# https://risedecriminalize.org


## Posts

- [ECOM Submission on protection of LGBT Human Rights Defenders in the Digital Age](https://risedecriminalize.org/protection-of-lgbt-human-rights-defenders-in-the-digital-age/): Responding to the call for inputs on protection of human rights defenders 
- [Advocacy: first session in a series of community of practice sessions by ECOM](https://risedecriminalize.org/community-of-practice-session-on-advocacy/): ECOM invites to take part in a new format - "Community of Practice." This is a series of thematic online meetings where participants will have the opportunity to share their own experience and discuss relevant practical issues with colleagues.
- [61st HRC: Protect civil society providing public health services from repression in Belarus](https://risedecriminalize.org/61-hrc-session-belarus-civil-society/)
- [Increasing pressure on civil society and marginalized communities in EECA](https://risedecriminalize.org/resilient-update-mar-2026/): The RESILIENT project involves ongoing monitoring of the regulatory landscape in 10 EECA countries:
- [69th CND session side event: Undesirable civil societies - unmet needs in CEECA](https://risedecriminalize.org/69th-cnd-side-event-shrinking-civic-space/): Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRA) is delighted to invite you to the side event at the 69th session of the Commission of Narcotic Drugs, that will take place 9-13 March in Vienna, Austria.
- [Report: Shrinking civic space and marginalised communities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-civic-space-eeca-report/): Report prepared by Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) in partnership with Eurasian Coalition for 
- [Report on Moldova (ICCPR) on access to justice & gender‑based violence against women](https://risedecriminalize.org/shadow-report-moldova-for-iccpr-145-session-hrc/): Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) has submitted the shadow report on Moldova for the 145 Session of the Human Rights Council (02 Mar 2026 - 19 Mar 2026).
- [IDPC report about the UNGASS decade in review - concerns about the shrinking civic space](https://risedecriminalize.org/idpc-ungass-decade-in-review-2026/): The 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drugs was a watershed moment in drug policy. It brought about a rare opportunity to reconsider the global paradigm on drugs and to chart a new direction. 
- [Launch of the Report: Shrinking civic space & marginalized communities in EECA](https://risedecriminalize.org/reg-report-launch-shrinking-civic-space-marginalized-populations-in-eeca/): Shrinking civic space threatens rights, health, and safety. Join us to explore its impacts on LGBTQI+, people living with HIV, people who use drugs, and sex workers in EECA.
- [Challenges to Freedom of Association for Marginalized Populations in EECA](https://risedecriminalize.org/submission-rd-challenges-to-freedom-of-association-eeca-jan-2026/): A joint submission to Draft General Comment No. 38 on Article 22 (Freedom of Association) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was prepared by Eurasian Harm Reduction Association – EHRA, Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights and Sexual Diversity – ECOM, Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS – EWNA, Sex Workers’ Rights Advocacy Network – SWAN.
- [Shrinking civic space highlighted at the CSFD Annual Plenary Meeting, December 2025](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-civic-space-csfd-dec-2025/): EU Civil Society Forum on Drugs (CSFD) held its annual plenary meeting on 8–9 December 2025 in Brussels, bringing together civil society organisations from all around Europe, EU institutions, agencies for two days of strategic discussion.
- [Communities Under Siege in a Shrinking Eastern Europe & Central Asia Civic Space](https://risedecriminalize.org/resilient-update-dec-2025/): The RESILIENT project involves ongoing monitoring of the regulatory landscape in 10 EECA countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan
- [Uzbekistan is on the way to radically change its approach to drug policy](https://risedecriminalize.org/uzbekistan-radically-changes-its-approach-to-drug-policy/): On 3rd November 2025, Decree No. UP-207 of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On comprehensive measures for the effective protection of public health and the nation's gene pool from drug addiction and drug-related crime" 
- [Decriminalise! Policy Webinar under the BOOST project: 4 December 2025, 14:30–16:00 CET](https://risedecriminalize.org/decriminalise-policy-webinar-ehra-dec-2025/): In the run-up to 10 December Human Rights Day, EHRA invites you to a policy webinar on decriminalisation and its real impacts on people who use drugs in CEECA: Decriminalise! Policy Webinar under the BOOST project.
- [Shrinking civic space challenges for civil society included in EU Strategy for Civil Society](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-space-eu-strategy-for-civil-society/): 12 November 2025 the European Commission adopted the EU Strategy for Civil Society in which the challenge of shrinking civic space is well highlighted. For example the Strategy: Acknowledges that civil society needs an enabling, safe and supportive environment 
- [Assessment of resilience for civil society organizations working in shrinking civic space](https://risedecriminalize.org/resilient-assessment-2025/): RESILIENT project team invited you to take part in Resilience and Adaptation Assessment for Civil Society 
- [WORKSHOP: Harnessing international advocacy for national progress](https://risedecriminalize.org/workshop-reg-int-advo-nov-2025/): In recent years, an array of restrictive “crisis” measures—ranging from foreign-agent registration laws and draconian anti-drug propaganda statutes to LGBTQI+ censorship rules and steep cuts in global health funding
- [The Human Rights Council asserts its role in drug policy at a time of global change](https://risedecriminalize.org/60-hrc-drug-policy-2025-10-08/): On 8th September 2025 the UN Human Rights Council adopted a Resolution on the human rights implications of drug policy.
