Interviews

POLAND: ‘right-wing backlash is just one side of the coin, the other being the active…

November 25, 2021

POLAND: ‘right-wing backlash is just one side of the coin, the other being the active…

CIVICUS speaks with Krzysztof Śmiszek, a member of the Polish Parliament and chair of the Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, the first of its…

UNITED NATIONS: ‘Civil society has always been an integral part of the UN ecosystem’

November 19, 2021

UNITED NATIONS: ‘Civil society has always been an integral part of the UN ecosystem’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Natalie Samarasinghe, Chief Executive Officer of the United Nations Association UK (UNA-UK) about the UN Secretary-General’s recent ‘Our Common Agenda’ report…

COP26: ‘Much more money is being invested in destroying the planet than in saving it’

November 19, 2021

COP26: ‘Much more money is being invested in destroying the planet than in saving it’

in Interviews

The 26th United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP26) has just ended in Glasgow, UK, and CIVICUS continues to interview civil…

NICARAGUA: ‘For the government, these fraudulent elections were a total failure’

November 18, 2021

NICARAGUA: ‘For the government, these fraudulent elections were a total failure’

in Interviews

CIVICUS discusses the recent elections in Nicaragua, characterised by the banning of candidates, fraud and repression, with a woman human rights defender from a…

SWITZERLAND: ‘It was about time for everybody to have the same rights, with no discrimination’

November 17, 2021

SWITZERLAND: ‘It was about time for everybody to have the same rights, with no discrimination’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Reto Wyss, International Affairs Officer of Pink Cross, about the recent referendum on same-sex marriage in Switzerland and the challenges ahead.…

SWITZERLAND: ‘The victory of marriage equality will boost our efforts towards the next steps’

November 16, 2021

SWITZERLAND: ‘The victory of marriage equality will boost our efforts towards the next steps’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Jessica Zuber, co-leader of Operation Libero’s marriage for all campaign, about the recent referendum on same-sex marriage in Switzerland. Operation Libero…

CHILE: ‘Migration restrictions do not tackle the causes of migration’

November 15, 2021

CHILE: ‘Migration restrictions do not tackle the causes of migration’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Delio Cubides, migration legal advisor at the Chilean Catholic Migration Institute (INCAMI), about the situation of migrants in Chile, and the…

CAMBODIA: ‘This is a textbook case of organised crime with links to the state’

November 11, 2021

CAMBODIA: ‘This is a textbook case of organised crime with links to the state’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Alejandro Gonzalez-Davidson, a Spanish national and co-founder of Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC), a civil society organisation (CSO) that advocates and campaigns…

COP26: ‘We need to regenerate ourselves and what we have destroyed’

November 03, 2021

COP26: ‘We need to regenerate ourselves and what we have destroyed’

in Interviews

Portuguese As the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) gets underway in Glasgow, UK, CIVICUS continues to interview civil…

COP26: ‘The global north must remain accountable and committed to tackle climate change’

November 02, 2021

COP26: ‘The global north must remain accountable and committed to tackle climate change’

in Interviews

As the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) gets underway in Glasgow, UK, CIVICUS continues to interview civil society activists,…

COP26: ‘Decision-makers have national objectives whereas the issues at stake are transnational’

November 01, 2021

COP26: ‘Decision-makers have national objectives whereas the issues at stake are transnational’

in Interviews

As the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) takes place in Glasgow, UK between 31 October and 12 November 2021,…

ECUADOR: ‘Civil society must highlight the added value of its participation’

October 29, 2021

ECUADOR: ‘Civil society must highlight the added value of its participation’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Estefanía Terán, advocacy director of Grupo FARO, about the role of organised civil society in Ecuador's presidential elections and the challenges…

GHANA: ‘The ‘anti-gay’ bill will have far-reaching consequences if we do not fight it now’

October 27, 2021

GHANA: ‘The ‘anti-gay’ bill will have far-reaching consequences if we do not fight it now’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Danny Bediako, founder and executive director of Rightify Ghana, about the LGBTQI+ rights situation and the significance of Ghana’s ‘anti-gay’ bill.…

BIODIVERSITY: ‘Governments will not show political will unless people on the ground put enough pressure’

October 26, 2021

BIODIVERSITY: ‘Governments will not show political will unless people on the ground put enough pressure’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Gadir Lavadenz, global coordinator of the Convention on Biological Diversity Alliance (CBD Alliance), about the ongoing process to draft a post-2020…

AFGHANISTAN: ‘The international response has been extremely weak and shameful’

October 25, 2021

AFGHANISTAN: ‘The international response has been extremely weak and shameful’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with activist Arzak Khan, about the situation in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban. Arzak is a digital rights expert with…

COP26: ‘Awareness that we need to protect the climate to protect ourselves is still missing’

October 25, 2021

COP26: ‘Awareness that we need to protect the climate to protect ourselves is still missing’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

