EU: Resisting Ill Democracies in Europe: new study provides "practices and strategies for civil society"

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"From emerging democracies in transition, illiberal governments have rapidly transformed Hungary and Poland into ill democracies, have attempted to do so in Croatia, and are slowly and carefully entertaining an illiberal platform in Serbia, according to the new case study Resisting Ill Democracies in Europe.

The findings, published in English, Croatian, Hungarian, Polish, and Russian by a group of human rights organisations, are based on their study of ill democracy in Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Serbia.

Coming at a crucial time for civil society and democracy, the authors identify the main trends within ill democracies, and offer practices and strategies for civil society to resist.

The case study finds and documents that illiberal governments threaten the very structural elements of functioning democracies, transforming what were successful democratic countries into democracies that are sick.

It draws on the first-hand information and research provided by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the four countries, benefitting from their diverse national perspectives and different realities. It is published by the Centre for Peace Studies (Croatia), Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland), Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Yucom – Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (Serbia), Human Rights House Zagreb, and Human Rights House Foundation.

Launch events are being held across Europe in the coming months, with the authors presenting their findings and recommendations. The first launch event will be held in Zagreb on 8 December, closely followed by Warsaw on 12 December. The report will then be launched in Brussels on 9 January, followed by Budapest on 24 January."

See: Launch: Resisting Ill Democracies in Europe (Human Rights House Network, link) and the factsheet (pdf)

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