One of the growing global concerns with counterterrorism measures is with respect to the restrictions of civil society space. Numerous governments have introduced laws and policies that seek to impose state control over civil society actors, particularly those that work on human rights and governance issues defending such laws as counterterrorism efforts. The laws aim to control civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) in varying ways, including by limiting the flow of foreign funding, making it difficult to register organisations, and permitting government meddling in the sector while erecting obstacles in the operational environment.

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