United States (U.S.), and parallel peace talks in Moscow. Women’s groups and persecuted communities are campaigning to have their voices heard in the peace process, and to ensure that any agreement guarantees human rights and democratic freedoms.

    In the coming weeks, the CIVICUS Monitor will closely track developments in each of these countries as part of efforts to ensure greater pressure is brought to bear on governments. CIVICUS calls upon these governments to do everything in their power to immediately end the ongoing crackdowns and ensure that perpetrators are held to account.

    See full CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist Summary
  • Global solidarity needed to address Taliban’s attacks on women’s rights

    By David Kode, Advocacy and Campaigns Lead at CIVICUS 

    Matiullah Wesa’s crime was to try to ensure young people got an education in Afghanistan. His recent forceful abduction by the Taliban offers the latest stark reminder that global solidarity and coherent action from the international community are needed to prevent the complete loss of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

    Matiullah has been at the forefront of advocating for access to education as a co-founder and leader of Pen Path. For more than a decade, Pen Path has worked with community and tribal leaders in remote areas in Afghanistan to advocate for education and bring learning closer to communities. It works to enlighten communities about the importance of education, particularly girl’s and women’s education, organises book donations, runs mobile libraries in remote areas and reopens schools closed by years of conflict and insecurity. Pen Path has reopened over 100 schools, distributed more than 1.5 million items of stationery and provided education facilities for 110,000 children – 66,000 of them girls. This is what Matiullah is being punished for.

    The abduction of Matiullah and many others advocating for the rights of education point to a concerted effort by the Taliban to try to restrict women’s and girls’ access to education and silence those advocating for education and an inclusive society.

    There are sadly many other instances. In November 2022 around 60 Taliban members stormed a press conference organised to announce the formation of Afghan Women Movement for Equality. They arrested conference participants and deleted all images from their phones.

    Read on Inter Press Service 
  • Increased targeting of members of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission

    Front Line Defenders, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights, in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the International Service for Human Rights, condemn the killing of two employees of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), Fatima Khalil and Ahmad Jawed Folad, on 27 June 2020. The AIHRC staff were killed by an improvised explosive device while on their way to work in the organisation’s official vehicle in Kabul. We believe the killing is a direct reprisal for their human rights work.
  • Open appeal to UN Member States to ensure the adoption of a resolution creating an investigative mechanism on Afghanistan at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council

    We, the undersigned organisations, write to urge UN Member States to ensure the adoption of a robust resolution to establish a Fact-Finding Mission or similar independent investigative mechanism on Afghanistan as a matter of priority at the upcoming 48th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

    We express our profound regret at the failure of the recent HRC special session on Afghanistan to deliver a credible response to the escalating human rights crisis gripping the country. The adopted resolution falls far short of the consistent calls of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Procedures and civil society organisations, and does not live up to the mandate of the HRC to effectively address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations. 

    A Fact-Finding Mission, or similar independent investigative mechanism, with a gender-responsive and multi-year mandate and resources to monitor and regularly report on, and to collect evidence of, human rights violations and abuses committed across the country by all parties is a critical component of the broader international response urgently needed to address the escalating human rights and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Such a mechanism is crucial to ensure UN member states are fully informed of the situation on the ground as they take important decisions on how to respond to the crisis, how to help protect the rights and lives of the people of Afghanistan, and how to prevent further crimes. It is crucial to support the brave activists and human rights defenders, particularly women human rights defenders, who have continued their work at significant personal risk and have requested support and solidarity from the international community. It is also crucial as a means of taking one small step to addressing the accountability gap that fuels grave violations and abuses across the country, and to complement and support international and national work on accountability for crimes under international law. 

    The urgent need for such a mechanism could not have been made clearer throughout the negotiations, and at the opening of the special session. The AIHRC, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Procedures, the Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Nations in Geneva, and a broad constellation of national, regional and international civil society organisations, have all made this call clearly and consistently. The High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that while her Office was ready and willing to update the HRC regularly on the situation, it was critical for the HRC to take “bold and vigorous action, commensurate with the gravity of this crisis, by establishing a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan, including – in particular – the Taliban's implementation of its promises, with a focus on prevention.” To ignore these consistent appeals, and sit idly by and wait for further crimes to occur to take meaningful action, is an abdication of responsibility by the HRC. The people of Afghanistan are entitled to much better than this. 

    At the special session, UN Special Procedures recalled that the last 18 months “have been the deadliest civilian casualties recorded in Afghanistan in late history” and also reminded the Council of the fifth report of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict in Afghanistan (S/2021/662 16 July 2021) documenting “that child casualties for the first half of 2021 constituted the highest number of children killed and maimed for this period ever recorded by the UN in Afghanistan, a situation compounded in the last few weeks.”   

    At this crucial moment for the people of Afghanistan, we are convinced that an independent investigative mechanism is the only credible means to address the human rights crisis in the country, advance accountability and deter further abuses. Although some states proposed the creation of a Special Rapporteur as a compromise during the special session, this would not be an adequate or appropriate response to a crisis of this magnitude for a number of reasons, including the lack of resources, limited capacity, and correspondingly narrower scope of such a mandate. We note that the special session resolution itself “stresses the need for transparent and prompt investigation into reports of all violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, committed by all parties to the conflict, and to hold those responsible to account.” Clearly, the only credible way to give effect to this commitment is to create such a “transparent and prompt investigation.”

