ACFW2024台灣與東南亞公民社會週：公民空間論壇Civic Space Forum

【#ACFW2024 台灣東南亞公民社會週 — 公民空間論壇】，邀請多位來自台灣、東南亞、區域及國際組織的重量級講者，並精心籌劃了多場邊會及場邊活動，帶您更深入了解區域內各種人權議題與挑戰！

近年來，東南亞面臨公民空間緊縮的危機，公民社會組織與人權工作者面臨各種型態的打壓與威脅，致使人權工作推進受阻，這樣的趨勢和台灣有什麼關聯？台灣可以扮演什麼角色來減緩這樣的負面發展？

🌟 亞洲公民未來協會（Asia Citizen Future Association）致力於推動台灣與東南亞公民社會的合作，共同發展應對公民空間緊縮的策略。我們於2023年和2024年分別發布報告，探討台灣在區域危機中的潛在角色，並剖析東南亞國家結社自由的現況與挑戰。

🌟 什麼是公民空間（civic space）？ 「公民空間」指的是超越物理界限的社會環境，是能夠使人聚集共同表達反對意見、進行討論與集結的空間。開放且包容的公民空間，讓公民社會組織（CSOs）和個人能不受政府壓迫與干涉，自由行使言論、和平集會和結社的權利，透過對話與行動推動實質合作和改變。

▌這次【#ACFW2024 台灣東南亞公民空間論壇】將包含一系列活動 ▌

🌟 研究發布與論壇｜用議題串聯台灣和東南亞公民社會！

開場致詞暨研究發布｜印尼、馬來西亞、菲律賓與泰國的結社權現況

亞洲公民未來協會執行長將於開場致詞中分享台灣提供區域內人權捍衛者保護、及提供區域內公民社會組織安全的公民空間以延續工作的潛在角色。

此外，本場次將發布一份由亞洲公民未來協會與其他九個來自台灣、菲律賓、印尼、馬來西亞，以及泰國的公民社會組織所撰寫，關於東南亞結社權現況的深度研究。

場次一｜區域女性組織者與領袖對談：選舉如何影響公民社會與公民空間？

近年來在東南亞可見壓制性政權在選舉前後加劇對公民空間以及基本人權的打壓。女性無論是在政治或是在人權領域中，仍面臨代表性不足的挑戰。

本場次將由台灣與東南亞的女性政治工作者、公民社會領袖與組織者一同探討在台灣與東南亞不同國家的脈絡下，政局變動如何影響公民空間，而公民空間緊縮如何影響在公民社會中活躍行動的女性人權捍衛者、政治、及公民社會工作者。

此外，來自不同國家的講者將分享他們如何在充滿挑戰的環境中持續發揮影響力，以及跨國、跨區域的聯盟與合作如何應對 選舉期間公民空間緊縮的挑戰。

場次二｜台灣可以扮演提供區域內人權捍衛者安全庇護的角色嗎？

近年來，公民空間緊縮以及威權擴張的趨勢導致東南亞區域內的 人權捍衛者（HRDs）面臨逐漸擴大的風險與威脅。這樣的威脅使得人權捍衛者需要尋求安全的庇護環境以保護自身安全，並延續工作的動能。針對這樣的趨勢，已有日漸增加的本地、區域，以及國際組織致力於提供東南亞區域內的人權捍衛者保護機制。 

這些組織如何為面臨高風險的人權捍衛者提供相關的幫助與緊急救援？台灣身為一個臨近東南亞的民主國家，可以在支持東南亞人權捍衛者的議題中扮演什麼角色？台灣若要提供區域內的人權捍衛者庇護，將會遇見什麼挑戰? 本場次邀請來自國際、區域，以及東南亞國家本地，具有支持與保護人權捍衛者經驗的公民社會組織代表，分享他們在支持人權捍衛者方面的見解與經驗。

場次三｜緬甸專場：緬甸的抗爭、倡議決策，以及區域內國家的角色

自緬甸軍方 2021 年發動政變以來，已經歷時三年多。軍方和少數民族地方武裝（簡稱民地武）持續衝突激化，民地武掌控領土增加。然而，軍方仍持續對緬甸實施恐怖統治，以及持續對人民施加暴力與鎮壓。在軍方實施徵兵法後，越來越多緬甸人民被迫面臨境內流離失所或是境外流亡的困境。

一方面，在緬甸人民持續抗爭的同時，軍方試圖透過於 2025 年舉辦選舉來尋求其合法性。除此之外，緬甸危機在過去三年中已成為東南亞國家及其他鄰國的重要議題。本場次旨在探索結束緬甸危機的下一步。除了探討軍方維持對緬甸非法控制的手段外，也側重在鄰國在緬甸危機中所扮演的角色，以及台灣在支持緬甸人民方面可發揮的潛在角色。

🌟 邊會｜一起來探索你所關注的議題在東南亞語境下又是怎麼一回事？

✸ 9月20日憲法法庭宣判死刑在台灣有條件合憲——印尼社會又是如何討論死刑？

✸ 青年如何與不同世代對話？一起來聽泰緬邊境與馬來西亞人權工作者的經驗！

✸ 區域LGBTQIA+組織將帶來詩詞創作工作坊以和紀錄片，一起來聽聽東南亞酷兒的聲音！

✸ 越南NGO「Vietnam Rise」即將在此舉辦第三屆社會運動節「Resilience in Action: Building Secure Regional Collaboration」，促進東南亞與台灣的公民社會組織對話與連結。

🌟 場邊活動｜為你關注的議題採取行動！

✸ 台灣藝術團體「印刻部」版畫陳列展✸「造訪巴勒斯坦」海報展 ✸ 一起發文聲援東南亞區域內受壓迫的行動者與人權捍衛者個案。

​✸ 遠端加入印尼星期四行動「#AksiKamisan」，一起關注印尼轉型正義與人權議題

✸ 寫下你關注的議題～ 也跟我們分享你今天的心得 (^ ^ ʃ♡ƪ)"

🌟 現在就報名【 #ACFW2024 台灣東南亞公民社會週 — 公民空間論壇】也追蹤我們的Instagram @acfa.tw 獲得最新資訊！

＼\ REGISTER TODAY｜Join us in exploring Southeast Asia’s human rights issues and Taiwan’s potential role!  /／

At the #ACFW2024: Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civic Space Forum, we are convening speakers from Taiwan, Southeast Asia, regional and international organizations for a series of insightful discussions. Alongside the forums, various side events and activities will provide deeper exploration into the region’s human rights issues and challenges. 

In recent years, Southeast Asian countries have experienced a shrinking civic space, placing civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders at increased risk of harassment and attacks. As a neighboring democracy, what potential does Taiwan have to provide support?

🌟 The Asia Citizen Future Association (ACFA) is committed to fostering collaboration between Taiwan and Southeast Asian civil societies, working together to develop strategies to counter the crisis of shrinking civic space. In 2023, we published a report examining Taiwan’s potential role in the regional crisis. This year, ACFA coordinated research with nine Southeast Asian CSOs to explore the current state and challenges of freedom of association in Southeast Asia.

🌟 What is Civic Space? 

Civic space refers to a social environment that extends beyond physical boundaries. An open and inclusive civic space enables civil society organizations (CSOs) and individuals to freely exercise their rights to expression, peaceful assembly, and association without government oppression or interference. An open and inclusive civic space empowers individuals to drive positive change through dialogue and action in political, economic, and socio-cultural contexts.

【#ACFW2024 Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civic Space Forum】features a series of engaging activities:

🌟 Report Launch and 3 Panel Discussions

Opening Remarks and Report Launch｜Right to Freedom of Association in Four Southeast Asian Countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The CEO of Asia Citizen Future Association (ACFA) will introduce ACFA, the organizer of the Asia Citizen Future Week (ACFW 2024), and the importance of exploring Taiwan's role in supporting human rights defenders among the region, and to provide a safe civic space for CSOs among the region to continue their work.

Next, a research report on the situation to the right to freedom of association coordinated by ACFA and conducted by 9 other CSOs from Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand will be launched.

Panel 1｜Dialogues of Female Leaders and HRDs in the Region: How Elections Impact Civil Society, Civic Space and Them?

In recent years, Southeast Asia has seen a growing trend of increasing restrictions on civic space and fundamental rights, particularly before and after elections. At the same time, women remain underrepresented in both the political arena and the broader human rights landscape in many parts of the world. This session brings together female politicians, civil society leaders, and organizers to discuss how the electoral processes in different national contexts affect civic space, and how these impacts influence female human rights defenders, organizers, and political leaders who actively engage in civil society.

Additionally, this session explores how female leaders navigate these challenges and make meaningful contributions to their societies and communities. It also examines the role of cross- border alliances and collaborations in addressing these challenges and advancing women's roles in civic space.

Panel 2｜Can Taiwan Become a Shelter for Human Rights Defenders in The Region?

The shrinking civic space in Southeast Asia has led to increasing threats to human rights defenders (HRDs). HRDs across the region are facing growing needs to seek shelter for their safety and to continue their work. In response to these trends, various local, regional, and international initiatives have been developed to provide protection and support for HRDs in Southeast Asia.

How do international, regional, and local NGOs offer urgent assistance to HRDs at high risk? What role can Taiwan, a neighboring democracy, play in addressing the growing need for HRD protection? What challenges lie ahead? In this session, representatives from international, regional, and local civil society organizations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, with experience in protecting and supporting HRDs, will share their insights and experiences.

Panel 3｜Myanmar in Focus: Myanmar's Resilience, Advocacy Strategies and the Role of Countries in the Region

Since the Myanmar junta launched a coup in 2021, more than three years have passed. The conflict between the military and ethnic armed groups (referred to as EAOs) has continued to intensify, with EAOs gaining control over more territory. However, the military still maintains a reign of terror in Myanmar, continuing to impose violence and repression on the people. After the military enacted a conscription law, more and more Myanmar citizens have been forced into displacement either within the country or into exile abroad. While the people of Myanmar continue their resistance, the military is attempting to seek legitimacy by planning to hold elections in 2025.

Additionally, over the past three years, the Myanmar crisis has become a significant issue for Southeast Asian countries and neighboring nations. In addition to discussing the junta's violent tactics to illegally seize power, this panel also focuses on the role neighbouring countries play in the crisis, as well as the potential role Taiwan can play in supporting the people of Myanmar.

🌟 Side Events: Explore Human Rights Issues in Southeast Asian Context

✸ Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled on 9/20 that death penalty is conditionally constitutional. In one of the side events, we will be discussing death penalty in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian societies.

✸ How can youth engage in intergenerational dialogue? Come and hear the experiences of human rights workers from the Thai-Myanmar border and Malaysia!

✸ A regional LGBT+ organization will host a poetry workshop and screen queer themed films. 

✸Vietnam Rise is bringing their Social Movement Festival to #ACFW2024, fostering dialogues and connections among regional CSOs.

🌟 On-Site Activities: Print & Carve Dept. Exhibition

ACFW2024 #ACFA #Taiwan #SoutheastAsia #CivicSpace

🌟 On-Site Activities: Take Actions and Stand in Solidarity!

✸ Print and Carve Dept. Exhibition✸ “Visit Palestine Poster” Exhibition✸Visit the NGO Booths to explore diverse issues! 

✸ Create social media posts to support HRDs among Southeast Asia!

✸ Stand in solidarity with #AksiKamisan, Indonesia's Thursday Protest, and engage with issues of transitional justice and human rights in Indonesia.

See more about 2023 Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civil Society Week:

2023 Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civil Society Week／2023 台灣與東南亞公民社會週 (CN/EN)

About the Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civil Society Week “Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civil Society Week” is a platform organized by ACFA to connect civil society organisations and activists among Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The 2023 Taiwan and Southeast Asia Civil Society Week is an initial stage for CSOs and

亞洲公民未來協會 ACFA亞洲公民未來協會 Asia Citizen Future Association