Over the past few years, new “tools of control” affecting the work of civil society organisations have multiplied, some imposing various forms of “bureocratic criminalisation” and “administrative harassment” on CSOs. More and more restrictive and demanding laws and regulations increasingly hurt Forus members and civil society partners across the globe.  

The Forus network has been busy mapping the forms of pressure civil society organsiations face, particularly when it comes to legal and regulatory restrictions. In Paraguay, civil society organisations are currently grappling with proposed legislation aimed at imposing additional controls and accountability measures on NGOs, creating an environment of uncertainty and fear. Local organizations are pushing back, calling for revisions to ensure their right to operate without undue interference.  

Similarly, in Peru, Congress discussed a series of legislative proposals that could severely restrict the work of civil society organizations and international cooperation in the country. These measures include new restrictions on foreign funding, stricter regulations for the registration and operation of civil society organisations, and increased oversight of international cooperation activities.  

In Uganda, prominent civil society organisations saw their bank accounts being frozen, in an example of administrative tactics suppressing their role and leading to major disruptions in their day-to-day work. 

In the wake of persecution, arrests, and killings of civil society actors following the July 28 elections, Venezuela’s National Assembly passed a law criminalizing NGOs which are focused on defending human rights and victims of repression. The law, approved on August 15 amid widespread national and international opposition, targets the oversight, regulation, and funding of non-profit organizations. According to the Rendir Cuentas network, this law formalizes the criminalization of civil society in a repressive context that has resulted in over 2,000 arrests, at least 20 deaths, and incidents of digital censorship of media, messaging apps, and social networks. As part of the #KeepItOn coalition, Forus together with more than 50 civil society organizations have demanded an end to imposed internet shutdowns and other human rights abuses in Venezuela in response to protests relating to the presidential election. 

Many CSOs are caught in a web of increasingly complex regulations that limit their ability to operate freely. From endless bureaucratic delays to arbitrary decisions and denial of permits, these tactics slow civil society organisations down and drain their resources. Many are denied access to critical funding, while also facing stringent reporting requirements from donors, creating financial insecurity. This results in various forms of economic and emotional pressures. 

Additionally, in many countries, governments and “allied media” launch smear campaigns, falsely portraying CSOs as foreign agents or enemies of progress. Hand in hand with stigmatisation and misinformation campaigns appear various forms of bureaucratic criminalisation in the digital sphere. Various Forus members and staff’s content on social media has been labeled as disinformation, propaganda, or politically subversive, thereby limiting their reach and influence with accounts being blocked or content being shadow banned. Emerging laws across the globe are also allowing governments to use surveillance tools to track the communications and activities of civil society organisations, effectively criminalising their efforts and restricting freedom of expression and assembly. 

As a network we are developing tactics of resistance despite these challenges. These include building alliances to amplify advocacy efforts. Our collective campaign #PositiveNarratives, sheds light on the need to reframe and transform narratives, from negative to hope-based, showing the real impact of civil society organisations worldwide while pushing for transparency and accountability in our sector and beyond. Our multimedia and storytelling initiative A Space for Us, also created a space for our members and partners to talk about these issues and feel  supported by a global community. While developing a solidarity mechanism for Forus members, we are  also active on the international scene to leverage institutions such as the UN and the European Union and bring attention to these issues . Through the EU SEE project, which started in 2024, Forus together with other 8 civil society partners and local members will map and draw attention to the  threats civil society organisations are facing worldwide. 

As we continue to witness the administrative harassment of civil society, we are committed to strengthening our members’ resilience and ensuring a more enabling environment for organisations worldwide. 

Sarah Strack, Forus Director