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• 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference on "2015 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda"

  Following the release of the reports of the Open Working Group and the Experts Committee on SD Financing this summer, we invite you to prepare for the 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference on "2015 and Beyond: Our Action Agenda" taking place at UN HQ (NY), 27-29 August 2014. The Conference will provide an opportunity for civil society, international networks and activists to develop an “Action Agenda” to mobilize messaging, advocacy strategies, partnerships and accountability frameworks in the lead up to the start of the intergovernmental negotiations at the beginning of the 69th session of the General Assembly for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda, due to culminate at a Summit in September 2015. The Conference will also be an important milestone ahead of the Secretary-General’s September 2014 Climate Summit and UN General Assembly, finalization of the Synthesis Report on the post-2015 development agenda, and the Lima (2014) and Paris (2015) UNFCCC COPs.
   
  As planning for the Conference continues, we invite you to submit your proposals for midday workshops based upon the conference plenary themes which will include poverty eradication, sustainability, climate change and human rights, with partnerships and accountability frameworks as cross-cutting issues. Please find here the conference concept note and the guidelines for submitting workshop proposals.
  
  The deadline to submit is 4 June 2014, at 11 pm (2300) US EST.
  
  

• CIVICUS à l'AGNU77 : Principaux points d'intérêt et conclusions

  Message de Lysa John, secrétaire générale de CIVICUS  

  Chers membres et alliés de CIVICUS,  

  Pour la première fois en trois ans, en septembre dernier, la session de l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies (AGNU) et ses réunions connexes ont été organisées en personne. Le personnel de CIVICUS, en collaboration avec un large éventail d'acteurs de la société civile, a participé à un certain nombre d'événements parallèles et de réunions sur un éventail de sujets visant à évaluer les progrès sur les engagements liés aux Nations Unies et à combler le fossé entre les décideurs et ceux qui sont affectés par les résultats des politiques intergouvernementales.  

  Nous avons participé à la réunion du Conseil des données du Partenariat mondial pour le développement durable et au lancement de la campagne sur les valeurs des données, qui a mis l'accent sur l'importance de renforcer les systèmes de données pour améliorer la prise de décision, en particulier dans le Sud. Le sommet #UnstoppableAfrica, organisé par la Global Africa Business Initiative, nous a donné l'occasion de parler du rôle des dirigeants du continent dans l'élaboration des #ODD et de l'importance d'investir dans la société civile. La zone d'action de l'ONU pour les ODD a accueilli un débat avec divers acteurs de la société civile et a fourni un espace pour discuter des moyens de sauvegarder les menaces et de protéger la société civile.  

  L'AGNU77 a servi de plateforme parfaite pour les bailleurs de fonds et les représentants de la société civile afin d'engager une discussion indispensable sur les ressources de la société civile et les obstacles auxquels les militants de base sont confrontés pour obtenir un financement durable. Nous avons participé à deux conversations de haut niveau organisées par l'Institut international de la paix et la Fondation des Nations unies afin d'améliorer les processus de financement de la société civile et des jeunes militants.  

  L'importance de la participation de la société civile et d'un espace civique ouvert a été l'un des messages clés du Forum mondial des peuples 2022 et d'un événement visant à commémorer les 30 ans de la Déclaration des Nations unies sur les droits des minorités. Suite aux inquiétudes soulevées lors de la réunion du Pilier Société Civile de la Communauté des Démocraties concernant le manque d'accès de la société civile aux locaux de l'ONU lors des sessions de haut niveau de l'Assemblée Générale de l'ONU, le Secrétaire Général de la Communauté des Démocraties a publié une déclaration positive appelant l'ONU à révoquer la suspension des laissez-passer annuels et temporaires permettant aux ONG d'accéder au siège de l'ONU.   

  Le forum d'action de la Global Business Alliance (WBA) a souligné comment les mobilisations et la solidarité de la société civile ont contribué à garantir la transparence des entreprises.  L'événement du segment de haut niveau de l'AMB du 22 septembre s'est concentré sur le rôle de la redevabilité des entreprises dans un système de gouvernance mondiale efficace.  