- [EECA Regional Networks: Keep UNAIDS — the HIV response in EECA is not finished](https://risedecriminalize.org/civil-society-response-unaids-sunset/): “Keep UNAIDS — the HIV response in EECA is not finished” is the main message of the statement from the regional networks of Eastern Europe & Central Asia”
- [Growing Against All Odds: Mapping funding for intersectional organizing in the CEECCNA](https://risedecriminalize.org/dalan-fund-growing-against-all-odds-2025/): Growing Against All Odds: Mapping funding for intersectional organizing in the CEECCNA regions
- [Shrinking Civic Space in EECA Highlighted Ahead of HRC60 Drug Policy Resolution](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-civic-space-rc60-sep-2025/): Informal discussions ahead of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC60) have already spotlighted the shrinking space for civil society in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region.
- [EHRA demands protecting civic space in European Union Civil Society Strategy](https://risedecriminalize.org/ehra-demands-protecting-civic-space-in-eu-civil-society-strategy/): First time ever European Commission is developing a dedicated Strategy to ensure support to and cooperation with civil society across all areas of European Union activities.
- [RFP for 10 Focal Points to collect data on shrinking space in EECA countries](https://risedecriminalize.org/rfp-10-eeca-fp/): RESILIENT Project is looking for 10 Focal Points from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan (1 per country) to provide information on shrinking space and criminalization of key populations.
- [Strength in unity: protecting freedom of assembly and association](https://risedecriminalize.org/unga-submissions-june2025/): 16th June 2025 marked a deadline for providing input for the UNGA-80th thematic report on “Freedom of assembly and association rights, collective action and human solidarity facing existential threat: preserving the fundamental principles” 
- [Addressing Shrinking Space for Civil Society at the High Level VOL 2: 68th CND 2025](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-space-68cnd2025/): The 68th session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotics Drugs (CND) took place in Vienna 10-14 March. It presented several opportunities to address the issue of shrinking space in the region of Central Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
- [Addressing Shrinking Civic Space at the High Level VOL 1: 58th Human Rights Council 2025](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-space-58th-human-rights-counci2025/)
- [Lancet Article: Fears for Georgia’s Non-Governmental Organizations & Health Response](https://risedecriminalize.org/lancet_georgia_nov2024/): “There is already anecdotal evidence that individuals from highly stigmatised groups…are avoiding approaching NGOs 
- [The Lancet: NGOs Seek Novel Funding Sources Amid Global Crackdown](https://risedecriminalize.org/lancet_oct2024/): Growing trend of governments to impose restrictions on NGOs, including through so called “foreign agents” law
- [RFP: Joint Advocacy Narrative and Arguments for the Rise & Decriminalize](https://risedecriminalize.org/rfp-narrative/): RFP: to develop the Joint Advocacy Narrative and arguments for the Rise & Decriminalize. the Movement is looking
- [Summary of events that addressed the Communique initiated by Rise & Decriminalize](https://risedecriminalize.org/summary-communique/): Recognizing the shrinking space for civil society in the CEECA region and its effect on public healthand HIV response the Rise & Decriminalize movement initiated the Communique 
- [Secure the Future: Civil Society and Human Rights Imperative for Public Health and HIV](https://risedecriminalize.org/secure-the-future/): “Bad policies and bad laws are bad, simply regardless of where they are. They must be fought”, said the Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong
- [Strength in Community Mobilization and Unity: Rise & Decriminalize Movement](https://risedecriminalize.org/strength-in-community/): Join us at the Rise & Decriminalize session at EECA Space within the 25th International AIDS Conference!
- [Webinar: Decriminalization of HIV in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia](https://risedecriminalize.org/%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80-%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%ba%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%bc%d0%b8%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%b8%d0%b7%d0%b0%d1%86%d0%b8%d1%8f-%d0%b2%d0%b8%d1%87-%d0%b2-%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%b3%d0%b8%d0%be/): As part of the Rise & Decriminalize Movement the Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS is organizing 
- [Webinar: Decriminalization of HIV in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia](https://risedecriminalize.org/webinar-decriminalization-of-hiv-in-the-eeca-region/): As part of the Rise & Decriminalize Movement the Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS is organizing 
- [Webinar: Decriminalization for People Who Use Drugs - What’s In It for EHRA](https://risedecriminalize.org/webinar-decrim-for-pud/): 12 June 2024 at 11 am Kyiv time EHRA is organizing a webinar "Decriminalization for people 
- [Rise & Decriminalize at 25th International AIDS Conference 2024](https://risedecriminalize.org/%d0%b4%d0%b2%d0%b8%d0%b6%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b5-rise-decriminalize-%d0%bd%d0%b0-25-%d0%b9-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%b6%d0%b4%d1%83%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b9-%d0%ba%d0%be%d0%bd%d1%84/): Rise & Decriminalize Movement will be present at the 25th International AIDS Conference.
- [Rise & Decriminalize: Decriminalization - What’s In It for Each Community?](https://risedecriminalize.org/rise-decriminalize-at-aids-2024/): May 17th marked an International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
- [Decriminalization – What’s In It for Each Community?](https://risedecriminalize.org/decriminalization-whats-in-it-for-each-community/): May 17th marked an International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. On the occasion the Rise & Decriminalize Movement partners – ECOM, EHRA, ENPUD, EWNA & SWAN – prepared posts explaining the meaning of decriminalization for their communities.

