PRESS RELEASE | Progress continues in Venezuela to impose a law against Civil Society and definitively close civic space | via: Provea
Provea | Venezuela | January 22, 2024
The undersigned organizations and people convey, once again, to the national and international community our alarm and profound rejection of the “Law on Supervision, Regularization, Performance and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations” that the National Assembly (AN ) has been reactivated through an apparent public consultation process in order to reach its possible approval, despite the fact that during the year 2023 the State received well-founded and numerous objections from the international community, both from the Office of the High Commissioner and Procedures Specials of the United Nations, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Independent Fact-Finding Mission and national and international civil society on the inadmissibility of this law, due to its openly violating nature of the right to freedom of association and other human rights , since it would cause the definitive closure and militarization of civic space and irreparable damage to the rights of the population and the fabric of Venezuelan society.
With clear procedural defects, without a text published by the AN or by any public entity, of which only an unofficial version is known, even though the bill was approved in the first discussion a year ago, on January 24 of the year 2023, and without a prior, broad and plural call by mass or official media, on January 12 the so-called consultation was initiated at the headquarters of the AN in Caracas and televised by the parliament channel, in which it was public and The intention to harass, criminalize and disable Venezuelan civil society is notorious since a pre-existing list of 62 organizations accused of crimes punishable by this law was once again exposed, and it was carried out in the majority presence of military and police intelligence bodies.
In reference to the content of the text, we reiterate that this law:
- It is not a regulatory instrument, since there already exists in Venezuela a legally established regulatory system favorable to the exercise of freedom of association, in accordance with the constitutional norm, both in terms of registration, accountability and supervision. A system that, since 2010, the State itself restricted, introducing discretionary and arbitrary mechanisms that hindered procedures and that, in 2019, was partially suspended in order to centralize and limit it further, causing serious difficulties for foundations and civil associations to comply. current legal requirements. Among other registries, military registration is provided for in the Comprehensive Defense Registry that is administered by the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense, as provided for in article 35 et seq. of the Registration and Enlistment Law for the Comprehensive Defense of the Nation.
- It is not designed to improve the prevention and punishment of possible illegal acts or irregular situations by civil associations and foundations, since, in their own statements and exchange of information with international organizations, such as the CFATF in the March 2023 Mutual Evaluation, the The State has affirmed that, in any case, these alleged events occur very rarely in the country and judicial procedures exist to investigate and clarify them, in accordance with the rule of law and due process. In its explanatory statement and articles, the law transforms associative law into a matter of “public order” with which the suspicion and presumption of crimes and the unjustified intervention of the military and security bodies in the surveillance and control of non-profit associations, deepening the criminalization, penalization, illegalization and confiscation of the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression, information, participation, defense of rights, as well as denunciation, criticism, questioning or peaceful dissent, access to rights protection systems and international cooperation for humanitarian assistance and development, assimilating all these rights with “terrorism”, “conspiracy”, “destabilization”, “foreign interference” or simply “political activities”.
- No promueve ni protege el derecho a la libertad de asociación. Por el contrario, sin bases que la justifiquen y de forma contraria a la Constitución y a los estándares internacionales que protegen la esencia libre, civil y autónoma del derecho a la asociación, la ley se extiende de manera totalizante, ambigua y desproporcionada a todas las fundaciones y asociaciones civiles de derecho privado sin fines de lucro; deja sin efecto los registros de los que disponen las asociaciones con personalidad jurídica para trabajar en el país, de acuerdo con el sistema y las leyes vigentes, los cuales considera inexistentes; crea un nuevo régimen asociativo de “relevancia pública”, militar y fuera de la Constitución, que impone la autorización, control y fiscalización del Estado sobre todo el ciclo de vida de las asociaciones (fines, fundación, funcionamiento y actividad); ilegaliza toda asociación de hecho y establece un sistema de controles y requisitos adicionales, innecesarios, permanentes y no compatibles con la condición civil de las asociaciones, que los hace de imposible cumplimiento. En específico, la ley viola frontalmente el artículo 5 de los Pactos Internacionales de Derechos Civiles y Políticos y de Derechos Sociales, Económicos y Culturales que prohíbe la destrucción de derechos o su restricción excesiva.
