International Civil Society Week (ICSW) Closes with #FreedomRunner Launch

From 8-12 April in Belgrade, some 900 human rights campaigners, civil society leaders and engaged citizens met for the International Civil Society Week (ICSW) 2019 – a global civil society gathering co-hosted by CIVICUS, Civic Initiatives (Serbia) and BCSDN. Throughout the ICSW, it was evident that individuals and organisations are increasingly under attack in many countries. Activists, journalists and people who speak out against growing restrictions are often persecuted, and a historic, unprecedented rise of populist leaders continues to erode fundamental freedoms and sow division in many countries. The #FreedomRunner event, held at the close of ICSW 2019, kicked off a global campaign calling on people around the world to run in the name of human rights defenders who are currently jailed, being persecuted, or at risk for their work. Read more here.

Source: CIVICUS