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This week we saw several flash points where civil society space came under pressure:

In China, NGOs have begun to feel the bite of a new law imposing controls on their operations, with some suspending activities. Hungary escalated its scrutiny of NGOs, revoking licenses from a Budapest-based NGO hub. Meanwhile, in Bahrain authorities re-arrested a prominent human rights activist, who observers fear is now at risk of torture.

Similar concerns about detained activists and torture were raised in Turkey this week, as human rights defenders including Amnesty International staff were arrested – part of the broader clampdown on civil society by Turkish authorities following a failed coup nearly a year ago.

As many countries resort to laws restricting NGOs (Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is the latest to pass new controls), some analysts suggest that civil society groups need to generate more resources from the communities they serve.

Latest on the Obiang corruption trial

The trial of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, wrapped up this week in Paris. A verdict is expected at a later date. Witnesses testified about the challenging conditions facing citizens of Equatorial Guinea, as well as the need for France to stop itself becoming a haven for stolen assets.

“This trial is a great moment in the fight against international grand corruption. The aim of Transparency International France is to make sure that France will not be a haven for ill-gotten money any longer and that the stolen assets will be returned to the citizens of Equatorial Guinea,” said Daniel Lebègue, Honorary President of Transparency International France.

The chapter released a statement (in French) saying the trial will send a strong message to corrupt officials everywhere.

Corruption in the news this week

Focus on Brazil

For three years, Brazilians have become used to waking up to images of top politicians or captains of industry being perp-walked to police cars, the result of an ever-widening investigation into the sale of favors by the political elite that led to charges against the president.

Brazil's federal police announced Thursday that they are shutting down the primary task force assigned to a mammoth corruption investigation, drawing criticism from prosecutors who said it would undermine the probe.

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