Australia’s civic freedoms remain ‘narrowed’ – CIVICUS Global Report
The latest CIVICUS Monitor global report, which analyses the extent to which civil society rights are respected, upheld, and protected, has found civic space in Australia remains ‘narrowed’.
“Civic space is the bedrock of any open and democratic society. When civic space is open, citizens and civil society organisations are able to organise, participate and communicate without hindrance. In doing so, they are able to claim their rights and influence the political and social structures around them. This can only happen when a state holds by its duty to protect its citizens and respects and facilitates their fundamental rights to associate, assemble peacefully and freely express views and opinions. ” – CIVICUS
CIVICUS highlighted numerous concerns in its report on Australia including:
• the continued prosecution of whistleblowers
• the passage of anti-protest laws which are at odds with Australia’s international obligations
• the arrest of climate protesters
• excessive use of force by police against protesters
• police providing false information to the courts
• journalists from foreign-owned media outlets facing jail under foreign interference laws
• surveillance laws that endanger press freedom
• federal court restrictions on reporting
Read the full report online here.
