On April 5, during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Gina Romero was appointed as the new UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association (FoAA). Originally from Colombia, Romero is the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (REDLAD). She […]
Read More2024 is a pivotal year for democracy around the world as many countries will be holding elections to determine their future. Authoritarian leaders are increasingly seeking to gain unfair advantages by restricting political space and undermining electoral processes. Citizen election observers play a key role in the struggle to ensure democratic resilience and electoral integrity. […]
Read MoreOn April 4, the United Nations Human Rights Council announced its decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission on Iran. These are important developments to document, monitor, and report on the human […]
Read MoreOn April 8, 2024, human rights defender Naji Fateel was released from prison in Bahrain. Fateel had been in prison since May of 2013 and had been sentenced to 25 years and six months in prison for his human rights work. He was released along with over 1,500 people who were pardoned by King Hamad […]
Read More“The thing the dictators are most afraid of is the truth and publicity. So speaking about that, talking about these people who end up behind bars, naming their names, and telling their stories is hugely important” – Evgenia Kara-Murza, wife of Vladimir Kara-Murza and Director at the Free Russia Foundation. One yerar ago, on April 17, […]
Read MoreUpdate: On April 17, the ruling majority passed the controversial “law on foreign agents” in its first reading with 83 votes in favor and none against, despite strong opposition from international partners, opposition members of parliament, and ongoing public protests near the Parliament building. The opposition members of parliament were absent from the plenary hall during […]
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On March 19, a cross-party international coalition of 89 parliamentarians and public figures issued a statement condemning the Hong Kong government’s passage of the Safeguarding National Security Bill under Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. New legislation under Article 23 will bring a further devastating blow to the city’s autonomy, rule of […]
Read MorePrague Civil Society Centre’s annual civic summit “Unlock” is back! Unlock 2024, taking place in Prague from May 30-31, will bring together over 200 activists, civil society leaders, journalists, tech experts, and social entrepreneurs to showcase how civic, tech, and creative sectors are making a real difference in times of war, repression, and closing civic […]
Read MoreOn March 20, Narciso Chipalavela and Laurindo Chipesse Mário, members of ENDE’s Trade Union (SINTEE) and Abraão Messamessa, member of the Board of the Independent and Free Trade Unions of Angola (CGSILA), were arbitrarily arrested while monitoring a workers’ strike demanding the Angolan government better wages and working conditions. All three trade union leaders were […]
Read MoreOn March 24, Senegal held presidential elections that resulted in the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye as the next president. Africtivistes, a pan-African civil society organization based in Dakar, Senegal, states that the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye is the result of a thirst for renewal deeply rooted in the hearts of these Senegalese people. […]
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