News

Featured

Government’s closure of Human Rights NGO another blow for fundamental freedoms in Equatorial Guinea

Global #humanrights organisations condemn the Equatorial Guinea government’s closure of a prominent rights NGO, part of its long-running attack on fundamental freedoms there https://t.
Featured

Sudan: Peace deal welcome but all parties must commit for transition to be effective

Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, has welcomed the announcement of a peace deal that has been reached in Sudan, between the Transitional Military Council and opposition leaders but has warned that all parties need to commit to the agreement’s terms for the transition to be effective.
Featured

Malaysia: Positive step but further revisions needed of protest law

Pusat KOMAS and global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, welcome the Malaysian government’s efforts to make amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act, which regulates public assemblies and protests.
Featured

Indian Government should withdraw criminal charges against NGO ‘Lawyers Collective’ and its representatives

26 June 2019, Bangkok/Colombo/Dublin/Geneva/Johannesburg/London/New Delhi/New York/Paris We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the filing of criminal charges against Indian NGO ‘Lawyers Collective’, its Senior Advocate Anand Grover, and other representatives.
Featured

Honduras government must stop violent clampdown on peaceful protests

📢 Desde @CIVICUSespanol condenamos y exigimos el fin de la brutal represión ejercida contra las protestas pacíficas en #Honduras por parte de las fuerzas de seguridad de @JuanOrlandoH.
Featured

Urgent appeal for the release of Malak Al-Kashif

FRENCH We, the undersigned human rights organisations, call on UN Special Rapporteurs, Members of the European Parliament, and representatives in national Parliaments of the European Union to urgently intervene and communicate with the Egyptian authorities to immediately release jailed activist Malak Al-Kashif, who was arrested for expressing her views on Facebook.
Featured

Sri Lanka: Release poet and drop spurious charges against him

Joint Statement from CIVICUS and Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) The arrest and ongoing detention of award-winning author and poet Shakthika Sathkumara on spurious charges are a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression, CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance and the Asian Human Right Commission (AHRC), said today ahead of his next court hearing on 18 June.
Featured

Pakistan: Human Rights Defender Gulalai Ismail at risk

Pakistani authorities must end their judicial persecution of human rights defender Gulalai Ismail, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
Featured

CSOs express concern over judicial harassment of former Cambodia National Rescue Party members

Arrests & detentions for being a member of the political opposition in #Cambodia.
Featured

BANGLADESH: HRD tortured while in arbitrary detention must be released and charges be dropped

            Bangladesh authorities must immediately release human rights defender Mohammad Abdul Kaium, who has been allegedly tortured in custody during his arbitrary detention.
Featured

Pakistan: Joint letter on civic space violations against Pashtuns

Dr Shireen M MazariFederal Minister for Human RightsMinistry of Human Rights9th Floor, New Pak Secretariat (Kohsar Block)Sector F-5, Islamabad, Pakistan Concerns regarding civic space violations against the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) CIVICUS: the World Alliance for Citizen Participation is a global alliance of civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world.
Featured

Philippines: Stop the Attacks against Human Rights Defenders and Protect Civic Space

  Joint Statement: We, the undersigned organisations, strongly denounce the recent death threats addressed to Karapatan Secretary General, Cristina Palabay in the Philippines.
Featured

The Belgrade Call to Action

French A Civil Society Call to Stand Together to Defend Peoples’ Voices for a Just and Sustainable World Reverse the Closing and Shrinking Space for Civil Society Stop the Increasing Attacks on Human Rights Defenders and the Undermining of Democratic Participation Renew the Prospects for an Inclusive Agenda 2030 and the Full Realization of the SDGs Launched in Belgrade, April 8, 2019 We, leaders from Global Civil Society, coming from civil society organizations, activists and campaigners from all parts of the World, on this day in Belgrade call on international and national civil society to stand together and declare aloud: Enough is enough! Stop the relentless attacks on civil society, social leaders and human rights defenders! The global community is currently moving down a path that will leave hundreds of millions of people behind; real and transformative progress towards achieving the systemic changes for people and planet promised by Agenda 2030 will not be possible without a fully engaged civil society and people’s genuine participation through their organizations and communities.
Featured

UAE: Ahmed Mansoor remains on hunger strike in poor conditions as eyesight deteriorates

Imprisoned human rights defender and blogger Ahmed Mansoor has been on hunger strike since 17 March 2019 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is in very poor condition.