    We urge all UN Member States, to take urgent action to correct the HRC’s course, by ensuring a robust independent investigative mechanism is put in place when it meets for its 48th regular session in September. As noted by the Chairperson of the AIHRC in her opening address to the HRC, “Afghan activists on the ground, my colleagues on the ground, who face direct threats to their lives and the lives of their families, demand better, while they have everything to lose by putting this ask forward […] Many I speak to in Afghanistan already fear that they may not have a tomorrow. In our worst moment, we call on you to do better.” 

    LIST OF SIGNATORIES:

    1. Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission 
    2. Amnesty International
    3. ARTICLE 19
    4. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
    5. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)
    6. Australian Centre for International Justice
    7. Australian Human Rights Institute
    8. AWID (Association for Women's Rights in Development)
    9. Cairo Institute For Human Rights Studies
    10. Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
    11. Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos “Segundo Montes Mozo S.J.” (CSMM)
    12. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
    13. Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promocion de Derechos Humanos (CMDPDH)  
    14. Committee to Protect Journalists 
    15. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
    16. DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
    17. DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights
    18. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
    19. FOKUS Forum for women and development
    20. Forum Menschenrechte
    21. Free Press Unlimited
    22. FRI - Foreningen for kjønns- og seksualitetsmangfold
    23. Front Line Defenders 
    24. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect 
    25. HelpAge International
    26. Human Rights Now
    27. Human Rights Watch
    28. Humanists International
    29. International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute
    30. International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
    31. International Commission of Jurists
    32. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
    33. International Federation on Ageing
    34. International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR)
    35. International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
    36. International Service for Human Rights
    37. Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights
    38. La Strada International
    39. Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia)
    40. Minority Rights Group International
    41. No Peace Without Justice
    42. Norwegian Helsinki Committee
    43. Norwegian Humanist Association
    44. Rafto Foundation for Human Rights
    45. Right Livelihood
    46. Scholars at Risk
    47. The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT)
    48. The Norwegian Human Rights Fund
    49. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
    50. VOICE Australia
    51. WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform
    52. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
    53. Women's Refugee Commission
    54. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
  • Over 390 orgs urge Australian government to protect Afghan civil society
    More than 390 civil society organisations from over 60 countries call on the government of Australia and other governments to ease travel requirements and processes for human rights defenders and representatives of civil society fleeing Afghanistan.

    We the undersigned, civil society organisations from different regions of the world, write to you in connection with the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, that followed the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government. We are writing because of the urgency required from the international community to support human rights defenders, representatives of civil society, and journalists who are trying to flee Afghanistan to escape the potentially violent actions of the Taliban.  In the coming weeks, there are huge concerns that any progress made in the achievements of human rights over the last 20 years in Afghanistan will be swiftly eroded.  

    As you are aware, human rights defenders, particularly those who defend the rights of women, journalists and those associated with civil society groups have been subjected to violent attacks, threats and intimidation by the Taliban.  Over the past several years, CIVICUS and other human rights organisations have documented these attacks and the state of utmost impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators. The Afghan Human Rights Defenders’ Committee (AHRDC) recently reported that 17 human rights defenders were killed between September 2020 and May 2021 alone.  Over 200 human rights defenders and media representatives reported receiving serious threats. In light of the present conflict conditions and political instability, these threats have magnified.

    The Taliban have a track record of abusing human rights and attacking civilians with impunity.  Women and children have borne the brunt of these attacks and many have been prevented from working and have limited access to education and healthcare.  The statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of 16 August 2021 urging the international community to speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan is a step in the right direction. We also note the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights about early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women.

    As is expected, many human rights defenders are trying to leave the country and we have received reports that some are being prevented from boarding planes as foreign missions have prioritised evacuating their own nations and staff. Others have gone into hiding and fear for their lives and others are waiting for the inevitable to happen to them.  Women who have campaigned for years for equal rights and equal participation in public spaces including the peace process have faced reprisals. 

    We note reports that at least 3000 Afghan refugees will be able to move to Australia in the next ten months and that Afghan visa holders currently in Australia will not be asked to return to Afghanistan while their security is at risk. However, much more needs to be done. The international community has a responsibility under international human rights and humanitarian law to protect the rights of Afghans and one way of doing so is to provide a safe passage to those whose lives are at risk if they stay in Afghanistan. 

    Honourable Prime Minister, we urge your government to hold urgent conversations with relevant Ministries in Australia to develop a National Action Plan to guide Australia’s response to the Afghan crisis.  

