Commentary
Saskia Brechenmacher, Shreya Joshi
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Source: Getty
In The Media
On Civil Society Under Attack
Governments are increasingly taking steps to shrink civil space and restrict the operations of civil society organizations. Both local operators and international actors must consider a response.
Published on Aug 30, 2017
Source: ESAT Ethiopia
Speaking on ESAT Ethiopia, Carnegie’s Saskia Brechenmacher discussed the government-led attacks on the civil society sector in Russia, Egypt, and Ethiopia. She outlined how leaders like Vladimir Putin have used both legal and extralegal methods to restrict civil liberties with the aim of curbing domestic dissent. Within Ethiopia, she added, the government has ignored constitutionally-enshrined rights to free speech while violently targeting protestors.
About the Author
Saskia Brechenmacher
Senior Fellow, Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program
Saskia Brechenmacher is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, where her research focuses on democratic erosion, gender, and civic activism in the United States and globally. She also serves on the board of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.
- Protests Like No Kings Can Only Go So Far to Stem Authoritarianism
- Africa’s Democratic Kaleidoscope: Trends to Watch in 2026Article
Saskia Brechenmacher, Frances Z. Brown
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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