AGP Executive Report

NGO Funding & Health: South African civil society warns that the US “phased drawdown” of PEPFAR HIV funding will hit adolescent girls and women first, as the program—credited with saving millions—winds down most support by September. Civil Society Under Pressure: India’s Supreme Court-backed FCRA rules tighten limits on foreign donations to NGOs, requiring clearer purposes and restricting activities, raising fresh concerns about shrinking civic space. Policing Reform & Rights: Nigeria’s Senate passed a constitutional amendment to enable state police, a long-running civil society demand amid insecurity—while activists also decry heavy security around court proceedings in the Sowore case. Surrogacy Moratorium Push: Governments and partners at the UN Human Rights Council backed a global moratorium on surrogacy, citing exploitation and human rights risks as the industry expands. Press Freedom & Safety: Philippines authorities condemned the shooting attempt on broadcaster Jay Lavapiez, framing it as an attack on press freedom and ordering a task-force probe. Digital & Surveillance Governance: EU civil society groups warn Europol reforms could automate surveillance and erode privacy, calling for stronger oversight. Protest & Accountability: Turkey’s Free Women’s Movement continues a sit-in in Batman over alleged torture and sexual violence, demanding accessible justice and accountability.

Higher-education curbs in Kansas: The Kansas Board of Regents defined “DEI-CRT” in ways critics call vague, setting up state-linked curriculum changes that could squeeze race- and gender-focused teaching and raise academic-freedom alarms. Democracy under pressure in Europe: A Council of Europe PACE debate on Georgia warns democratic backsliding is continuing, with renewed concern over pressure on civil society and opposition. Local accountability push in Ghana: Government moved sanitation into a key performance yardstick for MMDCEs, aiming to tackle open defecation and waste management, with World Vision Ghana launching a school sanitation challenge. Child protection and online violence in the Philippines: Police and child-rights groups plan broader monitoring and discussions after a Tacloban school shooting, including engagement with educators and researchers. Rights and justice in Nigeria’s schools: Stakeholders say nearly half of female students face gender-based violence, prompting EU- and UN-backed training on legal pathways to prosecute school-related abuse. Terror finance crackdown: The US blacklisted a Lagos-based BDC operator and three firms over alleged ISIS-linked transfers, freezing assets and cutting access to the financial system. Climate and civic action: UN Women warns AI can amplify discrimination, while civil society flags the 2026 World Cup’s heavy climate footprint and FIFA’s fossil-fuel sponsorship.

Refugee Protection Push (Philippines): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used the 3rd National Refugee Day Forum to stress that protecting people seeking safety is a society-wide duty, highlighting the DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit’s role in legal status decisions. Forced Labor & Supply Chains (US/EU/UK): A new US push on tariffs tied to forced-labor imports is likely to raise scrutiny of how companies source goods, with public shipment records becoming a key tool for civil society and journalists to trace risk. Enforced Disappearance Claims (Kenya): Families allege police-linked enforced disappearances, with courts ordering investigations in past cases after authorities disputed detention claims—showing how hard it is to get closure without proof. Civic Space Under Pressure (US): CIVICUS warns the US is accelerating crackdowns on protesters and voter-rights groups, citing raids and arrests tied to anti-ICE demonstrations and election organizing. Police Accountability Demands (Fiji/Nigeria): Fiji’s civil society coalition calls for a full inquiry into alleged police brutality after a death, while Nigeria’s Media Rights Agenda renews calls for stronger whistleblower protections and Rivers State police investigate extortion allegations. Women’s Rights & Inclusion (Bangladesh/Kenya): UNOPS spotlights women’s leadership through SDG localization in Chattogram, and Kenyan widows’ groups urge MPs to pass a Widowed Persons Protection Bill to curb eviction and abuse. Migration & Rights Debate (EU): The EU Migration and Asylum Pact enters into force, with critics saying it completes “Fortress Europe” by enabling transfers and increasing pressure on migrants. Human Rights in Conflict Zones (Myanmar): A rights group says thousands remain trapped in Myanmar scam centres despite crackdowns, urging action to dismantle compounds and rescue victims.

