Over the past two decades, Government-Organized Non-Governmental Organizations (GONGOs) have proliferated in autocratic regimes, posing significant threats to global democratic governance. These entities, disguised as independent civil society groups, can serve as extensions of state power, disseminating propaganda, undermining human rights institutions, and entrenching authoritarian control at both domestic and international levels.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has become a key target for GONGOs, particularly at its human dimension meetings, including the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC), and the Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings (SHDMs). GONGOs utilize disinformation, whataboutism, and other manipulative tactics to amplify authoritarian narratives, dismiss criticism as illegitimate or Western interference, and discredit independent organizations and activists. Their actions promote an authoritarian worldview that challenges fundamental principles such as freedom of expression and association. Reflecting the illiberal agendas of regimes like Russia and China, GONGOs aim to reshape governance norms while stifling genuine civil society voices.
By infiltrating institutions like the OSCE, GONGOs erode the democratic values and cooperative principles foundational to these forums, undermining their integrity and purpose. For international organizations and democratic governments, the rise of GONGOs poses a clear and serious danger. Countering their influence requires proactive strategies to expose their agendas and preserve the OSCE’s role as a platform for open dialogue and independent civil society engagement. For many CSOs, OSCE meetings remain one of the few spaces to directly engage with governmental representatives. Safeguarding these democratic platforms demands coordinated efforts, transparency, and a resolute commitment to upholding universal human rights and democratic principles.
