Civic Space Developments
Friday 6.12.2019 Armenia - Latest Developments
Activists detained during protest
clashes erupt between supporters and opponents of the former president of Armenia, during which three people were detained,the students of Yerevan State University of Armenia went on strike, to protest against a proposed “Law on Higher Education and Science,” Armenian Institute of International and Security Affairs (AIISA) prohibits several news outlets from attending its event Read more
Thursday 5.12.2019 Togo - Latest Developments
Activist Folly Satchivi released from prison, three activists denied entry to Togo
On 16th October 2019, activist, youth leader and HRD Folly Satchivi of the movement En Aucun Cas was released following a presidential pardon issued by president Fauré Gnassingbé. A week prior to the presidential pardon, on 10th October 2019, the Appeal Court in Lomé partially overturned the judgement by a lower court for the offense of 'aggravated disturbance of public order' in January 2019, but found the activist guilty of 'glorification of crimes and offences', and sentenced him to 28 months in prison, with 6 months suspended. Read more
Tuesday 3.12.2019 Turkmenistan - Latest Developments
Turkmenistan: The state reinforces propaganda campaigns following rumours of the president’s death
This report reviews the protection of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Turkmenistan from the beginning of July to the beginning of November 2019. International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) have prepared the report as part of their cooperation with the CIVICUS Monitor. Read more
Friday 29.11.2019 Costa Rica - Latest Developments
Costa Rican students demonstrate against university budget cuts
Over five days at the end of October 2019, public university students protested against budget cuts in Costa Rica’s Special Fund for Higher Education (FEES) and blocked roads near the National University (UNA) in Heredia. Groups of protesters occupied university facilities, while some marched from the University of Costa Rica to the Presidential House. On 22nd October 2019, security forces used tear gas against protesters in an attempt to clear the road and remove students from campus. Read more
Friday 29.11.2019 Thailand - Latest Developments
Activists, lawyers and critics continue to face harassment and defamation charges in Thailand
In the last few months, there has been harassment against activists, lawyers and government critics from both the state as well businesses while the bones of a disappeared ethnic Karen activist were found. A new report by Human Rights Watch documented cases of peaceful critics who have been prosecuted by the government for the last five years and concerns have been raised about a new anti-fake news center established by the authorities. A study finds that SLAPP or strategic lawsuits against public participation are on the rise. Read more
Friday 29.11.2019 New Zealand - Latest Developments
Indigenous activists in NZ continue struggle to block development at Ihumātao
Over the last few months, indigenous activists have continued their struggle to block land development at Ihumātao in Auckland. Pro-Hong Kong student activists have been threatened while protesting and climate activists have been arrested. Read more
Thursday 28.11.2019 Haiti - Latest Developments
Sustained wave of protests in Haiti met with excessive force
In September 2019, a new wave of protests engulfed Haiti. Fuel shortages, spiralling inflation, accusations of government corruption and a lack of water, food and basic services were among the main causes leading people to the streets. As previously reported on the Monitor, the Caribbean country has been immersed in a political crisis since 2018 and people have often mobilised to demand change. Newspapers such as Deutche Welle have called it the country’s “longest wave of demonstrations for years”. Read more
Thursday 28.11.2019 Benin - Latest Developments
April 2019 legislative elections marred by civic space violations
In the run-up to, during and following the legislative elections several civic space violations took place - including blanket bans on protests, the shutdown of the internet, excessive use of force by security forces, including lethal force, leading to the killing of several people, the shutdown of the internet on election day and arbitrary arrests. Read more
Thursday 28.11.2019 Canada - Latest Developments
Courts uphold protections for free expression and assembly
In September and October 2019, three court rulings upheld freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in Canada. On 27th September 2019, a ruling by Canada’s Supreme Court allowed reporter Marie-Maude Denis to maintain confidentiality of her journalistic sources. In a separate case, on 4th October 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that police cannot arrest lawful protesters for their own protection, in order to prevent violence by others. Also in October 2019, a court official determined that it was improper for an investigator to face legal liability for requesting public information.
This update also details a series of protests on climate, autism and labour, as well as some incidents related to freedom of expression.
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Thursday 28.11.2019 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Human rights defenders in Nicaragua subjected to criminalisation, defamation and harassment
A crackdown on protests in November 2019 has raised alarm in Nicaragua. On 14th November 2019, nine mothers of imprisoned opposition activists began a hunger strike in the San Miguel Church in Masaya, calling for the release of 130 people allegedly detained in the context of the protests. According to reports, the premises were quickly barricaded by police and pro-government groups, who cut off water and electricity. They were under siege for nine days. Activists who attempted to provide water and medicine to the strikers have been criminalised.
In addition, reports indicate the continuous harassment of human rights defenders and activists who have taken part in protests in the country. Finally, three Nicaraguan newspapers have decided to suspend publications due to the adverse environment in which they have had to operate.
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