Five CIVICUS members join the Youth Action Team

This April, five new members joined the CIVICUS Youth Action Team (YAT).
Featured

Singapore: Anti-fake news bill another tool to suppress criticism and dissent

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, are extremely concerned by a new bill that has been proposed by the Singaporean authorities to counter false news.
Featured

CIVICUS alliance new board members

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS was pleased to announce the new elected CIVICUS board during the International Civil Society Week - ICSW in Serbia, 8 -12 April 2019.
Featured

CSOs call for action for inclusive Sustainable Development process at Civil Society Summit in Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia – Civil society organisation (CSO) representatives, development workers, activists, and campaigners from all over the world are gathering in Belgrade, Serbia on April 8, 2019 for the Civil Society Summit as part of International Civil Society Week.
Featured

Global civil society condemns the criminalisation of human rights defenders in Guatemala

  Joint letter condemns the criminalisation of human rights defenders Claudia Samayoa and José Martínez in Guatemala We the undersigned organizations are gravelly alarmed by the ongoing, targeted criminalization of human rights defenders in Guatemala including the recent judicial harassment of defenders Mrs.
Featured

Emirati Women continue to face Systemic Oppression by Authorities

Women in the United Arab Emirates continue to face incredible barriers to their rights to civic freedoms by state and non-state actors.
Featured

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.
Featured

Attacks on women’s day march in Malaysia inconsistent with the government’s commitment to fundamental freedoms

Amnesty International, Article 19 and CIVICUS strongly condemn the government backlash against the International Women’s Day march held in Malaysia on 9 March 2019.
Featured

Demanding gender equality is not terrorism! Saudi Arabia must drop all charges against detained WHRDs

Last week 36 member states condemned the human rights violations of Saudi Arabia, calling for the release of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), including Loujain Al Houthal.
Featured

Singapore: Joint Statement on the Sentencing of Human Rights Defender Jolovan Wham

We, the undersigned human rights organisations, strongly condemn the politically-motivated prosecution of Singaporean human rights defender Jolovan Wham.
Featured

CIVICUS calls for urgent investigation into death of woman human rights defender in Kenya

ALERT: CIVICUS calls for urgent investigation into death of woman human rights defender in #Kenya #JusticeForCarolineMwatha https://t.
Featured

Global civil society condemns violent repression of anti-government protests in Venezuela

40 people killed and more than 800 detained since public protests began on January 23 Journalists covering demonstrations have been attacked The UN has called for an independent investigation into the state’s alleged used of force against protesters The government of President Nicolás Maduro has often used violence against protesters since coming to power in 2013.
Featured

Global Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

French l Portuguese l Spanish The 9th of December 2018 marked 20 years since global leaders adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
Featured

Thousands of Bangladesh garment workers fired for demanding better wages

Almost 5,000 workers producing clothes for international brands were sacked for participating in protests and strikes for improved pay At least one person was killed, and hundreds injured after police used excessive force against protesters Almost 100 have reportedly been arrested and charged for participating in labour actions The firing of almost 5,000 low-paid garment workers in Bangladesh in reprisal for participating in protests and strikes for higher wages is a clear violation of fundamental freedoms, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
Featured

Global youth-led data initiative launched for UN's Sustainable Development Goals

  New youth-led global data initiative for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals kicks-off in Tanzania Selected from over 2,000 applicants, 26 young data innovators from around the world are meeting in Arusha, Tanzania from 21-25 January to launch the Goalkeepers Youth Action Accelerator, a one-year initiative focused on sourcing and using data to drive progress towards the UN’s Global Goals.
Featured

NICARAGUA: Observatory established to monitor human rights crisis

International Organisations Establish International Observatory of the Human Rights Situation in Nicaragua April 18, 2018 marked a watershed moment in the recent history of Nicaragua, with the outbreak of a political and social crisis that has seriously impacted the respect for and guarantee of human rights of the Nicaraguan people.
Featured

Human rights groups demand Zimbabwe stop violent repression of protesters and respect fundamental freedoms

Security forces violently repress protests, killing at least eight and injuring more than a dozen after using live ammunition against demonstrators Hundreds of protesters arrested during a three-day national shutdown called to protest massive fuel price hikes, with reports of security forces assaulting citizens in their homes Leading human rights defender Evan Mawarire among those arrested and charged with public violence Authorities shut down social media sites and the internet, only partially restoring online access after the end of the strike action Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and Civil Society alliance, CIVICUS call on South Africa and the African Union to act to prevent more violence Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, have called on the authorities in Zimbabwe to exercise restraint and desist from using violence against peaceful protesters who have been demonstrating against a massive increase in fuel prices.
Featured

Government shuts down civil society organisations as part of ongoing campaign of repression in Nicaragua

 Parliament has cancelled the legal registration of nine civil society organisations (CSOs) The move comes after some of the CSOs participated in hearings into human rights violations at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights The shutdown of CSOs comes at a time of serious attacks on fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua Global civil society groups express concern that more Nicaraguan CSOs may be targeted Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, has condemned the cancellation of the legal registration status of nine civil society organisations in Nicaragua as an affront to the right to freedom of association.
Featured

Syria: We remember Razan, Samira, Nazem and Wa’el five years after their kidnapping

On 09 December, people around the world remember Razan Zaitouneh, Samira Khalil, Nazem Hamadi and Wa’el Hamada, kidnapped in Douma, Syria on this day five years ago.
Featured

Ethiopia: Dear Prime Minister, act to protect the rights of civil society organisations

Joint civil society letter to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on the need to revise a draft law that would restrict freedom of association in the country.
Featured

New Report: 6 in 10 countries now seriously repressing civic freedoms

Espanol | Francais Findings based on data released today by the CIVICUS Monitor a global research collaboration which rates and tracks the respect for fundamental freedoms in 196 countries.
Featured