    We request that you prioritise the following actions in the action plan; 

    • Publicly call on the Taliban to respect human rights, including the rights of girls and women and fundamental freedoms in line with international human rights law and standards.
    • Prioritise providing safe passage and travel documents for Afghans at heightened risk of persecution from the Taliban because of their past work or status, along with their immediate family members.
    • Urge Australian embassies and missions across the world to ease the travel requirements for human rights defenders and representatives from civil society from Afghanistan who may be seeking to travel to Australia. 
    • Create an enabling environment in Australia conducive for all Afghans  who flee  recover from the psychosocial pressures they endured in Afghanistan and the anxieties they may experience settling in a new country 
    • Pledge new support for civil society groups inside and outside of Afghanistan that assist with refugee resettlement, and otherwise promote humanitarian and human rights needs. 
    • Support the creation of an independent and gender-sensitive investigative and accountability mechanism at the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Session on Afghanistan scheduled for 24 August 2021 

    Signatories:

    1. #TrustYourStruggleMovement
    2. ABAC
    3. Abraham's Children Foundation
    4. ACAT TOGO
    5. Accountability Lab
    6. ACDIEF
    7. ACP-DYSS
    8. ACT FOR CHANGE OU AGIR POUR LE CHANGEMENT 
    9. Action des Volontaires pour la Solidarité et le Développement AVSD
    10. Action for Community Transformation Initiative South Sudan
    11. Action for Humanity & Social Progress
    12. Action for Socio-political and Economic Change
    13. Actions Collectives pour le Développement Social, ACODES
    14. Actions for Development and Empowerment
    15. Actions pour la Lutte Contre les Injustices Sociales (ALCIS)
    16. Adult Learning Forum 
    17. Advance Centre for peace and credibility international and One Life Count Empowerment Foundation
    18. AFEDI
    19. AFeJE Bénin ONG
    20. Africa Rise Foundation 
    21. African Center for Solidarity and Mutual Aid between the Community (CASEC|ACSAC)
    22. African Development and Peace Initiative (ADPI)
    23. AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (AFED)
    24. African Leaders Hub
    25. African Network of Youth Policy Experts
    26. African Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building Academy AYECBA 
    27. Afrihealth Optonet Association
    28. Agrupación Fe
    29. AJAD (Association des Jeunes Africains pour le Développement Durable)
    30. Alliance for Development and Population Services-ADEPS
    31. Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights
    32. ALUCHOTO
    33. Alvin tech 
    34. Amahoro Human Respect 
    35. Amani community based organization
    36. América Diversa Inc
    37. Amicale des Jeunes Chrétiens pour le Développement, AJECDE
    38. Amnesty International
    39. Angels in the Field
    40. Anuesp
    41. APPUI SOLIDAIRE POUR LE RENFORCEMENT DE L AIDE AU DEVELOPPEMENT
    42. Arcfrancis Foundation
    43. AROHI
    44. ARPE
    45. Asaasiam Vision International
    46. Asian Academy for Peace, Research and Development
    47. Asociación Civil, Colectivo para la Participación de la Infancia y Juventud 
    48. Asociacion Desplazada Nuevo Renacer
    49. Asociación Unión de Talleres 11 de Septiembre 
    50. Association des Amis de la Nature 
    51. Association des Jeunes pour le Développement et la Protection des Droits de l'Homme
    52. Association for Advancement of Human Rights 
    53. Association For Promotion Sustainable Development 
    54. Association for Reproductive and Family Health Burundi 
    55. Association Nigérienne pour la Démocratie et la gouvernance inclusive
    56. Association pour les victimes du monde
    57. Badhon ManobUnnayan Sangstha
    58. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)     
    59. Banlieues Du Monde Mauritanie 
    60. Bareedo Platform Somalia 
    61. Beautiful Hearts NGO
    62. Benimbuto
    63. BIHDP
    64. Biso peuple
    65. BOACSE TANZANIA
    66. Breaking Out Mental Health
    67. Brothers keeper NGO
    68. Burundi Child Rights Coalition (BCRC)
    69. CA Comrades Association Namibia
    70. CAHURAST, Nepal
    71. Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas
    72. Capellanes Conacce
    73. Care for Social Welfare International 
    74. CareMe E-clinic
    75. Center for civil society development PROTECTA
    76. Center for Communities Education and Youth Development
    77. Center for Public Health Laws Social Economic Rights and Advocacy
    78. Center for Social Integrity 
    79. Centre d’Actions pour le Développement 
    80. Centre de support aux personnes handicapées
    81. Centre for environment, media and development communication
    82. Centre for Good Governance and Social Justice
    83. Centre for Inclusion and Empowerment
    84. Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ)
    85. Centre for Social Mobilization and Sustainable Development(CENSODEV)
    86. Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa
    87. Centre Oecuménique pour la Promotion du Monde Rural
    88. Centro Cultural Equidad y Género
    89. Centro de Análisis Político
    90. Centro de Estudios y Apoyo al Desarrollo Local
    91. Cercle de Réflexion sur le Développement Humain et les Changements Climatiques CERDHUCC
    92. CFF-Ghana 
    93. CHALLENGES International
    94. Chambre Transversale des Jeunes Entrepreneurs du Burundi
    95. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING FOR PEACE(CYPLP)
    96. Children and Youth for Peace Agency - Sierra Leone (CYPA-SL)
    97. Chinland Development Network CDN Myanmar, and Pyinkhonegyi Phunsang Pawlkom -3P
    98. Civic Engagement Initiatives Trust
    99. CIVICUS
    100. Centre International de Formation des de l'homme pour le Développement  de Kisangani, Province de la Tshopo
    101. Climate Tracker 
    102. CO-OPERATIVE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
    103. Coalition des organisations pour la promotion des droits des travailleurs de sexe et transgenre
    104. Coalition of youth organizations SEGA
    105. Colectivo Jóvenes Por El Cambio
    106. Colectivo Seres, A.C.
