EU AND OTHERS CONCERNED OVER NGO LAW; FEW WILLING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 000561

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM SNAR PREF VE
SUBJECT: EU AND OTHERS CONCERNED OVER NGO LAW; FEW WILLING
TO CRITICIZE

REF: CARACAS 471

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ,
REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Summary: The local diplomatic community is concerned
about the increasing authoritarianism of the Government of
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (GBRV),including the
draft law that would restrict NGO activities. Domestic
economic concerns, reluctance to interfere in internal
affairs, and a focus on business promotion limit the
diplomatic community's enthusiasm for direct criticism of the
GBRV's democracy record. The Canadian and Czech Ambassadors,
however, plan on separately raising concerns about the NGO
law with the President of the Foreign Affairs Commission at
the National Assembly. End summary.


2. (C) European Commission PolCouns Aude Maio-Coliche told
Poloff April 29 that the International Cooperation, or NGO,
law (Reftel) as it appears to be drafted would violate
European Union (EU) transparency regulations and potentially
end EU funding of Venezuelan NGOs. Nonetheless, the EU has
no plans to press the GBRV on democracy issues, Maio-Coliche
said, noting that the economic crises in Europe has crowded
out attention for human rights. At an April 29 monthly human
rights meeting of concerned diplomats, the French
representative said that their activities were limited to
routine political reporting.


3. (C) Canadian Charge D'Affairs Virginie Levesque told
Poloff April 27 that the Canadians are very concerned with
GBRV actions following the February 15th referendum. The
Canadian Ambassador plans to request a meeting with the
President of the Foreign Affairs Commission at the National
Assembly, Roy Daza. He may be joined by UNDP, Norwegian, and
Finish representatives in this meeting, should it be granted.
The Canadians also plan on raising their concerns with the
Venezuela-Canada inter-parliamentary Friendship Group.
Levesque said that the EU embassies in Venezuela are divided
over how to handle democracy issues. EU member state
embassies have agreed to let the Czech Ambassador,
representing the EU Presidency, state their concerns with the
proposed NGO law to Roy Daza after the Europe Day celebration
on May 7.


4. (C) Comment: The proposed NGO law is one of a series of
GBRV actions since the February 15th referendum that have
raised concerns over human rights. Among Caracas's
diplomatic community, the Canadian mission is the most active
in raising democracy concerns privately with the GBRV.
However, Venezuela has not filled its ambassadorial vacancy
in Ottawa in almost three years. While members of the
Western diplomatic community in Venezuela believe that
democratic freedom is at risk, few, including almost all EU
members, are willing to confront the GBRV at this time.

CAULFIELD