Refugee Protection & Rights: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used Refugee Day to stress that protecting people seeking safety is a societal duty, highlighting the DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons unit and its role in legal status pathways. Public Health & Courts: Kenya’s health minister Aden Duale was found in contempt of court over a controversial US-backed Ebola quarantine facility, with a judge ordering him to appear for mitigation and sentencing. Civil Society & Accountability: In the Philippines’ BARMM, thousands rallied for continued investigations into alleged corruption and “anomalies” in the regional bureaucracy, pushing for reforms and stronger oversight. Trade, Security Laws & NGO Advocacy: Sri Lanka faces possible loss of EU GSP+ benefits unless it accelerates reforms tied to its Prevention of Terrorism Act, with civil and political pressure focused on rights protections. Inclusive Education: Tanzania’s inclusive education push is being held back by weak early detection of learning and sensory needs, leaving many children mislabelled or excluded before exams. Community Policing: Kogi State’s police leadership urged tighter police-community collaboration and faster intelligence sharing to curb kidnappings and armed crime. Health Financing Reform: Liberia’s president received a bill to create a national health insurance system via a Health Equity Fund and authority, aiming to cut out-of-pocket costs. Protest & Security Tensions: Nigeria’s Take-It-Back movement warned of mass action if DSS tries again to seize activist Omoyele Sowore, after court-related events. Human Rights & Criminalisation: Niger’s new penal code criminalising same-sex acts follows similar recent moves in Ghana and Senegal, drawing UN human rights criticism. Public Safety & Violence: A rare midday shooting in Montreal killed three, including a police officer and the alleged gunman; police have not confirmed a motive. Protest Disruption: In Ibadan, civil society groups shut down major roads demanding the release of 39 schoolchildren and teachers held by terrorists.

Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar: Conflict, displacement, and aid cuts are deepening hunger and protection risks, with UN figures citing 16.2 million people needing help and millions displaced repeatedly. Press Freedom Under Pressure (Philippines): The Presidential Task Force on Media Security condemned the shooting of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez in Roxas City and urged stronger protections for journalists. Civil Society vs. Courts (Cambodia): An appeal court upheld activist Srun Srorn’s incitement conviction tied to criticism of judicial independence and a regional development pact. Ebola Escalation (DR Congo): Confirmed cases hit 1,003 with 254 deaths; contact tracing coverage is only 55% amid violence and displacement. Rights Groups Target Nigeria Detentions: Amnesty International and SERAP renewed calls for Omoyele Sowore’s release, citing arbitrary detention and repression of civic space. Electoral Integrity (Nigeria): Allegations of INEC/APC collusion over uncollected voter cards in Ekiti are fueling tension ahead of 2027. Charity Sector Labor Action (UK): Unite announced strike ballots for staff at Change Grow Live over pay disputes, highlighting affordability pressures. Clean Energy Funding (UK): The Ayrton Fund extension to 2030 and an £88m TEA scale-up aim to expand clean energy access and jobs globally. Women, Peace & Security (UN): Cyprus stressed women’s underrepresentation in peace processes as the Security Council debated accelerating participation. Environmental Governance (Ghana): CSOs backed constitutional reform proposals on environmental stewardship and urged a published roadmap. Child Rights Under Attack (Palestine): The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child warned Palestinian children are left less protected as rights groups face bans, raids, and sanctions.

Press Freedom Under Threat (Philippines): The Presidential Task Force on Media Security condemned the ambush shooting of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez in Roxas City, calling for stronger protection for journalists and urging media, civil society and agencies to coordinate. Civic Action & Anti-Corruption (PNG): Transparency International Papua New Guinea backed the Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption, framing integrity as everyday action by citizens, public servants and businesses. Elections & Rights (South Africa): The IEC said KwaZulu-Natal’s voter registration weekend ran largely smoothly, while Zambia’s Law Association urged the ECZ to consult widely before setting presidential campaign rules, warning of constitutional rights risks. Human Rights & Accountability (Burkina Faso): Amnesty, HRW, RSF and partners demanded the release and explanation for journalist Atiana Serge Oulon, forcibly disappeared two years ago amid reports of secret detention and torture. Child Protection (Nigeria): An Anambra Civil Liberties Organisation condemned brutalisation of a child by a guardian and urged immediate reporting of abuse. Climate Finance & Health (UN talks, Bonn): Health and climate groups accused developed countries of blocking adaptation finance progress and failing to honor a pledge to triple adaptation funding. Media Economy (UNESCO): UNESCO launched a consultation on fair compensation for news as platforms and AI increasingly rely on journalistic content. Electoral Integrity & Civil Society (Nigeria): A Nigerian civil society group asked INEC and NYSC for clarification on Tinubu’s academic and service documents amid renewed credential disputes. Conflict Watch (Manipur, India): Six Naga hostages, including two pastors, were reported killed as the wider crisis deepened, with families still awaiting bodies.