    107. Commission internationale des droits de l'homme au Tchad
    108. Commission on Human Rights
    109. Community Development Foundation
    110. Community for Peace Foundation(COPEF)
    111. Community Health Education Sports Initiative Zambia
    112. Community Support Center / CSC-Asbl
    113. Comunidad de Organizaciones Solidarias
    114. Connecticut Institute for Social Entrepreneurship
    115. Connecting Gender for Development 
    116. Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations
    117. Construisons Ensemble le monde
    118. consultando soluciones
    119. ControlaTuGobierno A.C.
    120. Convention Nationale pour le Dialogue et le Règlement Pacifique des conflits au Tchad _CONDIRECT 
    121. COSAD BENIN
    122. Crisis Resolving Centre (CRC) 
    123. DAKILA
    124. Determined Society Organization
    125. Development and Service Centre (DESC)
    126. Differentabilities
    127. Digital Rights Activist 
    128. Earthforce Fight Squad NGO
    129. East Eagle Foundation
    130. Ecology Africa Foundation
    131. Edtech for Africa 
    132. EJO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
    133. ELOSAN VISION
    134. Entaxis - Action for inclusion and Education
    135. Equality Rights Africa Organization
    136. Espérance Mères et Enfants en RDC "EME-RDC"
    137. Ethiopian Initiative for Human Rights 
    138. Euphrates Institute-Liberia
    139. Euro-Mediterranean Resources Network
    140. Fair Africa
    141. FAMA
    142. Family Visions Child Trust
    143. FEDERACION PROVINCIAL DE ORGANIZACIONES CAMPESINAS DE ZAMORA CHINCHIPE
    144. Fédération des ONG de la région du Goh
    145. Feminist Centre 
    146. Fight Against Aids Guinee West Africa
    147. FINESTE
    148. Forums Territorial de la Jeunesse Martiniquaise 
    149. Fraternity Foundation For Human Rights 
    150. FSM Alliance of NGOs (FANGO) 
    151. Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual
    152. Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo
    153. Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad
    154. Fundación T.E.A. Trabajo, Educación, Ambiente
    155. Fundación Váyalo
    156. Fundimma
    157. Future leaders Society
    158. Gender Accountability for Peace and Security 
    159. Gender Equality Club
    160. Ghana Youth Environmental Movement
    161. Gibson Chisale
    162. Gidan Dutse Multipurpose Concept 
    163. Give Hope Uganda
    164. Global Participe
    165. Global Socio-economic and Financial Evolution Network (GSFEN)
    166. Global Young Greens
    167. Golden Change for Concerned Youth Forum
    168. Grassroot Development Support and Rural Enlightenment Initiative
    169. Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association-GURRA
    170. H.E.R.O.
    171. Haakro Welfare Association
    172. HAKI Africa
    173. Halley Movement Coalition
    174. Hamdam Foundation
    175. Hear Their Voice International (HTVI)
    176. Hidden and Emerging Treasures Initiative
    177. Hondureños Contra el SIDA
    178. Hope for Vulnerable Children Association
    179. Hope Porters Foundation 
    180. Hope Worldwide-Pakistan 
    181. Hub Ciencia Emprende
    182. Human Rights
    183. HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement 
    184. I BAMBINI DELL 'AFRICA ONLUS
    185. IAW
    186. ICCA asbl(Icirore C'Amahoro asbl)
    187. ICYE Nigeria
    188. IDA Rwanda
    189. Ikage
    190. Imbali Western Cape and Adult Learning Forum
    191. Inclusive Bangladesh
    192. Independent humanitarian worker
    193. India Youth For Society
    194. Infinite hope for vulnerable Africa
    195. Initiatives des Femmes en Situations Difficiles pour le Développement Durable et Intégré, IFESIDDI
    196. Innpactia
    197. Inspirers
    198. Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
    199. Institute of Youth, women welfare
    200. Instituto de asilencia para adictos a.c.
    201. Instituto de Educación Cibernética Automotriz Robótica y Electrónica 
    202. Integrated Agricultural Association (I.A.A)
    203. Intelligent initiative for Peace & Security Consciousness  
    204. INTER-ACTIONS ONG
    205. Intercedes youth empowerment
    206. International Association for Migrant Support
    207. International Association for Political Science Students
    208. International Development Opportunity Initiative
    209. International Human Rights Council 
    210. International Society for Peace and Safety 
    211. Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms
    212. Jade Propuestas Sociales y Alternativas al Desarrollo, A.C.
    213. Jesmak health & Safety Center
    214. Jesus Vazquez Garcia
    215. JEUNES LEADER DU MALI
    216. Jeunesse Assistance
    217. Justice Call
    218. Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons
    219. JusticeMakers Bangladesh 
    220. Kadiwaku Foundation
    221. Kanika Khurana
    222. kathak academy(KA)UNCSO(ECOSOC)
    223. Kenneth and Jacob's House
    224. Kijana Hai Foundation 
    225. KITUMAINI ASBL
    226. Knit Together Initiative 
    227. Koneta 
    228. Kwapda'as Road Safety Demand Foundation
    229. Lamu coastal indigenous people's rights for development (LCIPRD)
    230. Leaders for Leaders Champion 
    231. Leadership Development Association Bangladesh
    232. Liberia Sexual Gender Base Violence Movement LSGBV 
    233. Ligue Burundaise des droits de l'homme Iteka
    234. Local Communities Development Initiative 
    235. LOCAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ORGANISATION (LOSCO)
    236. Locate i
    237. Love Alliance Foundation for Orphans, Disabled and Abandoned Persons in Nigeria 
    238. Lupus Initiative Uganda 
    239. Lutheran world federation
    240. Mahatma phule samaj seva mandal 
    241. Manica Youth Assembly 
    242. Masombo The Life/NGO
    243. Mémorial des victimes des conflits armés en République Démocratique du Congo
    244. Men 4 Equality
    245. MENA Research and Conferences
    246. Mercy Sisters 
    247. Merowa junior school Kampala
    248. Mike’s New Generation Vision
    249. MILES CHILE
    250. Mouvement Citoyen Ras-Le-Bol
    251. Mouvement INAMAHORO, Femmes & Filles pour la Paix & la Securite
    252. Movilizatorio
    253. Movimiento Juvenil Indígena de la Moskitia - Mark Rivas (MOJIMM) 
    254. MPS GABON
