AGP Executive Report

Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar: Conflict, displacement, and aid cuts are deepening hunger and protection risks, with UN figures citing 16.2 million people needing help and millions displaced repeatedly. Press Freedom Under Pressure (Philippines): The Presidential Task Force on Media Security condemned the shooting of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez in Roxas City and urged stronger protections for journalists. Civil Society vs. Courts (Cambodia): An appeal court upheld activist Srun Srorn’s incitement conviction tied to criticism of judicial independence and a regional development pact. Ebola Escalation (DR Congo): Confirmed cases hit 1,003 with 254 deaths; contact tracing coverage is only 55% amid violence and displacement. Rights Groups Target Nigeria Detentions: Amnesty International and SERAP renewed calls for Omoyele Sowore’s release, citing arbitrary detention and repression of civic space. Electoral Integrity (Nigeria): Allegations of INEC/APC collusion over uncollected voter cards in Ekiti are fueling tension ahead of 2027. Charity Sector Labor Action (UK): Unite announced strike ballots for staff at Change Grow Live over pay disputes, highlighting affordability pressures. Clean Energy Funding (UK): The Ayrton Fund extension to 2030 and an £88m TEA scale-up aim to expand clean energy access and jobs globally. Women, Peace & Security (UN): Cyprus stressed women’s underrepresentation in peace processes as the Security Council debated accelerating participation. Environmental Governance (Ghana): CSOs backed constitutional reform proposals on environmental stewardship and urged a published roadmap. Child Rights Under Attack (Palestine): The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child warned Palestinian children are left less protected as rights groups face bans, raids, and sanctions.

Press Freedom Under Threat (Philippines): The Presidential Task Force on Media Security condemned the ambush shooting of broadcaster Jay Lavapiez in Roxas City, calling for stronger protection for journalists and urging media, civil society and agencies to coordinate. Civic Action & Anti-Corruption (PNG): Transparency International Papua New Guinea backed the Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption, framing integrity as everyday action by citizens, public servants and businesses. Elections & Rights (South Africa): The IEC said KwaZulu-Natal’s voter registration weekend ran largely smoothly, while Zambia’s Law Association urged the ECZ to consult widely before setting presidential campaign rules, warning of constitutional rights risks. Human Rights & Accountability (Burkina Faso): Amnesty, HRW, RSF and partners demanded the release and explanation for journalist Atiana Serge Oulon, forcibly disappeared two years ago amid reports of secret detention and torture. Child Protection (Nigeria): An Anambra Civil Liberties Organisation condemned brutalisation of a child by a guardian and urged immediate reporting of abuse. Climate Finance & Health (UN talks, Bonn): Health and climate groups accused developed countries of blocking adaptation finance progress and failing to honor a pledge to triple adaptation funding. Media Economy (UNESCO): UNESCO launched a consultation on fair compensation for news as platforms and AI increasingly rely on journalistic content. Electoral Integrity & Civil Society (Nigeria): A Nigerian civil society group asked INEC and NYSC for clarification on Tinubu’s academic and service documents amid renewed credential disputes. Conflict Watch (Manipur, India): Six Naga hostages, including two pastors, were reported killed as the wider crisis deepened, with families still awaiting bodies.

Electoral Integrity & Civil Society Pressure (Nigeria): CFRPA has renewed demands for INEC to clarify President Bola Tinubu’s Chicago State University credentials ahead of 2027, alleging inconsistencies and possible forged documents, warning it may seek legal action if INEC stays silent. Media Freedom vs Security Power (Nigeria): Omoyele Sowore blasted the NUJ for honoring DSS DG Adeola Ajayi as “Man of the Year,” arguing it signals support for rights-abuse allegations and undermines press freedom. Protest Security Planning (Philippines): Police in Manila say they will deploy full security for the June 28 “White Ribbon Movement” rally at EDSA, promising apolitical crowd management while respecting peaceful assembly. Public Health & Misinformation: A global review of 2026 outbreaks highlights how distrust and rumors—seen in Ebola, hantavirus and diphtheria—have blocked detection and pushed people away from care. Humanitarian Response (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe is coordinating repatriation of citizens affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, mobilizing ministries, NGOs, churches and private partners for food, shelter and reintegration. Gender-Based Violence (Nigeria/Katsina): Stakeholders urge domestication of the VAPP Act and stronger survivor support as conflict-related sexual violence concerns rise amid banditry and displacement. Democracy Watch (Ethiopia): NEBE says it kept institutional neutrality in the 7th general election, while women’s rights observers report peaceful, orderly voting and active female participation. Civic Space & Safety (Kenya): A violent attack on All Saints’ Cathedral disrupted a civil society budget forum, reigniting debate over political intimidation and public safety.

