[Special Report] Civic Space in Asia: Emerging Issues and Policy Lessons from Six Asian Countries

Introduction 

In 2016, the Asia Democracy Network (ADRN) identified corruption, shrinking civic space, and gender inequality as common challenges across Asia that continue to impede and hinder the deepening of democratic quality.

Against this backdrop, ADRN published this special report to assess the current state of shrinking civic space in the region by examining the strengths and weaknesses of each country’s mechanisms, including laws and regulations, public participation, and public governance. The report investigates pressing contemporary questions such as: What evidence suggests a shrinking of civic space in Asia? What successes and failures has each country experienced in protecting civic space? What lessons can be drawn to inform policy actions for expanding civic space?

Drawing on a rich array of resources and data, this report offers country-specific analyses, highlights areas for improvement, and proposes policy recommendations for safeguarding civic space in Asia.

Quotes from the Paper 

"In recent decades, India has proven itself capable not only of preserving democracy but of deepening and broadening it by moving toward a more inclusive form of politics. (…) However, there has been pushback against the progress made in terms of civic engagement. (…) This underscores the need for the government to amplify its policy efforts to create spaces where citizens can interact freely and peacefully." – Society for Participatory Research in Asia

"The situation of civic spaces in Sri Lanka over the past decade can be divided into two distinct periods: from 2007 to 2015 and from 2015 to the present. (…) During the first period, there was an observable shrinking of civic spaces in Sri Lanka and notable threats to fundamental rights and freedoms. (…) The commencement of the second period saw an inverse expansion of civic spaces and greater latitude for citizens to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms. However, this period has not seen the complete removal of prior threats to civic spaces.

While the government itself is not seen to violate these rights as egregiously as before, it has also allowed the country's culture of impunity to persist without meaningfully reinforcing or safeguarding these rights." - Centre for Policy Alternatives

"Government actions that impede and discourage civil society organizations from functioning independently will only add to the government's burden. Such government actions are seen as a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by Pakistan's own constitution and the international conventions to which the country is a party. It is important that the government recognize the role of civil society and promote a culture of cooperation and trust rather than an environment of hostility." - South Asia Partnership Pakistan

"Overall, the rising social divide affects the performance of democracy in various dimensions in Taiwan. The social divide has historical roots, but the China factor plays a decisive role in exacerbating it. The China factor includes the rising political and military power of China, the more conservative and authoritarian trend during President Xi's term, and ongoing cross-strait economic integration that may disadvantage some low-skilled laborers in Taiwan. (…) As direct and indirect threats to civil society are closely related to political developments in China, Taiwan cannot effectively resolve the dilemma by itself without changes in China’s political system." - Asian Barometer & Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica

"The Philippine government is legally obligated to create conditions – economic, political, social, cultural, and legal – that actively support the ability and capacity of individuals and/or associations to engage in civic activities." - DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance

"Despite the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in the 2015 general election and its efforts in the democratization process, national reconciliation and the 2008 constitution pose barriers, and civic space remains curtailed in the country. (…) There are many limitations and restrictions to overcome before ample civic space can be realized in the country." – Yangon School of Political Science

Authors 

Various researchers from the Society for Participatory Research in Asia, Centre for Policy Alternatives, South Asia Partnership Pakistan, Asian Barometer & Institute of Political Science, Academia Sinica, DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, and Yangon School of Political Science contributed to the research and writing of each report.

EAI provided support in the form of typesetting and proofreading for the production of the reports.