  Alors que les conditions de l'espace civique continuent de se détériorer dans le monde entier, les défenseurs des droits humains sont toujours confrontés à de graves conséquences lorsqu'ils dénoncent ouvertement le pouvoir. Pendant l'AGNU77, il était essentiel pour CIVICUS de participer à des espaces et des activités qui nous ont permis de souligner la nécessité de défendre les libertés civiques et de demander la libération de tous les défenseurs des droits humains emprisonnés. Le Global Citizen Festival et la rédaction de la déclaration de l'Assemblée populaire mondiale de 2022, qui a été dévoilée lors d'une conférence de presse intéressante avec divers acteurs de la société civile, ont été de bonnes occasions de soulever ces questions. Nous avons également engagé les gouvernements et les partenaires de la société civile du Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund sur les problèmes rencontrés par les OSC opérant dans des espaces politiques fermés et la lutte contre l'autoritarisme, ainsi que sur le soutien à la société civile qui défend les droits environnementaux et les droits des peuples indigènes.  

  Enfin, j'aimerais remercier tous ceux qui ont participé à la rencontre CIVICUS à notre bureau de New York le 19 septembre. Il n'y a rien de plus puissant que des militants de la société civile, des bailleurs de fonds et des alliés travaillant ensemble dans le but commun de créer un monde meilleur pour toutes les personnes.   

  En toute solidarité,  

  Lysa John  

  Secrétaire général, CIVICUS 

  @LysaJohnSA 

• CIVICUS at the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

  

  Women civil society leaders, activists, protesters and human right lawyers are central to shaping public life - through campaigns, protests and policy interventions. Across the world, women and girls are at the forefront of mobilising - for equality, meaningful democratic processes, their freedom to express themselves, safer spaces, and a protected environment, to name just a few. The theme of this year’s UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), running from 15 to 26 March 2021, is Women in Public Life: Equal Participation in Decision-Making.

  Recognising the important work of women activists worldwide, CIVICUS, working together with members and partners, will:

  • Profile women in mobilisation, protest and civil society, and their role in public life;
  • Make recommendations to multilateral bodies and governments to help realise SDG5 and SDG16 - reflecting and based on women’s lived realities;
  • Renew calls for meaningful participation, resourcing, care work and visibility for women working in civil society.

  HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED?

  Building on our 16 Days of Activism campaign, CIVICUS will showcase inspirational stories, amplify member voices, draw attention to women human rights defenders at risk, and find out more about how Covid-19 is impacting women’s rights to protest.

  We invite you to:

  1. During CSW65, from 15 - 26 March 2021, talk about your work on social media - as a women human rights defender, activist, protester - using any of these hashtags: #Wedefend #SheDefends #CSW65
  2. Follow and tag CIVICUS Alliance (Facebook|Twitter) when posting during CSW65. We will promote and share as many of your activities as we can.
  3. Share stories of arbitrarily detained women human rights defenders as part of our #StandAsMyWitness campaign by filling out this form to share documented cases of currently detained women human rights defenders.
  4. Add your signature to our Global Statement calling for support and protection of women in civil society

  READ MORE

  Powerful personal stories from women activists and journalists who are facing online harassment.  CIVICUS has partnered with Global Voices to produce this article series: https://civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/op-eds/4951-harassment-goes-virtual-women-activists-and-journalists-speak

  How Women Human Rights Defenders face greater risks because of their Gender by Masana Ndinga-Kanga http://www.ipsnews.net/2019/05/women-human-rights-defenders-face-greater-risks-gender/\

  REPORT: In Defence of Humanity: Women Human Rights Defenders and the struggle against silencing https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/reports-publications/3791-in-defence-of-humanity-women-human-rights-defenders-and-the-struggle-against-silencing

   

   
   

   

• CIVICUS At UNGA77: Key Highlights & Takeaways

  A message from Lysa John, Secretary-General of CIVICUS 

  Dear CIVICUS members and allies, 

  For the first time in three years, this September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and associated meetings were organised in person. Together with a broad array of civil society actors, CIVICUS staff participated in several side-events and meetings on a range of issues aimed at assessing progress on UN related commitments and bridging the gap between decision-makers and those affected by the outcomes of intergovernmental policy-making. 

