2 October 2025 –

Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, calls on State Parties as they prepare for the next phase of the UNCAC review to ensure safe and enabling environments for civil society, to repeal restrictive laws, protect journalists, and guarantee meaningful participation in decision-making.

“Those who expose corruption–civil society, journalists, academics, researchers, human rights defenders, activists–are often the ones who pay the highest price.” – Gina Romero

Read the full joint statement issued by a group of United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders calling on States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to strengthen civic space in anti-corruption efforts.