AGP Executive Report

Press Freedom: India’s Supreme Court asked the government to respond to 21 publishers’ challenge to the data-protection law. They argue its consent rules could block reporting and expose journalists’ sources. Climate Policy: A UK investigation found officials developing data-centre policy met 137 businesses but no environmental groups, leaving communities with little say over plans’ impacts. Civil Liberties: A UN expert warned that Belarus’s crackdown is silencing women activists, journalists and lawyers, while the closure of independent women’s groups is weakening support for survivors of violence. Local Accountability: Activists in Minnesota say county staff tracked their campaign against a trash incinerator and shared information with its operator; the allegations are based on public-records requests.

Public Budget Oversight: Philippine senators are weighing a bill that would give civil society groups a formal role in national budget hearings and access to budget records. The push follows CSO warnings about more than ₱1 trillion in suspected “pork” and calls to review health and education funding. Student Protests: French student leaders say proposed class-size limits, school-renovation loans and admissions changes fall short; they plan to keep demonstrating. Human Rights: Human Rights Watch warns that damage to Taizz’s main supply road puts civilians at greater risk and could violate the laws of war if it cuts off essentials. Civic Participation: Armenia’s ombudsperson is urging anti-SLAPP protections to shield public participation in environmental decisions. Access to Information: South Sudan’s Iyete FM has been off air for more than a month after lightning damaged its power system, leaving residents without local news ahead of expected December elections.

Budget Accountability: A Philippine Senate bill would give civil society groups a role in national budget hearings, including a dedicated day to present their views and access to budget documents. Democratic Shift: Serbia’s student-backed opposition won a historic election, ending Aleksandar Vučić’s long rule after years of protests over corruption and democratic backsliding. AI Oversight: India says its coming AI rules will go out for public consultation, with feedback sought from civil society, citizens and industry. Public Participation: Liberia’s Women NGO Secretariat says strong laws are not enough without proper implementation and meaningful input from women, young people, people with disabilities and rural communities. Apartheid-era Justice: Former police commander Eugene de Kock is expected to testify at an inquiry into alleged efforts to obstruct investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes. Climate Finance: Nepal is set to receive a $20 million grant for recovery from the devastating Bhotekoshi flood, after advocacy for climate support.

Serbia’s Election: Record turnout marked a major test for President Aleksandar Vučić, as a student-led movement sought to turn two years of anti-corruption protests into political change. Voter Rights: In India, students and civil society groups protested electoral-roll revisions, warning eligible voters could be excluded and demanding a transparent process. Venezuela’s Opposition: María Corina Machado returned after months in exile and called for a presidential election, putting pressure on the government to allow her political space. Protest Crackdown: More than 1,300 people were arrested in France during demonstrations over living costs and public services, as clashes sharpened the political debate ahead of the presidential race. Rights and Accountability: In Bangladesh, 101 citizens and four rights groups called for an independent investigation into a Dhaka raid in which at least 85 people were arrested and sentenced, raising concerns about due process and privacy.

Serbia’s Vote: Student activists are challenging Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling party after nearly two years of protests over corruption and a deadly railway-station collapse. The largely leaderless movement has fielded candidates for all 250 parliamentary seats. Brazil’s Runoff: Voters choose between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, whose promise to pardon his father and change the constitution has raised concerns about democratic safeguards. Cost-of-Living Protests: About 410,000 people marched across France, according to the Interior Ministry, as rallies against living costs and inequality ended in clashes in several cities. NGO Funding: Governments are urging nonprofits to become more self-sustaining as donor funding declines, raising questions about how organizations will maintain services. India’s Election Dispute: Civil society groups are protesting voter-list revisions and demanding the election chief’s resignation; opposition parties plan a public impeachment event.

Protest and Public Order: France’s cost-of-living and education protests drew about 410,000 people, according to officials; nearly 1,000 were arrested as clashes broke out in several cities. Election Integrity: In India, students, civic groups and opposition parties escalated protests over voter-roll revisions, with a human chain in Hyderabad and plans for a mock impeachment of the chief election commissioner on Oct. 30. Environmental Oversight: Fiji’s environment ministry says no decision has been made on the proposed Sigatoka iron-sands project. It says public submissions from landowners, civil society and local communities will inform its review; comments are due Oct. 30. Rights and Accountability: Israeli forces displaced about 250 Palestinian families during an operation in Hebron, according to reports, prompting the Palestinian Authority to call for international pressure. Press Freedom: A small Brazilian newsroom has dropped election coverage after its founder faced threats and surveillance, amid concerns about the risks facing local journalists.

