Rising pressure on civic space threatens European democracy

1 April 2026


English
Press release
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Primary theme
Systems

Civil society

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Highlights

  •
    Report / Paper / Summary
    18
    November
    2021

    Directive (EU) 2017/541 on combating terrorism ― Impact on fundamental rights and freedoms

    This report examines the EU’s main criminal law instrument in the field of counter-terrorism, Directive (EU) 2017/541. Specifically, it considers how the directive engages issues of fundamental rights, affecting individuals, groups and society as a whole.
  • Urban girl striding through city area

    Report / Paper / Summary
    11
    October
    2021

    Human rights cities in the EU: a framework for reinforcing rights locally

    This report proposes a framework for becoming, and functioning as, a ‘human rights city’ in the EU. It includes ‘foundations’, ‘structures’ and ‘tools’ for mayors, local administrations and grassroots organisations to reinforce fundamental rights locally. It is based on existing good practice and expert input by representatives of human rights cities in the EU, academic experts, international organisations and city networks.

  •
    Handbook / Guide / Manual
    22
    June
    2016

    Handbook on European law relating to access to justice

    Access to justice is an important element of the rule of law. It enables individuals to protect themselves against infringements of their rights, to remedy civil wrongs, to hold executive power accountable and to defend themselves in criminal proceedings. This handbook summarises the key European legal principles in the area of access to justice, focusing on civil and criminal law.

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    Page

    Criminal Detention Database

    The Criminal Detention Database 2015-2022 combines in one place information on detention conditions in all 27 EU Member States as well as the United Kingdom.
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Highlights

  •
    Report / Paper / Summary
    18
    January
    2018

    Challenges facing civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU

    Civil society organisations in the European Union play a crucial role in promoting fundamental rights, but it has become harder for them to do so – due to both legal and practical restrictions. This report looks at the different types and patterns of challenges faced by civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU.
  • Crowd of people wearing masks

    Report / Paper / Summary
    22
    September
    2021

    Protecting civic space in the EU

    Civil society organisations play a vital role in promoting fundamental rights, but they face diverse challenges across the European Union. This report presents FRA’s findings on a range of such challenges. The findings are based on research, and on two online consultations with civil society organisations, carried out in 2020.

  •
    Page

    Civil society and the Fundamental Rights Platform

    The Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) is FRA’s channel for cooperation and information exchange with civil society organisations working on fundamental rights in the EU.

  • Report / Paper / Summary
    26
    November
    2018

    Civil society space: views of organisations

    Civil society organisations play a critical role in democracies, and the importance of their work is widely recognised in international legal and policy documents. However, they face many obstacles when it comes to their day-to-day work. Based on the results of an online consultation with FRA’s civil society network, the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP), in September 2018, this paper complements the January 2018 report.
Products

Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
31
March
2026

​​Civic Space Update: Enabling civil society to uphold EU values and strengthen democracy

Civic space is a crucial component of democracy and of societies founded on respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law. Civil society organisations across the EU face increasing pressure that limits their ability to operate. This report presents FRA opinions on how EU Member States can better protect civic space and support civil society organisations in safeguarding fundamental rights. The findings are based on data and information collected by FRANET, FRA’s multidisciplinary research network, and FRA’s consultation with CSOs participating in its Fundamental Rights Platform. It is complemented by desk research, interviews, stakeholder meetings and exchanges with intergovernmental organisations. It covers all EU Member States, as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Fundamental Rights Forum 2024 – Protecting democracy and civic space in Europe

This FRF theme examines key challenges such as tackling disinformation, widening participation, protecting protests, sustaining civil society, ensuring political transparency, safeguarding institutions, and resisting the erosion of fundamental rights. Notable speakers include Emily O’Reilly, former European Ombudsman, Didier Reynders, former EU Commissioner for Justice, Alma Zadić, Austria’s former Federal Minister of Justice, and Lilian Thuram, President of the Lilian Thuram Foundation – Education against racism, among others.
Visit the forum website
Multiple lightbulbs with text underneath saying civil society.