  We participated in the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data Board meeting and the Data Values Campaign launch which focused on the importance of strengthening data systems for better decision-making, especially in the Global South. The #UnstoppableAfrica summit, hosted by Global Africa Business Initiative, offered us the opportunity to speak on the role of the continent’s leadership in the framing of the #SDGs and the importance of investing in civil society. The UN SDG Action Zone hosted a diverse panel of civil society actors and provided a space to discuss ways to safeguard against threats and protect civil society. 

  UNGA77 served as an ideal platform for funders and civil society representatives to engage in much-needed discussions around civil society resourcing and the barriers grassroots activists face in efforts to secure sustainable funding. We participated in two high-level conversations hosted by the International Peace Institute and the UN Foundation aimed at bettering the processes of resourcing for civil society and youth activists. 

  The importance of civil society participation and open civic space was one of the key messages at the 2022 Global People’s Forum and at an event to mark 30 years of the UN Declaration on Minority Rights. Following concerns raised at the Civil Society Pillar meeting of the Community of Democracies about civil society’s lack of access to the UN premises during the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly, the Secretary General of the Community of Democracies issued a positively worded statement calling on the UN to reverse the suspension of annual and temporary NGO passes enter the UN headquarters.  

  The World Benchmarking Alliance’s (WBA) Alliance Action Forum highlighted how civil society mobilisations and solidarity have helped ensure corporate accountability.  While WBA’s High-Level session event which was held on 22 September focused on the role of corporate accountability in an effective global governance system. 

  As civic space conditions continue to deteriorate throughout the world, human rights defenders continue to face severe consequences for speaking truth to power. During UNGA77 it was critical for CIVICUS to participate in spaces and activities that allowed us to spotlight the need to defend civic freedoms and call for the release of all imprisoned human rights defenders. The Global Citizen Festival and the drafting of the 2022 Global People’s Assembly Declaration which was released during an engaging press conference with various civil society actors, provided good opportunities to raise these issues. We also engaged Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund governments and civil society partners in overcoming the challenges faced by CSOs operating in closed political spaces and countering authoritarianism and supporting civil society defending environmental and Indigenous peoples’ rights. 

  Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who attended CIVICUS’ Meet & Greet at our New York office on 19 September. There is truly nothing more powerful than civil society activists, funders and allies working together with the common goal of creating a better world for all.  

  In solidarity, 

  Lysa John 

  Secretary-General, CIVICUS 

  @LysaJohnSA 

• CIVICUS en la AGNU77: Principales puntos de interés y conclusiones

  Mensaje de Lysa John, secretaria general de CIVICUS  

  Estimada membresía de CIVICUS y aliados,  

  Por primera vez en tres años, este mes de septiembre, la sesión de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas (AGNU) y sus reuniones asociadas se organizaron en persona. El personal de CIVICUS, en colaboración con un amplio abanico de actores de la sociedad civil, participó en varios eventos paralelos y reuniones sobre una serie de temas destinados a evaluar los avances en los compromisos relacionados con la ONU y a tender un puente entre los responsables de la toma de decisiones y los afectados por los resultados de la elaboración de políticas intergubernamentales.  

  Participamos en la reunión de la Junta de Datos de la Alianza Mundial para el Desarrollo Sostenible y en el lanzamiento de la Campaña de Valores de Datos, que se centró en la importancia de fortalecer los sistemas de datos para mejorar la toma de decisiones, especialmente en el Sur global. La cumbre #UnstoppableAfrica, organizada por la Global Africa Business Initiative, nos ofreció la oportunidad de hablar sobre el papel que juega el liderazgo del continente en la elaboración de los #ODS y la importancia de invertir en la sociedad civil. La Zona de Acción de los ODS de la ONU organizó un debate con diversos actores de la sociedad civil y proporcionó un espacio para debatir las formas de salvaguardar las amenazas y proteger a la sociedad civil.  

