Only 40 out of 198 countries have an open civic space: CIVICUS monitor

In December 2024, CIVICUS Monitor released its annual global report, People Power Under Attack 2024, which provides a comprehensive overview of the situation of civic space worldwide, defined as “the respect in policy, law and practice for freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly”. Based on an assessment of over 2,500 cases, the study shows the mechanisms employed to suppress these liberties as well as examples of remarkable resilience within civil society. 

According to the report, 72.4% of the global population lives in highly oppressive countries, marking an increase of 1.5% compared to 2023, with only 40 out of 198 nations maintaining open civic spaces. The report highlights the growing deterioration of civic freedoms during the past months in a number of countries. In nine cases, the overall rating was downgraded. This affected Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Georgia, Kenya, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Peru and the Occupied Palestine Territories. 

In the overall rating, nine countries deteriorated and nine improved in 2024

As CIVICUS’ Co-Secretary-General Mandeep Tiwana pointed out in a piece for IPS News, “civic space conditions in some 30 countries where over a quarter of the world’s population live are so poor that even the slightest hint of dissent against those who hold power can get one thrown into prison for a long time or even killed.” This includes Afghanistan, China, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Sudan.

In general, violations against freedom of expression were recorded in 49 countries and accounted for 45% of all cases, aimed at silencing the critical voices of journalists and media workers through close surveillance, bans on public gatherings, harassments, arbitrary detention or physical assaults. Frequently, they continue “to be arrested for criticizing authorities or investigative reporting on sensitive topics such as exposing corruption”, with evident misconduct by public institutions. 

In some 30 countries, even the slightest hint of dissent is brutally suppressed

Moreover, as underlined by the report, the right to protest continues to be heavily targeted globally, with at least 76 countries on record. Cases include mass detentions or police brutality against young climate and environmental activists, as seen in Indonesia, Brazil and Ghana. As violence continues to escalate, human rights defenders remain particularly vulnerable, with unjustified arrests documented in 58 countries, especially of women facing draconian restrictions under several authoritarian regimes. Nearly 10% of cases analyzed by CIVICUS were linked to violations of civic freedoms in the occupied Palestinian territories or to protests in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The report also unveils meaningful successes of civil society

Despite these setbacks, however, the report also unveils meaningful victories led by civil society in upholding freedoms with sustained and extensive advocacy efforts for achieving landmark reforms in several countries. For instance, Greece and Thailand established legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Additionally, as regards women’s rights, in Kazakhstan a “new legislation re-established criminal penalties for battery and enhanced protections for domestic violence survivors” while the Czech Republic adopted a more rights-based definition of sexual violence. In Ecuador, Indigenous communities successfully reclaimed ancestral lands and in Australia struck down anti-protest laws targeting environmental activists. In terms of CIVICUS’ overall rating, nine countries improved according to the report: Bangladesh, Botswana, Fiji, Japan, Jamaica, Liberia, Poland, Slovenia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Therefore, the picture presented is inevitably intricated. As repressive measures continue to rise globally, the report urges governments, international bodies and the private sector to collaborate in safeguarding essential rights. For this reason, the document’s recommendations emphasize the need for integrated action in order to cease violence and repression, strengthen mechanisms for accountability against public abuses and promote inclusive and participatory governance structures. Only by creating institutional channels ensuring the involvement of civil society in legislative activities and in the adoption of fundamental decisions, human rights can be effectively guaranteed.