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The extensive crackdown on LGBTQ+ organisations and human rights defenders in Türkiye is deeply alarming and unacceptable. Activists have been detained, the offices of organisations have been searched, and websites and social media accounts have been blocked. At the same time, organisations and their representatives are facing legal proceedings that risk further restricting their ability to operate.
This is not only an attack on the rights of LGBTQ+ people. When people are persecuted for organising and defending human rights, freedom of association, freedom of expression and the space for a free and democratic civil society are also under threat.
The Swedish Government and the EU Commission must respond clearly and stand up for those affected. Sweden and the EU should raise these developments directly with the Turkish Government and push for action within other international forums. Human rights defenders who have been detained for their legitimate work must be released, and the right of LGBTQ+ organisations to organise, speak out and operate freely must be defended.
We stand in solidarity with our former Turkish partner organisation KAOS GL, as well as with the Turkish member organisations of our partner ERA. ERA – the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Türkiye – is a regional network that brings together and strengthens LGBTQ+ organisations in Türkiye and the Western Balkans, and works to advance human rights, equality and inclusion.
The sharp escalation in repression against the LGBTQ+ movement in recent days must not be met with silence – nor with reduced international support. As the space for civil society shrinks, solidarity and support for those who continue to defend democratic rights and freedoms are more important than ever.
Oscar Ernerot
Secretary General, Olof Palme International Center
Diana Ghafour
Chair, HBTQ+S
Through the Palme Center’s programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo, civil society has gained greater opportunities to influence policy, strengthen democracy and improve people’s living conditions.
During the 2022–2025 programme period, several partner organisations have contributed to tangible results in the areas of women’s political participation, political accountability and workers’ rights.
With support for organisational development and capacity building, the women’s organisation CAFCO has held its first general assembly in many years and trained newly elected female municipal councillors. Their advocacy work helped increase the proportion of female candidates in the 2023 election from 11.68 to 17 per cent.
The youth movements Filimbi and LUCHA have strengthened grassroots organising and developed new methods to scrutinise and hold local authorities to account.
At the same time, CODELT has contributed to important legislative reforms concerning natural resources, forests and land rights through legal expertise and strategic advocacy.
Through the partner organisation CONAFED, a new solidarity-based social security system has also been established for civil society actors and informal workers. In October 2025, representatives from civil society, trade unions and cooperatives gathered to adopt statutes and elect the leadership for the system, which covers pensions, health protection and survivor’s benefits.
Trade unions have also made progress. For the first time in many years, free and democratic trade union elections have been held in workplaces, strengthening workers’ representation and opportunities for dialogue with employers.
Together, these results demonstrate how a strong civil society can create new opportunities for democracy, social justice and citizen influence in the DRC.
Campaign raises awareness of the rights of blind war veterans in UkraineRussia’s full-scale war has left thousands of Ukrainians with severe injuries. One group that is often overlooked is soldiers who have lost their sight.
The Palme Center’s partner, SD Platform, has therefore launched a campaign to ensure that blind veterans receive the support and rehabilitation they need to lead a dignified life.
The organisation, which works towards a society built on freedom, justice and solidarity, highlights social issues in a context where these are often pushed into the background.
Through the campaign, SD Platform is pushing for concrete reforms: long term financial support, improved rehabilitation and access to care and rehabilitation throughout the country.
They also work to ensure that public spaces, transport and government services are accessible to people with visual impairments.
The initiative helps to raise the profile of a forgotten group – and to shape Ukraine’s reconstruction into a more inclusive society where everyone can participate on equal terms.
Tent schools brought hope to children in GazaDuring the year, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened. Civilians have faced starvation as the Israeli government blocked emergency aid whilst the bombings continued.
In the midst of the war, the Palme Center’s partner Pyalara set up simple tent schools for children in Gaza. There, children could receive lessons in Arabic, English and mathematics – but also draw, sing and play.
For many, the schools provided a moment of safety in an otherwise dangerous and uncertain existence. In total, the initiative reached over 700 children aged between 7 and 13.
Thanks to the solidarity of many people in Sweden, support from the Palme Center’s fundraising campaign has been able to be channeled to civil society organisations helping the people of Gaza.
In addition to the tent schools, the organisation Democracy Workers Rights Center (DWRC), for example, has carried out initiatives during the year to create jobs and strengthen people’s ability to support themselves in the midst of the disaster, including through vocational training and short-term employment schemes.
More young people may run for election in PalestineIn Palestine, young people can vote from the age of 18, but until recently they were not allowed to candidate for local elections until they turned 25.
This contradiction excluded a large group of young people from political decision-making.
Through long-term advocacy work led by the youth organisation Pyalara, this has now been changed. In 2021, the organisation formed a coalition with over 80 civil society organisations, which launched a national campaign to lower the age limit.
The campaign combined public awareness-raising, dialogue with decision-makers and the mobilization of young people across the country. Young people themselves were at the heart of the campaign – they took part in debates with politicians, engaged local leaders and kept the issue alive even when election processes were postponed.
In November 2025, President Mahmoud Abbas finally issued a decree lowering the minimum age to run as candidate in local elections from 25 to 23.
The reform did not go all the way to meet the campaign’s original demand of 18, but nevertheless marks a clear victory for civil society’s advocacy work.
