FREEDOMS

CIVIL AND POLITICAL FREEDOMS

‘The new law’s purpose is to increase government control over civil society’

‘The new decree restricts freedom of association, including by allowing the authorities to dissolve organisations’

‘The focus should be on holding social media companies accountable, not punishing individual users’

‘Hostile narratives and stigmatisation create a vicious cycle of repression’

‘It’s easier and cheaper than ever to spread disinformation on a massive scale’

Zimbabwe cracks down for regional summit

Numerous activists locked away before meeting of the Southern African Development Community

SOUTHERN AFRICA

‘People are frustrated with a system that has consistently blocked avenues for dissent’

‘We first thought hosting COP29 could ease the pressure on local civil society – but we were wrong’

‘This new bill allows police to impose harsh conditions on protesters in the name of public order’

‘Civic space is closed and prospects for change are limited, if not non-existent’

CENTRAL AMERICA