Unlike many African countries, Mauritius achieved independence without violence or repression. Civil society engagement on the island has experienced periods of both heightened activity and decline. Notably, the 1970s saw activism led by women and the declaration of a state of emergency. However, civic activism waned during the mid-1980s and 1990s, coinciding with the rise of a market-driven economy and near full employment. While the new government in power since November 2024 has pledged to expand civil liberties and democratic space, civil society faces several persistent and emerging challenges that must be addressed to fully realise these promises. Additionally, while Mauritius has successfully acquired sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, the plight of the Chagossians living in Mauritius since their displacement has been the subject of criticisms. In 2025, Mauritius was classified as “Free” by Freedom House, with a Global Freedom Score of 86 out of 100—an improvement from 85 in 2024. This upward trend reflects ongoing progress in protecting fundamental freedoms for civil society. In recent years, civil society has shifted toward thematic advocacy, exemplified by the creation of platforms such as No To Coal (2013) and Aret Kokin Nu Laplaz (2019).

Mauritius remains a multicultural and socially cohesive society, with the last major ethnic riot occurring in 1999. The Council of Religions encourages interfaith dialogue and coordinates religious leadership, although religious nationalism and identity politics persist as underlying
currents. While civil society rights are constitutionally protected, they face increasing threats, including arbitrary arrests, privacy violations, censorship, and a lack of investigation into gender-based violence—particularly under the previous regime in 2024. There is no dedicated legal framework that supports or protects CSOs working specifically on human rights, and access to resources is limited. Since 2019, 75% of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding has been centralised under the National CSR Foundation. Although international funding is available, there is no legal framework to facilitate access.

Political leadership tends to be opportunistic, with civil society consultations largely limited to election periods. Despite playing a role in policy formulation, CSOs lack a formal platform for engagement with the state. Civic participation remains low, especially among men, rural populations, and those without formal education. Key challenges include advocating for legal reforms and strengthening institutional support for human rights defenders.