El Salvador: Concerns over Foreign Agents law
Press releases
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
23 May 2025
From
UN Human Rights spokesperson Liz Throssell
Location
Geneva
We have serious concerns about the adoption of legislation in El Salvador that requires organisations and individuals in receipt of international donor funding to register as "foreign agents". They will have to pay a 30 per cent tax on their funds, and risk facing heavy fines and penalties should they fail to do so.
The law, which was adopted by the National Assembly on 20 May, contains vague language and provisions that could unduly restrict rights to freedom of association and expression. It is likely to stigmatise and negatively impact the important human rights work carried out by civil society organisations in El Salvador, with some potentially forced to halt their activities.
We urge the Salvadoran authorities to respect their obligations under international human rights law and to ensure there is an enabling environment in which civil society can perform its essential role.
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