Tag

Civil Society

All articles tagged with #civil society

politics2 months ago•6 min saved

Tunisia’s civic space collapses as state crackdown targets NGOs and activists

Human Rights Watch reports that Tunisian authorities have severely restricted civil society through mass arrests, financial investigations, and the suspension of dozens of associations. Since 2021, President Kais Saied has consolidated power, leading to the prosecution of at least 47 NGO workers and the imprisonment of prominent human rights defenders. The crackdown, which targets migration and anti-racism groups, has created a climate of fear that stifles public discourse and journalism.

via Al Jazeera|

#civil-society #human-rights #kais-saied

world4 months ago•6 min saved

US sanctions hit ICC judges with a ‘financial death penalty,’ sparking a legal challenge

A New York federal lawsuit reveals that US sanctions under EO 14203 froze three ICC judges’ bank accounts, blocked credit and US-dollar transactions, cut health insurance, and hindered travel, isolating them financially and professionally. The judges—Kimberly Prost (Canada), Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda), and Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin)—say the measures threaten judicial independence and safety, impacting their families and civil-society work, while they continue to fulfill their duties and seek to have the sanctions overturned.

via Middle East Eye|

#banking-finance #civil-society #international-criminal-court

world5 months ago•3 min saved

Civil society urges G7 to act on Gaza ahead of Évian summit

Palestinian and Israeli civil-society groups meeting in Paris urged G7 leaders at the Évian summit to take concrete action on Gaza, including a ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, humanitarian access and reconstruction, and to integrate peace efforts into one program, warning that the window for a two-state solution is narrowing and calling for diplomacy led by civil society with proper funding and Palestinian elections to stabilize the region.

via The Guardian|

#civil-society #g7 #gaza

health5 months ago•2 min saved

Funding drought and rights crackdowns threaten HIV gains, UNAids warns

UNAids warns that a sharp drop in aid funding (about 23%), plus new restrictions on civil society and LGBTQ+ rights, endanger hard-won HIV gains. Testing fell in 2025, prevention funding in many low- and middle-income countries remains only around 11% of HIV spending, and community-led services for key groups such as men who have sex with men and sex workers have dramatically declined, risking more infections and deaths. While new prevention options exist, including the twice-yearly lenacapavir injection, scale is needed; UNAids is also considering a leaner, more dispersed UN program after funding cuts and talks of sunset for the agency.

via The Guardian|

#civil-society #funding-cuts #health

europe6 months ago•3 min saved

Montenegro moves closer to EU membership with draft accession pact

Montenegro, an EU candidate since 2010, moved closer to joining the bloc as EU members agreed to form an ad hoc working party to draft an accession pact; with 14 of 35 policy clusters completed, officials say the final phase of negotiations is underway and membership could come by 2028, contingent on continued reforms and strong civil-society involvement.

via Euronews.com|

#accession-treaty #civil-society #eu-enlargement

world6 months ago•13 min saved

Tunisia shuts down landmark rights group as crackdown widens

President Kais Saied’s government suspended the Tunisian League for Human Rights, one of Africa’s oldest rights groups, signaling a broadening crackdown on civil society and drawing domestic and international criticism over shrinking space for independent organizations.

via AP News|

#civil-society #crackdown #human-rights

world-news7 months ago•75 min saved

Families comb cartel lands for missing loved ones in Mexico

Civilian groups and relatives in Mexico scour remote, cartel-controlled areas searching for missing loved ones, often facing danger and limited government support, in a bid to uncover answers, recover remains, and gain closure amid ongoing violence and impunity.

via AP News|

#cartels #civil-society #families

world8 months ago•5 min saved

Zambia-US health aid deal sparks data-sharing and mining concerns

A leaked five-year US health-financing plan offers about $1.012 billion for Zambia in exchange for 40,000 new health workers, $400 million in health services, and extensive health-data sharing (including 25-year pathogen data) linked to mining concessions; civil-society groups warn the terms are worse than similar deals, risk undermining Zambia’s health programs, and could give Washington outsized leverage, prompting potential legal challenges.