Impeachment Watch (Philippines): Former Senate President Franklin Drilon warned that any attempt to conceal evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment could backfire, recalling how the “second envelope” decision in Joseph Estrada’s 2001 trial sparked mass backlash. Media–Security Partnership (Nigeria): The Nigeria Union of Journalists honored DSS DG Adeola Ajayi for strengthening ties with media, framing responsible journalism and coordinated security as key to protecting democratic space. Election Integrity (Nigeria): Ekiti’s governorship race was declared won by APC’s Biodun Oyebanji, but reports and observers flagged vote-buying and intimidation in parts of the state. Aid Squeeze (Africa): A new analysis warns official development assistance is shrinking fast while debt and climate pressure rise, pushing calls for more equal development terms. Human Rights Defenders (Global): Front Line Defenders reported at least 358 killings of rights defenders across 28 countries in 2025, with land and conflict-related work among the most lethal. Gender-Based Violence (Nigeria): Kaduna stakeholders urged stronger enforcement of SGBV laws, stressing consistent prosecution to end impunity. Public Health (Pakistan): Pakistan faces rising HIV cases, especially in Sindh and Punjab, with calls to boost domestic funding and tighten infection control. Youth Development (Nigeria): Bridge Connect Africa launched a North-West youth agenda to improve coordination and accountability across seven states.

EU Migration Crackdown: The European Parliament backed a hard-line overhaul creating “return hubs” (offshore detention sites) where migrants can be held up to two years, raising major human-rights and judicial-oversight alarms. Lebanon Strikes: Fresh Israeli attacks across Lebanon killed at least 29 people, including civilians in Nabatieh, Tyre and the Bekaa Valley, as ceasefire hopes strain. DR Congo Ebola Fears: In Kigonze displacement camp, at least 30 deaths since early May have sparked warnings Ebola may be spreading amid overcrowding and refusals of testing. Ekiti Election Integrity: Nigeria’s Ekiti governorship vote is marred by allegations of vote-buying, polling-unit irregularities, and BVAS failures that reportedly forced elderly voters to repeatedly wash faces; CSOs also accuse party factions of swapping agents. Workers’ Rights at Home: India’s home-based workers demand equal rights as the ILO convention turns 30, highlighting persistent wage and protections gaps. Reparatory Justice Push: Ghana’s landmark conference adopted a global reparatory justice framework calling for compensation and restitution, including cultural property and archives. Civil Society & Poll Watching: Philippines’ PPCRV seeks 30,000 volunteers for Bangsamoro parliamentary elections to support voter education and monitoring.

Philippines Impeachment Oversight: Civil society groups warn that appointing Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as presiding officer in the Sara Duterte impeachment trial could “melt” Senate credibility, citing his prior refusal to start the trial and fears of political optics. DR Congo Ebola Response: In eastern Congo’s Kigonze camp, at least 30 deaths since May may signal fast-spreading Ebola, but testing is resisted, complicating aid and sanitation efforts. Nigeria Rights & Security: A UN freedom-of-religion envoy says insecurity, religious polarisation and impunity are undermining fundamental rights across Nigeria, with communities reporting killings, displacement and little justice. South Africa Drug Decriminalisation Push: A new coalition launches 26 June to end criminalisation of personal drug use, arguing harm reduction and health services are collapsing under punitive policy and funding cuts. Gaza Medical Aid Appeal: Palestine’s embassy urges India to provide urgent healthcare support under “Aarogya Maitri,” warning Gaza’s hospitals are near collapse amid medicine shortages. Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Nigeria’s NSCDC expands survivor protection and reaffirms zero tolerance for conflict-related sexual violence, citing a revised gender policy. EU War Agenda: An EU summit in Brussels is described as a “war summit,” with plans for expanded military support, arms production and tighter refugee policy.