Open Letter to Drivers, Teams and Performers at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2018

Dear friends, As you ready yourselves to hold the limelight on the stages and tracks of the final Formula One race of the season, we the undersigned NGOs, wish to draw your attention to the reality of the human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is a far cry from the glitz and glamour the country intends to project to the world.
Featured

Austria’s civic space rating downgraded

The downgrade is based on an assessment of conditions for the exercise of the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression on the CIVICUS Monitor.
Featured

Global Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

French l Portuguese l Spanish The 9th of December 2018 marks 20 years since global leaders adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
Featured

Dear African Commission on Human Rights: Don’t provide cover for repressive Egyptian government

Joint letter to Chair of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights: Don’t provide political cover for brutal repression of Egyptian government (below letter sent to Chair Soyota Maiga, while ACHPHR meets in Banjul, Gambia) Dear Chair Soyota Maiga, We are writing to urge you to reject the bid to hold the upcoming African Commission on Human Rights and People's Rights (ACPHR) 64th ordinary session in Egypt.
Featured

New Head of UN Human Rights needs to visit Bangladesh

Joint letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, on the deterorating human rights situation in Bangladesh Your Excellency: Congratulations on your new role as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Featured

Joint Statement on Cambodia: End impunity for crimes against journalists and activists

Phnom Penh, 1 November 2018 – On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we, the undersigned civil society groups and communities, condemn the ongoing impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of crimes against journalists and human rights defenders in Cambodia, and urge the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the effective, independent, and transparent investigations of all crimes.
Featured

Saudi Arabia: Over 160 groups call for accountability following murder of journalist and widespread arrest of women’s rights defenders

Francais | Espanol | العربية Saudi Arabia: Kingdom must be held to account for suppression of dissent, following murder of journalist and widespread arrest of women’s rights defenders Recognising the fundamental right to express our views, free from repression, we the undersigned civil society organisations call on the international community, including the United Nations, multilateral and regional institutions as well as democratic governments committed to the freedom of expression, to take immediate steps to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for grave human rights violations.
Featured

Pakistan: Government orders closure of 18 civil society organisations

Global civil society calls on the Government of Pakistan to reverse its order to close 18 human rights and development organisations 25 national, regional and international civil society organisations (CSOs) express their deep concern over the suspension and expulsion of 18 international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) in Pakistan.
Featured

Myanmar: Drop Charges Against Three Kachin Activists 

Joint Statement by CIVICUS and Amnesty International Myanmar authorities must immediately drop defamation charges against three Kachin activists who led a peaceful rally in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State.
Featured

Letter from Jail: Nicaraguan Farm Leader, Medardo Mairena

Incarcerated farm leader Medardo Mairena writes a letter to media from jail Medardo Mairena Sequeira,  is the Coordinator of the National Council in Defense of Land, Lake and Sovereignty and member of the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy.
Featured

Joint Statement: Civil society condemns the wrongful conviction of Cambodian human rights defenders

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), CIVICUS, Freedom House, and Front Line Defenders condemn yesterday’s conviction of four human rights defenders from the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) and a National Election Committee (NEC) official, in what we see as a clear attack against their legitimate human rights work.
Featured

Apply: Goalkeepers Youth Action Accelerator

New programme to support youth tackling major social issues through data collection Initiative will amplify activists’ work and hold leaders accountable Selected activists will receive funding, technical assistance and networking support 2019 is kicking off with an exciting, innovative, youth-led and multi-partner programme called the Goalkeepers Youth Action Accelerator! The launch of the Accelerator is a direct response to the challenges young people face in accessing sufficient and appropriate resources to meaningfully engage in development decisions and activities that affect their communities.
Featured

New digital security law a further blow to media freedom and free expression in Bangladesh

The Digital Security Act was passed despite protests from civil society and journalists DSA  incorporates other legislation that has been systematically used to silence dissent New law comes amid a growing, brutal crackdown on peaceful protests and dissent  
Featured

Global rights group condemns violent repression of peaceful protests in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland)

Global civil society alliance condemns ongoing violations of freedom of assembly At least two protesters shot, several injured in police attacks on marches Hundreds of thousands of workers staged three days of protests Violent police action against peaceful protests comes on eve of controversial elections Global human rights groups have condemned the violent repression of peaceful protests in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) as part of a long-running pattern of fundamental rights violations in the southern African kingdom.
Featured

Attacks on opposition and media continue as elections approach in Maldives

Attacks on opposition and media continue as elections approach in #Maldiveshttps://t.

Sign up for our newsletters

Our Newsletters

civicus logo white

CIVICUS is a global alliance that champions the power of civil society to create positive change.

brand x FacebookLogo YoutubeLogo InstagramLogo LinkedinLogo

 

Headquarters

25  Owl Street, 6th Floor

Johannesburg
South Africa
2092

Tel: +27 (0)11 833 5959


Fax: +27 (0)11 833 7997

UN Hub: New York

CIVICUS, c/o We Work

450 Lexington Ave

New York
NY
10017

United States

UN Hub: Geneva

11 Avenue de la Paix

Geneva

Switzerland
CH-1202

Tel: +41 (0)79 910 3428