August saw a record for the number of alerts recorded by the EU SEE programme, with 70 in total. There were also a significant number of country snapshots published, providing a more detailed assessment of the enabling environment for civil society in each respective country.
Emerging Trends
In Hong Kong, EU SEE observes the continued targeting of ”soft-resistance” elements through the weaponization of bureaucracy. This approach has taken the form of the reduction of prison visits for incarcerated activists, the closing of book fairs through licensing decisions, the rejection of venues for civil society events, and the use of pro-state media to produce polemics against state-critical organisations.
Journalists continue to be targeted globally. In Peru, the Government is attempting to undermine journalistic freedom through legal avenues. In Bolivia, the suspension of a trial involving violence against journalists has raised further alarm bells around a deterioration of press freedom. Turning to Africa, in the Congo, France 24 journalist Rosie Pioth has received death threats over her investigation of the 1982 Brazzaville bombing, and two Somalian journalists were detained following an investigation into the alleged rape and killing of an eight year old girl.
There were developments in the use of bureaucratic Foreign Agent Registration Acts (FARA) and the targeted use of the taxation of foreign funding against civic space actors. In Ecuador, the Organic Law for the Control of Irregular Capital Flows was submitted to the National Assembly. If passed it will introduce far reaching controls over CSOs. In Israel, the Knesset proposed a Bill to tax CSOs on any foreign funds received.
In the digital space, Tanzanian police have been directed to increase online surveillance during the election period. Furthermore, precautionary embargo measures were placed on two environmentalists for their reporting on social media in Costa Rica, suggestive of the growing attempts by governments to use digital surveillance and restrictive laws to silence dissent.
The courts have played their part in some big wins for civil society. Sisters of Islam won their case against a fatwa in Malaysia, regaining their voice. The courts in Malaysia also acquitted activist Amir Hariri for charges related to the organisation of the “#ManaKapalLCS” rally. In Hong Kong, the courts upheld the right for satirical TV show “headliner” to be broadcast, ruling against the Communication Authority.
August Country Focus Reports and Snapshots
- Sierra Leone Country Focus Report
- Chile Country Focus Report
- Bhutan Country Focus Report
- Zambia Country Focus Report
- Argentina Baseline Snapshot (Espanol)
- South Africa Baseline Snapshot
- Honduras Baseline Snapshot (Espanol)
- Zimbabwe Baseline Snapshot
- Brazil Baseline Snapshot
- Colombia Baseline Snapshot
- Mongolia Baseline Snapshot
- Thailand Second Snapshot
- Tunisia Baseline Snapshot (Français)
See all EU SEE alerts and subscribe for updates here: https://eusee.hivos.org/alerts