COVID-19 and civic freedoms in Europe in 2020
Top trends we identified in Europe last year based on an analysis of the COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker data.
Research
News & research
What's the latest in the field of civil society law and policy? Read our news and learn more about our analytical and research work!
Giving European CSOs greater say on how the EU works for its citizens
There must be a clear link between the Conference on the Future of Europe, its Plenary and civil society if we want to ensure real civic engagement.
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Turkey: law amendments stifle philanthropy
New counterterrorism law will limit online collections, increase government oversight and create possibilities for interference of authorities in the internal affairs of CSOs.
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Georgia: Current measures against COVID-19 may open door for further limitations on civic freedoms
Amendments to the Law on Public Health allow the government to introduce restrictions similar to those of state of emergency, and are now in force until July 2021.
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What can CSOs do when they face abuse or over-regulation caused by AML/CFT standards?
FATF issues clear and strong statement against states misusing security and counter-terrorism legal framework as justification to restrict civic freedoms.
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How do UN standards create safeguards for protests?
Through a factsheet series, ECNL supports the implementation of new UN standards on the right of peaceful assembly into national practices.
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Factsheet on assemblies in private spaces
Q&A on how the protection granted by international human rights standards to protests in public spaces also applies to private gatherings.
Research
Participation of CSOs in the preparation of EU National Recovery and Resilience Plans
Learn how CSOs engage with national authorities in setting out a coherent package of reforms and public investment projects under the EU facility for recovery and resilience.
Research
CSOs largely side-lined in the preparation of national recovery plans
While EU citizens through their national and regional organisations must have a say on how EU recovery funds are spent, our report with Civil Society Europe finds that CSOs are not sufficiently involved in the processes.
News