Civic Space Developments
Thursday 10.6.2021 Chad - Latest Developments -
At least 16 killed, hundreds arrested in protests to demand a return to civilian rule
At least 16 people were killed in protests between 27th April and 19th May 2021 in Chad's capital N'Djamena and Moundou and over 700 people were arrested in relation to the protests. On 27th April 2021, at least six people - nine people according to Chadian human rights organisation Convention tchadienne de défense des droits de l’homme (CTDDH) - were killed in protests against the Transitional Military Council in N'Djamena and Moundou. The protests, organised by Wakit Tama, a coalition of civil society organisations and opposition parties, were repressed by police, who reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas against protesters. Read more
Thursday 10.6.2021 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Nicaragua: Four presidential challengers arrested in crackdown on opposition
As previously reported on the CIVICUS Monitor, in May 2021 Nicaraguan authorities began an investigation into former staff members of the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation, including its former director Cristiana Chamorro, over alleged financial irregularities. Read more
Thursday 10.6.2021 Honduras - Latest Developments -
Violent attack on Indigenous peoples and surveillance of defenders demanding justice for Berta
On 10th May 2021, members of the San Francisco de Locomapa community, Yoro department, were violently attacked by individuals linked to the lumber industry and by the police. Indigenous peoples in the community have faced repeated attacks for their defence of their territories and the Tolupán forest against extractive activities. Read more
Thursday 10.6.2021 Guatemala - Latest Developments -
New court ruling allows implementation of restrictive NGO law in Guatemala
In a public letter, Human Rights Watch warned that President Alejandro Giammattei and his coalition in the Guatemalan Congress are working to halt anti-corruption efforts and attempting to block funding to the country’s human rights Ombudsperson, whom they have tried to remove from office several times. Read more
Thursday 10.6.2021 Indonesia - Latest Developments -
Activists at risk as repression in Papua escalates while Indonesia imposes further net restrictions
Over the last few months, activists from Papua have been arrested and charged for their activism. Those protesting against government policies, including students, have faced harassment, detention and even attacks from non-state actors with impunity. The internet has been disrupted in Papua and journalists have been targeted. Internet laws have been used to silence criticism of authorities in Papua. The authorities are bringing in new internet regulations which poses serious risks to privacy, freedom of speech and access to information. Read more
Wednesday 9.6.2021 Costa Rica - Latest Developments -
Smear campaign fuels protests against Indigenous peoples in Costa Rica
On 17th May 2021, farmers and non-Indigenous residents in the southern province of Puntarenas protested against land recovery processes. Civil society organisation Coordinadora de Lucha Sur Sur said the protest was convened based on false information about an alleged executive decree to increase the extension of China Kichá Indigenous territory. Read more
Wednesday 9.6.2021 United States of America - Latest Developments -
USA: Assaults, harassment and arrests of journalists covering protests
Lawmakers in California are considering a bill introduced in January 2021 that would protect restaurant workers from abuses and labour violations by their employers. Read more
Tuesday 8.6.2021 Solomon Islands - Latest Developments -
UN calls on the Solomons to pass freedom of information legislation and set up a human rights body
On 10th May 2021, the UN Human Rights Council reviewed the human rights record of the Solomon Islands as part of its Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The Council UN called on the Solomons to pass freedom of information legislation, set up a human rights body and ratify the ICCPR Read more
Monday 7.6.2021 Portugal - Latest Developments -
Opposition against proposals for lithium mines continues; journalist racially attacked on live TV
Local communities in Portugal are coming to terms with the prospect of an open-air mine interrupting their village life. A recent example of this is found in the remote village of Covas do Barroso in Northern Portugal, where one of the largest estimated deposits of lithium in Western Europe was found. Residents, with the support of major Portuguese environmental organisations, have launched a campaign entitled “Não à Mina, Sim à Vida” (No to the mine, yes to life) to stop the development of the mine while it is still in its initial phase. Instances such as these are becoming more common across Northern Portugal and have led civil society to reflect on the potential impact that decarbonisation plans could have on local communities across the EU. During this period, protests by trade unions were staged on 1st May 2021. In a concerning development, journalist Conceição Queiroz, an active voice in fighting racism in Portugal, was attacked live on TVI24.
Read more
Friday 4.6.2021 Denmark - Latest Developments -
Restrictive peaceful assembly ban voted down in Parliament
On 21st April 2021, demonstrations took place in Denmark to protest the repatriation of Syrian refugees whose residence permits were revoked. Human rights organisations have condemned the governments decision. Demonstrators asked the Danish government to revoke the decision whereby Syrian refugees originating from the area around Damascus should be repatriated. On 14th May 2021, a demonstration in support of Palestine took place in Copenhagen was dispersed by the police due to “extensive disorder”, through the use of batons and tear gas. On 25th May 2021, Extinction Rebellion Denmark staged a protest outside the Confederation of Danish Industries (which represents 18,000 companies in Denmark). Read more
