Paraguay - July 2024

On 8 July, the Senate passed a bill whose stated objective is to control and set transparency and accountability standards for nonprofit organizations that receive or manage public or private funds. It requires all non-governmental organizations (NGO) to register in a national registry and document how they use their funds. NGOs will have to submit biannual reports to authorities, or risk financial penalties and the disqualification of their staff from working in civil society. Experts warn that the bill’s provisions are contrary to Paraguay’s human rights obligations and are vague and broad, which could enable the government to arbitrarily and discretionally restrict or even dissolve NGOs, as well as control their content and operations. Additionally, the reporting procedures established in the bill could overly burden grassroots and other smaller organizations. The bill has been sent to the lower chamber to be studied and discussed.

Sources: Amnesty International, Camara de Senadores Paraguay, OHCHR, ABC