Electoral Integrity & Civil Society Pressure (Nigeria): CFRPA has renewed demands for INEC to clarify President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University credentials ahead of 2027, alleging inconsistencies and possible forged documents, warning it may seek legal action if INEC stays silent. Media Freedom vs Security Power (Nigeria): Omoyele Sowore blasted the NUJ for honoring DSS DG Adeola Ajayi as “Man of the Year,” arguing it signals support for rights-abuse allegations and undermines press freedom. Protest Security Planning (Philippines): Police in Manila say they will deploy full security for the June 28 “White Ribbon Movement” rally at EDSA, promising apolitical crowd management while respecting peaceful assembly. Public Health & Misinformation: A global review of 2026 outbreaks highlights how distrust and rumors—seen in Ebola, hantavirus and diphtheria—have blocked detection and pushed people away from care. Humanitarian Response (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe is coordinating repatriation of citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, mobilizing ministries, NGOs, churches and private partners for food, shelter and reintegration. Gender-Based Violence (Nigeria/Katsina): Stakeholders urge domestication of the VAPP Act and stronger survivor support as conflict-related sexual violence concerns rise amid banditry and displacement. Democracy Watch (Ethiopia): NEBE says it kept institutional neutrality in the 7th general election, while women’s rights observers report peaceful, orderly voting and active female participation. Civic Space & Safety (Kenya): A violent attack on All Saints’ Cathedral disrupted a civil society budget forum, reigniting debate over political intimidation and public safety.

Impeachment Watch (Philippines): Former Senate President Franklin Drilon warned that any attempt to conceal evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment could backfire, recalling how the “second envelope” decision in Joseph Estrada’s 2001 trial sparked mass backlash. Media–Security Partnership (Nigeria): The Nigeria Union of Journalists honored DSS DG Adeola Ajayi for strengthening ties with media, framing responsible journalism and coordinated security as key to protecting democratic space. Election Integrity (Nigeria): Ekiti’s governorship race was declared won by APC’s Biodun Oyebanji, but reports and observers flagged vote-buying and intimidation in parts of the state. Aid Squeeze (Africa): A new analysis warns official development assistance is shrinking fast while debt and climate pressure rise, pushing calls for more equal development terms. Human Rights Defenders (Global): Front Line Defenders reported at least 358 killings of rights defenders across 28 countries in 2025, with land and conflict-related work among the most lethal. Gender-Based Violence (Nigeria): Kaduna stakeholders urged stronger enforcement of SGBV laws, stressing consistent prosecution to end impunity. Public Health (Pakistan): Pakistan faces rising HIV cases, especially in Sindh and Punjab, with calls to boost domestic funding and tighten infection control. Youth Development (Nigeria): Bridge Connect Africa launched a North-West youth agenda to improve coordination and accountability across seven states.

EU Migration Crackdown: The European Parliament backed a hard-line overhaul creating “return hubs” (offshore detention sites) where migrants can be held up to two years, raising major human-rights and judicial-oversight alarms. Lebanon Strikes: Fresh Israeli attacks across Lebanon killed at least 29 people, including civilians in Nabatieh, Tyre and the Bekaa Valley, as ceasefire hopes strain. DR Congo Ebola Fears: In Kigonze displacement camp, at least 30 deaths since early May have sparked warnings Ebola may be spreading amid overcrowding and refusals of testing. Ekiti Election Integrity: Nigeria’s Ekiti governorship vote is marred by allegations of vote-buying, polling-unit irregularities, and BVAS failures that reportedly forced elderly voters to repeatedly wash faces; CSOs also accuse party factions of swapping agents. Workers’ Rights at Home: India’s home-based workers demand equal rights as the ILO convention turns 30, highlighting persistent wage and protections gaps. Reparatory Justice Push: Ghana’s landmark conference adopted a global reparatory justice framework calling for compensation and restitution, including cultural property and archives. Civil Society & Poll Watching: Philippines’ PPCRV seeks 30,000 volunteers for Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to support voter education and monitoring.

Philippines Impeachment Oversight: Civil society groups warn that appointing Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer in the Sara Duterte impeachment trial could “melt” Senate credibility, citing his prior refusal to start the trial and fears of political optics. DR Congo Ebola Response: In eastern Congo’s Kigonze camp, at least 30 deaths since May may signal fast-spreading Ebola, but testing is resisted, complicating aid and sanitation efforts. Nigeria Rights & Security: A UN freedom-of-religion envoy says insecurity, religious polarisation and impunity are undermining fundamental rights across Nigeria, with communities reporting killings, displacement and little justice. South Africa Drug Decriminalisation Push: A new coalition launches 26 June to end criminalisation of personal drug use, arguing harm reduction and health services are collapsing under punitive policy and funding cuts. Gaza Medical Aid Appeal: Palestine’s embassy urges India to provide urgent healthcare support under “Aarogya Maitri,” warning Gaza’s hospitals are near collapse amid medicine shortages. Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Nigeria’s NSCDC expands survivor protection and reaffirms zero tolerance for conflict-related sexual violence, citing a revised gender policy. EU War Agenda: An EU summit in Brussels is described as a “war summit,” with plans for expanded military support, arms production and tighter refugee policy.

