The next UK government should remove restrictions on civil society campaigning, according to the NGO umbrella body Bond.
Bond’s 2024 manifesto, called A Global System for People and Planet and published today, sets out the steps it believes the next government should take to “help secure a global system for people and planet, the delivery of the sustainable development goals and evolve the UK’s global role from that of a donor to a development partner acting in solidarity”.
The manifesto, which has been developed with Bond’s 350 member organisations, says there is a “growing trend of governments reducing democratic space and increasing restrictions on civil society”.
It says that globally, the democratic space is “at its lowest level for decades”, the number of governments that are introducing significant restrictions on civil society is growing and legislation is increasingly being used to “restrict the ability of civil society organisations to protest and campaign”.
The manifesto says that ensuring a focus on open societies and the protection of civic space is vital for promoting fundamental rights and holding governments accountable for their responsibilities.
To address these challenges, the manifesto says the next UK government should take steps including removing restrictions on civil society campaigning domestically.
Bond says the next administration should also work with other governments to reverse restrictions on civic space in public debate and policymaking.
It also urges the next government to work with banks to enhance financial access for NGOs and small charities by “increasing their risk appetite and addressing legal and administrative barriers to supporting NGOs”.
It also says the incoming government should repeal and amend legislation that removes human rights, in particular those on protest.
The report also calls for a fundamental shift in the global development system, which Bond says “is not working for people or the planet”, an equitable, fair and just international finance system that works for all and a new approach to global tax and trade.
Romilly Greenhill, chief executive of Bond, said: “The next UK government has an opportunity to work with partners in reshaping global development towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
“By championing initiatives and partnerships led by local communities and organisations and advocating for a fairer financial system to tackle global economic inequality, the UK can help address the many challenges facing our world.
“This manifesto, developed by the UK’s development and humanitarian sector, sets out a roadmap which maps out a progressive global role for the UK and one that ensures that the global economic system can work for people and planet.”