LGBTQIA+ Rights Ruling: South Africa’s Equality Court ordered Ngizwe Mchunu to stop discriminatory content, issue a public apology, pay R250,000 to equality-focused civil society, undergo 20 hours of rights training, and cover legal costs after finding hate speech and harassment tied to his 2025 market march. Civil Society & Anti-Corruption: Philippines religious and civil society groups plan a June 28 “White Ribbon March” at EDSA People Power to push accountability, a genuine anti-dynasty bill, and electoral reforms. Charity Governance: UK charity City & Guilds London Institute opened a separate investigation into last year’s sale of its commercial wing to PeopleCert, focusing on governance, transparency, and the decision rationale. Public Service Accountability: Ghana moved sanitation responsibility back to local government, making sanitation performance a key metric for MMDCEs, with World Vision Ghana and partners backing the June 23 policy conversation. Ebola Response Strain: In DRC, at least 30 deaths in a displacement camp since May raised fears of fast-spreading Ebola amid refusal to test and major tracing gaps. Digital Rights & Accountability: Brazil and the EU discussed digital cooperation while a proposal for an international governance framework for the digital environment gained traction among open-source users. Elections Integrity: Nigeria’s Yiaga Africa urged INEC to fully deploy election materials and warned against vote buying ahead of upcoming polls.

Nigeria Security Reform: Nigeria’s House of Representatives advanced constitutional steps toward decentralised policing, with supporters citing faster local response and critics warning about resourcing and past institutional misuse. Nigeria Cross-Agency Coordination: Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged federal-state security administrators to share intelligence and coordinate responses to terrorism, banditry and cybercrime. Civil Society & Rights in Conflict: Palestinian lawyers and NGOs say they’ve spent years building archives for international accountability over alleged Israeli abuses—while describing raids, surveillance and threats against their work. Reparations Push: Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye urged concrete implementation of UN reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans, calling for youth, artists, academics and civil society to lead. NGO Funding Pressure: Western SD legal aid nonprofit Dakota Plains Legal Services faces a $176,000 deficit, warning of service and staffing impacts amid grant shortfalls. Corporate Accountability Backslide: Canada’s MiningWatch and partners condemned the shutdown of the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, arguing it was weakened by lobbying and should be reinforced, not eliminated. Election Monitoring: Nigeria’s Yiaga Africa urged INEC to keep Ekiti governorship voting transparent and professional, including BVAS use and action against vote buying. Hate Speech Countermeasures: Nigeria’s NHRC warned hate speech violates rights and urged action ahead of 2027 polls.

Animal Rights in Hawai‘i: Hawai‘i’s Supreme Court will consider whether long-kept zoo elephants should gain constitutional protections and be moved to a sanctuary, putting “animal personhood” back on the legal map. AI & Inclusion: Malaysia’s Nancy Shukri urged women to help shape ethical AI through leadership and community-centered governance at the AI SHE LEADS Forum. Public Health & Security: Dhaka’s Mohakhali saw crude bomb blasts during a protest over measles deaths, with arrests made and investigations underway. Reproductive Rights Fight: In the Dominican Republic, a mother of a teen who died after delayed cancer care is challenging the country’s strict abortion ban in constitutional court. Civil Society Pressure on Power: The Global Sumud Flotilla staged a multi-day Lake Geneva action targeting G7 governments over alleged complicity in Gaza, while Malawi began evacuating citizens from South Africa amid xenophobic attacks. Elections & Governance: Nigeria’s INEC started distributing sensitive Ekiti election materials, with security assurances and observer presence. Rights, Hate, and Online Platforms: FIFA says it removed 388,000 hate comments since World Cup kickoff, as global groups push practical anti-hate steps. Children’s Online Safety: Congo’s telecom ministry and Meta backed a forum on safer internet use for children.

Immigration & Rights in South Africa: Documented refugees were forced off Durban’s Home Affairs premises and pushed into a growing camp at Sherwood Hall after police said they couldn’t guarantee safety during a planned march, as civil society warns the 30 June deadline is turning into a humanitarian and political flashpoint. Public Accountability & Civil Society: In Nairobi, surveyors urged prosecutors not to pursue blanket charges over a South C building collapse, arguing only those responsible should face action—amid wider pressure for transparent enforcement. Education Funding Focus: Bangladesh education groups say the 2026-27 budget’s higher spending must prioritize teacher quality via training, pay and accountability, not just infrastructure. AI Governance & Copyright: An Australia charity shaping AI copyright rules received over $1m from donors with ties to Anthropic, raising conflict-of-interest questions as policy on training data is debated. Human Rights & Conflict: A Sudan investigation highlights how sexual violence persists as a long-term crisis driven by stigma, weak services and impunity. Climate Finance: African civil society at Bonn urged negotiators to unlock flexible, grant-based climate funding that reaches women, indigenous peoples and local communities. Surveillance Exports: Human Rights Watch says Bulgaria licensed surveillance exports to rights-violating countries, urging EU crackdowns on weak due diligence. Philippines Security Policy: NTF-Elcac officials hailed Southern Tagalog’s “Stable Internal Peace and Security” declaration as a rejection of communist insurgent violence. Assisted Dying Rights: South Korea’s first known legal challenge to its assisted-dying ban heads to the Constitutional Court.

