This working paper is part of the Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN) Working Paper Series for 2015-2016. ADRN is an independent network of democracy research institutions across Asia. It analyzes challenges and tasks facing democracy in the region and expands the scope of action-oriented, policy-driven research that supports the advocacy activities of Asian civil society organizations in promoting, consolidating, and deepening democracy. EAI is currently serving as the ADRN secretariat.

Abstract Presently, all of the countries of South Asia have democratic governments, but in many of them, governance is not truly democratic. It is a disturbing paradox in the region that the more vigorous South Asian democracy is, the more dysfunctional it becomes. Across the region, democracy has been weakened, corruption has increased, and the rights of citizens are denied. Against this backdrop, freedom of expression, association, and assembly defines the boundaries of the civic space within which civil society can function. Efforts to limit such freedoms must therefore be regarded as a challenge to all democratic governments and to regional and global cooperation – and must be stopped. It is within this context that this paper seeks to understand the state of civic space in the democratic states of South Asia. In this paper, authors seek to draw upon factual evidence to examine the degree of realization of three fundamental rights: the right to association, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to freedom of expression in the South Asian context.

Quotes from the Paper

“Despite the increasing international response, civil society is still losing space in many South Asian countries. Just as restrictive legal environments around the world increased after the Color Revolutions in some former Soviet countries, the Arab Spring of 2011 triggered a new wave of restrictive measures against popular uprisings, public movements, and civic associations. This proliferation of legal restrictions imposed on civil society continues around the world while adding to the more traditional forms of repression, such as imprisonment, harassment, disappearances, and executions.”

“The issue of shrinking and closing spaces for civil society must be added to the agenda of national parliaments, multilateral organizations, and international negotiation processes. Freedom of expression, association, and assembly are the essence of democracy. Efforts to limit such