Press Release

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is alarmed by recent attacks on the Russian environmental movement, adding to a systematic trend in ongoing harassment of environmental activists in the country. On 4 August, Yevgenia Chirikova, environmentalist and leader of the "In Defence of Khimki Forest" movement was detained after speaking at a press conference in Moscow.

Over 70 eminent civil society activists from across the globe who attended the CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal this August expressed deep disappointment at the enactment of India's regressive Foreign Contributions Regulations Act, 2010 (FCRA).

In what clearly amounts to unjustified restriction of the freedom of expression, three members of the Malawian civil society organisation, Eye for Development remain in arbitrary detention on grounds of incitement of violence. Edward Chileka, Howard Jimu and Awoneji Chimera were arrested after a press conference for criticising the statement of President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika that priority in the disbursement of loans under the official Youth Enterprise Development Fund should be given to youth members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Civil society organisations from around the globe and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation join the loud calls by Philippines civil society of "End Impunity! Justice Now!" CIVICUS and its partners want the government of the Philippines to swiftly and transparently investigate the ongoing attacks facing opposition politicians, journalists and civil society advocates which on 23 November 2009 culminated in the slaying of at least 57 people in the violence-ridden Maguindanao province of the country.