Join us for the panel discussion "Against the shrinking space - How do we protect and promote an enabling environment for civil society?" - 13th March 2014

25thRegular Session of the UN Human Rights Council

ACT Alliance and CIDSE

incooperation

withthe World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the Permanent Missions of Sweden, Ireland and the Czech Republic

cordiallyinvite you to the panel discussion

Against the shrinking space -

How do we protect and promote an enabling environmentfor civil society?

Thursday,13 March 2014

Palaisdes Nations, Room XXI

11.00h- 12.30h

The importance of a vibrant, strongand free civil society to achieving sustainable, human development has beenhighlighted numerous times in recent years by many international organizations,fora and policy documents. However, in more and more countries civil societyorganizations (CSOs) are faced with the challenge of working under increasingconstraints, as many governments move to limit operational and political spacefor civil society: Judicial and extra-judicial measures ranging from new NGOlaws restricting on certain types of activities and funding to intimidation,excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances andextra-judicial killings are routinely employed to prevent CSOs from speakingout against injustice, articulating the concerns of citizens and providing avoice for the most vulnerable and marginalized in society. This trend not onlyseverely hampers CSOs’ ability to serve as catalyst for democratic change, butalso threatens to reverse hard-won gains towards democracy. In order tomove beyond a mere analysis of problems and challenges, the CIDSE Working Groupon Enabling Environment and the ACT Alliance Community of Practice on HumanRights in Development decided to conduct research to identify stakeholderapproaches, strategies and interventions that contribute positively to protectand expand the space for civil society.

In this side event, we will presentthe most important findings of the study Space for Civil Society – How toProtect and Expand an Enabling Environment, look specifically to thechallenges and experiences of our partners from Colombia and Zimbabwe as well asdiscuss the responsibility of states and the international community to protectand ensure an open dialogue in societies to enable civil society action.

Panelists: Ana Maria Rodriguez,Commission of Jurists, Colombia

RoseHanzi, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Zimbabwe

MainaKiai, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peacefulassembly and of association

Introduction/Chair: Julia Duchrow, Breadfor the World

Refreshmentswill be provided after the discussion.