According to Transparency International Portugal, the Portuguese representative of Transparency International, in a statement sent to Lusa, the signatory organizations say that the proposed law "calls into question the fundamental freedoms and constitutional rights of the Angolan people".
"And it contradicts the commitments assumed by Angola under international law in the sense of defending freedom of expression and assembly", reads the document.
They recall that the proposed law, on the initiative of the holder of executive power and President, João Lourenço, was approved in general in May by parliament and if it passes as a whole, Angolan NGOs "will no longer operate freely".
For the organizations signatories to the declaration, NGOs in Angola must also act independently and safely and their voices, "which ensure the transparency and accountability of the Government's action, will be silenced".
They point to several provisions of the proposed law, considering them "worrying", such as the "creation of a new supervisory body for civil society organizations, dependent on the Government, "responsible for the control, supervision and dissolution of these organizations without resorting to lawsuits".
The "imposition of onerous requirements for registration, inspection and monitoring, forcing organizations to reveal their sources of funding", is also among the provisions considered as "worrying".
The signatories of the declaration, dedicated to promoting good governance, defending human rights and preventing corruption, also underline the fact that the legislative initiative is being introduced "under the pretext of reinforcing compliance with the recommendations" of the FATF (International Financial Action Group), associated with the prevention of money laundering.
In the opinion of these organizations, "the fact that a fundamental measure against transnational corruption is being misused by one of the countries in the world most affected by illicit financial flows to seriously jeopardize the freedom and autonomy of civil society organizations" also is pointed out, "given that it is precisely civil society organizations that have proven to be fundamental for the advancement of the fight against corruption, defense of human rights and sustainable development in Angola".
They also urge international organisations, governments and other interested parties to "join in support of the fundamental freedoms and rights of the Angolan people, demanding that the Angolan authorities withdraw the proposed law in its current form".
The proposed law on the Statute of Non-Governmental Organizations in Angola has already received several protests from organizations operating in Angola and was also contested on 17 June, during a national demonstration called by activists and members of Angolan civil society.
