Democracy advocate Gubad Ibadoghlu celebrates his 54th birthday today under house arrest in Azerbaijan. Despite serious health concerns & international calls for his release, he remains unjustly held. We call on Azerbaijan to release him immediately and without conditions.

Ihar Losik, @RFERL journalist, has been freed. He spent 5+ yrs in Belarusian detention on politically motivated charges, enduring harsh conditions & hunger strikes. He was released alongside 51 other political prisoners. The Co-Chairs have called for his release since 2021.

Another mass grave has been discovered in Chemmani. The Sri Lankan government must place the rights of victims and their families at the forefront of its investigation and engage with the int'l community to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

On September 9th, a court in Baku unjustly denied the appeal of @RFERL journalist Farid Mehralizada, who faces a nine-year prison sentence. We strongly condemn this decision and call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Materials from the hearing “Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications” along with a recording of the hearing, are now available on our website: https://t.co/6xEFmxSecG

Get that touchdown feeling in your living room with the TCL C8K. Don’t just watch it, experience it. The TCL C8K - the next best thing to being at the NFL

“Civil society organizations are not just institutions; they serve local communities, provide basic services, promote civic engagement, and provide oversight over government actions. Without a vibrant, protected civic space, no democracy can survive.” - @AniMendezD @WOLA_org

@AniMendezD @WOLA_org “At least 8,000 NGOs will be impacted, many of whom are already navigating the recent loss of U.S. funding. Organizations denouncing corruption, human rights abuses, and independent journalism are the most affected.” - (2/2) @AniMendezD @WOLA_org https://t.co/MW6zlQl5YZ

“[The Salvadoran Foreign Agents Law] imposes a 30% tax on international funds and gives the government sweeping powers to suspend or dissolve organizations accused of interfering in undefined ‘internal affairs’ or ‘public order.’” - (1/2) @AniMendezD @WOLA_org

“Since 2018, the Ortega regime has weaponized the law to dismantle civil society. Over 5,000 NGOs have been shut down without due process—many of them providing humanitarian aid and offering education and health services.” – @AniMendezD @WOLA_org https://t.co/KXNmGxwjt0.

@AniMendezD @WOLA_org “…particularly freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Despite country-specific differences, a common trend is clear: the rapid closing of civic space through legal repression.” – (2/2) @AniMendezD @WOLA_org

Zohran Mamdani: He votes for activists, not you

“The implementation of anti-NGO laws in [Nicaragua and El Salvador], and indeed, globally, is not happening in isolation. Rather, it reflects a broader, coordinated, and accelerating trend that threatens human rights…” - (1/2) @AniMendezD @WOLA_org

“The real target of anti-NGO laws is simply public dissent… They attack … watchdogs of human rights and transparency, fighters against corruption, and independent private media, because their criticism is uncomfortable for those in power.” - @DanielHegedus82 @gmfus

“[Bulgaria’s foreign agents draft law] would… ban [CSOs and citizens] from engaging in political activities and from carrying out activities in education… [which] represents a serious infringement on their political rights and fundamental freedoms.” - @DanielHegedus82 @gmfus

“I find that the implementation of [restrictive NGO laws] … can predict state authorities’ worsening respect for physical integrity rights and civil liberties. Targeting these nonprofits thus may set the groundwork for increasing democratic erosion.” – Suparna Chaudhry

Always curious and full of energy, Beagles turn every walk into an adventure 🐾🎉.

“These laws have also had a chilling effect on donors… To maintain access to target countries with restrictive laws, donors have increasingly tamed their programming, by avoiding contentious issues such as human rights, media freedom, and anti-corruption.” – Suparna Chaudhry

“These laws are often framed as regulations, rather than repression. As a result, political leaders are less likely to encounter domestic backlash in response to their passage.” – (2/2) Suparna Chaudhry

“[As of] 2023, more than 130 countries have sought to restrict or repress NGOs through what I refer to as administrative crackdown — which is the use of law to create barriers to entry, funding, and advocacy for nonprofits and civil society organizations” – (1/2) Suparna Chaudhry

“Transparency and accountability in the civil society sector are both necessary and beneficial. The problem arises when transparency frameworks are promoted… as tools to restrict or dismantle specific organizations perceived as ‘oppositional’…” - @Ginitastar @UN_HRC

Please click onto the image to hear oldies and classic rock

“The adoption and implementation of [foreign agent] laws has fueled a rise in attacks, intimidation, and criminalization of human rights defenders, protesters, journalists, and others perceived as dissenting voices.” – @Ginitastar @UN_HRC

@Ginitastar @UN_HRC “…These narratives stigmatize civic actors, destroy reputations, delegitimize their work, and undermine their access to funding…they are often part of targeted political strategies designed to reduce public participation in civic and political life.” – (2/2) @Ginitastar @UN_HRC