Teaching Paper: International Legal Protections for Civic Space – Using Treaties and Conventions as Advocacy Tools
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-cvscunprrsenv-tp-02
This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global
Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →
About the Article
International treaties and conventions form the backbone of global efforts to protect civic space, offering vital safeguards against restrictive national laws. Core instruments such as the UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, and regional human rights charters enshrine freedoms of expression, association, and assembly—providing both legal and moral authority for advocacy. This Teaching Paper examines these instruments as practical tools for defending civil society, illustrating how NGOs and activists can leverage treaty mechanisms to resist repression and strengthen legitimacy. Through comparative analysis and case study insights, it highlights opportunities and limitations in using international law for advocacy, emphasizing the importance of legal literacy, cross-regional collaboration, and strategic engagement with treaty bodies.
Key Topics
- International human rights law
- Civic space protection
- Advocacy and accountability
- Treaties and conventions
- Legal literacy for NGOs
- Regional human rights frameworks
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: International Legal Protections for Civic Space – Using Treaties and Conventions as Advocacy Tools. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-cvscunprrsenv-tp-02
References
Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations (5th ed.). Wiley.
Carothers, T., & Brechenmacher, S. (2014). Closing space: Democracy and human rights support under fire. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Drucker, P. F. (1990). Managing the nonprofit organization: Principles and practices. HarperCollins.
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Civil Society Under Pressure: Restrictive Environments. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/civil-society-under-pressure-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). CSR: Legal and Ethical Issues. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/csr-legal-ethical-issues-2025
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Accountability: Building Trust through Transparency. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/accountability-2025
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage.
Steiner, H. J., Alston, P., & Goodman, R. (2007). International human rights in context: Law, politics, morals (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
