The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a call for input through an online survey on “civil society space.” The survey will inform the High Commissioner’s forthcoming thematic report to the Human Rights Council pursuant to resolution 59/10. The initiative seeks to assess progress made in fostering safe and enabling environments for civil society, identify emerging trends, and develop updated recommendations.
Human Rights Council resolution 59/10 requests that the High Commissioner prepare a follow-up report building on earlier recommendations presented at the Council’s thirty-second session. In that earlier report (A/HRC/32/20), the High Commissioner set out practical recommendations to Member States concerning: (i) the establishment of a supportive legal framework and access to justice for civil society actors; (ii) fostering a conducive public and political environment; (iii) ensuring access to information; (iv) facilitating meaningful participation in policy development and public decision-making; and (v) providing long-term support and access to resources, including funding. The upcoming report is intended to review progress in implementing those recommendations, examine new and evolving challenges affecting civic space, and analyze the specific contributions and risks faced by underrepresented parts of civil society. The High Commissioner will present the report to the Council at its sixty-third session.
OHCHR is inviting civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, United Nations entities, and other relevant stakeholders to complete the online survey and share practical experiences and good practices relating to the protection and promotion of civic space. The survey focuses on key areas identified in the earlier report concerning the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society. Organizations operating in a particular country are encouraged to provide information specific to that national context, while global or regional organizations may submit input covering multiple jurisdictions as appropriate.
The deadline to complete the online survey is Friday, 6 March 2026 at 18:00 Central European Time. Questions regarding the survey may be directed to [email protected].
For Canadian charities and not-for-profits, particularly those engaged in advocacy, international development, human rights, or cross-border programming, this consultation highlights ongoing international attention to the regulatory and operational conditions affecting civil society. It also presents an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives that may inform the development of updated international recommendations concerning civic space.