The European Center for Not-for-profit Law (ECNL) is worried about the negative impects of COVID-19 emergency measures on civic space, read: EU, emergency powers and civic space.

From the article:

In this policy brief, building on data and research drawing from the ECNL-ICNL COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker of government emergency measures, launched in 2020, ECNL critically assesses the approach of the Commission to date. The paper illustrates the main findings of our analysis and formulates a series of targeted recommendations addressed to the Commission, with a view to inform and hopefully prompt improvements for the forthcoming Review Cycles. 

ECNL respectfully calls on the EU Commission to review the methodology underpinning the Review Cycle and embed a structured monitoring and reporting approach on the use and impact of emergency powers, in particular as regards civic space and freedoms, on the basis of the following key recommendations:

• Expand the scope of monitoring to civic space;
• Shift from a descriptive to an analytical approach;
• Formulate targeted country-specific recommendations;
• Enhance synergies with international and regional bodies;
• Strengthen the involvement of and support to civil society actors.

The policy brief is to be found here.