COORDINATE TARGETED ADVOCACY

CIVICUS has UN hubs in both New York and Geneva. As part of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, CIVICUS took part in a participatory process to shape priorities for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the 2024-2027 period.

In Geneva, CIVICUS organised multi-stakeholder and bilateral meetings with delegations and UN human rights experts, supporting them to deliver statements at the UNHRC and in the context of other UN human rights mechanisms. On the margins of UNHRC sessions, CIVICUS organised side events with the participation of activists from Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Philippines, South Africa, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. We also supported our members so they could raise civic space concerns directly at the Council through formal statements (Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Venezuela) and through briefings (Myanmar).

CIVICUS value added in the UN system in Geneva can be found in its connection and everyday work with a broad network of activists, HRDs and fellow CSOs, many of which are part of Human Rights Commission Network. For example, through our FoPA workstream, we enabled actions of a diverse group of activists. Six groups contributed to the analysis of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association of accountability for violations to FoPA.

Groups from the ecosystem of Innovation for Change-South Asia Hub and Global Study on the Impact of Counter-Terrorism Measures on Civil Society and Civic Space contributed to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and specifically to the analysis of the impact of counter- terrorism measures on human rights and historically marginalised groups.

CIVICUS also provided advocacy, technical and research assistance for 22 UPR submissions to the UNHRC. Through the UPR process, each UN member state periodically undergoes a peer review of its human rights record. CIVICUS works with civil society in the countries undergoing review to build coalitions to submit comments to be included and then monitor their states’ progress against commitments. Members express gratitude at having access to elite spaces and decision-makers and gaining better understanding of how to leverage international bodies for their work in their communities.

HIGHLIGHT: Arbitrary detention of HRDs, peaceful protesters and media workers included for the first time in a UN resolution.

For the first time, the UNHRC resolution on arbitrary detention included a paragraph on HRDs, peaceful protesters and media workers. During informal negotiations of the resolution, CIVICUS sought the inclusion of ‘peaceful protesters’ on the list of actors that states must protect from arbitrary detention.

To give full effect to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and ensure that human rights defenders, peaceful protesters, journalists and other media workers are not deprived of their liberty as a result of their activities, recognizing their role in safeguarding the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and in this regard strongly urges the release of all persons detained or imprisoned in violation of the obligations and commitments of States under international human rights law for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including in relation to cooperation with the United Nations or other international mechanisms in the area of human rights.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ADVOCACY

CIVICUS’s UN advocacy is linked to its national and regional advocacy. For example, we work with CSOs in Algeria and linked them to Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. At the regional level, we continue to work with coalitions of CSOs to respond to civic space restrictions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the past we contributed to the Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly and we are now working with partners and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to raise awareness and promote the use of the guidelines among local authorities. Below are a few examples of our national advocacy.

Algeria: Increased solidarity among CSOs

Due to increased restrictions on civil society, there were divisions and high levels of mistrust amongst CSOs in Algeria, to the extent that many could not coexist in the same space. Over several months we helped bridge these divides by coordinating a series of online events in which more than 100 CSOs participated. Many are now working together and are convening on their own without our support.

In the face of adversity, the consultations and capacity enhancement sessions led by CIVICUS became a beacon of unity for Algerian HRDs. Despite the confines of restrictions, these gatherings roared with the passion of a thousand voices, proving that no obstacle can stifle the spirit of human rights. Together, they ignited a flame of collaboration, reminding us all that even in the digital realm, the strength of solidarity knows no bounds.

Executive Director of human rights organisation in Algeria

Eswatini: Supporting democracy activists

Guatemala: Congress reverses restrictive bill

In 2022, the Guatemalan Congress passed Bill 5272, the Law for the Protection of Life and the Family. The new legislation increased penalties for abortion and banned same-sex marriage and the teaching of sexual diversity in schools. Protests erupted and mobilisation by CIVICUS local partners raised the cost the government would pay if it validated the congressional decision. Congress reacted by stepping back and shelving the bill.

ADVOCACY LINKS TO OTHER OBJECTIVES

Our advocacy connects with the #StandAsMyWitness campaign, the Vuka! Coalition for Civic Action, the Consortium for Human Rights and Media Development in Sub-Saharan Africa (CHARM), the Defender and Diplomats Dialogues and the Crisis Response Fund, all of which pursue the same objectives of building counterpower alongside the most affected groups and their movements and contributing to stronger emergency and sustained support ecosystems for activists and organisations at risk.

LEARNING QUESTION: What aspects of our advocacy support are contributing the most to national and local members’ and allies’ effectiveness in achieving their goals?

Zambia: Sustained advocacy on civic space restrictions achieved through the creation of district caucuses of CSOs

The Governance, Elections, and Advocacy Research Services (GEARS), a Zambian organisation, developed District Civil Society Organisation Caucus Groups and media engagement forums in the cities of Kabwe, Kafue and Lusaka. These groups provided sustained advocacy on civic space restrictions in Zambia, particularly working on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Non-Governmental Organisation (Amendment) Bill, 2020, and on the repeal of the Public Order Act.

Thanks to concerted advocacy, the amendment bills – which would have created difficult circumstances for CSO operations – did not pass. Sustained advocacy also resulted in amendments to the NGO Act and Public Order Act. The new bills are already in place for final debate in the National Assembly.

Prior to the establishment of the district forums, the political climate in Zambia did not encourage the effective engagement of all stakeholders in governance processes. The district platforms boosted effective contact with politicians and enabled communities to mobilise, influence and confront issues pertaining to civic space, including the need for a constitutional stay.

CHARM contributed through financial support to the project Democracy Building and Citizens’ Engagement on Shrinking Civic Space ahead of the 2021 general elections. The purpose of the project was to encourage effective citizen participation, the mobilisation and training of local communities, the formation of advocacy district networks and media engagement to strengthen democratic institutions.

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COORDINATE TARGETED ADVOCACY