via The Guardian|

#civil-society #data-sharing #health-financing

technology1 year ago•4 min saved

Citizen Lab Chief Warns of US Authoritarian Shift in Cyber Industry

The director of Citizen Lab warns the cybersecurity community about the growing threat of authoritarianism and government spyware, urging increased vigilance and support for threat intelligence efforts, especially as major tech companies may reduce their cybersecurity initiatives amidst political pressures.

via TechCrunch|

#authoritarianism #big-tech #civil-society

politics1 year ago•19 min saved

Human Rights Groups and Journalists Flee El Salvador Amid Bukele's Crackdown

Human rights defenders, journalists, and activists are fleeing El Salvador due to President Bukele's crackdown, which includes arrests, harassment, and the dismantling of civil society organizations, amid a broader trend of authoritarianism and global right-wing alliances.

via Rolling Stone|

#bukele #civil-society #el-salvador

international-relations2 years ago•0 min saved

"US Condemns Venezuela's Crackdown on Opposition and Civil Society"

The United States expresses deep concern over the arrest orders and detentions of 33 Venezuelans, including opposition members, civil society figures, former military personnel, and journalists, emphasizing that these actions contradict the October 2023 electoral roadmap agreement. The US calls for an end to politically motivated harassment and urges adherence to the agreement, including announcing a clear timeline for the 2024 presidential election and reinstating all political candidates.

via Department of State|

#arrests #civil-society #democracy

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Argentina's Milei Implements Controversial Measures to Quell Protests

President Javier Milei's new anti-protest measures in Argentina, which allow security forces to use force to clear blockades and arrest protesters, are being put to the test as social and labor groups plan to protest his economic measures. Critics fear a crackdown on civil society, while supporters argue that the measures aim to prevent disruptive blockades rather than protests themselves. Opposition groups have petitioned international bodies and filed claims in national courts against the measures. A recent poll shows that a majority of Argentines support stopping blockades. The outcome of today's protests will determine if Milei's administration takes a more authoritarian turn.

via Reason|

#argentina #civil-society #javier-milei

media-freedom2 years ago•2 min saved

Hungary's Controversial 'Sovereignty' Law Sparks Media Backlash

Ten independent Hungarian media outlets have warned that a new law approved by the Hungarian parliament could severely restrict press freedom and make it difficult for independent newsrooms and journalists to operate. The law creates a sovereignty protection office with broad powers to investigate foreign interventions in Hungary's democratic processes. Critics argue that the true aim of the legislation is to intimidate and silence critics, while civil society groups have raised concerns about its constitutionality. The International Press Institute has condemned the law and called for an EU challenge against it.

via The Guardian|

#civil-society #foreign-interventions #hungary

technology3 years ago•5 min saved

Biden's AI Order: A Step Forward, But More Work Needed

The Biden administration's executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) has received mixed reactions from various stakeholders. While many civil society leaders believe the order falls short in recognizing and addressing real-world harms caused by AI models, they see it as a meaningful step forward. They call on Congress to pass legislation that codifies protections and prioritizes AI fairness during model development. Concerns have also been raised about the order's sections on national security and law enforcement, with calls for robust audits to prevent discrimination and ensure algorithm safety. Industry leaders express worries that the order may stifle innovation and impose burdensome reporting requirements. Experts agree that congressional action is necessary to complement the executive order and address gaps in immigration law and employment-based green cards.

via CNBC|

#ai-fairness #civil-society #congress

human-rights3 years ago•2 min saved

Deterioration of Human Rights in Russia Since the War, Says UN Expert

The human rights situation in Russia has significantly worsened since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to a report by a United Nations expert. The report highlights a systematic crackdown on civil society, including mass arbitrary arrests, torture, and ill-treatment of detainees. This is the first time the UN Human Rights Council has examined the record of one of its "P5" members. Russia has previously denied targeting civilians in Ukraine and criticized criticism of its domestic rights record. The report calls for redress and renewal of the UN expert's mandate, which European Union countries are set to seek.

via Reuters|

#civil-society #human-rights #human-rights-council