On June 4, 2021, Nigeria’s government suspended Twitter. While it is unclear which law the suspension stems from; nonetheless, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice have threatened to prosecute offenders who violate the directive. These developments raise several concerns from a human rights standpoint. This ICNL briefer explores these issues, looking at regional and international laws and best practices.

Recently, Belarus’s parliament adopted or is considering adopting seven laws restricting basic human rights. According to local experts, these laws are designed to suppress protest activities. ICNL and local partners have produced briefs that review key restrictions in the seven draft and enacted legislative amendments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.