This change opens politics to a new generation. Young people will have greater opportunities to participate in local decision-making on issues such as education, employment, public services and local development. The reform also strengthens the confidence in peaceful democratic processes and demonstrates that organised young people can make real political change themselves.
Progressive summit puts Ukraine’s future on the agendaIn the midst of Russia’s full-scale war, the Palme Center’s partner SD Platform brought together European social democrats in Kyiv for the first EUkraine Summit – the largest gathering of progressive forces in Ukraine to date.
The summit marked an important step in the work to build a strong progressive movement – with the aim of forming a new political party.
The Palme Center co-organised the summit, and participated with a Swedish delegation.
By strengthening progressive forces, the collaboration helps to promote a political alternative, where reconstruction is not just about investment and infrastructure but also about democracy, social justice and human rights.
SD Platform is an important progressive voice in a political landscape long dominated by the centre and the right.
By bringing together civil society, trade unions, the public sector and academia, they are working towards a society built on freedom, justice and solidarity, and for a just reconstruction of Ukraine.
Updating the paralegal manual in South Africa – rights in practiceIn South Africa, the Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Education and Training Unit (ETU), has updated the Paralegal Manual this year.
The manual provides practical guidance on laws and legal processes that affect people’s daily lives, and is specifically designed for counselling offices, civil society organisations, trade union representatives and others who support vulnerable groups.
The manual comprises over 1,000 pages and is available online, via the Legal Fundi app and in print.
The material is used by civil society, government bodies and local representatives to provide practical support on issues relating to working conditions, social security and legal processes.
By further developing these much-needed methodological resources in collaboration with other actors, ETU is helping more people to assert their rights in practice.
40 000 Burmese refugees granted the right to work in ThailandTens of thousands of people who have fled the war in Myanmar have long lived in camps in Thailand without the opportunity to work legally and support their families. As international aid has decreased sharply, the uncertainty is increasing further for these already vulnerable communities.
Through joint advocacy efforts by a progressive parliamentary partner in Thailand, civil society organisations and the SocDem Asia network, the situation has begun to change.
In December 2024, policy workshops were organised where Thai politicians, researchers and representatives of Burmese communities met. In March 2025, a conference on Myanmar was held in the Thai parliament, focusing on living conditions and security in Thailand’s border areas.
This resulted in more concrete policy proposals regarding access to the labour market, education, healthcare and legal status for people from Myanmar in the country.
The Palme Center’s Thai partner organization adopted the proposals as part of their parliamentary agenda and pushed the issue alongside civil society.
When the Thai government finally took action, the result became that around 40 000 refugees from Myanmar got granted work permits in Thailand.
For many, this decision means legal income for the first time, greater security and increased dignity. At the same time, it opens the door to further discussions on education for children, access to healthcare and more long-term social inclusion.
Youth mobilisation paved the way for new female leader in the PhilippinesIn San Jose del Monte, local politics has long been dominated by political dynasties, large campaign budgets and traditional electoral machinery.
In the most recent local election, a new generation of voters showed that politics can also be built from the bottom up. With the support of hundreds of young volunteers, human rights lawyer Atty Ronalyn Pordan succeeded in winning a seat on the city council through a campaign built on dialogue and grassroot mobilisation.
Ronalyn Pordan was no typical candidate. For several years she has, as a lawyer, offered free legal advice to vulnerable groups in for example land- and labour disputes, and cases of violence against women.
When she decided to run in the election, she lacked both financial resources and the backing of a political dynasty. Instead, her campaign was built on a growing a network of young people inspired by her work.
Through the Palme Center’s partner organisation, the Active Citizenship Foundation (ACF), several of the young volunteers received training in how to run so-called grassroots campaigns – campaigns based on dialogue and organisation rather than money. Young activists organized themselves into local teams, went door-to-door, visited small shops and spoke with families in their neighborhoods.
The campaign’s motto became “Kwento, hindi kwarta” – “Stories, not money”.
The campaign quickly grew into a broad movement – the Purple Movement – which symbolised her feminist values and vision of a more inclusive political realm. When the votes were counted, it was clear that the grassroot mobilisation had succeeded. Despite limited resources, Ronalyn Pordan won a seat on the city council. The victory marks more than just an election result.
It shows that young people can change politics through organisation and participation. Today, many of the volunteers continue to work alongside Pordan on issues such as education, social services, youth participation and the protection of vulnerable groups.
Legal Aid strengthen legal protection for trans women in TurkeyIn 2025, Palme Center’s partner organisation Legal Aid helped to strengthen legal protection for trans women subjected to violence and arbitrary arrests. Ahead of Trans Pride Week in Istanbul, the organisation, together with the human rights organisation HRA Istanbul, coordinated on-site legal support during the demonstrations. Lawyers were present as observers and were able to intervene immediately when trans women were arrested.
These efforts led to faster releases and encouraged more trans women who had been subjected to violence to report abuse and initiate legal proceedings. The organisation also documented violations of human rights during arrests and in custody, which strengthened the legal possibilities of pursuing the cases further.
Through joint actions with other human rights organisations, violence against trans women was highlighted through social media, panels and public discussions. Several cases were subsequently raised politically and brought to the attention of the Turkish parliament through questions and interpellations from MPs.