## Pages

- [Resources](https://risedecriminalize.org/resources/): Resources Shrinking civic space and marginalised populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia | EHRA, 2026 This report (English | Russian) is the outcome of an extensive regional data collection effort, conducted in 2025. Drawing on structured inputs from ten countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan), the report examines the civic space and legal environment context affecting community-led HIV and TB responses in EECA.Grounded in international human-rights standards, the analysis focuses on four interrelated dimensions that are central to the functioning of civil society and the sustainability of community-led responses: freedom of association; freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of […]
- [Decriminalization](https://risedecriminalize.org/decriminalization/): Decriminalization: a path to equality and compassion While Decriminalization is a term we all understand and agree upon as a principle, its meaning and implications vary across different communities. For some, it signifies the removal of punitive measures imposed on certain actions, behaviors or even illnesses, framing the issue as a matter of fairness within the justice system. For others, it resonates as a call for human rights and equality, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual regardless of their choices. In yet another context, it relates to labor frameworks, bodily autonomy, and the freedom to live equally alongside other […]
- [Shrinking civic space](https://risedecriminalize.org/shrinking-space/): CIVIC SPACEis the environment that allows people and groups to participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural life of their societies. It is essentially the space where civil  society operates, enabling individuals and groups to access information, express their views, and engage in dialogue with the government and other actors. A healthy civic space is crucial for a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to organise, advocate for change, and participate in public life without fear of reprisal. SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE refers to the progressive restriction of fundamental freedoms that enable civil society to operate effectively. It involves governments, authorities, or other […]
- [News](https://risedecriminalize.org/news-eng/): News Lancet Article: Fears for Georgia’s Non-Governmental Organizations Read More The Lancet: NGOs Seek Novel Funding Sources Amid Global Crackdown Read More RFP: Joint Advocacy Narrative and Arguments for the Rise & Decriminalize Read More Load More
- [About us](https://risedecriminalize.org/about-us/): About us Rooted in intersectionality, the Movement recognizes that overlapping vulnerabilities amplify the harm caused by oppressive laws, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive reforms. Therefore, it advocates for the decriminalization of behaviors and identities unjustly penalized by current legal systems. Movement amplifies the voices of marginalized communities, strengthens advocacy networks, and strives for a future where compassion replaces criminalization and justice is accessible to all. Its vision focuses on four pillars: Bodily autonomy: Ensuring individuals can make decisions about their own bodies free from coercion. Access to justice: Guaranteeing fair treatment and protection from violence and discrimination. Freedom from legal […]
- [Home](https://risedecriminalize.org/): At the heart of the Movement lies the principle of compassion – a commitment to understanding, empathy, and action that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of every individual. By centering campaigns on compassion, the Movement seeks to replace punitive systems with supportive solutions, uniting communities in a shared vision of justice, equity, and humanity. The Rise & Decriminalize Movement was founded to address systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities across the Eurasian region and brings together five regional networks: Eurasian Coalition for Health, Rights and Sexual Diversity – ECOM Eurasian Harm Reduction Association – EHRA Eurasian Network of People Who […]


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