- Several organizations considered that this legislation will make their work more difficult and that it is an “anti-democratic action.”
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) rejected on Thursday, August 15 the approval of the Law of Supervision, Regulation, Performance and Financing of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Social Organizations.
The Venezuelan Press and Society Institute (IPYS) reiterated on X (formerly Twitter) its concern about this legislation. It considers that it promotes “anti-democratic actions, which would have serious implications for the exercise of the rights to freedom of association and expression in Venezuela.”
2/2 #AvanceIPYSve | Since #IPYSve We reiterate our concern about the implementation of laws that promote anti-democratic actions, which would have serious implications for the exercise of the rights to freedom of association and expression in Venezuela. #12Aug
— IPYS Venezuela (@ipysvenezuela) August 15, 2024
Alerta Venezuela DD HH, an NGO based in Bogotá (Colombia), denounced that this law marks “the end of independent civil society, as it was known until today.”
For its part, the NGO Justice, Encounter and Forgiveness insisted that this law makes the work of organizations in the country more difficult. “We are concerned that the regulatory barrier against those who work for the most vulnerable groups, who are victims of human rights violations, is being insisted upon, as they end up being the most affected by these measures,” it stressed in X.
Provea has warned the international community about this law. The NGO stressed that it will serve to deepen “the persecution of dissident voices and silence civic space.”
“We warn the international community about this law, which will deepen the persecution of dissident voices and silence the civic space that has resisted attacks from the highest authorities of Nicolás Maduro’s government,” he warned.
While #Venezuela continues in a political crisis due to the lack of transparency of the CNE and TSJ, Maduro’s National Assembly approves the Law against NGOs. #15Ago
Legalizing the persecution of civil society that has denounced abuses and supported thousands of victims in… pic.twitter.com/ZsRe4hHh9d
— PROVEA (@_Provea) August 15, 2024
Other NGOs that condemned the approval of this law through their social networks were Un Mundo Sin Mordaza and Espacio Público.
A World Without Gags made a series of requests:
-They demanded that the President of the Republic refrain from promulgating the law
– A thorough review of the draft law with the aim of ensuring that the principles of legality, proportionality and non-discrimination are respected
– They urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the IACHR and other international organizations responsible for the protection of human rights to take note of the matter and follow up with those involved.
International reactions
Following the passing of this law, several international spokespeople have spoken out. Gina Romero, the United Nations (UN) special rapporteur for Freedom of Association, expressed her solidarity with NGOs in Venezuela.
“After years of knowing and admiring the work of so many Venezuelan organizations, of so many people who, despite persecution, have spent years fighting for freedoms and rights, I am deeply saddened by the adoption of the NGO oversight law,” he said in X.
After years of knowing and admiring the work of so many Venezuelan organizations, of so many people who, despite persecution, have spent years fighting for freedoms and rights, I am deeply saddened by the adoption of the law on the supervision of NGOs. I am…
— Gina Romero (@Ginitastar) August 15, 2024
The ONG Amnesty International He reiterated that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) should publicly support human rights defenders. He also called for the attacks on NGOs to be condemned and said that this law would “suffocate” civic space in Venezuela.
On August 13, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, had urged the government of Nicolás Maduro to reject the approval of this law.
“I urge the authorities not to adopt these or other laws that undermine the civic and democratic space in the country,” Türk urged.
He also called for the release of “all persons arbitrarily detained” in the context of post-election protests in Venezuela.
What the law regulating NGOs says
According to the legislation, NGOs are prohibited from receiving financial contributions intended for political organizations or make financial contributions to such organisations, as well as promote “fascism, intolerance or hatred”.
It also establishes as grounds for dissolution of these associations the failure to comply with these prohibitions, declared by judicial decision, as well as the failure to pay any fine imposed “in accordance with this law, once the available judicial remedies have been exhausted.”
The courts of first instance in civil matters will be competent to decide on the dissolution of an NGO.
NGOs must report any funding or donations they receive, in order to “ensure the legality of the funds.” In addition, they must declare the donations received with full identification of the donors, indicating whether they are national or foreign, accidental or permanent.
Related news
#persecution #dissenting #voices #deepens
2024-08-16 01:27:34
