ICNL works alongside local partners throughout Asia to foster an enabling legal environment for civil society, philanthropy, and participation. Together we advance enabling legal reforms, respond to challenges, and raise awareness about international norms and current legal environments for civil society in the region. We also monitor the exercise of fundamental freedoms and share information on the latest trends and developments. Our partners include local and regional actors, civic organizations, and reformers in governments and parliaments.
Asia & the Pacific Program
Be sure to browse our Focus Areas, Key Resources, and Country Overviews.
Highlights
The Law Affecting Civil Society in Asia
Our newly updated report is an overview of the regulatory environment affecting civil society and civil society organizations across Asia, focusing on a number of countries and key themes. It highlights regulatory trends impacting civil society throughout the region. Topics include registration, termination, state supervision, legal treatment of foreign organization, and rules related to funding sources, including cross-border philanthropy and economic activities. Read the full report here.
Building Bridges between Civil Society and Government in Bangladesh
The legal environment for civil society organizations in Bangladesh is complex. After conducting a needs assessment in 2019, ICNL found that limited understanding of rights and obligations was a big issue for the sector. To address this, ICNL partnered with Counterpart International Inc. to develop a legal manual to help organizations carry out their missions more effectively, which included fostering dialogue between civil society and the government. Read about the launch here, and download the manual (available in English and Bangla) here.
Civic Freedom Digest: Trends in the Asia-Pacific Region
In this issue of the Civic Freedom Digest, published February 2020, ICNL highlights some of the key challenges and opportunities for civic freedoms across the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the trend of restrictive government control, civil society remains dynamic, finding new ways to adapt and challenge constraints, including through active protest movements in Hong Kong, India, and Southeast Asia. ICNL’s Civic Freedom Monitor details the state of civic freedoms in 54 countries, including 10 in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fundamental Freedoms Monitoring Project
The Fundamental Freedoms Monitoring Project tracks the ways in which Cambodian authorities enable or limit freedoms of association, assembly, and expression. The evidence gathered by the project helps local civil society organizations advocate for better laws and cooperate effectively with government agencies. ICNL supports the project in Cambodia with technical assistance. The project forms part of ICNLs larger effort to monitor fundamental freedoms throughout Asia. Read how this project has helped Cambodian civil society push back again restrictive legal initiatives here.
Focus Areas
Advancing Legal Reform
ICNL works with local partners to expand and protect civic space. When legal threats emerge, as in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and elsewhere, ICNL supports local efforts to advocate against restrictive measures and engage in informed dialogue with governments.
Strengthening Local Partners
From raising awareness of national laws and international norms in Bangladesh, to encouraging dialogue between the government and civil society in Afghanistan, to helping partners better regulate themselves in Nepal, we work alongside local partners to strengthen their efforts to defend and promote civic space.
Creating Knowledge
ICNL undertakes cutting-edge research on laws and trends shaping civic space throughout Asia. Our research informs policy discussions and advocacy efforts. We monitor develops in the region through the Civic Freedom Monitor and, in Cambodia, the Fundamental Freedoms Monitoring Program. Local partners can use the knowledge we create to inform practical responses to key issues facing civil society.
Key Resources
ICNL has produced many research products related to Asia. Below are our key resources.
Laws Affecting Civil Society in Asia
This publication, updated in December 2019, examines a broad array of regulatory trends shaping civil society in more than forty countries of Asia.
Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index
The CSO Sustainability Index informs and impacts the role of civil society organizations in six global regions, including Asia and the Pacific. ICNL and FHI 360, along with local partners produce the index annually.
Enabling Environment National Assessments
Designed by ICNL and CIVICUS, this action-oriented tool is designed to assess the legal, regulatory, and policy environment for civil society in twenty-two countries, including Cambodia, India, Nepal, and the Philippines.
Cambodia Fundamental Freedoms Monitor
This report outlines recent findings on the status of freedoms of association, assembly, and expression in both law and practice in Cambodia.
Civil Society & Media in Nepal
Fears are growing that the legal environment for civil society and media in Nepal is becoming more restrictive. Our assessment outlines recommendations for legal reform to strengthen and protect the country’s civic space.
Explore our full global resource collection, which includes reports, legal analysis, and curated collections of materials covering an array of issues impacting civic space around the world.
Country Overviews
ICNL currently has active programs in 12 countries.
