Freedom of association is the citizens’ right to associate with others who share similar priorities and concerns to take joint actions.

It includes the right to create or take part in formal and informal groups, such as charities, NGOs, and political movements, as well as the right to access resources. Freedom of association is an essential complement to other civil, political and social rights. Both in their action-orientated and advocacy orientated capacity, civic organisations contribute to keeping our societies inclusive and democratic.

However, in recent years, a number of states have passed policies that affect the sector’s capacity to operate and act, while draining CSOs of the resources and capacities that are needed to focus on their mission.

Post type
Civic actor(s) involved
Developments
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Source of threat
1-12 of 133 results
  • Action Updated

    GERMANY: UN Special Rapporteur concerned for the state of freedom of expression

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  • Czech Republic flag waving on a flagpole against a blue sky with clouds.
    Action Updated

    CZECH REPUBLIC: Civic space under pressure from funding cuts and policy shifts by the new right-wing government

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  • French national flag with blue, white, and red vertical stripes waving in the wind.
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    FRANCE:  Funding for social support association withdrawn due to criticism of government actions

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    CIVICUS Monitor downgrades six European countries due to severe deterioration of civic space

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    FRANCE: Latest from CIVICUS Monitor

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    EU: MEPs launch controversial NGO scrutiny group

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    CYPRUS: Supreme Constitutional Court’s decision on KISA’s appeal against deregistration

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    ​​BULGARIA: Proposed ban on foreign-funded CSO activities in schools​ 

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    BULGARIA: Parliament establishes commission targeting “Soros-funded” CSOs​

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    THE NETHERLANDS: Several new law proposals targeting protesters, stigmatising CSOs and criminalising migrants’ right work  

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    FRANCE: Political instability, mass protests, and new restrictive measures against civil society

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    HUNGARY: Government signals new push to regulate foreign-funded NGOs 

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