The EU regrets the Foreign Agents Law adopted by the Salvadorian Legislative Assembly and published yesterday. 

This legislation, which runs counter to El Salvador’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it is a State Party, risks restricting civil society actors’ access to funding, which is essential for their functioning and vital to any healthy democracy. 

In this context, the EU expresses concern over the recent detentions of human rights defenders, and expects the Salvadoran authorities to uphold their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and due process, as well as to ensure their safety and physical integrity. 

While the EU remains committed to supporting inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in El Salvador, the new legislation on foreign agents and the shrinking space for civil society risks undermining development and could negatively impact cooperation.