The EU needs to invest in its democratic resilience and protect civil society to defend democracy. According to the 2023 Civic Space Report, published by the European Civic forum, civil society faces pressure in several EU member states. Restrictive laws affect the right to association and activities of NGOs and associations, and strict legislation has been passed to limit the right to peaceful assembly. Civil dialogue and participation in policy-making have also been hampered in some countries. CSOs, activists, and journalists working on democracy and human rights have faced smear campaigns, attacks, and legal harassment. The proposed directive on covert interference risks hurting, not strengthening, democracy. The EU should support, engage, and protect civil society, establish a protection mechanism, and develop a European policy framework for European civil dialogue. It highlights that the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme should also be reviewed. Read more here.
Source: CSF