Disaster Risk & Climate Resilience: Ghana’s NADMO relaunched its National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Risk Management to coordinate experts, policymakers, development partners, and civil society on preparedness and climate adaptation. Anti-Corruption & Public Trust: Media Foundation for West Africa leader Sulemana Braimah urged anti-corruption institutions to act decisively on exposés, warning that low confidence in enforcement is undermining citizens’ willingness to report wrongdoing. Illegal Mining Mobilization: Ghana’s Presbyterian Church launched “Red Sunday” to intensify the fight against galamsey, with MPs pointing to the environmental and water-body damage and calling for urgent government action. Local Governance Accountability: A human rights advocate in Ghana issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Electoral Commission over a delayed Anyako by-election, arguing the EC missed a legal 30-day window. Children Under Pressure in Garissa: Garissa’s Day of the African Child spotlighted a water shortage keeping children out of school and rising child trafficking risks, calling for urgent WASH and protection action. Rule of Law in Politics: Zambia’s Constitutional Court cleared Socialist Party presidential candidate Fred M’membe and running mate Dolika Banda to contest August polls after a challenge over education credentials failed. Cybercrime Escalation: INTERPOL’s Asia and South Pacific cyberthreat report found cybercrime rising fast, driven by organized networks and AI-enabled scams, including widespread phishing and ransomware. Critical Minerals Supply Chains: G7 leaders unveiled a roadmap to build “standards-based” critical minerals markets and reduce reliance on China’s rare earth dominance. Poverty Without GDP Growth: Caritas Europa and Caritas Internationalis backed a UN-linked roadmap to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality without treating GDP growth as the main yardstick. Climate Science Under Attack: Countries warned at UN climate talks that fossil fuel interests are trying to undermine climate science, pushing decisions to stay grounded in best available research. Civil Society & Media Access: Canada’s Senate urged CBC/Radio-Canada to expand local coverage in “news deserts” as closures and declining revenue leave communities under-informed. Women’s Inheritance Rights: Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court reaffirmed women’s inheritance rights under the Quran, ordering courts to determine shares without custom overriding legal protections.

Judicial Transparency Rollback: Argentina’s Milei signed a decree scrapping public participation and transparency steps in Supreme Court judge selection, narrowing civil society input even as the Senate remains the final gatekeeper. Religious Freedom Under Pressure: Pew reports more countries saw spikes in religious hostility in 2023, alongside continued government crackdowns since 2007—often tied to harassment of minorities and fallout from the Israel-Hamas war. Human Rights Crisis Data: Nigeria’s NHRC says May 2026 saw 390 killed, 202 kidnapped, and 268,787 rights complaints in just one month, as attacks on schools and worship sites intensify. Youth-Led WASH Push: Youth delegates in Libya, with UNICEF support, adopted a call for urgent clean-water infrastructure for all African children, highlighting how lack of systems blocks access even where water exists. Corruption & Civic Oversight: Papua New Guinea’s TIPNG is preparing its major Walk Against Corruption, while South Africa’s civil groups warn the Coalitions Bill could be rushed ahead of local elections without enough scrutiny. Displacement Response: South Africa’s KZN mobilized emergency coordination as thousands of Malawians shelter at Sherwood Hall, with repatriation and on-site governance structures in focus. Tax Justice Training: Tax Justice Network Africa urged CSOs and media to shape tax policy, launching an academy in Nairobi to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and public finance oversight. Ebola Countermeasures: Health groups urged the U.S. to share Ebola Bundibugyo therapeutics for trials and compassionate use, and to plan continued access if treatments are approved.

G7 Development Reset: G7 leaders backed “mutually beneficial partnerships” over traditional aid, pushing self-reliance, domestic resource mobilization, debt reforms, and more private investment as they try to reshape the global development finance system. Peace & Civil Society Links: Azerbaijan’s presidential aide met Armenia’s security leadership in Dilijan, stressing peace talks and confidence-building between civil societies. Women, Sport & Rights: Qatar Foundation and Qatar’s UN mission hosted a Human Rights Council side event arguing sport is a human right for women and girls, while warning about injury and dropout gaps. Youth Health & Gender Equality: Ghana’s NCCE convened stakeholders in Ho on adolescent health, gender equality, and preventing gender-based violence, with UNFPA and Global Affairs Canada support. Press Freedom Memory: Bangladesh marked “Newspaper Black Day” over the 1975 shutdown of most newspapers, with journalists and unions renewing calls for media freedom. Civic Space Under Pressure: Azerbaijan convicted rights defender Rufat Safarov and sentenced him to eight years, adding to concerns about shrinking civic space. Justice & Democracy Tensions (Nigeria): Civil society urged Nigeria’s judicial council to investigate Justice Peter Lifu after a court-ordered deregistration of opposition parties, warning it could undermine democracy ahead of 2027. Local Accountability (Canada): British Columbia’s First Nations Justice Council launched an Indigenous-led “police accountability” unit for people affected by police violence and misconduct.