    255. MUDDH - MOVIMIENTO UNIDO POR LA DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS
    256. Municipal youth network-Nepal
    257. MUP'S COMMUNICATION
    258. Ñañaykuna
    259. National  Women Sudanese Association
    260. National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO)
    261. National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
    262. NEW ERA MOVEMENT
    263. NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN)
    264. Nigeria Youth SDGs Network
    265. Nigerian Global Affairs Council
    266. Noem Elderly Iutreach Uganda
    267. North Rift Human Rights Network
    268. North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
    269. Northern Initiative for Community Empowerment
    270. Nouveaux Droits de l'homme Congo Brazzaville
    271. Observatoire National pour la Démocratie et l’Environnement ONADE
    272. Oil Refinery Residents Association
    273. Onelife Initiative for Human Development
    274. ONG ADOKA
    275. ONG CRI DES JEUNES ET FEMMES VULNERABLES, CJFV.
    276. ONG Good Neighbors
    277. ONG ICON Niger 
    278. ONG ITODJU
    279. ONG María Acoge
    280. Organisation Internationale des volontaires des Nations Unies 
    281. Organisation pour la protection des droits de l'homme 
    282. Organizando Trans Diversidades (Asociación OTD Chile)
    283. Organization of the Justice Campaign
    284. OTRANS-RN 
    285. Otro Tiempo México AC
    286. Pahel Pakistan 
    287. Pan - African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA)
    288. PARIVARTHANA
    289. PAWA - Pacific Australian Womens Association
    290. Peace Education and Practice Network (PEPNET)
    291. People's health movement
    292. People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy
    293. Peoples Federation for National Peace and Development (PEFENAP)
    294. PJUD-BENIN ONG
    295. Plateforme des Femmes pour la Paix en Casamance 
    296. Plateforme nationale des organisations de la société civile pour la lutte contre le VIH et Tuberculose 
    297. POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (PDI)
    298. Programme d'Appui à la Lutte contre la Pauvreté pour l'Emergence et la Restauration d'un développement durable
    299. Progressive Single Mothers Network
    300. Red de Desaparecidos en Tamaulipas 
    301. REDECIM
    302. Redemption Research for Health and Educational Development Society(RRHEDS)
    303. Redlad
    304. REFUGEES PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR PEACE-RPP 
    305. Regional Network of Children and Young People Trust 
    306. Réseau des Organisations de la Société Civile pour l'Observation et le Suivi des Élections en Guinée (ROSE) 
    307. Réseau Nigérien Anti-Corruption
    308. RIHRDO (Rural Infrastructure and Human Resource Development Organization )
    309. Rising Winners Youth Empowerment Initiative (RWYEI)
    310. RNDDH
    311. Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park
    312. RUKIGA FORUM FOR DEVELOPMENT (RUFODE)
    313. Rural Development Foundation
    314. Ryht Group 
    315. Safe employee and volunteer
    316. Sahiba Foundation
    317. SAPI Child international
    318. Save the Climat
    319. Savie asbl NGO LGBTIQ PGEL Congo DRC
    320. Sehzoor Life Organization 
    321. Service Workers In Group Foundation Uganda 
    322. Shanduko Yeupenyu Child Care
    323. She & Peer
    324. Shibganj Integrated Development Society
    325. Sierra Leone School Green Clubs (SLSGC)
    326. Sierra Leone Unites
    327. Siyakholwa Support Care Centre 
    328. Social Action For Empowerment and Relief 
    329. Social democracy movement 
    330. Social Voice Networking Forum - Pakistan
    331. Société Civile Engagée 
    332. Somali Action for Transformation (Somact)
    333. SOPEVUDECO ASBL
    334. SORETO
    335. SOS Jeunesse et Enfance en Détresse " SOS JED
    336. Sout To Support Women's Rights 
    337. South African National Civic Organisation
    338. South Sudan Youth Peace and Development Organization (SSYPADO)
    339. Southwest Genesis Consultancy
    340. Swabalambee Foundation
    341. TARGET 4.7 Education for Global Citizenship & Sustainability 
    342. Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust
    343. The Environment Ameliorators
    344. The Institute of Caribbean Studies/SMART Futures Movement 
    345. The Young Republic
    346. Timely performance care center
    347. Today for tomorrow foundation
    348. Tomorrow for human rights 
    349. Toto Centre Initiative 
    350. Tournonslapage 
    351. Tremendas Panamá 
    352. Uganda Diversity Network
    353. UGONMA FOUNDATION
    354. Ukana West 2 Community Based Health Initiative
    355. Umbrella for Journalists in Kasese (UJK)
    356. UN SDGs Programme
    357. Unión Nacional de Instituciones para el Trabajo de Acción Social - UNITAS 
    358. United nations Youth Association-Ghana
    359. United World Against Diabetes 
    360. Universal Union For Consumer Protection and Civil Abuse "UNUCOPCA" NGO
    361. University of Western Cape
    362. VEILLE CITOYENNE TOGO 
    363. Venezuela Diversa AC
    364. VIE +
    365. Vivace Youth  Centre 
    366. Volunteer Activists
    367. Warembo Forum
    368. Welfare Taskforce for Malaysian Students Abroad
    369. WELFARE TOGO
    370. West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
    371. Western Youth Empire 
    372. Women and Children Empowerment Network-South Africa
    373. Women in Action-WINA
    374. WOMEN WITHOUT POVERTY (WOWIPO) 
    375. World Mission Agency
    376. World Youth Union S/L
    377. YACAP INTERNATIONAL
    378. YES We Can
    379. yesaid society (Kenya)
    380. Young African change makers
    381. YOUNG AFRICAN FIGHTERS ORGANIZATION 
    382. Young Men Association
    383. Youth Advocacy Network
    384. Youth Advocates for Change
    385. Youth Against Drug Abuse YADA International 
    386. Youth Arm Org
    387. Youth Association of Sierra Leone
    388. Youth Development Initiative Trust 
    389. Youth Enrichment for Success
    390. Youth for the Mission
    391. Youth Forum for Social Justice
    392. Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana
    393. Youth innovation centre 
    394. Youth Leadership Parliament, Nigeria
    395. Youth Network for Positive Change
  • PAKISTAN: ‘We appeal to the international community to share the responsibility of welcoming Afghan refugees’

