Thread by @upsaurav

1/ I'm thrilled to be representing @afsc_org and moderating a panel at @AfPeacebuilding #PeaceCon2019 on restricted/shrinking space.This is a topic of concern for peacebuilders around the world. Here's a thread on what I've learned studying the phenomenon. allianceforpeacebuilding.org/our-work/annua…

2/ Peace activists and organizations around the world are increasingly being stigmatized, criminalized, discriminated against, subjected to smear campaigns, defamation, physical harassment, spuriously charged and sentenced under various laws. ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Terr…

3/ The main driver of restricted space is the post 9/11 global “war on terror” and focus on national security and counterterrorism. It primarily began after the US introduced more than 130 pieces of 9/11 related legislations including the Patriot Act. charityandsecurity.org/studies/US_Mus…

4/ Many countries followed suite, passing or renewing similar counter-terrorism legislations, as a response to UN resolutions or because of pressure from countries like the US. The visualization below shows comparison of legislations pre and post 9/11 public.tableau.com/views/Book1_15…

5/ Since then, states have utilized overly broad/vague definitions of terrorism in legislations to target CSOs, social movements & activists. Counter-terrorism legislations increasingly include provisions that restrict rights that are key to civil society. csis.org/analysis/count…

6/ States have also adopted laws that typically include onerous and burdensome, procedures, regulations and requirements on civil society organizations. For example, because of the American and UN sanctions, @afsc is finding it difficult to work in DPRK.
nknews.org/2019/09/sowing…

7/ Governments point to the pervasive and perpetual threats to national security to pass legislation or use emergency powers to criminalize activities of CSOs, human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, political opponents.
ishr.ch/news/hrc40-sti…

8/ "Counter-terrorism" measures are often applied nefariously and extrajudicially. This results in harassment, arrest, and prosecution of humanitarian, human rights, and peace activists. Here is a recent example of harassment covered by @theintercept
theintercept.com/2017/11/15/dak…

9/ Efforts to silence civil society through legislative restrictions is being reinforced by governmental smear campaigns through state-controlled media or through statements by public officials, including heads of state. An example is the BDS blacklist.
thinkprogress.org/israel-bds-qua…

10/ The fear of terrorism also led to a new era of overzealous intelligence activity and surveillance directed, as so often in the past, against political activists, especially racial and religious minorities, and immigrants.
aclu.org/other/factshee…

12/ In fact, a common theme that emerged about shrinking space, in almost all context I studied, was the disproportionate impact that the phenomenon had on ethnic, religious, gender and sexual minorities. Here is just one illustrative example: opendemocracy.net/en/openglobalr…

13/ Space for peacebuilding has been shrinking since 9/11 but it has increased in intensity over the last 2-3 years. To better understand drivers and learn about ways activists have been able to resist, @afsc_org commissioned case studies. Find it here: afsc.org/resource/restr…

14/ The purpose of our @AfPeacebuilding #PeaceCon2019 panel thus, is to build on the @afsc_org study, expand the conversation, & learn from peacebuilders about how they've resisted shrinking space and opened space for peace. Hope to see you there tomorrow! allianceforpeacebuilding.org/our-work/annua…

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