The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism is a global network of civil society organizations advocating for an end to the misuse of counter-terrorism measures. Together, we push for greater protection of human rights and civic space in counter-terrorism responses. The coalition focuses on multilateral norm-setting and policy processes, while connecting and supporting our members’ work at national, regional, and international levels.
About us
We’re activists, researchers, lawyers and journalists exposing state power and informing dissent across Europe and its borders. We began in 1991, and won’t be stopping anytime soon.
About us
Vision
An open Europe of democracy, civil liberties, personal and political rights, free movement, freedom of information, equality and diversity.
Mission
To monitor, analyse and expose state activity that threatens civil liberties, human rights and democratic standards in order to inform and enable a culture of diversity, debate and dissent.
Strategy
At the beginning of 2022 we adopted a new five-year strategic plan based around three overarching themes:
Objective 1: Strengthen civil society’s access to information
Objective 2: Expose and challenge new means of surveillance, coercion and control
Objective 3: Build a more sustainable and more effective organisation
Strategy
Networks
European Digital Rights (EDRi) is a collective of NGOs, experts, advocated and academics working to defend and advance figital rights across Europe.
Migreurop is a network of organisations, activists and researchers across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Maghreb and the Middle East that aims to document and raise awareness of the consequences of European migration policies on the individual rights of migrants.
#ProtectNotSurveil is a coalition of organisations that campaigns against the EU’s use of surveillance technology on migrants and racialised communities.
The Resist Europol coalition is an open group of activists, researchers, lawyers, journalists and civil society organisations that work to raise awareness and campaign against the continued expansion of Europol.
Safety Not Surveillance is a coalition of grassroots and civil society organiations working at the intersections of racial justice, migrant justice, criminal legal system accountability and technology. Coordinated by the Open Rights Group, the coalition seeks to influence policy, build evidence and shape narratives on AI drawing from the learnings of the EU’s #ProtectNotSuveil coalition.
A campaign organised by Big Brother Watch to stop facial recognition surveillance from being used in public spaces, whether by police or private companies.
Funding
Individual supporters give us the freedom to report on the issues that need attention — not just those tied to specific project funding. You can help expand that freedom.
If you’re in a position to do so, we invite you to become a Friend of Statewatch by making a recurring monthly contribution, or make a one-time contribution.
Funding from the AI Collaborative is directed towards strengthening, expanding and developing Statewatch’s activities to support and enable public interest in the AI ecosystem. The work is designed to support and improve civil society’s campaigns, advocacy and investigations regarding the EU’s AI policies, projects and expenditure.
This funding has also been used to support the upgrade and development of the Open Security Data Europe database.
Statewatch is hosting journalist, Giacomo Zandonini, who was awarded a fellowship by the Bertha Foundation. As part of the fellowship, he is investigating how surveillance technologies affect the right to protest and, more broadly, fundamental rights across the European Union.
This work will include an investigation of corporate structures, lobbying activities and public procurement processes. By connecting these elements and uncovering new information, Giacomo aims to strengthen public understanding of the forces shaping European surveillance practices. Ultimately, we hope the research will foster accountability, protect civic space and support more informed public participation.
Brot für die Welt, Misereor and Pro Asyl fund our Outsourcing Borders bulletin. A joint project between Statewatch and migration-control.info, the bulletin aims to make public the EU’s border externalisation policies, plans and practices.
Statewatch receives contributions to core costs from Garden Court Chambers.
With funding from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and in cooperation with Open Rights Group and the Safety not Surveillance coalition, Statewatch will contribute to the building of a solid-evidence base making visible the harms caused by existing and proposed uses of AI.
Funding from the Oak Foundation supports Statewatch’s provision of news, information and analysis on EU spending, policies, and practices in the field of justice and home affaits, at the EU and national level.
This funding has also been used to support the upgrade and development of the Open Security Data Europe database.
Privacy International is funding a project wtih Statewatch to investigate EU-Morocco cooperation on surveullance and migration control. The goal of the project is to increase the scruting on human rights monitoring of the EU’s externalisation of surveillance technologies to Morocco.
Funding from the Robert Bosch Foundation enables Statewatch to contribute to the ongoing development of an active and effective movement against the EU’s border externalisation agenda, by highlighting the role and effects of digital technologies within it.
Work with us
We are a small team dedicated to defending civil liberties and human rights across Europe. We focus on promoting transparency, accountability, and informed public debate on critical issues such as surveillance, migration, and justice. By working with us, you’ll contribute to meaningful research, advocacy, and education that influence policy and protect our rights and freedoms.