- De este modo, la ley persigue propósitos inconstitucionales y violatorios de los estándares internacionales en materia de derechos humanos, por lo que no admite consulta ni mejora posible, tal como ha sido expresado por los órganos de protección de derechos humanos y de la sociedad civil venezolana, en defensa de sus derechos, exigiendo al Estado “derogar o abstenerse de adoptar cualquier medida o ley que pueda limitar el ejercicio del derecho a la libertad de asociación o dé lugar a un control indebido de las organizaciones de la sociedad civil o una injerencia en sus actividades, y establecer un entorno seguro y propicio para que todas las organizaciones de la sociedad civil puedan realizar sus actividades sin temor a represalias” en todos sus ámbitos de desempeño civiles, políticos, económicos, sociales, culturales y ambientales.
- The suppression of civic space and the right of association, as proposed in the bill and the virtual annulment of the activities of foundations and non-profit civil associations, deeply impacts the conditions for the next electoral process in the country. . Guaranteeing fair and democratic elections not only implies allowing the unrestricted participation of candidates, but also maintaining a vigorous and robust civil society that can exercise citizen oversight and promote the right to vote. The international community and all those involved in overcoming the Venezuelan crisis and the search for a peaceful and democratic transition cannot ignore this threat, which would undermine the holding of fair, safe and free elections. There cannot be authentic elections in Venezuela without civil society and it cannot be controlled by military entities. Compliance with the Partial Agreement on the Promotion of Political Rights and Electoral Guarantees for all must also be measured through the guarantee and respect of the right of association of non-governmental organizations.
- Consequently: 1) We call on the National Assembly not to insist on the advancement and discussion of a text that clearly violates multiple human rights, fails to comply with and disrespects the National Constitution and does not contribute in any way to improving the country’s environment in a context of Complex Humanitarian Emergency and electoral period; 2) We urge the national and international community to reject the adoption of the Law on Supervision, Regularization, Performance and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations, and any other regulatory text that may excessively limit the exercise of the right to freedom of association or results in undue military control of civil society organizations or interference in their activities.
- Subscribing organizations:
- AC House of the New Town
- AC CEDISUC
- AC Community in Motion
- AC Concentroccidente of GS Cesap
- AC Youth and Development
- National Academy of Engineering and Habitat
- Access to Justice
- Peasant Action
- ACOANA
- Activated Panama
- Cojedeña Research Agency (ACI)
- AlertVenezuela
- Alliance of Relatives and Victims in Venezuela (ALFAVIC VENEZUELA)
- Alliance for Venezuela
- Soul
- Transplanted Friends from Venezuela
- International Amnesty
- Apuneg
- We All Fit Here
- El Convite Campesino Center Civil Association
- Chunikai Ecological and Social Civil Association
- Civil Association Strength, Union, Justice, Solidarity and Peace (FUNPAZ)
- Los Naguaritos Civil Association
- Portachuelo Civil Association
- Neighborhood Radar Civil Association
- Súmate Civil Association
- Uniandes Civil Association
- Venezuelan Civil Association in Córdoba Argentina
- Blandin Community Association
- Association of Professors of the Central University of Venezuela
- Association of Owners and Residents of Prados del Este
- Venezuelan Migrants Association
- Venezuelan Association of Christian-Oriented Health Services (Avessoc)
- Venezuelan Association for Hemophilia
- Asocoinbar
- ASOENVEAR
- ASOVEDRA
- Open Classroom
- AVEPR
- HR COFFEE
- Human Kaleidoscope
- Walking and Building Inclusive Society
- FIELD
- Canada Venezuela Democracy Forum
- Chair of Human Rights at the Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado
- CCCB – Advisory Council of the City of Barquisimeto
- CECAVID
- Center for Action and Defense for Human Rights (CADEF)
- Center for Activism and Democratic Development for the region (CDDLatam)
- Youth Animation Center
- Center for Comprehensive Individual Psychopedagogical Care (CAIPI)
- Center for Human Rights of the Andrés Bello Catholic University
- Center for Law and Democracy Studies (CEDED)
- Center for Legal and Social Studies – CELS (Argentina)
- Center for Social Research, Training and Women’s Studies – CISFEM
- Justice and Peace Center – Cepaz
- Center for Peace and Human Rights of the Central University of Venezuela
- Center for Defenders and Justice (CDJ)
- Cescoop
- Great Cinema Circuit
- Active Citizenship
- New Citizen
- Civil Rights Defenders
- Civilis Human Rights
- Climate21
- Coalition for Venezuela
- Bolívar State Bar Association
- Puerto Cabello Nursing College
- College of Nursing
- Human Rights Commission of the Federation of Venezuelan Bar Associations of the Apure state
- National Human Rights Commission of the Federation of Venezuelan Bar Associations of the Lara state
- National Human Rights Commission of the Federation of Venezuelan Bar Associations of the state of Táchira
- Commission for Human Rights of the State of Zulia (Codhez)
- Commission for Human Rights and Citizenship (CODEHCIU)
- Human Rights Committee for the Defense of Pensioners, Retirees, Seniors and People with Disabilities
- Committee for the defense of human rights in Coche parish
- Committee for the Freedom of Social Fighters – Guárico
- Citizen Commitment
- Confederation of Venezuelan Workers in the Guárico State (CTV-GUARICO)
- Council of Refugee Migrants and Returned Colombians of Bogotá
- Consulting for Human Rights and Displacement-CODHES.
