Myanmar: Draft Cyber Security Law and Other Threats to Fundamental Freedoms

In Myanmar, the military’s actions in early February 2021, including a recently proposed draft cyber security law, threaten fundamental freedoms and violate international law. This ICNL analysis explores some of the key issues and concerns surrounding the draft law.

Threats to Artistic Freedom in Uganda

Uganda's recent Stage Play and Public Entertainment Rules threaten to stifle the creative arts by limiting artistic expression. This piece goes over three areas of concern in the UCC's new rules on stage plays and public performances.

The Passing of Darla Mecham

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Darla Mecham on October 8, 2020. Darla was ICNL’s Vice President of Finance and the driving force of our finance department for 23 years.

Restricting Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets, and Other Less Lethal Weapons

In response to nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, law enforcement has used tear gas or rubber bullets in over 100 U.S. cities. The use of these and other “less lethal weapons” (LLWs) for crowd control has been heavily criticized.

Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets, and Sonic Weapons

In response to nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, law enforcement officials have frequently used so-called “less lethal weapons” (LLWs) on crowds and individuals. These weapons, which include tear gas, rubber bullets, and Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), can cause serious physical and psychological harm.

U.S. Current Trend: Protecting the Freedom of Assembly and Public Health

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the United States has seen numerous protests, albeit at a relatively small scale. However, an adequate set of rules to protect both the freedom of peaceful assembly and public health have yet to be developed.

Future Trend Report: Philanthropy

This briefing explores key trends in philanthropy and their possible impact on civic space. 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.

Future Trend Report: Emerging Technology

This briefing explores the trends in emerging digital technology most likely to shape civic space, and opportunities for civil society advocates to mitigate and capitalize on the changes ahead. 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.

Civil Society and Government Meet in The Gambia to Discuss New NGO Bill

From February 4 - 6, 2020, ICNL's Sub-Saharan Africa team facilitated a three-day consultative meeting in Banjul-The Gambia to discuss the country's new NGO bill. Participants discussed how the bill can be improved by bringing its provisions in line with existing international and regional standards, as well as best practices on freedom of association.

The Right of Association in Central Asian Countries

This report provides a detailed overview of the legal framework for association in Central Asia, focusing on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. It examines how freedom of association is exercised, the legal status of non-commercial organizations, structure and internal governance, NCO activities, financial sustainability, state monitoring, and transparency in each country.

Civic Freedom Digest: Trends in the Digital Age

In this inaugural publication of the Civic Freedom Digest, ICNL highlights some of the key challenges that digital technologies pose to civic freedom, as well as successful civil society efforts to combat these threats.

US Legislative Briefer: Critical Infrastructure Bills

This legislative briefer focuses on how critical infrastructure bills can undermine protesters’ right to peaceful assembly by creating draconian penalties for trespass as well as severely penalizing vaguely defined interference with the construction or operation of critical infrastructure sites.

Enabling the Flow of Donations

This ECNL paper aims to empower civil society organizations, activists, donors, researchers, and others to counter restrictions on international funding and advocate for a more enabling environment for civil society's activities and impact.

Practical Guide on Tanzania Media Laws

This handbook builds an understanding of the legal and policy framework affecting the daily work of media and other organizations and proposes strategies for navigating restrictions in Tanzania.

Egypt’s Parliament Approves a New Draft Law on Civil Society Organizations

On July 15, 2019, Egypt’s Parliament approved a new draft law on civil society organizations (CSOs). (The draft law is available here in English and Arabic.) If ratified by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the draft law will replace Egypt’s current, draconian CSO law, Law 70 of 2017 on Associations and Other Foundations Working in the Area of Civil Work.

Draft General Comment on Freedom of Assembly

General Comments are an important standard setting instrument and a powerful advocacy tool for the rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

UNSR Report on Assembly and Association Rights in the Digital Era

In this 2019 report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clément Voule, focuses on the opportunities and challenges facing these rights in the digital age. 

Banking Nonprofit Organizations – The Way Forward

This report from the Consortium for Financial Access discusses how security-focused regulation of the financial sector has resulted in “de-risking” of the non-profit sector and makes recommendations for addressing this problem.

Assembly and Association in the Digital Era

On June 12, 2019, UN Special Rapporteur Clement Voule issued a report (A/HRC/41/41) on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in the digital era.

The Role of Measures to Address Terrorism and Violent Extremism on Closing Civic Space

Civil society space has shrunk dramatically since 2001, with civil society actors increasingly finding themselves stigmatized, discriminated against and criminalized.

Nonprofit Legal Reform in India

This report compares the regulation of nonprofits in India to the regulation of for-profit enterprises. It explores whether reform efforts for the nonprofit sector in India could be aided by adopting regulatory practices, appropriately modified, applied to the for-profit sector.

ICNL Publishes Two New Reports on the Legal Environment for Civil Society in India

Civil society in India is noted for its vibrancy and innovation. However, India’s legal framework undercuts the sector in critical ways.

Materiales de Referencia – Proyecto Regional de Mapeo de Riesgo OSFL

Briefer on Monitoring Public Assemblies

How do you have to plan and prepare to monitor an assembly? What do you need to observe when you are there?