International commitments and standards
This section provides links to relevant treaties and other instruments of intergovernmental organizations, as well as principles, declarations and other normative statements relating to specific civic space issues, including freedoms of assembly and association, right to information and data protection, protection of human rights defenders, etc.


United Nations commitments and standards
United Nations General Assembly

• UN General Assembly (2012). Resolution 67/218 on Promoting transparency, participation and accountability in fiscal policies. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (2008) Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (2006). Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1999). Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1989) Convention on the Rights of the Child. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1986). Declaration on the Right to Development. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1978). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1966). International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1966). Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1965). International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. New York, USA
• UN General Assembly (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. New York, USA

United Nations Human Rights Council

• UN Human Rights Council (2016). Resolution A/HRC/32/L.29 on Civil society space. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2016). Resolution A/HRC/32/L.1 on Youth and human rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2016). Resolution A/HRC/32/L.20 on The promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2016). Resolution A/HRC/32/L.19 on Business and human rights: improving accountability and access to remedy. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2016). Resolution A/HRC/32/L.2/Rev.1 on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2014). Resolution A/HRC/27/33 on Summary of UNHRC panel discussion on the importance of the promotion and protection of civil society space. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2014). Resolution A/HRC/25/38 on The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2013). Resolution A/HRC/24/L.24 on Civil society space: Creating and maintaining, in law and in practice, a safe and enabling environment. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2013). Resolution A/HRC/22/L.13 on Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development in accordance with paragraph 22 Protecting human rights defenders of Human Rights Council. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2012). Resolution A/HRC/15/21 on Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2012). Resolution A/HRC/20/L.13 on The promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2011). General Comment No. 34 on Freedoms of opinion and expression. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2010). Resolution A/HRC/15/21 on Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2010). Resolution A/HRC/15/21 on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Human Rights Council (2009). Resolution A/HRC/12/16 on Freedoms of opinion and expression. Geneva, Switzerland

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 

• UN High Commissioner on Human Rights (2016), Practical recommendations for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society, based on good practices and lessons learned (A/HRC/32/20). Geneva, Switzerland

United Nations Special Rapporteurs

• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2017). A/HRC/34/52 on Work in progress, challenges and the way forward. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (2017). Annual Report 2017 (A/HRC/35/22). Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2016). Resolution A/71/281 on Environmental human rights defenders. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2016). Resolution A/HRC/31/55 on Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2016). 2015: The year in assembly & association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (2016). Annual Report 2016 (A/HRC/32/38). Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2015). Resolution A/70/217 on Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2015). 2014: The year in assembly & association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2015). Comparing States’ treatment of businesses and associations worldwide. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2015). Assembly and association rights in the context of natural resource exploitation. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (2015). Annual Report 2015 (A/HRC/29/32). Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2014). Resolution A/HRC/25/55 on Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2014). 2013: The year in assembly & association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2014). Multilateral institutions and their effect on assembly and association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rRights to fFreedom of pPeaceful aAssembly and of aAssociation (2014). Threats against groups most at risk when exercising assembly and association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (2014). Annual Report 2014 (A/HRC/26/30). Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2013). 2012: The year in assembly & association rights. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2013). The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of elections. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2013). Civil Society’s Right to seek, receive and use resources – human, material and financial. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association (2012). Best practices in promoting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Geneva, Switzerland
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization of American States’ Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (2011). Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet. N/A.
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization of American States’ Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (2006). Joint Declaration on publishing confidential information, on openness of national and international public bodies, on freedom of expression and cultural/religious tensions, and on impunity in cases of attacks against journalists. N/A.
• UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Representative on Freedom of the Media, the Organization of American States’ Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression (2005). Joint Declaration on the internet and on anti-terrorism measures. N/A

Other multilateral Organizations and bilateral donors
A rather comprehensive list of useful guidelines and strategies on civil society engagement, practices and principles, both from regional and international organizations, is available in section II. A. 4.
 

• US Agency for International Development (2017). Stand with Civil Society: Best Practices, Washington D.C., USA
• UN Development Programme (2016), Promoting Voice and Participation at the Country Level: A Mapping of UNDP Country Offices’ Work on Civic Engagement. New York, USA
• The Commonwealth Secretariat (2016). Global Youth Development Index and Report 2016. London, UK
• European Union (2017). Shrinking space for civil society: the EU response. Brussels, Belgium
• Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (2015). Final Synthesis Report of the Evaluation of the Strategy for Support via Swedish Civil Society Organizations 2010-2014
• United States White House (2015). Support, Defend, and Sustain: The Relevance of U.S. Response to Closing Civic Space
• World Bank (2014). How to adjust your advocacy strategy when the government fights back or the context changes. Washington D.C., USA
• US Agency for International Development and Counterpart International (2014), Social Networking: A Guide to Strengthening Civil Society through Social Media. N/A
• UN Development Programme (2012). Donors' civil society strategies and partnership modalities: A guidebook. New York, USA.
• United States State Department, Human Rights annual country reports

 
A few relevant resources from civil society:

• Reality of Aid Network (2016), 2016 Global Reality of Aid Report and Global Aid Trends, 2016, Financing Agenda 2030: Where are the Resources. Nova Scotia, Canada 
• International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (2015). Ten Ideas for Governments Working to Safeguard Civic Space. Washington D.C., USA
• AidWatch Canada (2012). Good Practice in Donor Engagement with Civil Society: Creating an Enabling Environment for CSOs?. Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Front Line Defenders (2008). What Protection Can the European Union and Norwegian Diplomatic Missions Offer?. Dublin, Ireland

Multi-stakeholder initiatives

​Community of Democracies

• Community of Democracies (2014). Ministerial Statement: San Salvador Declaration. Warsaw, Poland.
• Community of Democracies (2011). Ministerial Statement: Vilnius Declaration. Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Community of Democracies (2007). Ministerial Statement: Bamako Declaration. Bamako, Mali.
• Community of Democracies (2000). Ministerial Statement: Warsaw Declaration on methods that will help create an environment conducive to democratic development. Warsaw, Poland.

Multi-stakeholder initiatives and civil society statements and publications:
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Considering the emphasis placed on partnerships as an instrument of international development cooperation, including within the framework of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, this section provides an overview of commitments and standards on civic space issues within the framework of multi-stakeholder initiatives and by civil society actors, the latter being particularly well placed to understand and assess threats to civic and democratic space, and why it is vital to resist them.
 
Multi-stakeholder initiatives

Community of Democracies

• Community of Democracies (2014). Ministerial Statement: San Salvador Declaration. Warsaw, Poland.
• Community of Democracies (2011). Ministerial Statement: Vilnius Declaration. Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Community of Democracies (2007). Ministerial Statement: Bamako Declaration. Bamako, Mali.
• Community of Democracies (2000). Ministerial Statement: Warsaw Declaration on methods that will help create an environment conducive to democratic development. Warsaw, Poland.

 
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

• UNDESA (2017). Civil Society Participation Evaluation Report. New York, USA
• UNDESA (2017). Social Development Brief: Leaving no one behind? Mixed Success. New York, USA
• UNDESA (2017). Programme and Outcome document of the Expert Group Meeting on enhancing Major Groups and other Stakeholders’ engagement in national-level reviews of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York, USA
• UNDESA (2016). Ways to engage: Civil Society and the 2030 Agenda. New York, USA
• Reality of Aid Network (2016), 2016 Global Reality of Aid Report and Global Aid Trends, 2016, Financing Agenda 2030: Where are the Resources. Nova Scotia, Canada 
• UNDESA (2016). UN System-wide action plan (SWAP) on the rights of indigenous peoples. New York, USA
• UN Secretary General (2015). The Road to Dignity by 2013: Ending Poverty, Transforming All Lives and Protecting the Planet. Synthesis Report of the Secretary-General on the Post-2015 Agenda. New York, USA
• UNDESA (2013). UN System-wide action plan (SWAP) on youth. New York, USA
• Center for Economic and Social Rights (2013). Who Will Be Accountable? Human Rights and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. New York, USA
• Civic Space Initiative (2013). Submission on an Enabling Environment for Civil Society to the UN High Level Panel on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. Washington D.C., USA

Open Government Partnership

• Open Government Partnership (2012). OGP Articles of Governance.
• Center for Law and Democracy (2012). Open Government Without RTI? The conspicuous weakness of RTI reform within OGP Action Plans. N/A.

 
Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation

• AidWatch Canada (2017). The outcome of the 2nd High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation and why it matters. Nova Scotia, Canada.
• AidWatch Canada (2016). Reflections on the Global Partnership’s Second Progress Report. Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Inter-Council Network and AidWatch Canada (2016). Small and Medium Size Civil Society Organizations as Development Actors: A review of evidence. Nova Scotia, Canada.
• Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (2013). Guide to the Monitoring Framework of the Global Partnership. Brussels, Belgium.
• CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (2013). An Enabling Environment for Civil Society Organizations: A Synthesis of Evidence of Progress Since Busan. Quezon City, Philippines.
• Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (2011). Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. Busan, Korea.
• Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness (2011). Guidance on how to advocate for a more enabling environment for civil society in your context: An advocacy toolkit. N/A

 
Global Partnership for Social Accountability

• Global Partnership for Social Accountability (2015). Social Accountability for Citizen-Centric Governance: Compilation of Case Studies. Washington D.C., USA
• Global Partnership for Social Accountability (2014). The role of civil society organizations in closing the gap between transparency and accountability. Washington D.C., USA
• Global Partnership for Social Accountability (2014). Building capacity for constructive engagement between civil society and the government. Washington D.C., USA

Other initiatives

• Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative International Secretariat (2016). Revised EITI Standard 2016. Oslo, Norway
• Natural Resource Governance Institute (2014). Options for Applying EITI Standards on the Enabling Environment for Civil Society: Towards a Systematic and Evidence-based Approach. Washington D.C., USA
• Global Multi-stakeholder Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance (2014). NETMundial Multi-stakeholder Statement. Sao Paulo, Brazil.