CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Niger, Singapore, Paraguay and Sierra Leone.
The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is a unique process that reviews the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States every 4.5 years.
CIVICUS and its partners have submitted UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on four countries (Niger, Singapore, Paraguay and Sierra Leone) in advance of the 52nd UPR session, scheduled to take place in April-May 2026, as part of the 4th UPR cycle. The submissions evaluate the state of civil society in each country, with a focus on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression (including media freedom), as well as the broader environment for human rights defenders. They also highlight key concerns regarding unwarranted restrictions imposed on civic actors. Each submission includes an assessment of how the respective State has implemented civic space-related recommendations received during the 3rd UPR cycle, which concluded over four years ago. In addition, the submissions offer a series of concrete follow-up recommendations to strengthen civic space and ensure alignment with international human rights obligations.
Niger - English | French - CIVICUS, Réseau Ouest Africain des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (ROADDH), and the Nigerien Network of Human Rights Defenders (RNDDH) assess Niger’s adherence to its international human rights obligations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society. The submission focuses on the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, as well as on restrictions against human rights defenders. Despite accepting all 14 civic space-related recommendations during its previous UPR in 2021, the Government of Niger has fully implemented only one, partially implemented one, and failed to implement 12. Since the military coup of July 2023, civic space has severely deteriorated, marked by arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and judicial harassment of HRDs, journalists, and activists. The authorities have suspended political parties, censored media outlets, and restricted public discourse, resulting in a climate of fear and repression. Civic space in Niger is rated as ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Singapore - CIVICUS and the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), assess Singapore’s compliance with its international human rights obligations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society. The submission focuses on the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, and on restrictions against human rights defenders. During the 3rd UPR cycle, Singapore received 19 recommendations related to civic space, accepting five and noting 14, but has only partially implemented one. The government continues to impose undue restrictions on civic freedoms, particularly through repressive laws such as the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) and the Public Order Act (POA), which are frequently used to silence critics, journalists, and peaceful protesters. Singapore has yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and has ignored repeated recommendations to establish a national human rights institution. Civic space in Singapore is rated as ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Paraguay - CIVICUS, Alma Cívica, ICD, Iniciativa Regional Rendir Cuentas and Semillas para la Democracia assess Paraguay’s compliance with its international human rights obligations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society. The submission focuses on the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression, and highlights undue restrictions targeting human rights defenders since Paraguay’s previous UPR in 2021. During the 3rd UPR cycle, Paraguay received 21 recommendations related to civic space, accepting 20 and noting one, but has only partially implemented four. The submission raises concern over increasing attacks and hostility against civil society, particularly those working on environmental, land, anti-corruption and transparency issues. It also highlights the adoption of Law No. 7,363/2024, which imposes strict controls on non-profit organisations and threatens the independence of civil society. While limited reforms have occurred since the last review, restrictive provisions continue to undermine the right to peaceful assembly. Civic space in Paraguay is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Sierra Leone - CIVICUS, the Campaign for Good Governance, Mother Earth for Climate Justice and the Network Movement for Justice and Development, assess the Government of Sierra Leone’s compliance with its international human rights obligations to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society. The submission focuses on the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, and examines restrictions targeting human rights defenders since the country’s previous UPR in 2021. During the 3rd UPR cycle, Sierra Leone received 17 recommendations related to civic space, accepting 14 and noting three, but has only partly implemented one. The government has made insufficient progress in addressing restrictions on civic freedoms, with significant gaps in the protection of HRDs and the rights to expression and peaceful assembly. Articles 14 and 17 of the 1965 Public Order Act and section 44 of the Cyber Security and Crime Act are being used selectively against activists and HRDs, while the National Counter Terrorism Act of 11 March 2025 introduces further restrictions that criminalise free speech and limit freedom of association. Civic space in Sierra Leone is rated as ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
