Today, we live in a time of enormous global challenges where inequality is rising with the rich is getting richer, and the poor leave behind. We also witness growing extremism and populism, which are terrorizing our society.1 The oligarchs and wealthy actors capture the governance system.2 Democracy is adopted, but losing its values were implemented without rights.3 In this situation, we notice a drastic shrinking and closing of civil society spaces across the world. Authoritarian, semi-authoritarian and other populist style regimes –including in Southeast Asia countries –adopt various measures and legislation that silent dissents and control civil society and therefore restrict or even obstruct civic space for engagement and activism.4 The repression continues and expands to other fundamental rights and freedoms. Many reports showed that attacks on civic freedom and human rights are increasing and getting worse across the world.