    MuhammadMudassarCIVICUS speaks about the current move to expel undocumented migrants from Pakistan with Muhammad Mudassar, Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners’ Aid (SHARP-Pakistan).

    Founded in 1999, SHARP is a human rights civil society organisationworking for the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable groups, including refugees and internally displaced persons, and working on issues related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, including through advocacy at national and international level, capacity development of stakeholders, community services and emergency response.

    What’s the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan?

    Pakistan has hosted one of the world’s largest refugee populations for nearly 44 years, as it started receiving Afghan refugees in the late 1970s. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, around 840,000 of them registered between 2017 and 2018, plus around 775,000 undocumented Afghan migrants. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, between 400,000 and 700,000 more have arrived in Pakistan to seek asylum and protection through embassies of countries such as Canada, Germany and the USA.

    But the Pakistani government hasn’t announced any policy to provide legal protection to new arrivals. In January 2022, the government barred the issuing of UNHCR asylum certificates to newly arrived Afghans, leaving them in a legal limbo. Acting on behalf of the UNHCR, SHARP has been the frontline organisation offering reception facilities.

    A few weeks ago, a refugee with three or four children ate a mouse poison pill while waiting for resettlement response. Fortunately, SHARP personnel were on site and she was promptly taken to the hospital and survived. This incident reflects the despair many Afghan refugees feel. They’ve spent all their savings coming to Pakistan and waiting while the cost of living only continues to increase. They often seek jobs but there is no legal provision for undocumented Afghans to work or do business. For that they have to use false Pakistani identities, and when they need to leave the country, they’re forced to sell all their assets for next to nothing. The absence of legal protections also leaves them vulnerable to forced labour, and young women are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

    Why has the Pakistani government ordered the expulsion of Afghan refugees?

    The situation in Pakistan remained peaceful for many years, largely due to the cultural and religious similarities between Pakistani and Afghan people. However, in 2014, an attack on school in Peshawar resulted in the death of over 150 students and teachers. More terrorist attacks followed across Pakistan. In response, the government made a national action plan to counter such attacks and adopted a zero-tolerance border management policy. This is because terrorists were believed to be entering Pakistan across the border with Afghanistan.

    Moreover, Pakistan is grappling with a difficult economic situation, including a fuel price hike and high unemployment, with political turmoil further complicating the situation.

    Social media also played a role by spreading content linking Afghan refugees to terrorism, negatively affecting public attitudes towards them. Repatriation of Afghans from Pakistan reached its peak in 2015, and relationships between host and refugee communities have increasingly deteriorated, with incidents of hostility continuously increasing over the years. Tensions escalated during cricket matches, leading to fights among Pakistani and Afghan supporters.

    In response, SHARP initiated community outreach sessions aimed at engaging young Afghans and Pakistanis to identify commonalities and prioritise them over differences to prevent further violence and create an environment of peaceful coexistence.

    How else is SHARP working to help Afghan refugees?

    We have partnered with the UNHCR for over 24 years and we operate in 14 offices with over 300 staff members in strategic locations. SHARP is the first contact point for anyone who enters Pakistan to seek asylum. Our role is to conduct a brief initial reception interview and collect documentation to put together the claims, which are reviewed and processed by the UNHCR for further interviews and the provision of protection documentation. We also provide free legal aid and assistance to refugees and migrants, psycho-social counselling and shelter services for the most vulnerable. We make referrals for medical services, emergency cash assistance and community-based protection services.