COP26: ‘False solutions are brandished to divert our attention from those responsible’

October 22, 2021

COP26: ‘False solutions are brandished to divert our attention from those responsible’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

COP26: ‘Young people are making proposals rather than just demanding change by holding up a…

October 20, 2021

COP26: ‘Young people are making proposals rather than just demanding change by holding up a…

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

USA: ‘We cannot trust that increased anti-Asian hate will disappear once the pandemic is over’

October 19, 2021

USA: ‘We cannot trust that increased anti-Asian hate will disappear once the pandemic is over’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Marita Etcubañez, senior director of strategic initiatives with Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (Advancing Justice | AAJC), about the recent…

PERU: ‘It is necessary to restore trust in elections’

October 18, 2021

PERU: ‘It is necessary to restore trust in elections’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Iván Lanegra, secretary general of Transparency Civil Association (Asociación Civil Transparencia), about Peru’s recent presidential elections and the state of its…

DISINFORMATION: ‘A moral case based on rigorous technical research can bring about change’

October 18, 2021

DISINFORMATION: ‘A moral case based on rigorous technical research can bring about change’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Imran Ahmed, founding Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), about the rise of disinformation and hate…

COP26: ‘We hope for stricter obligations under the principle of common but differentiated responsibility’

October 15, 2021

COP26: ‘We hope for stricter obligations under the principle of common but differentiated responsibility’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

COP26: ‘We need a power shift to communities, especially to women, in managing climate resources’

October 14, 2021

COP26: ‘We need a power shift to communities, especially to women, in managing climate resources’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

COP26: ‘My hope lies in the people coming together to demand justice’

October 13, 2021

COP26: ‘My hope lies in the people coming together to demand justice’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

COP26: ‘Marginalised communities should be at the centre of climate action’

October 07, 2021

COP26: ‘Marginalised communities should be at the centre of climate action’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: ‘Canadians stand in solidarity with us and want to see change’

October 07, 2021

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: ‘Canadians stand in solidarity with us and want to see change’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel of the Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF), about reactions to recently evidence of…

USA: ‘Extremist politicians have been hellbent on stigmatising and banning abortion for decades’

October 06, 2021

USA: ‘Extremist politicians have been hellbent on stigmatising and banning abortion for decades’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Caroline Duble, Political Director of Avow – Unapologetic Abortion Advocacy, about the current backlash against women’s rights in the USA, and…

MIGRATION: ‘The spread of COVID-19 is no excuse to confront vulnerable people with more violence’

September 30, 2021

MIGRATION: ‘The spread of COVID-19 is no excuse to confront vulnerable people with more violence’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Maddalena Avon, project coordinator at the Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) about the situation of migrants and refugees in Europe under…

COP26: ‘A key priority is to address vulnerability at the community level’

September 29, 2021

COP26: ‘A key priority is to address vulnerability at the community level’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

MEXICO: ‘Alliances, public debate & diversification of voices are indispensable in the struggle to expand…

September 27, 2021

MEXICO: ‘Alliances, public debate & diversification of voices are indispensable in the struggle to expand…

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Verónica Esparza and Rebeca Lorea, respectively lawyer and researcher and Public Policy Advocacy Coordinator at Information Group on Reproductive Choice (GIRE,…

COP26: ‘We hope that at COP26 words will translate into commitments that will change behaviours’

September 23, 2021

COP26: ‘We hope that at COP26 words will translate into commitments that will change behaviours’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

EL SALVADOR: ‘The president’s aim is to concentrate power’

September 22, 2021

EL SALVADOR: ‘The president’s aim is to concentrate power’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Eduardo Escobar, executive director of Acción Ciudadana, an organisation that promotes transparency, accountability and the fight against corruption in El Salvador,…

COP26: ‘In response to pressure from below, COP26 should develop interventions for just climate action’

September 20, 2021

COP26: ‘In response to pressure from below, COP26 should develop interventions for just climate action’

in Interviews

In the run-up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will take place in Glasgow, UK between 31…

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: ‘The mining company must address its human rights and environmental legacy’

September 17, 2021

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: ‘The mining company must address its human rights and environmental legacy’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Keren Adams, Legal Director of the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC), about the victory recently obtained in holding the British-Australian mining…

INNOVATION: ‘Conventional human rights structures and practices may no longer be optimal or sufficient’

September 15, 2021

INNOVATION: ‘Conventional human rights structures and practices may no longer be optimal or sufficient’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks with Edwin Rekosh, co-founder and managing partner of Rights CoLab, about the effects on civil society of the emergence of digital infrastructures…

TANZANIA: ‘What is needed is a new constitution reflecting the will of the people’

September 09, 2021

TANZANIA: ‘What is needed is a new constitution reflecting the will of the people’

in Interviews

CIVICUS speaks about the prospects for democratic change under a new president in Tanzania with Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a communications expert and founder of…