For press enquiries, please contact Benjamin Goodwin: bgoodwin[at]civic-forum.eu
ECF in the news
Some highlights from our press coverage in the international media.
EU Commission wants registry for foreign lobbyists
'The plan will be “deeply harmful to democracy and will fail in its stated intention of exposing covert foreign interference in EU policymaking,” said Alexandrina Najmowicz, secretary general of the European Civic Forum, an umbrella organization of NGOs and associations.'
We all lose if the Olympic surveillance state becomes the norm
'A gaggle of human rights groups – including Amnesty International, the European Civic Forum and Human Rights Watch – blasted the law, writing in Le Monde that it was “a worrying precedent,”'
Repression of pro-Palestine movements in Europe: the rule of law threatened, alerts European NGO
'The NGO estimates that at least 12 EU member states have taken disproportionate measures, including banning protests...'
20 international organisations call on the State to drop terrorism charges against Democratic Tsunami
'In a statement, they denounce that research limits fundamental rights and generates a "deterrent" effect on civil society. The text has been promoted by the European Civic Forum (ECF) and has the support of Amnesty International...'
More than 130 European NGOs express solidarity with the citizens of Serbia – an inspiring protest movement
More than 130 European NGOs have signed a statement expressing solidarity with the citizens of Serbia, calling on the authorities to stop the escalating repression of the anti-corruption movement, the European Civic Forum and the Balkan Network for Civil Society Development announced today.
The future of Europe: EU citizens take centre stage
'The EU is coming to the end of a major experiment in public debate: the Conference on the Future of Europe, ... What – if anything – has the conference achieved? Will true change come about? We discuss this with three guests who took part in the Conference itself.'
Pro-Palestine protests - between anti-Semitism and state repression
'Back in April, the NGO association European Civic Forum criticised in a report that numerous European countries had applied disproportionate repressive measures to pro-Palestinian protests.'
EU citizens’ panels likely to stay, but need to be adapted, experts say
'EU citizens' panels introduced after the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) mean deliberative democracy experiments will continue at the EU level, but they need to better adapt to citizens’ expectations and become more inclusive, experts say.'
Press Releases
Europe experiencing “dangerous rollback of civic freedoms”, warns damning new report in “wake-up call” to EU leaders
Rise of far-right accompanied by a deliberate strategy to delegitimise civil society, through smear campaigns, SLAPPs, and restrictive “foreign agents” legislation Right to protest increasingly under attack, with Palestine solidarity and environmental justice campaigners targeted Government ministers in several states question international human rights law Europe is experiencing a dangerous rollback of civic freedoms,…...
Read More
NGOs sound alarm over Italian Security Decree; urge action from EU Commission
More than 70 NGOs have sounded the alarm over Italy’s new Security Decree, warning it poses a serious threat to democracy amid a systemic deterioration of the rule of law. In a letter to Michael McGrath, the EU Commissioner responsible for democracy and the rule of law, the organisations urge the Commission to act immediately…...
Read More
Serbia repression: EU’s failure to act undermines trust in EU path, say NGOs in solidarity statement
Over 100 European NGOs have signed a statement expressing solidarity with the Serbian people and criticising the EU's response to the escalating repression of the anti-corruption movement. In the statement, coordinated by the European Civic Forum and the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), the NGOs argue that the EU’s failure to act decisively has…...
Read More
In historic decision, European Commission promises strategy to support, protect, and empower civil society
The European Commission has today published its 2025 work programme, including a pledge to introduce a Civil Society Strategy — a historic decision that follows years of campaigning by the European Civic Forum and organisations across the EU. In the context of widespread attacks on the non-profit sector, the announcement could not come at a…...
Read More
Repression of Palestine solidarity in Europe widespread, according to new briefing
The repression of solidarity with Palestine continues in Europe, with the use of excessive force, intimidation and censorship among the most common restrictions, according to a new briefing from the European Civic Forum (ECF). One year on from the Hamas attacks against Israel and the start of Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, and with violence…...
Read More
With the rule of law in decline, the Commission’s reporting is not fit for purpose
The European Commission’s Rule of Law monitoring process is not fit for purpose, according to a leading European NGO, as the body publishes its annual report on the issue. In a statement published today assessing the reporting process over the last five years the European Civic Forum (ECF) argues that it is far too limited…...
Read More