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Report: Civil society in Europe under threat

BRUSSELS, Jan 18 (KUNA) -- In many parts of the European Union, civil society is under threat, according to a new report published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Thursday.
"A thriving democracy needs a healthy civil society. Unfortunately, the EU's own civil society is facing a pattern of threats and pressures in many parts of the EU. Addressing this unacceptable situation should be a high priority for policy makers at EU and national levels," said FRA Director Michael O'Flaherty in a press statement.
The 61-page report titled "Challenges facing civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU", explores how these challenges vary across the EU.
EU Member States sometimes impose entry restrictions on non-EU nationals seeking to engage in human rights work in a Member State, without providing a sufficient explanation as to why this is done, noted the report.
EU States also sometimes impose, in law or in practice, general bans on assemblies at certain times or places.
Regarding the freedom of expression, a number of EU Member States have maintained criminal laws banning defamation or insult of state officials, the state itself, and (foreign) heads of state.
Civil Society organisations and activists in the EU face physical and verbal attacks, harassment and intimidation by non-state actors. Some state officials even engage in verbal attacks and create negative narratives that stigmatise or discredit their work.
In their external relations, the EU and its Member States have placed great emphasis on supporting civil society, in particular with regard to funding, engagement, and protection of human rights defenders. The EU internal dimension of civil society space has only more recently gained increased attention, it said.
The important report proposes that EU Member States should abide by the laws, including international standards that recommend civil society participation in policy cycles.
Due attention must also be paid to ensure that new or redrafted laws and policies do not undermine the work of civil society. Civil society funding also needs to be protected, it said.
FRA is the EU's independent body for delivering fundamental rights assistance and expertise to the EU and its Member States. (end) nk.mt