  La AGNU77 sirvió como plataforma perfecta para que los financiadores y los representantes de la sociedad civil entablaran un debate muy necesario sobre los recursos de la sociedad civil y los obstáculos a los que se enfrentan los activistas de base a la hora de conseguir una financiación sostenible. Participamos en dos conversaciones de alto nivel organizadas por el Instituto Internacional de la Paz y la Fundación de las Naciones Unidas, con el fin de mejorar los procesos de dotación de recursos para la sociedad civil y los activistas juveniles.  

  La importancia de la participación de la sociedad civil y del espacio cívico abierto fue uno de los mensajes clave en el Foro Mundial de los Pueblos 2022 y en un acto para conmemorar los 30 años de la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de las Minorías. Como consecuencia de las preocupaciones planteadas en la reunión del Pilar de la Sociedad Civil de la Comunidad de las Democracias sobre la falta de acceso de la sociedad civil a los locales de la ONU durante las sesiones de alto nivel de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, el secretario general de la Comunidad de las Democracias emitió una declaración formulada de forma positiva en la que pedía a la ONU que revocara la suspensión de los pases anuales y temporales de las ONG para entrar en la sede de la ONU.   

  El Foro de Acción de la Alianza Mundial (WBA) destacó cómo las movilizaciones y la solidaridad de la sociedad civil han contribuido a garantizar la rendición de cuentas de las empresas.  Por su parte, el evento de la sesión de alto nivel de la WBA, celebrado el 22 de septiembre, se centró en el papel de la rendición de cuentas de las empresas en un sistema de gobernanza mundial eficaz.  

  Mientras las condiciones del espacio cívico siguen deteriorándose en todo el mundo, las personas que defienden los derechos humanos siguen enfrentándose a graves consecuencias cuando denuncian abiertamente al poder. Durante la AGNU77 fue fundamental para CIVICUS participar en espacios y actividades que nos permitieran poner de relieve la necesidad de defender las libertades cívicas y pedir la liberación de todas las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos que se encuentran encarceladas. El Festival Ciudadano Global y la redacción de la Declaración de la Asamblea Mundial de los Pueblos de 2022, que se dio a conocer durante una interesante conferencia de prensa con diversos actores de la sociedad civil, brindaron buenas oportunidades para plantear estas cuestiones. También hicimos partícipes a los gobiernos y a los socios de la sociedad civil del Fondo de Ayuda a las OSC en Lucha contra la Pobreza (Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund) de los problemas a los que se enfrentan las OSC que operan en espacios políticos cerrados y de la lucha contra el autoritarismo, así como del apoyo a la sociedad civil que defiende los derechos medioambientales y de los pueblos indígenas.  

  Por último, me gustaría extender mi agradecimiento a todas las personas que asistieron al Meet & Greet de CIVICUS en nuestra oficina de Nueva York el 19 de septiembre. No hay nada más poderoso que activistas de la sociedad civil, financiadores y aliados trabajando juntos con el objetivo común de crear un mundo mejor para todas las personas.   

  En solidaridad,  

  Lysa John  

  Secretaria general, CIVICUS 

  @LysaJohnSA 

• CIVICUS urges the UN Security Council to go beyond mere rhetoric

  Johannesburg 23 February 2011. Although, the 15 members of the UN Security Council have issued a unanimous statement condemning the violence in Libya, they have failed to take any concrete actions to restore peace and security to the people of Libya.

  CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation calls upon members of the UN Security Council to discharge their responsibility to guarantee international peace and security and prevent crimes against humanity by issuing a binding resolution calling upon the Libyan Government to immediately halt the attacks on protestors.

  As news reports indicate, the violent and brutal crackdown against protestors is continuing in the country. Libya's 'supreme leader' Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has urged his supporters to come out on the streets to attack the "rats" and "cockroaches" opposing his 40 plus years iron grip on power.

  Indications from Colonel's Gadaffi's public address of 22 February show that he has no intention of  relenting to the legitimate demands of the pro-democracy protestors. Instead he has threatened to purge opponents "house by house" and "inch by inch".