LGBTQIA+ Rights Ruling: South Africa’s Equality Court ordered Ngizwe Mchunu to stop discriminatory content, issue a public apology, pay R250,000 to equality-focused civil society, undergo 20 hours of rights training, and cover legal costs after finding hate speech and harassment tied to his 2025 market march. Civil Society & Anti-Corruption: Philippines religious and civil society groups plan a June 28 “White Ribbon March” at EDSA People Power to push accountability, a genuine anti-dynasty bill, and electoral reforms. Charity Governance: UK charity City & Guilds London Institute opened a separate investigation into last year’s sale of its commercial wing to PeopleCert, focusing on governance, transparency, and the decision rationale. Public Service Accountability: Ghana moved sanitation responsibility back to local government, making sanitation performance a key metric for MMDCEs, with World Vision Ghana and partners backing the June 23 policy conversation. Ebola Response Strain: In DRC, at least 30 deaths in a displacement camp since May raised fears of fast-spreading Ebola amid refusal to test and major tracing gaps. Digital Rights & Accountability: Brazil and the EU discussed digital cooperation while a proposal for an international governance framework for the digital environment gained traction among open-source users. Elections Integrity: Nigeria’s Yiaga Africa urged INEC to fully deploy election materials and warned against vote buying ahead of upcoming polls.

Nigeria Security Reform: Nigeria’s House of Representatives advanced constitutional steps toward decentralised policing, with supporters citing faster local response and critics warning about resourcing and past institutional misuse. Nigeria Cross-Agency Coordination: Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged federal-state security administrators to share intelligence and coordinate responses to terrorism, banditry and cybercrime. Civil Society & Rights in Conflict: Palestinian lawyers and NGOs say they’ve spent years building archives for international accountability over alleged Israeli abuses—while describing raids, surveillance and threats against their work. Reparations Push: Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye urged concrete implementation of UN reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans, calling for youth, artists, academics and civil society to lead. NGO Funding Pressure: Western SD legal aid nonprofit Dakota Plains Legal Services faces a $176,000 deficit, warning of service and staffing impacts amid grant shortfalls. Corporate Accountability Backslide: Canada’s MiningWatch and partners condemned the shutdown of the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, arguing it was weakened by lobbying and should be reinforced, not eliminated. Election Monitoring: Nigeria’s Yiaga Africa urged INEC to keep Ekiti governorship voting transparent and professional, including BVAS use and action against vote buying. Hate Speech Countermeasures: Nigeria’s NHRC warned hate speech violates rights and urged action ahead of 2027 polls.

Animal Rights in Hawai‘i: Hawai‘i’s Supreme Court will consider whether long-kept zoo elephants should gain constitutional protections and be moved to a sanctuary, putting “animal personhood” back on the legal map. AI & Inclusion: Malaysia’s Nancy Shukri urged women to help shape ethical AI through leadership and community-centered governance at the AI SHE LEADS Forum. Public Health & Security: Dhaka’s Mohakhali saw crude bomb blasts during a protest over measles deaths, with arrests made and investigations underway. Reproductive Rights Fight: In the Dominican Republic, a mother of a teen who died after delayed cancer care is challenging the country’s strict abortion ban in constitutional court. Civil Society Pressure on Power: The Global Sumud Flotilla staged a multi-day Lake Geneva action targeting G7 governments over alleged complicity in Gaza, while Malawi began evacuating citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks. Elections & Governance: Nigeria’s INEC started distributing sensitive Ekiti election materials, with security assurances and observer presence. Rights, Hate, and Online Platforms: FIFA says it removed 388,000 hate comments since World Cup kickoff, as global groups push practical anti-hate steps. Children’s Online Safety: Congo’s telecom ministry and Meta backed a forum on safer internet use for children.