    Working alongside the UNHCR, last year SHARP submitted recommendations to the government, wrote letters to the Minister of Interior and met with the National Commission on Human Rights. I visited parliament three times to advocate for a policy for incoming Afghan refugees and the enactment of a national refugee law. Our recommendations stress the importance of a dignified and respectful approach aligned with humanitarian principles and long-term planning. We’ve urged the Pakistani government to engage with the international community, including the European Union (EU), to address this crisis and ensure that Afghans return home only voluntarily and in a dignified manner.

    It’s crucial to note that while Pakistan is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, for a long time it has welcomed refugees on humanitarian grounds, treating them as friends. It shouldn’t jeopardise years of efforts by expelling them as foes. The government should establish registration centres and give people several months to come forward and register their claims for protection. As it lacks the required technical capacity and resources, it should work closely with international and civil society partners.

    Is Pakistan receiving the international supportit needs to tackle the situation?

    The refugee crisis is a challenge for global south countries, which often lack robust legal protection and face economic difficulties. Lured by promises from third countries, asylum seekers often come to Pakistan and countries such as Bangladesh, Iran and Tajikistan and then await international assistance for resettlement. In Pakistan, hundreds approach our office daily asking for resettlement support, and we try to help, working alongside the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.

    But the strain on Pakistani security, healthcare, education and other public services has become overwhelming. If the EU or an EU country urges us to host more Afghan refugees, they should first assess how many Afghan refugees they have welcomed in recent years and consider sharing the burden through resettlement programmes. The international burden-sharing mechanism isn’t working to provide breathing space for global south countries. There should be a flexible visa regime for Afghans who are stuck here in Pakistan and waiting to reunite with their families and friends in other countries.

    The situation worsened with the Ukraine crisis, because international support shifted towards addressing those humanitarian needs and the Pakistani crisis stayed largely neglected. Additionally, last year’s flash floods displaced nearly 3.4 million Pakistanis, killed around a million animals and affected numerous refugee communities. Although both the international community and the Pakistani government focused on addressing the consequences of the flood, many internally displaced people have been unable to return to their homes and are still living in camps. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine may further divert international attention and resources away from Pakistan.

    We have already been warned that there would be huge funding cut by approximately 60 per cent in 2024, posing a significant challenge in maintaining work for humanitarian organisations with extensive operations across Pakistan. The uncertainty of survival over the coming year is a pressing concern for us. We appeal to the international community to share the responsibility of welcoming Afghan refugees and support Pakistani humanitarian organisations and the government to help asylum seekers rebuild their lives.

    Civic space in Pakistan is rated ‘repressed’ by theCIVICUS Monitor.

    Get in touch with SHARP-Pakistan through itswebsite or itsFacebook page, and follow@sharp_pak onTwitter.
  • Statement: Afghanistan's adoption of Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights

    41st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Afghanistan Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) and CIVICUS welcome the government of Afghanistan's engagement with the UPR process. However, we regret the lack of progress by the Government in implementing the civic space recommendations during the last UPR review, including to ensure effective investigations and accountability of abuse against journalists. Abuses against human rights defenders and journalists continues with impunity. Alarmingly, state institutions have also been implicated in some abuses against media.

    During 2018, Afghanistan was the deadliest country for media, with 15 journalists and other media workers killed. In the first five months of 2019, at least five Afghan journalists and media workers were killed and a number of others have been critically wounded in deliberate attacks. We are deeply worried by the recent public threat of attacks issued by the Taliban against media. We call on the Government to stand by the rights of journalists and to protect them as parties negotiate an end to the war.

    We note that the Government has taken steps this year to end impunity for the murder of journalists by bringing to trial two cases – that of BBC journalist Ahmad Shah and Kabul News journalist Abdul Manan Arghand, who were both killed in 2018 by unidentified armed men. However, both trials lacked transparency and death sentences were handed to the perpetrators, which are serious human rights concerns. 

    Women, victims’ groups and other CSOs have all been sidelined throughout the peace process, representing a significant threat to civic space. We call on the Government to ensure women and independent CSOs have a seat at the negotiation table and meaningfully participate in decision-making. It is the responsibility of the Afghan Government to ensure that women’s rights, victims’ rights and fundamental freedoms of Afghans are protected and respected during all stages of the peace process and in any peace deal.

    Mr President, AHRO and CIVICUS call on the Government of Afghanistan to take proactive measures to address these concerns and implement these recommendations to create and maintain, in law and in practice, an enabling environment for civil society, including women’s groups and journalists.
  • Statement: Countries of concern at the UN Human Rights Council

    41st Session of the UN Human Rights Council
    Interactive Dialogue on Countries of Concern

    CIVICUS is deeply concerned by the grave situation in Sudan, and we call once again on the Council to take immediate steps to address this crisis, at the very least by establishing a fact-finding mission to monitor, verify and report on the situation to prevent further bloodshed and ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocities are held to account.

    In Saudi Arabia, human rights defenders face continued unwarranted detention. A wave of further arrests in April targeted those supporting the women’s rights movement and detained activists.  Saudi Arabia is not above Human Rights Council scrutiny and we reiterate calls on the Council to establish a monitoring mechanism over human rights violations in the country and call explicitly for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained Saudi women human rights defenders.