Periodic updates / Series
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
18
October
2023

Protecting civil society – Update 2023

Civil society organisations struggle to maintain an environment safe from threats and attacks. FRA’s sixth annual update on civic space explores the challenges for organisations across the EU. While there has been significant development since FRA began monitoring the situation in 2018, civil society organisations remain under immense pressure. Abusive lawsuits and attacks against those involved in migrant search and rescue at sea are just some of the challenges identified. This report presents ways forward to protect civil society and human rights.
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Report / Paper / Summary
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
11
July
2023

Protecting human rights defenders at risk: EU entry, stay and support

Across the world, human rights defenders protect and uphold human rights in some of the most challenging situations. In some countries they face worrying levels of threats and attacks, intimidation and harassment. This report outlines how human rights defenders can enter and stay in the EU when they need protection. It suggests how EU institutions and Member States could use the flexibility in existing legal provisions and provide shelter for defenders who seek protection.
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Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
19
August
2022

Protecting civic space in the EU – Key findings and FRA opinions

Civil society organisations face diverse challenges across the European Union. FRA’s report on Protecting civic space in the EU presents the agency’s findings on these challenges. It was issued in September of 2021. This summary presents the Key findings and FRA opinions outlined in the report.
Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
19
July
2022

Europe’s civil society: still under pressure – 2022 update

Civil society is a key component of Europe’s fundamental rights architecture. From supporting people affected by the pandemic to helping those fleeing the war in Ukraine, civil society plays a crucial role in upholding people’s rights. In so doing, it contributes to a healthy rule of law culture. FRA’s civic space report provides an overview of the many ways in which civil society contributes to the checks and balances that underpin the rule of law.
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Video
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders

FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty – Human Rights: what are we required to do for each other?

The Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, welcomes the launch of the Philanthropy Europe Association (Philea), the merger of the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (Dafne), on 7 December 2021.
Video
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society

Protecting civic space in the European Union

On the occasion of the launch of FRA’s report ‘Protecting civic space in the EU’ this clip sheds light on the challenges civil society faces across the European Union.
Crowd of people wearing masks

Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
22
September
2021

Protecting civic space in the EU

Civil society organisations play a vital role in promoting fundamental rights, but they face diverse challenges across the European Union. This report presents FRA’s findings on a range of such challenges. The findings are based on research, and on two online consultations with civil society organisations, carried out in 2020.
Watch video
Download country studies
Read press release
Two Traveller children carrying a container

Periodic updates / Series
Roma
Equality, non-discrimination and racism
Civil society
29
September
2020

Coronavirus pandemic in the EU – impact on Roma and Travellers – Bulletin 5

Often living in substandard and overcrowded housing conditions, Roma and Travellers face an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. They are also disproportionately affected by measures taken to contain the virus. This FRA Bulletin takes a closer look at this reality in 15 EU Member States, focusing on education; employment; poverty; healthcare; housing; and anti-Gypsyism. It also outlines civil society efforts to tackle the diverse challenges triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Read news item
Watch video blog by Michael O’Flaherty
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Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
28
July
2020

Civic space – experiences of organisations in 2019

This paper presents key findings from FRA’s second consultation of its Fundamental Rights Platform, focusing on the experiences of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on human rights. FRA started an annual consultation with organisations participating in its platform in 2018.
Read news item
More on the Fundamental Rights Platform
Video
Judicial cooperation and rule of law
National human rights systems and bodies
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders

Video blog Michael O’Flaherty: July bulletin on COVID-19

Michael O’Flaherty introduces the July edition of FRA’s bulletin on the impact for fundamental rights of Covid-19. In this vlog he talks about the important role that people play who are engaged with the promotion and the protection of human rights in these times.
The July edition of the COVID-19 bulletin will be available from 30 July.
Download COVID-19 bulletins
Access all FRA work on COVID-19
Report / Paper / Summary
Borders and information systems
Asylum, migration and borders
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
19
June
2020

June 2020 update – NGO ships involved in search and rescue in the Mediterranean and legal proceedings against them

