About the Law

CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE PROPOSED LAW OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
If approved in its present form by the Venezuelan National Assembly, the law would establish a mandatory, State-controlled national registry of all NGOs seeking to cooperate with international organizations.  All international support for NGOs (e.g. funding, technical assistance, and materiel support) would be channeled through a to-be-created government body administered ultimately by the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.  Only those organizations which have been accredited by the national registry would be eligible to receive such support.  The Executive Office would be responsible for setting up all regulations pertaining to the law. 

This law would harm the development of a cooperative relationship between the State and civil society – contrary to the interests of any government interested in supporting a healthy democratic system, and contrary to the Venezuelan constitution.  This proposed law  - and statements of support by members of the National Assembly (see Media Gallery) - have worsened an environment already characterized by mistrust on the part of a government which regards NGOs as conspirators against the State. Some feel that an NGO community which is independent and free to express dissent and mobilize public opinion is a threat which must be controlled.  In this environment, much of the NGO community also feels threatened.

Venezuelan NGOs are not opposed to all oversight by the State as evidenced by their compliance with current legislation regulating the scope of NGO activities, including a series of already-existing registration processes.  Additionally they, like all citizens, are governed by laws concerning illegal activities such as terrorism and money-laundering.  The concern by some, however, is that this law could be used to impose State control over civil society – a situation clearly not in the interest of a government committed to the promotion of democracy.

For four decades, NGOs in Venezuela have dedicated their efforts to a wide variety of causes including human rights, environmental protection, civil rights, and the promotion of culture and sports.  Their mission is to help improve the lives of the people they serve.  In a healthy democratic society, the government would be working closely with them rather than possibly setting obstacles in the way of that work and impeding the development of a working relationship that benefits the citizens of the country, including the poorest of the poor.