International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)

10/13/2026

🙌 Thank you to everyone who joined us in Dakar for two important conversations during the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights!

From advancing the implementation of the African Commission’s Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly to exploring opportunities and challenges for freedom of expression across Africa, these discussions brought together valuable perspectives and a shared commitment to protecting civic freedoms.

A special thank you to our partners ARTICLE 19, Human rights institute of South Africa, Kutakesa, African Women Leaders Forum and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, as well as all our speakers, moderators, and participants for their contributions.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to strengthen the protection of fundamental freedoms across Africa! 🎉

10/09/2026

📣 Freedom of Expression in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

As part of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ICNL and ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa are convening a working session on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for freedom of expression across Africa.

The discussion will also explore how regional and international human rights mechanisms can better support civil society priorities.

🎙️ Co-moderated by ICNL's Florence Nakazibwe and ARTICLE 19's Angela Minayo

📅 Monday, October 12 | 12:30–2:00 p.m. GMT
📍 Hotel Fleur de Lys Almadies, Dakar

10/09/2026

🌍 From Paper to Practice: Protecting Freedom of Association and Assembly in Africa

As the African Charter marks 40 years, the focus is shifting from establishing human rights standards to ensuring their effective implementation.

Next Sunday, ICNL and partners will host a side event at the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, exploring progress, persistent gaps, and opportunities to strengthen implementation of the Commission’s Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly.

🎙️ Moderated by ICNL's Irene Petras, with speakers from Kutakesa, Human rights institute of South Africa (HURISA), the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the African Women Leaders Forum.

📅 October 11 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. GMT
📍 Hotel Fleur de Lys Almadies, Dakar

10/08/2026

Civil society is under pressure worldwide. But organizations are finding ways to adapt, collaborate, and continue their work.

ICNL's latest global survey draws on responses from civil society representatives working in more than 65 countries and territories to explore how organizations are navigating increasingly restrictive environments.

📊 The findings reveal both challenges and resilience:

🔹 72% say their operating environment has worsened since January 2025.

🔹 89% identify restrictions on resources as a major challenge.

🔹 Nearly 90% consider advocacy effective, while 88% highlight the value of coalitions.

Beyond the numbers, the report explores how organizations are strengthening partnerships, diversifying funding, managing risks, and finding new ways to sustain their work.

It also offers important lessons for donors on how to better support civil society in challenging environments.

📖 Read the findings and explore the strategies helping civil society adapt🔽

Published September 2026 Civic space is under growing pressure worldwide. Since 2022, ICNL has tracked more than 298 legal initiatives affecting civic space across 77 […]

10/07/2026

🇹🇭 Thailand has enacted a new political amnesty covering eligible offenses linked to protests and political expression over the past two decades, but with important exclusions.

Our updated Thailand Civic Freedom Monitor explains this and other developments shaping civic freedoms:
🔗 https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/thailand

10/06/2026

Some provisions could help strengthen charitable activity and fundraising transparency. Others may create unclear or disproportionate requirements, particularly for individuals, smaller charities, and one-off initiatives.

ICNL’s analysis examines the proposed reforms and compares them with approaches from Australia, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries.

The analysis highlights how effective charity regulation can promote transparency and public trust while avoiding unnecessary barriers to charitable activity.

🔗 Read the analysis: https://www.icnl.org/post/news/charity-regulation-reforms-in-the-kyrgyz-republic-and-international-experience

10/01/2026

Understanding the legal framework for nonprofit organizations in Japan means looking at both the rules in place today and where there is room for reform.

ICNL has two resources offering complementary perspectives:

🇯🇵 Japan Civic Freedom Monitor provides an overview of the laws and regulations affecting nonprofit organizations and fundamental freedoms in Japan.

📘 Room for Reform: The Legal Framework for Nonprofit Organizations in Japan takes a closer look at the legal and regulatory environment for nonprofits, identifying challenges and opportunities for reform.

Together, these resources provide a useful starting point for policymakers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and others interested in the legal environment for civil society in Japan.

Explore the resources:
🔗 Japan Civic Freedom Monitor: https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/japan
🔗 Room for Reform: https://www.icnl.org/post/report/room-for-reform-the-legal-framework-for-nonprofit-organizations-in-japan

09/30/2026

📣 Earlier this month, ICNL launched the U.S. Center for Nonprofit Law (USCNL), a new home for our work on the laws affecting nonprofits and fundamental freedoms in the United States. 🇺🇸

USCNL provides clear legal analysis, practical resources, and tools on a rapidly changing legal landscape, from nonprofit regulation and government investigations to protest laws and fundamental freedoms.

🖱️ Start following USCNL for the latest U.S. legal developments, analysis, and resources on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uscnl/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/uscnl.bsky.social
X: https://x.com/USCNL_org

🛜 Explore USCNL website: www.uscnl.org

09/29/2026

🇲🇾 ICNL has updated its Malaysia Civic Freedom Monitor with recent developments affecting civil society, including financial and travel restrictions against activists, new cybercrime legislation, and the implementation of the country’s social media licensing framework.

Read the latest updates: https://www.icnl.org/resources/civic-freedom-monitor/malaysia