A/HRC/27/33 continue to be among the Office’s priorities in coming years. She drew attention to the fact that “widening the democratic space” was one of the six thematic strategies for OHCHR for 2014-2017, with a strong emphasis on the requirement of a safe and enabling environment for civil society, including human rights defenders. C. Moderator of the panel discussion 14. In her introductory remarks, the moderator of the panel discussion, Hina Jilani, welcomed the concern shown by the Human Rights Council and its interest in expanding the space for civil society, as well as its recognition of the critical importance of the role that civil society played in the promotion and protection of human rights. Civil society was a critical actor in strengthening human rights and democracy. No notion of “international community” was complete without the recognition of civil society as an integral part. She emphasized the value of the work of civil society actors, often at great cost to their own personal freedom. She considered that, while there was greater recognition of the role of civil society worldwide, there was still a need to acknowledge that civil society benefited and strengthened States by channelling public voices and concerns to the attention of relevant authorities. D. Member of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Member of the Parliament of Turkey 15. Ms. Pavey referred to ancient Greece, where, to be considered a “citizen”, an individual – only a man at that time – had an obligation to take part in political processes. In the modern age, civil society provided an avenue for people to engage in the affairs of their communities and countries without participating directly in politics. As a forum outside State control, civil society became an arena of empowerment for autonomy, voluntary unity, pluralism and social demands. It served to limit the powers of Governments and to hold them accountable. From women’s rights, environmental issues, peacebuilding, disability rights, humanitarian aid through to constitutional reform, civil society had become a critical force in every area of societal challenge. 16. Ms. Pavey considered that, in its simplest definition, “civil society” consisted of “people doing things together that they could not achieve on their own as individuals”. Civil society organizations did not aspire to have a share of political power. It was commendable that feminist movements, associations against racism and ecological movements remained part of civil society, while also having political significance in the messages they conveyed. She gave an example of an environmental activist, who would not wish to become Prime Minister, but who would seek to limit the power of the Prime Minister to cut down trees. 17. Ms. Pavey explained that civil society acted as a mechanism for societal balance and formed a “social opposition language” to government policies, without creating a political party. Therefore, interest in societal movements focusing on discrimination in areas such as gender, race, disability, ethnicity and sexual orientation had increased tremendously. She regretted that, in some societies, in particular those in transition or where there were internal conflicts, civil society was controlled or repressed through financial and legal pressures, or through the creation of “government-organized” non-governmental organizations, created with the sole intention of supporting the Government’s policies in the public or international arena. 18. The panellist highlighted what she considered to be the most tragic aspect of the shrinking space of civil society, namely, the targeting of humanitarian aid workers by 5