All over the world, human rights defenders and CSOs are facing increasing challenges with both state and non-state actors seeking to silence them. This was evident in the CIVICUS report earlier this year which showed that core civil society freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly were violated to a significant degree in 96 countries in 2014. From CIVICUS’ reporting over the course of 2015, there has been no let-up in attacks on human rights defenders despite the issue being highlighted by the United Nations in an upcoming resolution to be adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2015 and a clear recognition of ‘public access to information and fundamental freedoms’ and ‘civil society partnerships’ in the Sustainable Development Goals. More information is available here.
[CIVICUS]
