Global press release
76 countries detain protesters, with the Occupied Palestinian Territories dominating rights abuses in a historic global election year
December 04, 2024
- Detention of protesters most prevalent violation to civic freedoms
- Over 70% of world’s population live in highly restricted countries
- Rating changes for 18 countries
The CIVICUS Monitor today releases its annual global report, People Power Under Attack 2024, highlighting the detention of protesters as the most prevalent violation of civic freedoms, recorded in at least 76 countries. Excessive force and protest disruption also feature as top violations, underscoring alarming trends to the right to peaceful assembly.
Nearly 10% of the total civic space violations documented globally in 2024 either took place in the Occupied Palestinian Territories or were perpetrated against those expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. Violations stretched from university campuses in the United States, to the streets of Amsterdam, to camps inside Gaza. The violations perpetrated in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have led to a rating downgrade as a result of Israel’s continued military bombardment and the killing of civilians, humanitarian aid workers, and journalists.
“Throughout 2024, activists and organisations continued to demand a better life for all. Many put their lives and livelihoods on the line in the pursuit of justice and equality for people who have been oppressed,” said Mandeep Tiwana, Co-Secretary General of CIVICUS. "Even in the face of great odds, people across the world continued to pour out onto the streets to express solidarity with the beleaguered Palestinian people.”
Restrictions on freedom of expression were numerous, with more than 1,000 cases and attacks on journalists recorded in at least 49 countries, ranging from Mexico to Bangladesh to the Democratic Republic of Congo, some costing reporters their lives. These violations were often aimed at preventing journalists from covering events or in retaliation for their reporting. Governments used a range of tactics to silence critical and dissenting voices, including arbitrary detention, threats, and physical assaults. In many instances, these actions created a chilling effect, discouraging free speech and independent journalism.
The report rates the state of civic freedoms in 198 countries and territories. Alarmingly, 81 countries, accounting for over 70 percent of the world’s population, live with severely restricted rights. The CIVICUS Monitor rates these countries as either ‘Repressed’ or ‘Closed,’ indicating severe limitations and risks to exercising your right to protest, speak truth to power, and organise collectively. This year, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Peru have joined these two worst-rated categories.
On the upside, the number of countries falling in our ratings system, nine, was matched by those rising in the table. Among the countries receiving upgrades were Japan, Jamaica, and Poland, where the women’s rights movement helped reverse a law requiring a prescription for contraception. The global report further documents other civil society victories, including Greece becoming the first Christian Orthodox country to legalize same-sex marriage and Thailand passing a landmark marriage equality bill.
Yet the global picture remained unmistakably grim, with fundamental freedoms fractured in the growing global tug of war between democracy and autocracy. “As we reflect on this year of pivotal elections, it’s clear that the fight for civic freedoms is far from over,” said Ine Van Severen, Civic Space Research Lead at CIVICUS. “Despite the challenges, we’ve seen incredible resilience and solidarity from communities worldwide. People are not just resisting oppression; they are actively shaping a future where justice and equality prevail. Our vision for 2025 is one where civic space is not just protected but celebrated as a cornerstone of democracy."
About the CIVICUS Monitor
The CIVICUS Monitor is a research tool that provides quantitative and qualitative data on the state of civil society and civic freedoms in 198 countries and territories. The data is generated through a collaboration with more than 20 civil society research partners and input from a number of independent human rights evaluations. The data provides the basis for civic space ratings, and countries can be rated as either ‘Closed,’ ‘Repressed,’ ‘Obstructed,’ ‘Narrowed,’ or ‘Open.’
For interviews, please contact: media@civicus.org