Civil society and the ability to exercise civic freedoms – the freedoms of association, expression, and peaceful assembly – have been under threat for many years. Governments continue to enact laws and regulations that impede civil society – individuals, organizations and movements – to exist and operate. The global trend is marked by the use of law as a repressive tool, converting the concept of “rule of law” into “rule by law.”
The wave of civic space constraints – which is unlikely to recede soon – has been the focus of much study and discussion. This report examines how donor governments can effectively support civic space in this challenging environment. What strategies, approaches and practices can donors consider to protect civic space? The report examines the trends in civic space constraints, why donor governments should be countering these trends, and how they can effectively do so.
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