    In Guatemala, human rights defenders are being criminalized and harassed. Cases filed against Claudia Samoyoa Pineda and Jose Martinez Cabrera is illustrative of the authorities’ growing intolerance of independent dissent, including of those working on land and environmental defense. This is just one example of targeted reprisals levelled against civil society organisations and human rights defenders that have mobilised against a series of attacks on Guatemala's democratic institutional framework.

    Civic space in Afghanistan remains under serious threat. Violence against human rights defenders and journalists continues with impunity and state actors also have been implicated in violations against journalists. Women, civil society and victim's groups have been excluded from the peace processes, which threatens to undermine all hard-won gains. 

    Lastly, we are deeply concerned at the situation in the Philippines. Despite progress on a bill to protect human rights defenders, the situation on the ground remains dire. Dozens of activists have been killed since 2016 under the Duterte administration and the work of CSOs, media and human rights defenders have been severely undermined by smear campaigns by the government.

    We call on the Council’s continued attention to, and call for urgent action on, these issues of serious concern.
  • UN must address crises in Afghanistan and Cambodia, and commit to strengthening equal participation

    Statement at the 48th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

    Delivered by Lisa Majumdar

    Thank you, Madame President.

    We welcome that the High Commissioner raised the appalling situation for environmental human rights defenders and we call on the Council to address violations against all human rights defenders across the globe. Participation of civil society without fear of reprisal is vital to working collaboratively towards solutions to all human rights concerns.

    We further call on the Council this Session to strengthen equal participation by addressing repression of civic space and the rollback of democratic freedoms in response to the COVID pandemic. This includes particularly violations of access to information and freedoms of expression and assembly through internet shutdowns, and in the context of elections.

    We welcome the High Commissioner’s update on Afghanistan and reiterate a call for the Council to create a gender-sensitive, independent investigative mechanism. The courage of those calling for justice on the ground, at grave personal risk, cannot be overstated and it is vital that their efforts be supported by the international community.

    In Nicaragua, we call for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained political opposition leaders, human rights defenders and journalists, and for overdue electoral reforms. We welcome the High Commissioner’s update on Sri Lanka; ongoing shrinking civic space in the country undermines claims of reconciliation and accountability efforts.

    On Cambodia, in the midst of a dramatically worsening human rights situation including persisting restrictions on civic space and the repression of dissent, and ahead of elections scheduled for 2022 and 2023, it is imperative that the Council this session takes action to adequately address violations through mandating monitoring and reporting by the High Commissioner.

    We thank you.

    Civic space in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Nicaragua is rated as repressed by the CIVICUS Monitor.
  • UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Eritrea & Vietnam

    CIVICUS and its partners have made UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Eritrea and Viet Nam.

    The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States once every 4.5 years.

    CIVICUS and its partners have submitted UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on 4 countries in advance of the 46th UPR session in April - May 2024. The submissions examine the state of civil society in each country, including the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression and the environment for human rights defenders. We further provide an assessment of the States’ domestic implementation of civic space recommendations received during the 3rd UPR cycle over 4 years ago and provide a number of targeted follow-up recommendations. 

    Afghanistan- The submission by CIVICUS and Safety and Risk Mitigation Organization (SRMO) examines the deterioration of civic space after the takeover by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Specific instances of harassment of human rights defenders, journalists and protesters as well as physical attacks, killings, abduction, arrests, and intimidations are documented. In particular, attacks against women activists and protesters are highly alarming. Repercussion on media freedom has worsened as new sets of rules for the media outlining prohibitions and requirements silence dissent.  

    Cambodia - In this submission, CIVICUS and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) document restrictions of civic space in Cambodia, including excessive restrictions on association under the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations, suppression of protests, and restrictions and surveillance online. Human rights defenders, activists and journalists are consistently convicted and detained under vaguely worded charges. The submission also documents alarming restrictive laws, policies and practices. that undermines the freedom of media and target journalists and critics of the government.  

    Eritrea -The submission by CIVICUS and Surbana Vision Media and Community Services highlights Eritrea’s restriction on fundamental freedoms and persistent and violent suppression of civil society. The submission documents severe damage to media freedom, as the government places severe controls on media organizations effectively shutting down all independent media. Even private discussions are severely inhibited by fear of government informants and the likelihood of arrest and arbitrary detention. The submission also sheds light on the lack of independent Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as they are not able to operate safely in Eritrea as well as  threats, intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders both in Eritrea and in exile.

    Viet Nam - In this submission, CIVICUS, Asia Democracy Network (ADN) and Vietnam Advocates for Change (VAC) express their concerns about the highly restrictive regulatory regime deteriorating civic space both in law and in practice. Numerous cases of arrest and detention of human rights defenders, civil society activists, journalists, and protesters for charges under vaguely defined national security offences are documented. Those in detention are subjected to torture and other inhumane treatment with the purpose of coercing confessions or punishment for their opinion. The report also sheds light on the restriction, both online and offline, of freedom of expression by repressive laws and decrees as well as state censorship.

    Civic space in Afghanistan, Eritrea and Viet Nam is rated as Closed by the CIVICUS Monitor.  In Cambodia it is rated as Repressed.
  • Women activists are standing up against the assault of the Taliban on rights and freedoms

    Afghan protests in Herat Sept 2021

    Horia Mosadiq, is an Afghan women human rights defender (HRD) and founder of Safety and Risk Mitigation Organization (SRMO) and a CIVICUS member. SRMO aims to empower, support and protect Afghan civil society activists and organisations.

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