Civic Space in the Arab Region

This observatory seeks to cover and analyze civil society news in the Arab region, and to keep up with civil society in all its challenges and transitions
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Bahrain: Growing Restrictions on Civic Space and Fundamental Freedoms Egypt: Civil Society Developments Iraq: Escalating Restrictions on Civic Space, Press Freedom, and Peaceful Assembly Lebanon: Growing Concerns over Freedom of Expression and Journalism amid Political and Security Developments The Arab NGO Network for Development’s Position on Lebanon’s New Media Law May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 May 2026 Libya: Economic conditions continue to deteriorate and political stalemate persists Egypt: Judicial harassment and restrictions on civil society continue Jordan: NGOs continue to operate within a restrictive environment shaped by structural constraints. Lebanon: Civil Society Organizations during War Morocco: Judicial and security measures to restrict youth activism and public protests Palestine: Challenges facing the work of Palestinian NGOs Sudan: Serious violations of international humanitarian law
Regional Reports
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Civic Space in Arab Countries: Regional Report 2023
Oct 11, 2023
This report complements the previous regional report on civic space in Arab countries, which ANND issued in February 2023. Prevailing trends regarding civic space in 2023 are no different from what they were in the past two years and may have even reached a more severe level of restrictions and repression in some cases. 
As a reminder, the previous report identified four entities and factors impacting the state of civic space:
Authority in its various forms.
Extremist and conservative movements in society.
Donors and international institutions.
Weaknesses or strengths in the capabilities of civil society and its organizations.