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
13-24 of 141 results
  • Action Updated

    FRANCE: Latest from CIVICUS Monitor

    Alert
    Read alert
  • dimschu-strasbourg-91364_1280
    Action Updated

    EU: MEPs launch controversial NGO scrutiny group

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Action Updated

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

    Alert
    Read alert
  • UK: New laws and tactics intensify repression of protests says new report

    View resource
  • GERMANY: Database on anti-Palestinian repression shows systemic and institutional violations

    Resource
    View resource
  • Action Updated

    HUNGARY: Sovereignty Protection Office escalates attacks on CSOs

    Alert
    Read alert
  • Italian flag waving at the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II in Rome against a clear sky.
    Action Updated

    ITALY: Security Bill 1236 threatens civic space, right to protest and democratic values

    Alert
    Read alert