La Strada International is one of 230 civil society organisations that signed a statement urging the European Commission to scrap plans for a directive on foreign-funded organisations. The signatories are concerned that the proposed legislation mirrors restrictive laws in several countries and could have a serious impact on democracy and civil society in the EU and beyond. It could also jeopardise the credibility of the European Union’s action to defend the rule law and human rights globally.
The statement calls on the European Commission to: not pursue the proposal for “a legal instrument introducing common transparency and accountability standards for interest representation services directed or paid for from outside the EU”; carry out a fundamental rights impact assessment ahead of any future legislative proposals; and ensure an open and structured dialogue with all stakeholders, in particular all proposals or reviews of legislation affecting civil society. Read the statement here.