International Norms & Agreements
Cornerstone concepts about civil society and civic participation, and international development cooperation are contested around the world. It is crucial that progressive norms emerge at the international level.
ICNL promotes their development by engaging with the United Nations, regional human rights mechanisms, and global multi-stakeholder initiatives to defend and advance international law and norms protecting civic space.
The United Nations
ICNL engages with United Nations mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council, Special Rapporteurs, the Human Rights Committee, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to defend and advance international law and norms protecting civic space.
Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council serves as both a forum for dialogue and a mechanism to promote the implementation of human rights obligations by member states. ICNL works with Council members to enhance international norms protecting civic freedoms.
Human Rights Committee
The UN Human Rights Committee monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and issues authoritative General Comments interpreting the Covenant’s provisions. ICNL works with the Committee to provide resources during the development of General Comments to ensure that civil society perspectives are reflected.
Special Rapporteurs
ICNL supports UN Special Rapporteurs with mandates relevant to civic freedoms. We work with mandate holders by supporting their research, convening consultations with civil society, and hosting events to publicize their official reports.
Multilateral Initiatives and Regional Mechanisms
ICNL works with global multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as the Financial Action Task Force, Open Government Partnership, and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation to promote civic freedoms.
Financial Action Task Force
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is the main intergovernmental body setting international standards to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Recommendation 8 of the FATF guidelines addresses the regulation of civil society organizations. ICNL has worked extensively on FATF issues, and is part of a global coalition that advocates for the improved quality and effectiveness of FATF Mutual Evaluations.
Open Government Partnership
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) brings together over 200 national and local governments and civil society to promote transparency, accountability, and participation in public affairs. ICNL works with OGP to expand the organization’s focus on an enabling environment as a component of open government and to support civil society participation in developing and monitoring members’ national action plans.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative is a multi-stakeholder initiative that sets standards and assesses countries’ performance related to the good governance of oil, gas, and mineral resources. ICNL works with partners to provide expert advice on the civic space environment in countries of concern, ensuring that assessments accurately reflect challenges facing local civil society.
Development Frameworks
ICNL works with a variety of development-focused institutions to promote an enabling environment for civil society, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, and the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. ICNL also supports local organizations that advocate for greater civil society participation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Regional Mechanisms
ICNL promotes the development and strengthening of civic space standards at the regional level. In this effort, we have worked within the Inter-American Human Rights System and have supported the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. ECNL supports several European bodies in addressing challenges to civic space.
All International Norms & Agreements Related Resources
How Anti–Money Laundering Rules Are Reshaping Civil Society in Francophone Africa
Multilateral Engagement Strategies to Strengthen Civic Space
Global: Protecting Civic Freedoms through Digital Security and AI Governance
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.
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