• Draft Inputs from the Food and Agriculture Cluster of the NGO Major Group for upcoming thematic discussion at the third session of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  Draft Inputs from the Food and Agriculture Cluster of the NGO Major Group for upcoming thematic discussion at the third session of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New York, 22-24 May, 2013
  
  The Food and Agriculture Cluster was formed in New York to support messages from Major Groups and Civil Society before, during and following the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. The Cluster continues to coordinate messages for the Post Rio processes and Post 2015 Thematic Consultations on food security and nutrition. As the first thematic discussion of the OWG will be on food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, land degradation, desertification, drought and water and sanitation during its third session on 22-24, the Cluster is helping to bring civil society voices into intergovernmental processes in New York at United Nations Headquarters. We look forward to working with the Member States, UN System, Major Groups and other stakeholders to ensure that sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security are prioritized and recognized as critical to achieving sustainable development. 
  
  Six key priorities for an SDG for food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture:
  
  1. Progressive realization of the right to food and issues of equity of access to resources and social inclusion should be the foundation of any multistakeholder informed SDG for food and agriculture.
  2. Improving the livelihoods of smallholder and women farmers should be at the forefront in SDG development and implementation
  3. A transformative agenda should call for a systemic and holistic approach to diverse, sustainable and resilient food production to consumption systems
  4. Sustainable and humane livestock systems should be included as key to sustainable agriculture and diets.
  5. Strengthening urban rural linkages, decentralized and territorial planning for an ecosystem-based approach to nourishing cities should be recognized as a key element of the transformation agenda.
  6. Progress on the post 2015 Goals need to be measured and monitored by independent bodies with relevant knowledge, competences and capabilities.

• Event at CSW60: The Role of Women Human Rights Defenders and Feminist Organizations in Realizing Goal 16

  When: 15 March 2016, 10:30AM-12PM 

  Where: Chapel of UN Church Center, New York City

  As the Sustainable Development Goals are a priority theme of the 60th Session on the Status of Women(CSW60), 27 Global South and international civil society organizations will co-host a parallel event  to address the role of feminist organizations and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in realizing Goal 16, which focuses on building peace, justice and strong Institutions.

• Expert Group meeting on Mainstreaming sustainable development in National Development Strategies

  DEADLINE for NOMINATIONS 8 September: Expert Group meeting on Mainstreaming Sustainable Development in National Development Strategies

  UN DESA is inviting each Major Group to nominate up to 3 people each to participate in the following national capacity building Workshop and Expert Group Meeting on mainstreaming sustainable development in developing countries. The Workshop and EGM will take place at the UN secretariat (NY), 9-11 October 2013.

  Major Groups, civil society stakeholders and national and international experts together with a select group of UN Country Team members will be invited to join approximately 30 Government officials from key Ministries, mostly from least developed countries (see list below). The overall goal of the Workshop and EGM are to enhance the capacity of key stakeholders, including Government officials and civil society, to effectively integrate the three dimensions of sustainable development into national development planning and implementation.

• Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Briefing Days

  Major Groups and Other Stakeholders Briefing Days
  20 and 22 September 2013 New York City, USA

  The United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA) in partnership with Stakeholder Forum and CIVICUS is organising two briefing days for Major Groups and other stakeholders in preparation for the High Level Segment of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York this September. The purpose of the the briefing days is to take stock of progress on outcomes from Rio+20, with a particular focus on the role of stakeholders in the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), High Level Political Forum (HLPF) and financing for sustainable development. Details are as follows:

  Friday 20 September, 14:00 - 18:00 in Conference Room 2 (CB), UN Headquarters, New York
  This event will assess the progress around the implementation of outcomes from Rio+20 and entry points into associated follow-up processes. In particular participants will be briefed on how the High Level Segment of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly will advance the post-Rio+20 processes, review lessons learned from the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and propose new models of stakeholder engagement for the High Level Political Forum (HLPF).

  REGISTER FOR THE FIRST BRIEFING DAY
  
  

  Sunday 22 September, 10:00 -13:00 in Conference Room 2 (CB), UN Headquarters, New York
  This event will focus on the current state of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) process, what happens next including the planning of the intersessional and morning meetings with the Open Working Group (OWG) on SDGs, as well as advocacy planning for the OWG's report drafting phase from February-September 2014. In addition the event will explore the role of stakeholders in the convergence of the SDGs and Post-MDGs processes.

