Ecuadorian Civil Society Groups Alarmed by New Law
Over thirty civil society groups in Ecuador expressed grave concerns on Wednesday after the National Assembly approved the Social Transparency Law, a measure advocated by President Daniel Noboa. Critics argue that the law unreasonably restricts their operations without adequate justification, reports 24brussels.
The legislation passed on Tuesday with a majority vote from the governing party, despite strong opposition claims that it contravenes constitutional rights and aims to target and criminalize civil society organizations.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the affected groups denounced the ruling party’s incendiary rhetoric during parliamentary discussions, which portrayed them as criminals lacking any substantial evidence. This presumption of guilt, the complainants argue, undermines public trust in their work and severely limits their capacity to secure private donations and international support, endangering crucial social and human rights initiatives.
Despite modifications made to the initial bill, these organizations maintain that significant shortcomings persist, undermining freedom of association and unjustly constraining a vital sector that is essential for democratic advancement, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.
This new legislation represents the fourth urgent economic measure that President Noboa has successfully passed with parliamentary backing. Previous initiatives faced partial and temporary suspension by the Constitutional Court, which is currently reviewing a range of constitutional challenges presented by civil groups and labor unions.
