Britain’s protest laws are tighter than ever — and Labour may well keep them Published: 7 June 2024 Commentary No one knows whether Labour will repeal some of the draconian anti-protest laws passed in recent years in the UK, writes David Mead. But it is unlikely to be a priority for a party worried about alienating the press and with a failing welfare state to fix. David Mead
Italian society remains ‘untamed’ by the most rightwing government in decades Published: 30 April 2024 Analysis Repression is the hallmark of Giorgia Meloni's far-right government. The targets: migrants, the LGBTQ+ community, climate activists, and demonstrations of dissent in general. But Italian society is proving resilient. Leonardo Bianchi
Lebanon rising Published: 16 December 2019 Background The protests sweeping Lebanon are breaking social divides, taboos and stereotypes. For the first time since the civil war, there is a unified call to end corruption, while women are on the frontline of the protests. Anna Fleischer
Repression and restriction: Egypt's civil society on the defensive Published: 13 September 2016 The civil society in Egypt is facing a disastrous suppression and realignment by the government. By returning to normal foreign policy operations this weakening condition for civil society could be even strengthened. Jannis Grimm
Shrinking Civic Space in Pakistan Published: 13 September 2016 In Pakistan NGOs face harsh restrictions and human rights activists risk imprisonment and harassment. It is important that the government recognizes the role of civil society and promotes a culture of cooperation and trust. Zulfiqar Shah
LGBTI Civil society organizations and the rights to peacefully assemble and associate Published: 13 September 2016 Civil society organisations can be a vanguard of progress for the LGBTI community. Despite the growing number of laws and policies impeding LGBTI advocacy, activists and organisations successfully challenge these trends.
Civil society under pressure Published: 2 December 2015 Shrinking – closing – no space: Governments across all continents villainize civil society actors. Where does their sense of threat emanate from? Barbara Unmüßig
Innovation Report: Civil Society Innovation and Populism in a Digital Era Publication Across 14 case studies from international and national civil society organisations, networks and movements from populist contexts around the world, the report highlights their innovativeness, effectiveness in countering different elements of populism, and responsiveness to the potential of digital media in the specific context.