Immigration & Rights in South Africa: Documented refugees were forced off Durban’s Home Affairs premises and pushed into a growing camp at Sherwood Hall after police said they couldn’t guarantee safety during a planned march, as civil society warns the 30 June deadline is turning into a humanitarian and political flashpoint. Public Accountability & Civil Society: In Nairobi, surveyors urged prosecutors not to pursue blanket charges over a South C building collapse, arguing only those responsible should face action—amid wider pressure for transparent enforcement. Education Funding Focus: Bangladesh education groups say the 2026-27 budget’s higher spending must prioritize teacher quality via training, pay and accountability, not just infrastructure. AI Governance & Copyright: An Australia charity shaping AI copyright rules received over $1m from donors with ties to Anthropic, raising conflict-of-interest questions as policy on training data is debated. Human Rights & Conflict: A Sudan investigation highlights how sexual violence persists as a long-term crisis driven by stigma, weak services and impunity. Climate Finance: African civil society at Bonn urged negotiators to unlock flexible, grant-based climate funding that reaches women, indigenous peoples and local communities. Surveillance Exports: Human Rights Watch says Bulgaria licensed surveillance exports to rights-violating countries, urging EU crackdowns on weak due diligence. Philippines Security Policy: NTF-Elcac officials hailed Southern Tagalog’s “Stable Internal Peace and Security” declaration as a rejection of communist insurgent violence. Assisted Dying Rights: South Korea’s first known legal challenge to its assisted-dying ban heads to the Constitutional Court.

Disaster Risk & Climate Resilience: Ghana’s NADMO relaunched its National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Risk Management to coordinate experts, policymakers, development partners, and civil society on preparedness and climate adaptation. Anti-Corruption & Public Trust: Media Foundation for West Africa leader Sulemana Braimah urged anti-corruption institutions to act decisively on exposés, warning that low confidence in enforcement is undermining citizens’ willingness to report wrongdoing. Illegal Mining Mobilization: Ghana’s Presbyterian Church launched “Red Sunday” to intensify the fight against galamsey, with MPs pointing to the environmental and water-body damage and calling for urgent government action. Local Governance Accountability: A human rights advocate in Ghana issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Electoral Commission over a delayed Anyako by-election, arguing the EC missed a legal 30-day window. Children Under Pressure in Garissa: Garissa’s Day of the African Child spotlighted a water shortage keeping children out of school and rising child trafficking risks, calling for urgent WASH and protection action. Rule of Law in Politics: Zambia’s Constitutional Court cleared Socialist Party presidential candidate Fred M’membe and running mate Dolika Banda to contest August polls after a challenge over education credentials failed. Cybercrime Escalation: INTERPOL’s Asia and South Pacific cyberthreat report found cybercrime rising fast, driven by organized networks and AI-enabled scams, including widespread phishing and ransomware. Critical Minerals Supply Chains: G7 leaders unveiled a roadmap to build “standards-based” critical minerals markets and reduce reliance on China’s rare earth dominance. Poverty Without GDP Growth: Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis backed a UN-linked roadmap to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality without treating GDP growth as the main yardstick. Climate Science Under Attack: Countries warned at UN climate talks that fossil fuel interests are trying to undermine climate science, pushing decisions to stay grounded in best available research. Civil Society & Media Access: Canada’s Senate urged CBC/Radio-Canada to expand local coverage in “news deserts” as closures and declining revenue leave communities under-informed. Women’s Inheritance Rights: Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court reaffirmed women’s inheritance rights under the Quran, ordering courts to determine shares without custom overriding legal protections.

Judicial Transparency Rollback: Argentina’s Milei signed a decree scrapping public participation and transparency steps in Supreme Court judge selection, narrowing civil society input even as the Senate remains the final gatekeeper. Religious Freedom Under Pressure: Pew reports more countries saw spikes in religious hostility in 2023, alongside continued government crackdowns since 2007—often tied to harassment of minorities and fallout from the Israel-Hamas war. Human Rights Crisis Data: Nigeria’s NHRC says May 2026 saw 390 killed, 202 kidnapped, and 268,787 rights complaints in just one month, as attacks on schools and worship sites intensify. Youth-Led WASH Push: Youth delegates in Libya, with UNICEF support, adopted a call for urgent clean-water infrastructure for all African children, highlighting how lack of systems blocks access even where water exists. Corruption & Civic Oversight: Papua New Guinea’s TIPNG is preparing its major Walk Against Corruption, while South Africa’s civil groups warn the Coalitions Bill could be rushed ahead of local elections without enough scrutiny. Displacement Response: South Africa’s KZN mobilized emergency coordination as thousands of Malawians shelter at Sherwood Hall, with repatriation and on-site governance structures in focus. Tax Justice Training: Tax Justice Network Africa urged CSOs and media to shape tax policy, launching an academy in Nairobi to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and public finance oversight. Ebola Countermeasures: Health groups urged the U.S. to share Ebola Bundibugyo therapeutics for trials and compassionate use, and to plan continued access if treatments are approved.