Overview

The Closing Spaces database is a regularly-updated platform that meticulously tracks and documents crackdowns on the civic space in Nigeria and West Africa. Launched in 2015 with a focus on Nigeria and expanding to the West African sub-region in 2017, our database is the first comprehensive tool designed to identify and demonstrate how state actors and their collaborators limit civic expression and participation in governance.

Our Mission

We provide a critical resource for civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) worldwide. Our platform enables users to:

• Filter through various categories of civic space restrictions
• Identify high-risk areas and prioritize resources
• Strategize and respond effectively to civic space challenges
• Access comprehensive information on civic space incidents

Data Collection Methodology

We gather incident reports from four primary sources:

• Online and offline media sources
• Website ‘Report Incident’ button
• Tracking team of the Action Group on Free Civic Space
• Eye-witness reports from website visitors

All incidents are carefully categorized and verified by a dedicated team before being uploaded to the database.

Special Focus: COVID-19 Tracking

In March 2020, we expanded our scope to include a COVID-19 focus, tracking human rights abuses related to pandemic response. A 16-member COVID-19 Tracking Team (CTT) documents emergency measures that potentially restrict civil society across 16 Nigerian states.