- consort
- Citizen Control for Security, Defense and the National Armed Forces
- Dan Buen Cinema Cooperative
- Venezuelan Colony Corporation in Colombia
- We create Citizen Alliance
- Cumaná Mia
- Ladies in White Venezuela
- Due Process of Law Foundation
- Eco-effect
- Education for better living NGO
- EPIKEIA Human Rights
- Equalia
- Project and Social Consulting Team
- SOS Freedom Family
- Federation of Associations of University Professors of Venezuela (FAPUV)
- National Federation of Parents and Representatives Societies – FENASOPADRES
- FetraYaracuy
- FICU. Foundation for the Cultural Integration of Migrants and Refugees
- Fordisi
- Hatillano Forum
- Criminal Forum
- San Antonio Forum
- Venezuelan Foreign Policy Forum
- FPPM-VE (Family Members of Military Political Prisoners)
- Northern Front of Caracas
- FUDECI
- Water Without Borders Foundation
- Aguaclara Foundation
- Solidarity Alliances Foundation
- Friends of the Historic Center of Barquisimeto Foundation
- Walking With You Foundation
- Colonia de Venezuela Foundation in the Dominican Republic Funcoverd
- Anzoátegui Human Rights Foundation
- Dignity, Justice and Freedom Foundation, NGO OMNIPRODNAM
- Goblins and Angels Vinotinto Foundation
- Juan Parra School of Performing Arts Foundation
- GRACE Foundation: Give Refugees a Chance
- Making Panas Foundation
- Iribarren Lucha Foundation
- John Boulton Foundation
- Human Development Laboratory Foundation
- Blue Lotus Foundation
- Lucelia Foundation
- Mahuampi Venezuela Foundation
- Yellow Manitas Foundation
- Nakama’s Foundation
- OIR REGIONAL INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION Foundation
- Foundation for Due Process «Fundepro»
- Foundation for Comprehensive Development (FUNDESI)
- Foundation for the Prevention of Violence Against Women
- San José de Chacao Foundation
- Sine Qua Non Foundation
- Venezuelans Abroad Foundation
- I Support You Foundation
- FundaNetes
- Fundeci AC
- Fundehullan
- Oil People
- Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect
- Interdisciplinary Group Humanitarian Emergency in Water
- La Colina Group A C.
- Orinoco Group
- CESAP Social Group
- Hearts On Venezuela
- Ideas for Democracy
- Promotes Latin America
- CASLA Institute
- ININCO Communication Research Institute, UCV
- UCAB Legal Research Institute
- Institute of Press and Freedom of Expression (IPLEX)
- International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
- Institute for Peace and Development – IPADES
- Venezuelan Institute of Social and Political Studies -INVESP
- International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
- Justice and Process Venezuela
- Justice, Encounter and Forgiveness
- Labo
- Peace Laboratory
- MBI in Action
- Powerful Mothers
- MAPANI
- Mavid Carabobo
- Mayday CONFAVIDT
- United Doctors of Venezuela
- My Coexist
- AC Social Monitor
- Citizen Movement Uniting Wills
- Workers Movement January 9
- National Consumer Initiative Movement
- Movement for Democracy (MPD)
- Mulier
- Human Rights Observatory of the University of Los Andes
- Human Rights Observatory of the Youth Animation Center
- Observatory of Political Ecology of Venezuela
- Venezuela Observatory of the University of Rosario
- LGBTIQ+ Violence Observatory
- Venezuelan Electoral Observatory (OEV)
- Geopolitical Observatory of Latin America
- Global Observatory of Communication and Democracy
- Hannah Arendt Observatory Chapter USA
- Venezuelan Human Rights ObservatoryWomen
- Venezuelan Prisons Observatory
- Venezuelan Observatory of Violence
