The Global Study examines the impact of counter-terrorism and preventing/ countering violent extremism (P/CVE) measures on civil society, highlighting the challenges faced by human rights defenders and organizations worldwide due to the misuse of these measures. Driven by civil society input, the Study emphasizes the importance of protecting civic space and human rights, particularly for women. Despite decades of concern, the relationship between counter-terrorism practices and human rights abuses has often been overlooked. This Study consolidates evidence to address this issue, providing a comprehensive analysis of how these policies affect civil society, and offering recommendations to integrate stronger human rights safeguards into counter-terrorism strategies. The findings stress that robust, active civil societies contribute to societal stability and resilience, and that their suppression through misapplied security measures weakens societies and exacerbates vulnerabilities.
The Global Study was written and presented by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, with Megan L. Manion and Alyssa T. Yamamoto. The Global Study is informed by 13 civil society consultations across regions, 108 written inputs, including 76 by civil society by a total of 116 organizations, and 2 civil society surveys. All inputs to the Global Study are available on the website of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism & human rights.