  REGISTER FOR THE SECOND BRIEFING DAY

• Major Groups/Post 2015 constituency consultation on post Rio+20/Post 2015

  Major Groups/Post 2015 constituency consultation on post Rio+20/Post 2015
  16 April 2013, NY

  Submitted by Jeffery Huffines (CIVICUS) and Debra Jones (Save the Children), Meeting Co-Facilitators

  The meeting co-facilitators opened the meeting highlighting the objectives of the meeting which focused on bringing together Major Groups and Civil Society Organizations (MG/CSOs) that are engaged with post Rio+20 and post 2015 processes.  Both agreed that it is a critical moment for these processes and reminded everyone that the meeting was not a decision-making meeting but an opportunity to discuss joint strategies to be shared with the broader constituency. Outcomes sought included: 1) Common understanding of the various processes and timeline; 2) Process for dialogue on producing coordinated advocacy strategies on post 2015/post Rio+20; 3) Begin to formulate concrete proposals for Member States on enhanced stakeholder engagement.

  
  Sharing strategies for Post 2015 and Post Rio+20 SDGs

  It was reported that the Expert Group Meeting on the high level political forum (hlpf) expressed unanimous support for stakeholder involvement and that what was successful in CSD should be carried over to hlpf. Specific references were made to FAO Committee on Food Security (CFS) as an interesting template.  

  The Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) proposal for the Open Working Group (OWG) was outlined. Rio+20 occurred under CSD rules of procedure, but the OWG is under GA procedures where Major Groups and NGOs have no standing. In order to formalize rules of procedure for MG involvement in the SDG process, MGs came up with the MAG proposal that articulates agreed on principles where all stakeholders can participate to ensure an “open, transparent and inclusive” intergovernmental process promised by the Member States at Rio+20.

  CSO strategies regarding the High Level Panel (HLP) on Post-2015 report were discussed, with the HLP now entering an intensive drafting period. There will be a HLP meeting on 13 -15 May, and the HLP report will be presented on 30th May. These are key opportunities that CSOs should use to follow-up with key Member States (MS), to give support to the report. Possibly there could be a civil society consultation in the summer.

  For outreach, anything directed to the hlpf co-facilitators should also be directed to facilitators for ECOSOC reform.

• Modalities for Stakeholder Engagement in the high level political forum

  Modalities for Stakeholder Engagement in the high level political forum
  14 May 2013

  This document reflects an ongoing discussion among Major Groups (MGs) and relevant stakeholders on modalities for MG/CSO participation in the HLPF and builds on modalities granted the major groups by the UNGA  and in general decisions taken at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) in Rio, June 2012 (also called Rio+20) and found in the Outcome Document, “The Future We Want.”

  Major Groups and other stakeholders take note of Member States agreement during the course of the Rio+20 negotiations, in particular paragraph 43 of the Rio Outcome Document , that the inclusion of Major Groups, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders – including persons with disabilities and volunteers -- is vitally important to effective sustainable development policy and implementation. Deliberations among MGs/CSOs have also begun to consider the “enhanced consultative role and participation of Major Groups” by considering specific practices for stakeholder engagement in the HLPF process, which build on the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), as well as drawing on best practice elsewhere, such as the FAO’s Strategy for Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations and its Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and Human Rights Council inter alia.

• Response to the Proposal of the Open Working Group for Sustainable Development Goals

  We write to you as members of the Civic Space Initiative, a global program jointly implemented by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, and the World Movement for Democracy, who are committed to the creation of an enabling environment for civil society.

  In April 2013, we made a joint submission on “Enabling Environment for Civil Society” to the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons. The submission highlighted cascading restrictions impeding the work of civil society actors around the globe and emphasized the centrality of civil society organisations (CSOs) to development.

  We are deeply concerned that there is no explicit recognition of an “enabling environment for civil society” in the OWG’s proposal on Sustainable Development Goals and urge that the UN Secretary General’s synthesis report highlights this issue.  In addition, we urge that the report reinforces the key role of civil society in development.

