Global assessments show a continued decline in civic space, democracy and human rights, with 2025 marking an acceleration of these negative trends. Severe cuts to official development assistance, a rise in anti-rights movements, growing hostility toward migrants and refugees, and new restrictions on protests have deeply affected civil society in the UK and around the world.
In the United States, civic space has deteriorated rapidly since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. Democracy monitors issued an unprecedented number of alerts documenting restrictions on academic freedom, increased criminalisation of protests, reduced media access and actions undermining due process. CIVICUS placed the U.S. on its watchlist due to democratic backsliding, citing crackdowns on assemblies, deployment of the national guard and targeting of journalists. Foundations and civil society groups now also face pressure through new tax laws and public attacks.
Support for global democracy and human rights has weakened significantly with the closure of USAID and major cuts to U.S. development funding. This has disrupted vital assistance to independent media, human rights defenders and emergency protection programmes. The UK and other donors are attempting to compensate, including working to revive the Lifeline support initiative and updating guidance to help human rights defenders access UK support. New OECD guidelines offer practical recommendations for enabling civic space, but their impact may be limited by widespread funding reductions.
The global anti-rights movement has gained momentum, expanding its influence through coordinated campaigns, strategic lobbying and well-funded initiatives targeting women, racialised groups and LGBTI communities. These groups are increasingly active in Africa and the UK, where research shows a fast-growing network working to undermine human rights protections, promote exclusionary narratives and support harmful practices.
Migrants and refugees have faced heightened attacks, particularly in the U.S., where ICE raids have triggered public outrage, and in the UK, where far-right demonstrations drew large crowds and condemnation from civil society leaders. Charities supporting migrants have been targeted with threats and violence, forcing many to adopt security measures. The Charity Commission has even removed trustees’ names from public registers to protect their safety.
Protest rights remain under pressure, with mixed developments in the UK. Court victories and commitments in the Civil Society Covenant offer some reassurance, but government plans to proscribe Palestine Action set a dangerous precedent by treating a protest group as a terrorist organisation. This has led to thousands of arrests and further restrictions through new policing legislation that expands police powers and limits protest activities.
Amid these challenges, civil society is urged to stand in solidarity with those most at risk — communities facing racism, antisemitism and islamophobia; migrants and refugees threatened by far-right violence; and peaceful protesters whose rights have been curtailed. Organisations are encouraged to uphold anti-racism principles, support affected communities and stay informed through available resources and discussions on defending civic space.
