Using Data for Action in the United States

ICNL started the U.S. Protest Law Tracker in 2017 to monitor a wave of anti-protest legislation that undermines people’s freedom of assembly.

Coalitions for Change in Nepal

In 2018, the Government of Nepal presented a draft National Integrity Policy. The policy, if adopted, would have restricted the functioning, operations, and activities of local and international civil society organizations.

Civic Freedom Digest: Trends in the Asia-Pacific Region

In this issue of the Civic Freedom Digest, ICNL highlights some of the key challenges and opportunities for civic freedoms across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Soft Law” and Informal Standard-Setting in the Area of Counterterrorism

This briefing paper addresses the proliferation of new institutions and the “soft” law standards they produce, with particular emphasis on the implications of these developments on the functioning of civil society organizations and on civic space.

Future Trend Report: Climate Change

This briefing explores how states’ responses to the climate crisis over the next two decades will affect civic space for a range of established and new civic actors. It is one in a series commissioned by ICNL as a part of its Civic Space 2040 initiative to help inform civic space advocates about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Coronavirus and Civic Space

The coronavirus is a significant threat to public health; it does not need to be a significant threat to civic freedom. In this article, ICNL explores this tension and how governments can move quickly while upholding human rights in their response to a public health crisis.

Global Forum 2015 – About

Agenda

Regulating Foreign Grant Projects in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, civil society organizations face acute problems with financial sustainability, which significantly weakens their ability to implement public benefit activities. ICNL’s legal analysis reviews provisions of the Uzbek government’s June 2022 regulation on foreign grants, identifies problematic provisions that may impact implementation, and provides a preliminary assessment of its potential impact.

IMRF 2022: Global Civil Society Priorities

The first International Migration Review Forum will take place in May 2022. This report looks at current problems facing migrants and explores twelve key ways for states to get back on track.

Legal Environment for Financial Sustainability in Georgia

In order to advocate for barrier-free access to resources, civil society organizations need to be aware of the legislation affecting their income. To help organizations build awareness, the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program (CSEP), implemented by the East-West Management Institute, Inc., ICNL, and ECNL formed a team to prepare an assessment of the legal environment for civil society financial sustainability and corporate and individual philanthropy in Georgia.

Guidelines for Activists Relocating to Georgia

These guidelines are designed to help activists from Belarus and other Eurasian countries who relocate to Georgia to organize their work in compliance with Georgian law.

Asia Centre Launches Report on Internet Freedom in Malaysia

This report makes recommendations that aim to ensure internet freedoms and freedom of expression in Malaysia, creating an environment where people can safely discuss issues related to race, religion, and royalty without fear and self-censorship.

Guidelines for Activists Relocating to Lithuania

These guidelines, put together by the NGO Law Institute (NGOLI) with the support of ICNL, are designed to help activists from Belarus and other Eurasian countries who relocate to Lithuania to organize their work in compliance with Lithuanian law.

Kyrgyz Tax Inspection Guide for CSOs

The Guide contains detailed information on the procedure for government tax inspections of CSOs in Kyrgyzstan.

Impact of Myanmar’s New Association Law and FATF Blacklisting on Media

This ICNL partner analysis assesses Myanmar's 2022 Association Registration Law and the FATF blacklisting in October 2022 and their potential impacts on media and civil society actors. Taken together, these two measures are likely to constrain media and civil society, which are trying to survive in an already highly challenging operational environment.

Draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence

Based on requests from local partners, ICNL and ECNL conducted a comparative analysis of the draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence (the Draft Law) regarding its compliance with international law and European standards (Analysis).

Litigation Challenging New Anti-Protest Laws

States across the U.S. have adopted over forty new laws that restrict the right to peaceful assembly. These laws can criminalize and deter constitutionally protected protest activity, undermining our First Amendment rights.

Analysis of the Current Legal Framework for Civil Society in India

This report, written by Noshir H. Dadrawala for ICNL’s India nonprofit law reform workshops in December 2018, provides a detailed analysis of the regulation of nonprofit organizations in India.

FARA’s Double Life Abroad

Around the world, governments are constraining civil society and dissent. A common tactic of these governments is to enact legislation targeting civil society groups that receive international funding.

Relevant Sources of Law on Article 22 ICCPR

ICNL and ECNL developed a comprehensive report summarizing UN sources of law relating to association, drawing on materials from the Committee, UN Human Rights Council, and UN Special Rapporteurs.

Global Study on the Impact of Counter-Terrorism on Civil Society & Civic Space

The Global Study centers the lived experiences for civil society from across the globe operating amidst closing civic space and the widespread misuse of counter-terrorism measures.

Reforms Introduced to Protect the Freedom of Assembly

In the wake of complaints about law enforcement’s response to the George Floyd protests, local, state, and the federal government have proposed reforms to better protect the freedom of assembly. This resource page provides examples of some of these reforms.

Georgia’s Broadcasting Law Amendments

This ICNL and ECNL analysis examines the Georgia Law’s compliance with international law and European standards, focusing on the key problematic provisions of concern to Georgian civil society organizations and media representatives.