  Read the full letter

• SD2015 Newsletter

  This e-newsletter will share with you the latest updates on our SD2015 projects and the most recent information on different post-2015 activities and processes.

  For more regular SD2015 updates and insights we encourage you to follow our website: www.sd2015.org

  Issue 7 - January 2015

  Issue 6- October 2014

  Issue 5- Septemer 2014

  Issue 4 - August 2014

  Issue 3 - July 2014

  Issue 2 - July 2014

  Issue 1 - June 2014

• Statement by Jeffery Huffines, CIVICUS, NGO Major Group Organizing Partner on behalf of Major Groups and other Organizations

  Statement by Jeffery Huffines, CIVICUS, NGO Major Group Organizing Partner on behalf of Major Groups and other Organizations

  
  HLPF Informal Informals, 14 May 2013

  
  Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to OP 16 on Major Groups and other stakeholders that includes “enhanced consultative role and participation of the Major Groups”. I would also add that we fully support OP 24 that requests the SG “to carry over all the remaining funds from the CSD Trust Fund to a voluntary Trust Fund of the Forum” and would ask the Member States to not eliminate it as a cost cutting measure.

  
  Last month members of the Major Groups and NGOs active in the post-2015 development agenda met to discuss issues of common concern where they all agreed that it is only through strong means of implementation which includes financing for sd, together with a robust institutional framework, will ensure the successful achievement of the future SDGs and the post-2015 development agenda.

  
  In this regard the Major Groups and other stakeholders call for the establishment of a dedicated high level institution with universal membership, complete with a secretariat and reporting to the UNGA and ECOSOC, to replace the CSD. Recognizing the “hlpf” is just a placeholder name, such an institution could be called the UN Sustainable Development Committee.

• The UN Charter: Past, Present and Future

  On 26 June 1945, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, the Charter of the United Nations was signed in San Francisco. It came into force on October 24 of that year. As the foundational document of the post-World War international legal order, the Charter sets out the high purposes of the United Nations:  the maintenance of international peace and security, promoting social progress and better standards of life for all, strengthening international law, and promoting human rights.

• UN General Assembly Should Condemn the Violence in Syria: Civil society joint letter October 20, 2011
  
  To: All Member States of the UN General Assembly
   
  Dear Ambassador,
  
  In light of the Security Council’s failure to address the violence by Syria’s security forces against their own people, we call on the UN General Assembly urgently to adopt a resolution demanding that the Syrian government immediately halt all unlawful use of lethal and excessive force against demonstrators, end the arbitrary arrest and torture of detainees, account for all those who have been subject to enforced disappearances, cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council, allow the unrestricted deployment of human rights monitors, and grant access to humanitarian organizations and independent journalists.
• UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR: ‘Counter-terrorism is devouring international law’

  CIVICUS speaks to Agnes Callamard, United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, about her latest report,Saving lives is not a crime, which goes beyond documenting attacks on civil society to show how closing civic space also affects people who need life-saving help.

  Your latest report presented to the UN General Assembly is titledSaving lives is not a crime. Why did you choose this topic as the theme?

  This particular report initially grew out of outrage. Outrage over the repeated examples that I came across of people acting in solidarity with others and being threatened with legal action, such as in Europe and the USA in the context of anti-migration policies. Outrage as well over the criminalisation of humanitarian organisations and assistance because of the counter-terrorism and sanctions regime. So, outrage is the initial driver for this particular report. My subsequent research into empirical evidence and international law applicable to these situations showed that governments were violating their obligations to protect the right to life whenever they prevented or criminalised people from intervening in situations characterised by or leading to arbitrary killings or deprivation of life.

  In which areas did you find the most direct examples of such actions leading to deprivation of life?

