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
Policy area
Source of threat
1-12 of 146 results
  • Action Updated

    UK: Palestine action activists sentenced to years in prison

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  • Action Updated

    BELGIUM: Home raids and arrests of climate activists continue to undermine protest rights

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  • Action Updated

    FRANCE: Proposed “Islamic Entryism” bill risks undermining freedom of association and local autonomy

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  • Action Updated

    GREECE: Eviction plan threatens long-standing autonomous neighbourhood and movements in Athens 

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  • Flags of Slovenia, the European Union, and Russia displayed together on flagpoles.
    Action Updated

    SLOVENIA: Hostile narratives, parliamentary inquiries, and intimidation tactics against civil society

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  • JANEZ JANSA - PHOTO: GOVERNMENT OF SLOVENIA - CC
    Action Updated

    SLOVENIA: New draft laws threaten democratic participation and workers’ rights

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  • Action Updated

    ROMANIA: Draft “foreign agents” law proposed in parliament

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

    CZECH REPUBLIC: Leading politicians threaten funding and brand environmental CSOs “terrorists”

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  • Andrej Babis being interviewed at his desk. Image by Miloslav Hamřík from Pixabay
    Action Updated

    CZECH REPUBLIC: Draft “foreign agents” law shelved, but pressure on civil society remains

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  • Action Updated

    GREECE: New Migration Law further criminalises solidarity

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  • Action Updated

    AUSTRIA: New report documents widespread crackdown on Palestine solidarity

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  • "Interior of the Senate of the Republic" by Fratello.Gracco is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Action Updated

    ITALY: Senate advances law on antisemitism, adopting controversial IHRA definition

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