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
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.
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights
In partnership with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, ICNL has worked with dozens of legislators to promote civil society across Asia. The partnership allows us to foster better relationships between politicians and civil society. ICNL also supports an inter-parliamentary working group on democracy and civic space, which provides parliamentarians with tools and tactics to improve the environment for civil society in their own countries and throughout the region.
Philanthropy Law Reports
China and India are Asia’s largest and most influential countries, but little timely information is available about their laws affecting philanthropy. ICNL fills in this gap with our Philanthropy Law Reports. Our reports for China and India discuss the current state of philanthropy in each country, summarize relevant laws, and provide an oversight of recent trends. The Philanthropy Law Reports are made possible with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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 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.
