A/HRC/30/49 VIII. Role of civil society in the planning and implementation of activities for the promotion and protection of human rights at the local level 51. Most States responding to the questionnaire did not answer the question on the role of civil society in the planning and development of activities for the protection and promotion of human rights at the local level, or gave nonspecific answers. However, examples of replies note the participation of civil society organizations in trainings (Burundi). Other States reported NGOs as active, but not necessarily cooperating with the Government (Georgia, Hungary, Lebanon, Slovenia and Switzerland). 52. Civil society continues to be in the background of decision-making, rather than as a partner. The working conditions for NGOs in some countries are reportedly under government restrictions and they are prevented from receiving funds, and respondents claim that numerous violations of the human rights to freedom of expression and association for NGOs take place. 53. The majority of respondents clarified that the motives for promoting human rights are primarily based on struggles to counter human rights violations and human suffering that they have witnessed and/or endured. The Human Rights City model of Gwangju, Republic of Korea has spread to other cities in the spirit of the 18 May Gwangju Democratization Movement. The response from Prince George’s County, Maryland (United States of America) made reference to roots in the local experience of a former slaveholding county.23 Many respondents characterized violations as ongoing, including those arising from: economic insecurity and the financial crisis; corruption and armed conflict; authoritarian regimes; and discrimination based on gender, race and colour. 54. Following the Gezi Park Protests in Turkey, civil society has played an increasingly important role in organizing meetings and preparing reports on specific groups’ expectations from local government authorities. Positive examples are initiatives undertaken by SPoD (a national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex NGO), two Internet-based social movements, the Association for the Support and Training of Women Candidates (KA.DER), Urbanism Movement of People, IULA–EMME (International Union of Local Authorities, Section for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Region (currently UCLG–MEWA).24 IX. Best practices 55. Analysis of the responses received to the questionnaire shows that civil society plays an important role in boosting local action in the field of human rights in the respective countries. In Hungary, for example, NGOs can participate in the planning and in the implementation phase of regulations and programmes of the municipalities in accordance with the law. In Burundi, civil society participates actively in the training activities on human rights for the creation of programmes of information and awareness-raising. In India, civil society representatives have been contributing to strengthening the roles of local governments in effectively addressing rights of marginalized citizens at the local level. In Switzerland, NGOs are free to bring forth different projects, for example, against racism. In Luxembourg, the National Council for Foreigners is an example of the participation of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Council is composed of civil 23 24 14 Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission. Turkey, Human Rights Law Research Center, İstanbul Bilgi University.