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Help keep Venezuelan civil society free!
Join Transparency International and its national chapter, Transparencia Venezuela in the global defence of autonomy for Venezuelan civil society.
Add your voice to the call for freedom: write to the country’s National Assembly today (carta en español)
Why is TI concerned?
The draft Law on International Cooperation, currently under discussion in Venezuela’s National Assembly, raises increasing concerns about the freedom of civil society and its ability to function independent of stifling government control.
The proposed law, a first draft of which has been approved by the National Assembly, would:
- increase existing regulation of non-governmental local and international organisations
- subject civil society to considerable restrictions, with government allowed to interfere in their objectives, activities and funding sources
- establish a Fund for International Cooperation and Assistance. It is unclear in the draft whether funds received by civil society would end up being managed by the government through this fund
The text of the proposed bill is ambiguous, leaving ample room for further restrictions at the government’s discretion. The bill also requires all organisations to register with the government, and its scope would be defined directly by the presidency under a regulation outside of legislative procedure.
Fighting corruption and demanding transparency and accountability in all sectors of society requires autonomy. With the passing of this law, Transparencia Venezuela would be severely limited in its anti-corruption programmes. To Restricting civil society means harming a country’s most vulnerable citizens.
What to do?
TI has spoken out in the press and publicly joined other organisations in the call to reject this draft bill. Now you too can make your voice heard by sending a letter to the President of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Together we can make a difference and allow civil society to continue.
To download the letter, click here:
Thank you for supporting the fight against corruption.
For more information:
Press release: Keep Venezuelan civil society free, says Transparency International
Corruption Q&A: Regulation of civil society in Venezuela.
