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DEFEND CIVIL SOCIETY

A thriving civil society

The crackdown against civil society has become a reality in the EU. Repressive laws and administrative hurdles restrict the freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. We want to make sure civil society is supported and protected in the EU.

EU action to protect democracy

Civil society organisations are crucial in the fight against corruption and discrimination, and to protect the environment, social care, health and much more. They intervene as democratic antibodies when rights, democracy and the rule of law are under attack. The EU must act and safeguard civil society space in its Member States.

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Stay informed about our work on defending civil society

OUR KEY DEMANDS

To strengthen and protect civil society in the EU, we demand:

  • Minimum standards for protection of civil society organisations in all member states of the EU
  • Making cross-border cooperation easier between civil society non-profit organisations and facilitating the legal mutual recognition of non-profit organisations among national authorities by harmonising common minimum-standards on civil society organisations
  • Guaranteeing easier access to funding for non-profit organisations at European and national level
  • Creating and implementing measures to support a regular, meaningful and structured dialogue with civil society
  • Creating a statute for European cross-border associations and non-profit organisations
READ OUR CAMPAIGN LEAFLET

Study launch "Beyond Borders, Beyond Boundaries"

The impact on migrants, asylum seekers and refugees is devastating. Tunisian and Libyan authorities - which are the main beneficiaries of the funding programs - carry out human rights violations within the framework of border management activities funded by the EU-supported programs, especially in the context of sea interceptions.

REGISTER

Exhibition “1000 Dreams”

The interviews and photographs that make up 1000 Dreams have been produced by 50 refugees who currently reside in Europe. Every refugee storyteller went through a workshop and mentorship program, teaching them photography and interviewing skills. It’s a project about refugees, by refugees. 1000 Dreams is a project created and run by Witness Change.

ATTEND OUR EVENT

A legal vacuum - the systematic criminalisation of migrants for driving a boat or car to Greece

This report aims to give new and in-depth insights about the criminalisation of people on the move for "smuggling" in Greece, analysing the current legal framework as well as its practical enforcement. It shows that instead of protecting the rights of smuggled migrants and asylum seekers, these policies criminalise them and expose them to long prison sentences

READ THE STUDY

Europe, stop paying for pushbacks!

Tens of thousands asylum seekers have been brutally pushed back at Europe’s borders in the past years. The Commission grants financial support to the countries that carry out these inhumane practices through the use of European migration funds.

This has to stop. No EU money should fund these extreme human rights violations at our borders.

Urge the European Commission to act now.

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OUR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

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Domenico Lucano Criminalisation of Solidarity - Thumbnail
Domenico Lucano Criminalisation of Solidarity - Thumbnail
Video |

We stand with Domenico Lucano - against Criminalisation of Solidarity

Domenico “Mimmo” Lucano, the former mayor of Riace, was sentenced to 13 years and 2 months in prison for “criminal conspiracy to assist illegal immigration, fraud, embezzlement and abuse of office“.
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© Picture credits: ERIK MARQUARDT
Refugees walking in a field
Study |

Addressing the violation of fundamental rights at the external borders of the European Union

Violations of fundamental rights at the external borders, including pushbacks and violence committed towards third country nationals, have been well-reported and documented by journalists and NGOs. This study looks at infringement proceedings and conditionality in EU funding instruments.
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Christopher Jahn/IFRC (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
migrants greece
Event |

Resilience and resistance: the criminalisation of solidarity across Europe

Join us for a live event on 29 June in European Parliament on the increasing criminalisation of migration and solidarity with refugees. What are the challenges, what could be the solutions?
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© Picture credits: PEXELS - PHOTO BY RODNAE PRODUCTION
Solidarity
Study |

Resilience and Resistance - a case study

Acting in solidarity with migrants and refugees in the EU has been difficult for years. Our study found that between January 2021 and March 2022, no less than 89 people have been criminalised for helping migrants and refugees. The EU must take immediate action to fight against the crackdown on solidarity and prevent the criminalisation of…
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Crowd of people Europe flag / CC0 Nico Roicke
Crowd of people Europe flag / CC0 Nico Roicke
Event |

Speak up! Civil society meets Greens/EFA

Got an idea about how to move the EU in a more green, just and social direction? We want to hear from you! Register for our Civil Society Day to share your key priorities, strategic initiatives and policy proposals.
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©maria-teneva
Picture of a façade with banner Refugees welcome
Event |

European Parlamentarians with Mimmo Lucano Against Criminalization of Solidarity

Too many citizens and local authorities - like the the former mayor of Riace (Italy) - are facing prosecution and sentences for acting in solidarity with those seeking refuge in the EU. Three MEPs from progressive groups will travel to Riace beginning of June to show their support and speak out in an event organised with Mimmo Lucano.
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Press release |

Migration : solidarity should not be a crime

A delegation of MEPs from progressive groups held a press conference with the former mayor of Riace Domenico “Mimmo” Lucano who was sentenced to 13 years and 2 months in prison for criminal conspiracy to assist illegal immigration. MEPs wanted to express their solidarity with Mimmo Lucano and to highlight their commitment in favour of an…
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Publication |

Report on a statute for European cross-border associations and non-profit organisations

The report calls for EU-wide measures to safeguard civil society organisations at the Member State and EU level, including better legal recognition for nonprofits, and supporting minimum standards as well as supporting freedom of association and speech, which is increasingly under threat in Europe.
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Press release |

MEPs call for cross-border support to defend civil society from attacks

Members of the European Parliament have voted by a large majority to support cross-border non-profit organisations in a report from Greens/EFA MEP Sergey Lagodinsky. The report calls for EU-wide measures to safeguard civil society organisations at the Member State and EU level, including better legal recognition for nonprofits, and suppor…
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© tanner-van-dera
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Letter |

Supporting Humanitarian Workers at the EU’s External Border

On 21st August 2018, Greek Police arrested humanitarian workers Seán Binder, Sarah Mardini and Nassos Karakitsos along with over 20 others. They were subsequently taken to Mytilene police station, questioned, and detained on orders of the Magistrate of Mytilene and held in pre-trial detention...