Ethical AI: Policymakers, civil society leaders and businesses from 18 countries met in Bali to urge human-centred AI rules, with recommendations headed to a 2027 Geneva summit. Voting Rights: Protests against India’s voter-roll revision continued, with students and activists detained as demonstrators demanded accountability from the Election Commission. Activist Safety: The CBI has taken over the murder investigation of Punjab anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota; his family is demanding the local police chief’s transfer and has refused further talks with him present. Drug Prevention: India’s Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign says it has reached more than 35 crore people and aims to expand awareness and treatment efforts as the government sets a 2029 target to eliminate drug trafficking. Nonprofit Finances: UK charities are cutting jobs and costs amid falling income, renewing questions about whether resources are reaching the communities they serve.

Peace Process: Bangsamoro civil society, religious, traditional and Indigenous leaders urged Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to meet MILF chair Al Haj Murad before Oct. 30, as the region prepares to elect its chief minister and complete a key peace agreement. Civil Liberties: Sri Lanka’s National Peace Council warns proposed terrorism, organised-crime and NGO oversight laws could sweep protests and union action into terrorism offences and expand unchecked state power. Election Integrity: Kenyan youth advocates ask President William Ruto to return a bill removing mandatory livestreaming of polling-station results, warning it could erode transparency ahead of 2027. Labour Rights: Nigeria’s NLC and TUC are preparing possible nationwide action over fuel prices, minimum wages and unresolved worker disputes after talks with the government stalled. Human Rights: An OMCT-coordinated report records at least 60 human-rights defenders arbitrarily detained across 14 countries in 2025, documenting abuses including torture, prolonged isolation and denial of medical care.

Protest Rights: Shiv Sena accused India’s central government of creating a “police raj” after two activists were detained for a protest in Delhi, raising concerns about restrictions on peaceful dissent. Election Accountability: An RTI disclosure says India’s Cabinet Secretariat took no action on two election commissioners’ complaints about a senior poll official’s work-allocation decisions. Serbia’s Vote: About 150,000 people rallied in Belgrade as student-backed candidates challenge President Aleksandar Vučić’s ruling party ahead of Sunday’s election. Workers’ Demands: Nigeria’s labour congress is mobilising for possible nationwide action after talks with the government stalled over minimum wages, fuel prices and other demands. Children’s Welfare: Countries at a UN-backed summit in Uzbekistan adopted a declaration pledging stronger child protection and better access to essential services, with civil society and young people among the participants. Climate Action: Panama joined the World Economic Forum’s plastic partnership, a framework for government, business and civil society to coordinate efforts against plastic pollution.

Civic Space: A Paris court overturned a police ban on a protest as French authorities consider further restrictions after violent unrest. In the West Bank, Israeli forces detained a U.S. congressional candidate and about 90 volunteers helping Palestinian olive farmers; organizers say they sought approval, while the military says the visit was uncoordinated. Digital Rights: Freedom House reports internet freedom fell for a 16th straight year, with Nigeria and Georgia among the countries declining as authorities tighten online controls. Climate & Development: Nigeria says it needs $337 billion through 2035 to meet its climate goals. IUCN and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission also agreed to work together on conservation, climate resilience and water management. Accountability: Guyanese civil society groups are challenging a $1.03 billion ship-salvage contract and demanding independent forensic recovery and open hearings. Democracy Funding: The Ford Foundation says it will devote more support to democracy.

Reproductive Rights: Women are protesting in more than 20 Polish cities, accusing the government of stalling on abortion reform; two bills passed this week are likely to face a presidential veto. Civil Society & Reparations: Liberian civil society groups have begun medical aid for survivors of the civil wars, an initial step toward reparations long promised by the government. Accountability: India’s CBI has taken over the murder investigation of Punjab anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, deploying forensic and drug-control experts. Media Freedom: International journalist groups will visit Hungary next month to assess reforms after years of press restrictions. Digital Rights: Freedom House says global internet freedom has declined for a 16th straight year, with AI-related laws and online controls adding new barriers to expression. Political Dissent: Ahead of Serbia’s election, activists and opposition figures describe threats, beatings and police detention as part of a crackdown on critics. West Bank: Palestinian farmers and solidarity activists faced assaults, arrests and crop seizures during the olive harvest; US congressional candidate Brad Lander was among those detained.