  The greatest direct impact I found was on migrants at borders, whether in the Mediterranean or in desert areas. It’s very clear in the case of the Mediterranean that the number of refugees and migrants killed or murdered has increased due to the fact that there are no longer any humanitarian actors engaged in search and rescue of those who are taking the risk of crossing the sea. The data is not so clear in the case of the border between Mexico and the USA, but one can only extrapolate that if people are prevented from dropping food and water in desert areas, it’s likely that someone will lose their life as a result of not being able to find these life-saving resources. Another example is related to counter-terrorism. Security Council resolutions and national laws on counter-terrorism have led to a significant decrease in humanitarian aid for critically endangered populations. For example, funding to humanitarian organisations operating in Somalia declined by half between 2008 and 2011, and it is estimated that half a million people died in the famine of 2011.

  Additionally, there is evidence of people losing their lives as a result of the global gag rule and related policies. [The global gag rule prevents US government funding from going to organisations that provide abortion services, including the provision of information and counselling, and advocacy to decriminalise abortion.] Organisations working to assess the impact of the global gag rule have noticed an increase in mortality rates in countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe, particularly among vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV and AIDS. Because of the way the policy is implemented, and because of civil society organisations (CSOs) providing integrated health services, the global gag rule is having a negative impact on many people beyond women, and many services beyond the provision of safe abortion. And regarding the latter, experts are saying that the global gag rule is in fact increasing the number of women seeking abortions, as a result of the decrease in access to family-planning services.

  How have governments engaged with your report? Do you see any opportunities for civil society to build upon?

  Most governments are giving a polite nod to my report, and a few attacked it but they don’t really engage with the substance of it. There are exceptions. I believe some governments are truly troubled by the criminalisation of humanitarian and medical assistance to civilian populations in armed conflicts. Some steps have already been taken to mitigate the effects of counter-terrorism and others are being explored and considered.

  Civil society needs to use every possible opportunity to question the legal framework of counter-terrorism and national security more generally, for what it is doing to civil society and to society more generally. It’s essential for civil society to go on the offensive because this global discourse has become a monster that is devouring international law and ethically-based global governance. We cannot afford to be on the defensive and to accommodate the security language. Security is a human rights issue but not in the way it’s being currently approached, including through counter-terrorism measures that do not have much respect for established legal standards such as those of the Geneva Conventions or international human rights law as they relate to the right to life and many other rights.

  What advice do you have for CSOs and activists that are interested in using the findings of your report to protect and promote their life-saving work?

  Far more must and can be done to protect life-saving interventions by national and international civil society. I hope that CSOs and activists will be able to use my report and its recommendations for their advocacy work with government and UN bodies such as the Security Council. For instance, civil society could advocate for the principle of ‘humanitarian exemption’ to be fully recognised by international bodies and states, and implemented in the context of both counter-terrorism and migration policies. More empirical evidence is needed on the impact of counter-terrorism, migrations or other measures on beneficiaries’ human rights, including their right to life. Civil society could research and report regularly on the impact of counter-terrorism, migration or sexual and reproductive health policies on the human rights of beneficiaries, including their right to life.

  I hope civil society can also rely on the legal analysis and interpretation in my report to strengthen the protection of their work, including for litigation purposes.  

  They can use it to back the argument that it is not just their right to the freedom of association that is being threatened, but also the rights of the people they are serving: in the first place, their right to life; their right not to be arbitrarily killed. The services those CSOs provide help fulfil state obligations, and if the state is unable or unwilling to provide those services, at least it should not stop others from doing what it should be doing in the first place. I hope that CSOs, whatever their field of work, will be able to use those arguments not only in strategic litigation but also to raise awareness with the public. Solidarity is not a crime. Acts of solidarity should be protected, should be put forward as a model for societies, and should never be criminalised. Brotherhood and sisterhood are values that we need to protect. That’s what really prompted this report: I was outraged by the fact that acts of decency, acts of profound humanity, life-saving acts – that such acts could become the targets of criminal action. I hope the report also helps raise the alarm about the misuse of the law. Its purpose is not to prevent or prosecute good behaviours, but to encourage them. Saving lives is not a crime.

  Get in touch with Agnes Callamard through her UN email address at:, herwebsite, or follow@AgnesCallamard on Twitter. For her upcoming report, UN Special RapporteurCallamard would like to hear from disability rights organisations with expertise on institutional violence.

  Photo credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias