This factsheet examines how the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly are critical to the achievement of open government by allowing citizens to actively engage with the government and hold decision-makers accountable. Countries and local jurisdictions that commit to protecting these freedoms reap the benefits of higher levels of citizen engagement and stronger civil society organizations. In addition to pre-existing challenges to an open civic space, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased restrictions on civic space in many OGP countries.
