At the Council of Europe on a report on the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on fundamental rights and civic space

On June 23 Head of IPA’s Democracy and Civil Society Program, Filip Pazderski, presented main findings of our study “The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on fundamental rights and civic space” conducted for European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to members of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It happened at the headquarters of the Council of Europe during the Committee's hearing concerning "The impact of the Covid-19 restrictions for civil society space and activities”. This whole discussion shall lead to drafting Committee's report on these matters that is going to be issued this September. 

During his initial input and the subsequent discussion with the Committee's members Filip also presented recommendations elaborated in the report, including the one concerning adopting EU Civil Society Strategy. While doing so, he called members of the Committee to support this endeavour initiated by European civil society itself. As he observed: “While the CSOs were the first ones to react and support the most vulnerable members of our societies they were also the hardest hit by the pandemic and received the least public support. They now deserve proper recognition for their role in EU public policies!”.

We also encourage you to read the entire report: The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on fundamental rights and civic space!