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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Algeria: Growing Restrictions on Political Participation, Freedom of Association and Expression 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 Libya: the challenges facing the exercise of fundamental freedoms continued Mauritania: Between the expansion of civil society and the decline of civil liberties Morocco: Growing challenges to freedom of expression, organization, and assembly Palestine: Civil space under occupation and internal restrictions Sudan: Civil space under the weight of war and multiple de facto authorities Tunisia: Civic Space Under Growing Pressure Amid Continued Public Mobilization Yemen: Civic Freedoms Under Pressure Across Divided Areas of Control 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
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.