Civic Space Developments
Tuesday 10.1.2017 Netherlands - Latest Developments -
Nearly 200 arrested during protests over Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands
On 12th November, a protest organised in Rotterdam to demonstrate against the controversial character Zwarte Piet turned violent. Read more
Monday 9.1.2017 Azerbaijan - Latest Developments -
Systematic reprisals against dissidents in Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijani authorities have a well documented track record of ruthlessly suppressing critical dissent and harassing outspoken activists into silence. Read more
Monday 9.1.2017 Malawi - Latest Developments -
Thousands march against abortion and same sex marriage in Malawi
On 6th December, protest marches against the same sex marriage and legalised abortion took place across Malawi. Read more
Monday 9.1.2017 Germany - Latest Developments -
Tensions rise in Germany over growing xenophobia and hate speech
On 16th October, supporters and opponents of the "anti-Islamization" and anti-migrant PEGIDA movement (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West) assembled in Dresden to mark the group's second anniversary. Read more
Monday 9.1.2017 Saudi Arabia - Latest Developments -
HRDs criminalised for exercising freedoms of association and expression
Human rights defenders were arbitrarily arrested on fabricated charges for their legitimate human rights activities. Read more
Monday 9.1.2017 Ecuador - Latest Developments -
Civil society fights back against threatened closure of environmental CSO
On 20th December, the Ecuadorian government threatened to dissolve Acción Ecológica, an environmental CSO raising awareness on the impact of a planned mega-copper mine on the lands of the Shuar indigenous people.
Read more
Sunday 1.1.2017 Iceland - Expression -
Expression
The freedom of expression is guaranteed by Article 73 of the Constitution. Reservations are made on the grounds of public order, state security and the protection of health, morals and the rights or reputation of others, but these must be consistent with Iceland’s democratic traditions. Read more
Sunday 1.1.2017 Iceland - Peaceful Assembly -
Peaceful Assembly
The Constitution’s Article 74 also protects the freedom of peaceful assembly, but specifies that the police may attend public gatherings, and open-air gatherings may be banned if there is a fear of rioting. Read more
Sunday 1.1.2017 Iceland - Association -
Association
Article 74 of the Constitution protects the right to form associations for any lawful purpose without prior permission, including trade unions. Read more
Sunday 1.1.2017 Iceland - Overview -
Iceland-Overview
Iceland has a strong democratic tradition and a culture of participation and activism. While the country has seen several corruption scandals in recent years, most recently exposed by the Panama Papers leaks, each time there has been a strong civic response that has led to rapid political change. Read more