Influencing Law & Policy

Civic space depends on sound laws and policies at every level – from municipal regulations governing the right to protest, to international treaties defining fundamental rights.

The Civic Space Initiative works at national, regional, and international levels to ensure that laws and policies protect and promote the rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression. Our efforts focus on influencing policymakers and working with them to develop solutions that expand protections for civic space.

At a high-level event on the margins of the November 2018 G20 Summit, the executive secretary of the Financial Action Task Force, David Lewis, explains that governments must collaborate with civil society organizations to mitigate barriers to financial services. (Photo credit: ICNL)
At a high-level event on the margins of the November 2018 G20 Summit, the executive secretary of the Financial Action Task Force, David Lewis, explains that governments must collaborate with civil society organizations to mitigate barriers to financial services. (Photo credit: ICNL)

Recent Highlights

African Commission Guidelines Adopted

ICNL supported local partners as they adopted the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa in 2017. ICNL facilitated a civil society study group that helped develop the guidelines and is currently working with governments in the region to ensure that the guidelines are integrated into national law.

General Comment 37: Landmark Guidance on the Right of Peaceful
Assembly

On July 27, 2020, the UN Human Rights Committee issued General Comment No. 37: the Committee’s first comprehensive guidance on the right of peaceful assembly, as enshrined in article 21 of the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights. The Comment sets forth principles and standards on a range of important issues relating to protests and gatherings, including online assemblies, internet shutdowns, LGBT rights and peaceful protest, the policing of peaceful assemblies, notification and authorization requirements, and the surveillance and monitoring of assemblies. ICNL and ECNL facilitated civil society discussions on the draft General Comment and provided substantive input that influenced the content of the General Comment.

Freedom of Information Bill in the Gambia

On November 18, 2019, the Cabinet of the Republic of The Gambia approved and endorsed a new Freedom of Information Bill (FoI Bill) that would improve access to information for both the media and the general public. Specifically, Section 11 of the approved Bill states that “every person has a right to access to information from a public body.”  ICNL’s written recommendations are reflected in the current Bill. ICNL’s contribution was two-fold: it not only helped to improve on the Bill, but it was also critical in helping members understand various issues related to the right to information. The FoI Bill, once adopted, will protect the right to and facilitate access to information held by publicly funded public and private organs.