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Participation and association

The right to participation and association is closely linked to the right to freedom of expression:  it allows expression as part of a collective, enables organising and campaigning for change, challenging the status quo, and participation in local/national democracy and inter-governmental fora. The ability to ensure diversity and pluralism in public debates, and therefore build a successful democracy, depends on people’s ability to express themselves, but also to choose the organisations or political affiliations they demonstrate participation though.

Legislation that restricts NGOs’ access to foreign funding, requires registration or permits to engage with foreign governments or IGOs, provides for travel bans/restrictions, or sets out onerous reporting requirements designed to prevent NGOs’ operations, are among the many ways governments around the world can seek to limit these rights and therefore avoid criticism or dissent. At their most extreme, they can see the designation of CSOs or social movements as “terrorist organisations”.

Equally, intimidation of political opposition and activists, dissolution of political parties, and judicial harassment of political leaders are serious issues that threaten political expression as well as association and participation, and can deny the public their right to participate in democratic processes and public debate.

Europe and Central Asia: Tackling the Erosion of Free Speech
22.03.2023 2 min read

Europe and Central Asia: Tackling the Erosion of Free Speech

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European Court: Ruling stands up for academic freedom in Turkey
21.03.2023 4 min read

European Court: Ruling stands up for academic freedom in Turkey

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Kenya: Ensure public safety during opposition protests
17.03.2023 7 min read

Kenya: Ensure public safety during opposition protests

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Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines
15.03.2023 5 min read

Europe: Journalists must be better protected as press freedom declines

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International Women’s Day: Access to information and empowerment
08.03.2023 10 min read

International Women’s Day: Access to information and empowerment

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Mexico: Army used Pegasus to spy on human rights defender Raymundo Ramos
07.03.2023 7 min read

Mexico: Army used Pegasus to spy on human rights defender Raymundo Ramos

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Uganda: Renew UN human rights mandate
13.02.2023 5 min read

Uganda: Renew UN human rights mandate

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Global: ARTICLE 19 launches the Internet Standards Almanac
09.02.2023 2 min read

Global: ARTICLE 19 launches the Internet Standards Almanac

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Tanzania: Government should do more to protect civic space
24.01.2023 4 min read

Tanzania: Government should do more to protect civic space

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