The Protection of Human Rights Defenders, the World Organization Against Torture and the International Federation for Human Rights together have drafted a global review of violations to NGO funding via restrictions imposed by governments around the world. Access to funding, in particular foreign funding, is increasingly being hindered by these same governments, whose primary intention is to silence human rights defenders.

Groups who protect human rights in countless countries are putting increasing pressure on agencies and government bodies to show how practices that stifle NGO funding violate universally recognized human rights standards as well as negatively impact efforts by civil society to promote and protect human rights as well as ensure that the voice of victims is heard.