Enabling principles scores
Over the past year and a half, the context of civic space in Venezuela has been marked by three key events. The first was the presidential elections in July 2024 and the events that followed, which marked a turning point in the country’s political and social context, characterised by an intensification of repression and criminalisation of protest, harassment and arbitrary detentions, not only against demonstrators, but also against activists and human rights defenders.
The second was the approval and entry into force of the Law on the Control, Regularisation, Operation and Financing of Non-Governmental Organisations and Non-Profit Social Organisations, which represents a significant setback to the exercise of the right to freedom of association by imposing excessive requirements for the registration and operation of organisations, the establishment of a disproportionate sanctions regime, the concentration of extraordinary powers in the executive branch, and the lack of clear regulations, all of which have created a climate of legal uncertainty that affects the continuity of the organisations’ work, even though the law has not been applied systematically.
The third event is the drastic reduction in international funding as a result of decisions taken by the United States government in early 2024, compounded by the lack of support from the State and the limited availability of resources from the private sector, which are insufficient to cover all needs.
The official discourse towards civil society organisations is characterised by stigmatisation, the dissemination of false information, and threats against individuals and organisations, which has had a significant impact on civic participation. These events are systematically repeated in the digital space, where massive blockades against the media and social networks are also implemented, hindering the exercise of fundamental rights.
