Category: Civil Society

Solidarity? Poland’s democracy anniversary exposes divisions

     

The struggle for freedom against tyranny in Poland in 1989 was defined by a single word: solidarity. Workers and union leaders, teachers and students, church leaders and intellectuals united in… Read more »

Closing civic space – or changing civil society?

     

The trend of closing civic space crystallized at the beginning of this decade. In response, concerned international actors — including various bilateral aid agencies, foreign ministries, private foundations and international… Read more »

‘Father of North Korean human rights movement’ will be recognized by history

     

North Koreans remain trapped in a “vicious cycle of deprivation, corruption, repression” and endemic bribery, according to a report from the UN human rights office. The analysis titled “The Price… Read more »

Kremlin playbook exposed: ‘stealing news to shape views’

     

Nationalists and populists are attempting to exploit frustrations with the European Union to question fundamental democratic values in Central and Eastern Europe, while such external forces as Russia or China… Read more »

Violent repression of Sudan’s civilian movement sends ‘ominous message’ for region’s democratic ambitions

     

At least 13 protesters were killed and several others injured on Monday when the Sudanese military opened fire to break up a sit-in, according to a local doctors’ union, CNN reports:… Read more »

‘Rule By Fear’: China’s democracy movement faces new challenges

     

The 30th anniversary of the crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests has brought the realization that a prosperous middle-class China will not necessarily turn against the ruling Communist party, as many outside… Read more »

New Tiananmen documents expose power games behind massacre

     

In hindsight, the crushing of the 1989 democracy movement was a clear indication that China’s leadership understood and rejected the cost of moving onto “the right side of history” and… Read more »

Link trade & human rights to democratize China, says Tiananmen veteran

     

In May 1989, Wang Dan was 20 years old. With a megaphone held up to his thin face, which was in part masked by his large glasses, he rallied the… Read more »

Robert L. Bernstein, publisher of dissidents, champion of dissent, R.I.P.

     

Robert L. Bernstein, who dominated the publishing industry for more than two decades as the chief executive of Random House, and who helped pry open closed societies around the world… Read more »

Democracy Beyond the Ballot Box? Disinformation & Electoral Integrity

     

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau inaugurated the 6th Open Government Partnership (OGP) Summit by welcoming more than 2,000 former Heads of State, ministers, local government officials, and civil society leaders to Ottawa. The summit… Read more »