Technical Assistance

Our international staff and network of experts across Latin America and the Caribbean specialize in many issues relevant to civil society. Leveraging their in-depth expertise, we prepare comments on draft and enacted legislation that explore the issues shaping the legal environments for civil society. Our assistance helps partners draft national laws in line with international standards and advocate and litigate effectively. We also strengthen local technical capacity by working with research fellows, grantees, and partners as they build training programs and undertake research.

Indigenous leaders in Ecuador’s Amazon region assess the laws regulating their organizations against international standards for freedom of association. (Photo credit: ICNL)
Indigenous leaders in Ecuador’s Amazon region assess the laws regulating their organizations against international standards for freedom of association. (Photo credit: ICNL)

Recent Highlights

Guatemala

In March 2018, the Guatemalan government introduced a vaguely worded bill that, if enacted, could authorize the government to cancel an organization’s registration at any time without reason. ICNL supported the efforts of local partners to change these provisions by preparing a detailed legal analysis of the bill and its potential impact. The bill is currently sidelined from debate and on hold.

Ecuador

ICNL has provided technical assistance to Ecuadoran civil society partners on international standards of freedom of association and peaceful assembly, along with written comments on proposed and enacted laws.

Brazil

ICNL’s January 2019 public statement offers initial observations on Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s decree on government oversight of domestic and international civil society organizations.