In 2019, the International Organization for Migration estimated that 1,866 people have died or gone missing while crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe to escape war or persecution or to pursue a better life. This is an average of five people per day. In recent years, a significant proportion of migrants in distress at sea have been rescued by civil society vessels deployed with a humanitarian mandate to reduce fatalities and bring rescued migrants to safety. Since 2018, however, authorities in some EU Member States started viewing civil society-deployed rescue vessels with hostility. As a reaction, national authorities initiated about 40 administrative and criminal proceedings against crew members or vessels, including seizing the latter. In some cases, rescue vessels were blocked in harbours due to flag issues or the inability to meet technical requirements.

Video
Civil society
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights Charter: Citizens’ Rights

Check out the EU’s modern human rights catalogue and its chapter about Citizens’ Rights.
Report / Paper / Summary
National human rights systems and bodies
Support for human rights systems and defenders
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Civil society
12
November
2019

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights on its 10th anniversary: views of civil society and national human rights institutions

The Charter is most effective, and has a real impact on people’s lives, when parliaments, governments and courts at local, regional and national levels all actively apply it. The national sphere is particularly relevant. A strong fundamental rights architecture and committed national governments and parliaments are key to letting the Charter unfold its potential at this level. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) are also crucial given their contributions to the protection and promotion of Charter rights.
Video
Asylum, migration and borders
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
Borders and information systems

Video blog by Michael O’Flaherty: rescue in the Mediterranean

In the latest edition of his video blog, FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty focuses on the migration situation in the Mediterranean Sea and makes three proposals.
Periodic updates / Series
Asylum, migration and borders
Borders and information systems
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
19
June
2019

2019 update – NGO ships involved in search and rescue in the Mediterranean and criminal investigations

In 2018, some 2,299 people are estimated to have died or gone missing at sea while crossing the sea to reach Europe to escape war or persecution or to pursue a better life. This is on average more than six people per day. Before mid-2017, a significant share of migrants in distress at sea have been rescued by civil society vessels deployed with a humanitarian mandate to reduce fatalities and bring rescued migrants to safety. In 2018, however, authorities in some Member States viewed civil society-deployed rescue vessels with hostility. As a reaction, they seized rescue vessels, arrested crew members, and initiated legal procedures against them (more than a dozen altogether). In some cases, rescue vessels were blocked in harbours due to flag issues.

Report / Paper / Summary
Data protection
Data protection, privacy and new technologies
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
12
June
2019

The General Data Protection Regulation – one year on

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has applied across the European Union (EU) since 25 May 2018. One year on, this paper looks at how the new regulation has affected the daily work of civil society organisations (CSOs).
Report / Paper / Summary
Civil society
Support for human rights systems and defenders
26
November
2018

Civil society space: views of organisations

Civil society organisations play a critical role in democracies, and the importance of their work is widely recognised in international legal and policy documents. However, they face many obstacles when it comes to their day-to-day work. Based on the results of an online consultation with FRA’s civil society network, the Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP), in September 2018, this paper complements the January 2018 report.
Report / Paper / Summary
Borders and information systems
Asylum, migration and borders
Support for human rights systems and defenders
Civil society
1
October
2018

Fundamental rights considerations: NGO ships involved in search and rescue in the Mediterranean and criminal investigations – 2018

This note draws attention to the recent trend of criminalising search and rescue operations (SAR) in the Mediterranean Sea carried out by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or other private entities. This includes seizing rescue vessels, as well as arrests for crew members, in some EU Member States. Most of such incidents concerned NGOs operating in the Central Mediterranean Sea.
Summary
Civil society organisations across the EU are facing growing pressure which undermines their ability to safeguard fundamental rights and contribute meaningfully to democratic life, highlights the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in its latest civic space assessment. The findings are published as the EU begins implementing its first ever EU Civil Society Strategy, which aims to strengthen civil society engagement and ensure an open and safe civic space across the EU.
Published At
2026-03-31T09:38:02
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