Defending Civil Society Report Arabic (العربية) Chinese (中文) English French (Français) Russian (Русский) Spanish (Español)

About the Project Endorsements Eminent Persons African Commission Executive Summary Resources Sponsors

Project Partner

Defending Civil Society Project

Through this project, the World Movement exposes the increasingly restrictive environments for civil society work and helps develop practical strategies and build solidarity groups to meet challenges of new repressive NGO laws. In partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), the World Movement has produced the Defending Civil Society report:

• to identify and promulgate international principles, already rooted in international law,
• to inform proper government-civil society relations, and
• to protect NGOs and other civil society groups.

The findings of the report have been endorsed by the Eminent Persons Group and the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights.

Country Reports

Reports analyzing the legal frameworks governing civil society in several countries in Africa and Latin America/Caribbean.  These reports are prepared by World Movement participants and legal experts. 

Africa

• Ethiopia (English / Française)
• Liberia (English / Française)
• Rwanda (English / Française)
• Sierra Leone (English / Française)

Latin America/Caribbean

• Colombia (Español / English Summary)
• Ecuador (Español / English Summary)
• Guatemala (Español / English Summary)
• Paraguay (Español / English Summary)
• Peru (Español / English Summary)

In addition to the country reports, World Movement participants in Nicaragua and Ecuador issued the following publications to disseminate the information about legal restrictions on civil society.

• Nicaragua: Defendiendo Sociedad Civil en Nicaragua
• Ecuador: Aportes Ciudadanos a las Regulaciones de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil del Ecuador

Discussions

Since publication of the report, the World Movement Secretariat and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) has facilitated dialogues and workshops with civil society organizations and other stakeholders around the world. Summaries of several recent discussions can be found below.

• Central Africa Sub-Regional Workshop
  Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo — July 23-24, 2009
• Africa Regional Workshop
  Nairobi, Kenya — June 25-26, 2009
• Southern Africa Sub-Regional Workshop and Zimbabwe National Strategic Planning Discussion
  Harare, Zimbabwe — May 28-30, 2009
• Latin America and Caribbean Network Newsletter
  May 2009
• East Africa Sub-Regional Workshop
  Kampala, Uganda — April 19, 2009
• West Africa Sub-Regional Workshop and Sierra Leone National Strategic Planning Discussion
  Freetown, Sierra Leone — February 9-10, 2009

The Defending Civil Society report is available in six languages!

• Arabic (العربية)
• Chinese (中文)
• English
• French (Français)
• Russian (Русский)
• Spanish (Español)

The Middle East and North Africa Regional Report on Defending Civil Society is also available in Arabic. The report features 10 country-specific reports on Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabic, Tunisia, UAE, and Yemen. Review the report.