Labor & Civil Rights History: Youngstown’s 1937 “Little Steel Strike” is revisited, showing how union demands for fair labor relations met corporate refusal and sparked violence, including martial law and the National Guard. LGBTQ+ Rights & Policy: Russia’s LGBTQ+ community reports ongoing self-censorship, online abuse, extortion and threats despite no major survey shift in 2025; Japan meanwhile approved a plan to raise awareness of sexual minorities via school and workplace support. Human Rights & Conflict: Ukraine’s missing and captive civilians remain a central human cost of Russia’s occupation, with rights groups urging attention beyond territory. NGO & Community Mobilization: Youngstown Freedom School kicks off, pairing civil rights history with nonviolence and skills-building for students. Justice & Accountability: Kenya’s restorative justice push follows a national reparations framework for victims of demonstrations. Civil Society Under Pressure: Sweden backs stricter “good behaviour” immigration rules, including retroactive permit reviews and reporting duties for many public workers. Trade & Rights: Over 80 civil society groups urge ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand governments to remove investor-state dispute settlement rules from a trade deal review. Public Safety & Services: Pennsylvania crime-victim support organizations face cuts as federal funding deposits fall.

Bangsamoro Peace Watch: Peace advocates, former Moro combatants, and civil society groups rallied in Manila to press the Marcos administration to fully implement and protect the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), warning that delays could undermine the peace process. Budget Accountability: Bangladesh’s Citizen’s Platform for SDGs urged transparent, accountable execution of the FY27 budget so social welfare spending actually reaches disadvantaged communities. Anti-Corruption Civil Society: Nigeria’s CBIAMEC denied links to petitions and protest activities tied to allegations involving former Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, stressing it acts only through formal collective approval. Humanitarian Accountability: Amnesty and MSF both spotlighted accountability failures in Mindanao and Sudan-related aid contexts, including allegations of abuse and exploitation that demand stronger protections for vulnerable people. Child Protection Online: The UK announced a sweeping social media ban for users under 16, while Florida filed a TikTok lawsuit over alleged child safety violations. Migration Enforcement Backlash: Sweden adopted a law requiring some public workers to report undocumented migrants to police, drawing criticism that it will fuel fear. Justice System Watch: Ghana’s High Court rejected an OSP bid to pause its prosecution powers dispute, keeping the ruling in force. Charity Sector Governance: UK charity regulators moved against trustees of a mosque charity in an investigation over alleged antisemitic chants. Digital Security Research: The EU backed a €8m Shield-6G project led by UCD to build AI-driven, privacy-preserving security resilience for 6G networks.

Human Rights & Accountability: Amnesty International Philippines says Mindanao’s 7.8 quake is becoming an “unnatural disaster” driven by decades of impunity and weak local preparedness, urging government reckoning beyond rescue response. Elections & Civil Society: Bangladesh’s Commonwealth Observer Group calls the 2026 vote a “democratic milestone,” praising professional voting and counting while urging reforms to strengthen the Election Commission and improve public awareness. Child Protection: Zanzibar reports 7.6% child labour (ages 5–17) and hazardous work exposure, announcing a 2026–2032 national action plan under stakeholder consultation. Labour & Human Rights: A tribal woman was rescued from alleged bonded labour in Gurugram after a secret call to family triggered police and civil society action. Press Freedom: Human Rights Watch renews scrutiny of US–Africa health deals, warning about health data access, pathogen arrangements, and sovereignty risks. Security & Civic Space: Nigeria’s NUJ condemns the arrest of a Kogi journalist by NSCDC, warning of intimidation of media and threatening coverage restrictions. Gender-Based Violence: Kenya’s GBV shelters face strain as cases rise, with advocates calling for more funding and survivor support. Democracy & Governance: Bosnia’s NDI begins a pre-election assessment mission ahead of October 2026 general elections, meeting parties, media, and civil society. Nuclear Diplomacy: The NPT review conference ends without consensus on a final outcome document, with disarmament language weakened amid geopolitical tensions.