Election Rights: UN experts warned that Meta may have restricted political expression unevenly during Brazil’s elections, calling for transparency and effective remedies. West Bank: Israeli forces detained New York congressional candidate Brad Lander and dozens of volunteers accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest; Lander was released, while others remained in custody. Tunisia: A military court sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years over social media posts, while 10 environmental activists were also sentenced over anti-pollution protests. Civil Liberties: Sri Lanka’s Bar Association urged the government to withdraw proposed security bills, warning they could expand executive powers and weaken safeguards against detention. Public Services: South African workers and civil society groups protested austerity measures, saying budget cuts threaten jobs, wages and essential services. Media Freedom: UN experts raised concerns about pressure on journalists and editorial independence in Serbia ahead of parliamentary elections.

Punjab Investigation: India’s CBI has taken over the probe into the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, registering an FIR and sending specialists to Mansa as his family seeks an independent investigation. Protest Rights: The Delhi High Court will urgently hear two Cockroach Janta Party activists’ plea for release, as their custody over a protest at Jantar Mantar was due to end. Election Integrity: Nigerian democracy groups, including Yiaga Africa, want the election commission to publish rules for AI use in vote counting and verification ahead of the 2027 elections. Human Rights: UN experts criticized India’s response to Delhi protests, citing detentions and restrictions on peaceful assembly; India rejected what it called selective political pressure. Climate and Energy: The UK approved production at the Jackdaw gas field after legal challenges by environmental campaigners, drawing fresh opposition from environmental groups.

Punjab Accountability: After anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was murdered, Punjab transferred the case to the CBI; Home Minister Amit Shah also urged probes into two other drug-related deaths. Civil Society: Moldova’s government reviewed reforms with NGOs and business groups, while 28 NGO-led environmental projects delivered well repairs, waste bins and tree planting across more than 30 communities. Election Watch: Ahead of Serbia’s Oct. 25 vote, U.S. senators cited monitors’ concerns about voter intimidation, misuse of state resources and pressure on opposition candidates. Dissent Under Pressure: Nigerian protesters face arrests and restrictions over “Tinubu Must Go” slogans, prompting renewed questions about space for political dissent. Climate Campaigns: Greenpeace activists’ boarding of Woodside’s Scarborough gas platform halted pre-commissioning, while the UK’s expected approval of the Jackdaw gasfield sets up a clash with climate campaigners.

Government Accountability: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann agreed to transfer the murder investigation of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota to the CBI, meeting a key demand from his family. Digital Rights: Serbian reporting says spyware targeted Belgrade University rector Vladan Djokic, a prominent protest figure; earlier reports described attacks on activists’ and students’ phones. Civil Society & Elections: South Sudan advocacy group CEPO urged political leaders to resolve disputes and keep December’s elections on track. Cost of Living: Kenyan civil rights groups are planning peaceful protests over fuel-price hikes, calling for a fuel-tax suspension and an independent energy-sector audit. Environmental Enforcement: Singapore named 10 more Indonesian companies suspected of links to fires causing haze, urging them to extinguish blazes and disclose prevention plans.

Civil Society Under Pressure: Thousands marched in Tunis in the largest protest against President Kais Saied in years, demanding the release of jailed dissidents and an end to attacks on civil society and journalists. Protest and Policing: France imposed localized overnight curfews after protests over living costs and strained public services drew hundreds of thousands; authorities reported about 2,400 arrests, while student groups called for more demonstrations. Anti-Corruption: Guatemalan lawyer and former government official Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, known for prosecuting powerful figures, was assassinated; authorities reportedly detained two suspects. Free Speech: Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil asked the US Supreme Court to hear his challenge to a ruling that could allow his re-arrest and deportation over his campus activism. Language Rights: Kurdish and Iranian civil society groups urged Syria’s government to protect Kurdish-language education, warning that new restrictions are disrupting classes and fueling unrest.