Nicaragua: 2 organizations that promote press freedom are closed

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(CNN Spanish) ––

Two organizations that promote freedom of the press and expression in Nicaragua announced their closure.

As they denounced, it is due to the requirements imposed in the Foreign Agents Law, which the National Assembly approved in October.

This legislation includes non-governmental organizations.

These are the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation and the local Pen Internacional office, led by the writer Gioconda Belli.

• Government of Nicaragua will impose fines, legal cancellation to people and institutions that do not register as foreign agents

In a statement, the Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation said it will not submit to the legislation.

A rule that qualifies as unconstitutional and contrary to freedoms.

On February 4, Belli announced in an open letter that Pen Internacional will stop operating in the country because it is not considered a foreign agent.

“Although we present all the documents in order, the Ministry of the Interior did not grant us the certification.

As happened to several NGOs, we lost the possibility of applying for projects and our bank account was canceled, ”the document reads.

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The Ministry of the Interior has not responded to these allegations.

The Communication and Citizenship Council has also not responded to CNN's request for comment on the matter.

Restrictions on the press in Nicaragua

The pro-government deputies argue that the NGOs receive funds that they then use in activities other than their stated objectives at the time of establishment.

• The National Assembly of Nicaragua approves a Law on Foreign Agents that the opposition considers unconstitutional

On January 29, the Ministry of the Interior published in the Gaceta, the official newspaper, the law that regulates the registration of foreign agents.

This obliges interested parties to provide detailed information on their board of directors, private donor information and periodic reports on their activities.

The legislation establishes fines for non-compliance of between US $ 300,000 and US $ 500,0000.

Also cancellation of legal personality and freezing of funds and assets of persons or entities.

Along with the Cybercrime Law, which establishes a fine and jail for the publication of false news and approved by the National Assembly last December, the Foreign Agents Law is part of the restrictions on professional work denounced by the independent press in Nicaragua.

freedom of the press