The Paraguayan Parliament approved last October 9 a law to make transparent the financing of NGOs in the country, which will oblige them to declare the financing they receive, especially from abroad. The initiative, which was applauded by pro-life and pro-family movements, will oblige pro-abortion organizations that receive international funding to declare such support and to comply with the country’s regulations.
Lawyer Dannia Ríos Nacif, founder of the Movement for Life and Family of Paraguay, and the Citizen Network for Children and Adolescents, made up of 35 pro-life organizations in the country, welcomed the approval of the law that seeks to make transparent the financing of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country, many of which promote abortion and gender ideology.
The legislative bill “establishing control, transparency and accountability of non-profit organizations” now awaits the president’s sanction.
“The approval of this bill is necessary because NGOs constitute real structures financed mainly by foreign agents, either by other organizations or international agencies with a defined purpose: that of promoting a political and ideological agenda contrary to the laws and customs of a given nation,” said Rios, in an interview granted to ACI Prensa this July 16.
He added that, “in function of this, the NGOs operate as executing arms of these interests that coincide or are of the same international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union and their respective agencies”.
The legislative project aims to ensure transparency in the use of funds and to establish a system of accountability before the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). According to the bill, NGOs must register in the National Registry of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) within a stipulated period. In addition, they must have the required documentation for control, specify the use and destination of the funds they receive, and submit supporting documents.
In addition, every six months they must submit a report to the competent authority. Those that do not comply with these regulations will face economic sanctions.
UN agency’s rejection of the draft law
The spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, Marta Hurtado, expressed her concern over the recent approval in the Paraguayan Senate of the bill since, she says, it “imposes substantial restrictions” on NGO funding, as well as “additional registration requirements and disproportionate compliance penalties.”
“We regret the recent hasty approval in the Paraguayan Senate of a bill that imposes substantial restrictions on the funding of non-profit organizations, as well as additional registration requirements and disproportionate compliance penalties,” Hurtado said July 12, through a statement.
The UN official called on Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies to reject this bill, arguing that “these new procedures would have a negative impact on the vital human rights work of civil society organizations in the country and would hinder the exercise of freedom of association and expression.”
A critique of the lack of transparency and control over NGOs
In response to critics who argue that the law could limit the freedom and functioning of NGOs, Ríos argues that “transparency is necessary, even more so if they are receiving funding from foreign agents with a defined agenda and contrary to the laws, with the aim of influencing public policies”.
According to Ríos, the fact that NGOs have “free rein” has allowed them to implement projects and programs that are not always aligned with local values and laws. “They develop projects and programs so that, through agreements or agreements with public institutions, they can be implemented in the country, especially in education, children, women, health and environment,” he explained.
Combating apology for crime
Ríos points out that some NGOs in Paraguay openly promote abortion, despite the fact that this practice is illegal in the country in all cases. “In Paraguay there are NGOs that advocate the crime of abortion, which is a punishable act in Paraguay under the guise of defending human rights,” he said.
Some of the organizations that, according to Ríos Nacif, would be promoting foreign interests include SERPAJ, Global Infancia, CDIA, Plan Internacional, Fundación Alda, Diakonia, CODEHUPY, Amnesty International, TEDIC, MEMETIC (El Surtidor) and Alma Cívica, among others.
