Reinforcing Marginalization: The Impact of the Closing of Civic Space on HIV Response in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda

The report focuses on the ways in which closures of civic space – especially restrictions on the registration, financing, and operations of civil society organizations – affect HIV response in East Africa. In particular, the report highlights restrictive laws, policies, and practices in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya that hinder the ability of CSOs to implement urgently-needed programs to lower the rate of HIV/AIDS in their respective countries. The study finds that CSOs that could energetically combat HIV among hard-to-reach and at-risk populations are instead burdened by bureaucratic red tape. Finally, the report finds that these CSO regulations fail to meet those countries’ obligations under regional and international human rights treaties.