- Odevida, Venezuela Chapter
- NGO Citizen Awakening
- NGO Men for Equity and Equality
- NGO Migrants for the Maule
- NGO Red Reto
- NGO Venezuelan Union in Peru
- Citizen Actions Opportunity
- Orfavideh. Organization of Relatives of Victims of Extrajudicial Executions
- StopHIV Organization
- Osc.Ação Social Irmandade Sem Fronteiras
- Organized Parents of Venezuela
- Active Peace
- Country Plan
- Venezuela Help Platform
- For the Venezuelan Family
- Prepare Family
- Pro-Venezuela Verein
- PROMEDEHUM
- Provea – Venezuelan Human Rights Action Education Program
- Human Rights Monitor Project
- Psychoven
- Human Rights Network-Lara / Roscio Project
- Baruta Network of Neighborhood Organizations
- Merida Feminist Network
- Neighborhood Network
- Venezuelan Network of Civil Society Organizations, SINERGIA
- NetworksHelp / Human Law Radio Station
- Resonalia
- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
- SAVE MY IDENTITY
- Jesuit Refugee Service for Latin America and the Caribbean – JRS LAC
- Carabobo State Agricultural Union
- Sidernac Union
- Sips of Knowledge
- SOS Kidney Patients
- SOS Venezuela Radio
- SUNEP-INPARQUES
- Weaving Childhood Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean
- The Norwegian Venezuelan Justice Alliance
- All for the Future
- Electoral Transparency
- A World Without a Gag
- A Window to Freedom
- Affirmative Union of Venezuela
- Neighborhood Union for Citizen Participation AC
- Active Neighbors
- VENEMEX
- Venezuela Global
- Vicarage of Human Rights Archdiocese of Barquisimeto
- Young Vote
- Wainjirawa-UAIN
- 100% Estrogen
Subscribers: - Ana Fernandez
- Ana María Ruggeri Cova
- Aníbal Rosales
- Antonietta Jeanette Bastidas Hernández
- Aurelio Useche Kislnger
- Barbara Reuss
- Brian Schapira
- Carmen Martínez de Grijalva
- Cesar Batiz
- Claudia Astor M.
- Consuelo Ramos
- Daniel Vivas
- Daniela Guerra
- Darío Manuel Gómez Suárez
- Deixon Alberto
- Eddie A. Ramírez S.
- Edgardo Romero Chirinos
- Edward Ocariz
- Esperanza Ardila
- Estefanía Melendez
- Floralba Hernandez
- Franci Sánchez Zambrano
- Gabriele Merz
- Gery Vasquez Cucho
- Gustavo Sarmiento
- Iraida Lovera
- Isabel Quintero
- Javier Samuel Paredes
- Jeanette Moreno
- Jeanfreddy Gutiérrez Torres
- Jeisi Blanco
- Jesus Castellanos Vasquez
- Jhonny Diaz Apitz
- Joel Garcia
- Joseph Allen
- José Amando Mejía
- Juan Alonso Molina
- Juan Carlos Fernandez Montoya
- Juan Carlos Gabaldon
- Juan Martinez
- Judith Brazon
- Judith Vega Mejía
- Julio César Fernández Toro
- Kethy Mendoza
- Kiomara Scovino
- Leonardo R Argüello L
- Leyla Escobar
- Lisbeth Robles
- Luis Manuel Marcano Salazar
- Luis Trincado
- María Antonieta Torres Ferrer
- María Clara Robayo León
- Maria de Lourdes Ríos de Chiossone
- María Eugenia Escalona Montesinos
- Maria Jesus Torres
- Maria Teresa Romero
- Mariángel Navas
- Maygret Ordóñez
- Mayra Medina
- Miguel Pizarro
- Miracles GIL QUINTERO
- Prof. Carlos Ayala Corao
- Ramon Cardozo
- Raúl Azparren M.
- Raúl Emilio Baduel Cafarelli
- Rebeca Pernalete
- Reinaldo Rojas
- Renato Bernieri
- Ricardo Zeas Mendoza
- Rigoberto Lobo
- Roberto Lopez Sanchez
- Roger Crespo
- Santiago Clavijo A.
- Santiago Loyo
- Scarleth Mujica
- Simón Gómez Guaimara
- Simon Mora
- Tamara Bechar
- Tawfik Hennaoi
- Teresita Oramas
- Victor Faza
- Victor Hernandez Mendible
- Victor Marquez Corao
- William Figueroa
- William Requejo Orobio
- Yaneth Josefina Torres
- Yelitza Espinoza
- Yorbelis Oropeza
- Ysmenia Barcelo
- Zair Mundaray Rodríguez
- Zoraida Pereira