Overview of Alerts July 2026

July 2026 was characterised by a continued tightening of the regulatory and political environment for civil society. The trends observed by the EU SEE include the further use of regulatory measures as an instrument to contract civil society activities, the expansion of surveillance and securitization, pressures on freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the continued retraction of rights-based frameworks and the reneging of prior commitments made to vulnerable minorities.. At the same time, several positive developments, including judicial protections for protesters, the release of imprisoned journalists, successful civil society advocacy campaigns, and constitutional checks on restrictive legislation, demonstrated that civic actors continue to contest and shape the enabling environment in the face of mounting pressures.

1. Regulatory Measures as Instruments of Civil Society Contraction

The most prominent trend in July was the expansion of regulatory oversight over civil society organisations, foreign funding, and non-profit activities by Governments. Taken together, the promulgation of these laws across the globe pose what many believe to be the biggest single threat to the good operations of global civil society.

In Paraguay, the introduction of a Foreign Aid and NGO Oversight Bill raised concerns about increased government scrutiny of organisations receiving international funding.

Similarly, in Argentina, the National Libertarian Party proposed legislation requiring organisations to publicly disclose foreign funding sources, prompting warnings that such measures could stigmatise civil society and discourage international cooperation.

Additional concern emerged in Brazil, where Legislative Proposal No. 1.659/2024 could restrict international funding and civil society activities.

In India, the launch of the FCRA 2.0 portal and discussions regarding further reforms to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act reinforced concerns about growing oversight of internationally funded organisations.

In Jamaica, civil society organisations continued to express concern regarding both the content of a proposed Non-Profit Organisations Act and the limited consultation process surrounding it. Similar worries arose regarding new AML/CFT provisions.

More severe measures were observed in South Sudan, where the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development reportedly suspended NGOs over regulatory compliance concerns.

2. Expanding Security, Digital Governance, and Surveillance Frameworks

July saw a significant expansion of policies linking civic space to national security, digital governance, cybersecurity, and identity systems. Governments are more frequently deploying the justifications of administrative efficiency, digitalisation and security to restrict the operating space of civil society actors, stifling their capacity to hold those same governments to account. In many cases, grassroots and local organisations are unable to comply with these growing demands.

In Chile, President Kast’s administration advanced several initiatives with potential implications for civic freedoms, including proposals linking social media access to the state’s Clave Única identity system and the creation of a National Registry of Acts of Vandalism and Incivility.

Security-based governance also featured prominently in Algeria, where draft reforms strengthening citizenship revocation mechanisms generated concern among journalists, activists, and members of the diaspora.

In Malaysia, the newly adopted Cybercrimes Bill generated debate over possible impacts on digital freedoms. In Uganda, the Cybercrime & Computer Misuse Act entered into force despite criticism from civil society regarding its broad provisions.

In Nigeria, both the National Identity Management Commission Act and debates surrounding state policing reforms highlighted tensions between governance efficiency and civil liberties.

3. Pressure on Political Participation, Freedom of Association, and Civic Mobilisation

Several alerts highlighted increasing constraints on political participation, public assembly, and organised civic action.

In Tanzania, authorities suspended political party gatherings ahead of planned demonstrations, raising concerns about political pluralism and participation.

In Guinea, the deregistration of opposition parties narrowed political competition and freedom of association.

In Algeria, the judicial dissolution of the independent teachers’ union CNAPESTE represented a major setback for trade union pluralism.

Constitutional reform debates in Zimbabwe continued to raise concerns regarding institutional independence and executive power.

In Kenya, a civil society budget dialogue was violently disrupted, while youth representatives in another context reported harassment during a government consultation forum.

On the other hand, positive developments included the acquittal of protesters and investigations into possible false accusations in Costa Rica. Also, in Colombia, the presidential election proceeded peacefully despite previous concerns regarding electoral violence.

4. Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, and Protection of Independent Voices

July featured both restrictions and opportunities for journalists, activists, publishers, and online commentators.

In Hong Kong, National Security Police raids on independent bookstores and supply-chain censorship raised concerns regarding cultural expression and access to information. This is part of a longstanding pattern of Hong Kong authorities clamping down on content. Press freedom concerns also emerged following sanctions against an online news outlet in Mongolia.

In Lebanon, a criminal complaint against a political commentator highlighted ongoing pressures on digital expression.

On a positive note, in Tajikistan, the release of journalists Zavqibek Saidamini and Abdusattor Pirmuhammadzoda represented a rare positive development for media freedom. Similarly, in Costa Rica an activist and journalist were acquitted in a defamation case connected to environmental advocacy. Concordantly, the temporary reopening of access to X following the Venezuelan earthquakes improved access to information, though censorship concerns remained.

5. Rights-Based Frameworks and Inclusion in Decline

July also reflected growing tensions around inclusion, equality, Indigenous rights, and democratic accountability. In recent months, the EU SEE has recorded a depressing trend of governments reneging on formerly solid commitments to the LGBTIQ+, disabled, indigenous and other vulnerable communities.

In Chile, several developments raised concerns among rights organisations, including proposals affecting Indigenous territories, the termination of the Rural Women’s Program, and legislation eliminating inclusive language requirements in public services.

Growing anti-LGBTIQ mobilisation and proposals criminalising same-sex relations raised concerns regarding equality and freedom of association in Indonesia.

Conclusion

Overall, July 2026 reinforced a global pattern in which governments increasingly seek to regulate civic space through foreign funding controls, securitized narratives, and expanded administrative oversight. Restrictions on political participation, media freedom of association and expression pose risks to the activities of grassroots and social movements, as well as trade unions and the media. These contracts are justified through narratives of transparency, national security, public order, and institutional reform. However, despite these challenges, we see the resilience of civil society shine through as network members continue to record wins via the courts system, and via mobilised pressure.

This spirit of resilience is encapsulated in our latest EU SEE podcast episode with VANI in India, where we discuss the impact of the 2026 Foreign Contributions Regulations Act Bill, and how organisations can manage the impending bureaucratic and restrictive demands the amendments will impose on Indian civil society actors.

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