Civil society under threat, EU fundamental rights experts warn

Civil society is under threat in many parts of the EU, according to a new report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

Given the vital role civil society plays in upholding democratic processes and in promoting human rights, decision makers need to ensure the important work of civil society is not undermined through policy and legal changes and funding cuts, the report states.

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty said: “A thriving democracy needs a healthy civil society. Unfortunately, the EU’s own civil society is facing a pattern of threats and pressures in many parts of the EU.

“Addressing this unacceptable situation should be a high priority for policy makers at EU and national levels.”

The Challenges facing civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU report explores how these challenges vary across the EU. It points to:

The report calls on member states to abide by international standards which recommend civil society participation in policy cycles and states that new or redrafted laws and policies must not undermine the work of civil society.

Elsewhere, it argues that civil society funding needs to be protected and that channels of dialogue between civil society and the EU should be strengthened to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed.