When the boomerang is lost: Rights activism under autocratization - the role of international networks and support

Human rights activists play a critical role in bringing about government accountability in democratizing societies. Yet, as resurgent autocratizing forces challenge democratic norms and practices around the world, rights activists are increasingly confronting contentious and uncertain conditions in which to advocate for fundamental freedoms. In this paper, we focus on an often-overlooked dimension of democratic backsliding as it affects human rights activists: The role of international actors and networks. Research shows that grassroot rights activists are more likely to succeed when they can partner with international organizations and transnational networks. These international ties provide parallel mechanisms and resources for bringing about change. Activists can enhance their capacity to influence government behaviour by activating transnational advocacy networks to ramp up foreign pressure. But how do international networks and donors respond to the challenges of autocratization and new legal restrictions? By using a multifaceted analytical framework and recent data collected in Zimbabwe, the paper shows how international support changes in response to global and local political dynamics, and how this in turn and shapes the domestic options available to activists facing growing legal restrictions and democratic backsliding.  Zimbabwe is a particularly useful case to study in the present context as it has long experienced international dynamics that mirror those increasingly salient for activists in other parts of the world. We distinguish five strategies employed by activists in response to the deteriorating international opportunity structure and argue that the main response to the withdrawal of international support for Zimbabwe´s civil society has been a turn towards de-politization and re-engagement with the state.