Across regions, civil society organisations are facing a rapidly shrinking digital civic space. Governments increasingly use digital tools such as spyware, surveillance, content takedowns, etc., to restrict freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. These measures are often justified under national security frameworks, yet lack adequate human rights safeguards and disproportionately affect marginalized groups, especially during elections or politically sensitive periods.

This panel will present comparative evidence from the EU SEE Programme, a global initiative working across 86 countries to protect civic space, together with partner organisations in Africa (Zambia), Latin America (Chile), and Asia/MENA (TBC) to show how digital repression is reshaping the operating environment for civil society.

The discussion will be structured around three guiding questions:
- What patterns of digital authoritarianism are emerging across regions, and how are they affecting civil society and human rights defenders?
- How are regulatory and policy frameworks such as the Global Digital Compact, and platform regulation responding to these trends?
- What advocacy priorities should civil society advance to ensure that digital governance protects fundamental rights and freedoms?

By addressing these questions, the panel aims to strengthen shared understanding across regions and support more coordinated, rights-based advocacy on the digital enabling environment for civil society.