The NGOs asked the government of Gustavo Petro to intercede so that the Venezuelan authorities reject this project or any other along the same lines and, instead, allow the free constitution, operation and performance of personalities based on the Constitution and international treaties Legal for any form of association
93 non-governmental organizations sent an open letter to the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, warning him about the possible increase in requests for political asylum and refuge in his country if a bill is approved that seeks to supervise and control organizations and civil associations in Venezuela.
In the letterdisseminated this Thursday, February 16 by various NGOs and activists, make it clear to the Colombian president that the Bill for the Inspection, Regularization, Action and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations –approved in first discussion on January 24– means “the suspension of the right of free association and assembly in Venezuela”.
The main affected, in the opinion of the NGOs, will be “the people who receive free assistance and accompaniment in the defense of their violated rights, as well as humanitarian aid throughout the country.” The illegalization of organizations –Nicaragua style– would also lead to the forced departure of their members from Venezuela, which would increase asylum requests in neighboring countries such as Colombia.
Said bill, they reiterated in the statement, poses a restrictive framework and the “absence” of non-governmental organizations and any other form of association through a series of “disproportionate requirements and that do not have a legitimate objective.”
93 civil society organizations and more than 100 individuals sent an Open Letter to the President @petrogustavo warning about the #LeyAntiSociety and the consequences for #Colombia At the gates of a new forced massive migratory wave. @OHCHR @IACHR @AABenedetti pic.twitter.com/KpeNS0Eaav
— Lexys Rendón (@lexysrendon) February 16, 2023
The NGOs recalled that this new regulation, which is not published on the 2020 National Assembly page, is worded in a vague and imprecise way, which allows for discretionary interpretation by the authorities. It also establishes a sanctioning regime, including fines that would reach up to 12,000 dollars or its de facto dissolution, as well as criminal responsibilities against activists under the alleged crimes of money laundering and financing of terrorism.
In the letter, the NGOs asked the government of Gustavo Petro to intercede so that the Venezuelan authorities reject this project or any other along the same lines and, instead, allow free constitution, operation and international treaties based on the Constitution and international treaties. performance of legal entities for any form of association.
“Your government is heir to the mobilization and organization of thousands of Colombians who want to leave the conflict behind and build a country of opportunities and rights without discrimination of any kind. Those same principles are what we want for our country,” they reiterated to the Colombian president.
The approval of this bill was rejected by various international organizations, as well as experts from the Venezuela Fact Finding Missionwhich qualify it as a new limitation to civic space in the country.
After his visit on January 18, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that he raised his particular concerns regarding this law with the authorities after complaints of new restrictions on the rights of association, personal freedoms or assembly, which he insisted ” must be guaranteed.”
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