London: A new global watchlist highlighting nations where there is a serious and rapid decline in respect for civic space has named the UK as a country of concern. In September, CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations from 175 countries which is dedicated to strengthening citizen action throughout the world, published the latest edition of its watchlist. It cites the UK as a country where civic space has narrowed, criticising a recent reduction in the respect and protection which the UK government affords people’s rights to associate, assemble peacefully and freely express their views.
The report argues that Article 11 of the UK’s Human Rights Act, which protects freedom of association and assembly, is under repeated government attack. In particular, it draws attention to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, currently in the House of Lords, which both threatens equalities and proposes new limits on protest and demonstration. CIVICUS also refers to concerns regarding Freedom of Information (FOI) in the UK, with select journalists seemingly being blacklisted and their FOI requests processed by a secretive Cabinet Office clearing house. At the same time, some organisations in UK civil society fear the chilling effect of a Charity Commission which the government appears keen to politicise.
Read more: Andy Hull, Each Other, https://is.gd/vbSqZv
