Civic Space Developments
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Syria - Expression -
Expression in Syria
Syria has now become the most dangerous place on Earth to be a journalist. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented the deaths of 399 media personnel at the hands of the Syrian authorities between 2011 and 2015. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Syria - Peaceful Assembly -
Peaceful Assembly in Syria
In today’s Syria, the right to freedom of peaceful assembly is all but completely denied. When Syrian citizens attempted to exercise their right to peaceful assembly to express their unhappiness with the absence of democratic freedoms in 2011, the government reacted with force, precipitating a spiral of violence which continues today despite the removal of an Emergency Law in April 2011. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Syria - Association -
Association in Syria
On paper, it is possible to establish a CSO in Syria. However, the government has full authority to decide if an association can be registered or not. In practice, Syrian citizens are completely denied the right to freedom of association. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Syria - Overview -
Syria Overview
In 2016, there is probably no deadlier place to be a civil society activist than in Syria. More than five years of civil war has almost totally destroyed all protections for civil society organisations and human rights defenders in the country. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 United Arab Emirates - Expression -
Expression in UAE
Although free speech is constitutionally protected, individuals who publicly criticise the authorities in the United Arab Emirates are routinely arrested, harassed, tortured and disappear. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 United Arab Emirates - Peaceful Assembly -
Peaceful Assembly in UAE
The Emirati Constitution guarantees the freedom to assemble peacefully but in practice protests are banned in the UAE. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 United Arab Emirates - Association -
Association in UAE
Operating a civil society organisation in the UAE is extremely difficult. The authorities tightly control the registration and activity of most organisations. Although state funding is available, vaguely defined laws and sweeping powers for officials mean that CSOs cannot undertake public advocacy on most issues. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 United Arab Emirates - Overview -
UAE Overview
The United Arab Emirates is today one of the world’s most repressive environments for civil society activists, as the substantial economic development of recent decades and close relations with many western democracies failed to coincide with increasing respect for fundamental freedoms. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Uganda - Expression -
Expression in Uganda
Uganda has one of the more vibrant media environments in the region; however, in practice the government restricts the exercise of the right to free expression, using intimidation and attacks against independent journalists and tactics that close spaces for a plural and diverse media. Read more
Wednesday 1.6.2016 Uganda - Peaceful Assembly -
Peaceful Assembly in Uganda
Although a constitutionally protected right, the authorities have violently supressed peaceful demonstrations and police have routinely arrested protesters, especially in the months leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Read more