Law against Fascism, Neofascism and Similar Expressions

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Proyecto de ley contra el fascismo, neofascismo y expresiones similares.pdf

The Law against Fascism, Neofascism and Similar Expressions (Spanish : Ley contra el Fascismo, Neofascismo y Expresiones Similares), also known as the Law against fascism or the Anti-fascism law, is a 2024 Venezuelan bill intended to "establish the means and mechanisms to preserve peaceful coexistence and public tranquility" and "protect Venezuelan society from the emergence of any expression of a fascist, neo-fascist or similar nature". [1] On 2 April, Delcy Rodríguez presented it to the V National Assembly of Venezuela, controlled by the administration of Nicolás Maduro; [2] [3] it passed its first reading on the same day, [1] in record time. [4] The law, which would need a second hearing, would ban certain organizations, messages on social media, and create penalties including increased sentences for organizations that promote what Maduro's government defines as fascism or neo-fascism , with features of racism, chauvinism, classism, moral conservatism and neoliberalism. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

Maduro's government says the law is needed to address what it calls unconstitutional violence encouraged by some sectors of society in the last two decades. [6] Rodríguez referred to the 2014 and 2017 Venezuelan protests, stating that "extremist sectors" (referring to the parties who make up the majority opposition) had caused "economic and social genocide" in the country. [3] Critics and non-governmental organizations say the law would be used to limit opposition to Maduro's government ahead of the July 2024 Venezuelan presidential election; [1] [6] [7] [8] [9] an article in Spain's El País stated that the law "opens a new door for the control at the discretion of the Government of political freedoms and expression in Venezuela, amid a tightening of the persecution against opponents, journalists and critics". [5]

Reception

After first reading

A director for Human Rights Watch tweeted that the law would "allow opponents to be criminalized and candidates to be disqualified". [6] Amnesty International criticized the proposed law for its vague and ambiguous definition of fascism, its limits on freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and criminalization of opposition to Maduro. [7] [9]

Venezuela's National College of Journalists stated that the law "constitutes a serious risk for the essential rights of Venezuelan society, which are guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and the international pacts signed by the Venezuelan State", specifically, "freedom of expression, thought, association, teaching and dissent". [10]

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) serving on the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations issued a statement expressing concern that the upcoming presidential elections would not be "free, fair, nor democratic", nothing the passage of the bill as "further proof that civil society, political opposition, and freedom of the press have no place in Venezuela". [11] [12]

The Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed concern that, if enacted, the law could have antisemitic applications. [13]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Venezuela Opposition Fear Arrests Amid 'Anti-fascism' Bill Debate". Barron's . Agence France-Presse. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Itriago Acosta, Andreina (2 April 2024). "'Anti-Fascism' Law to Tighten Crackdown on Venezuelan Opposition". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 "La AN de Venezuela recibe proyecto de ley contra el fascismo" [The AN of Venezuela receives a bill against fascism]. Deutsche Welle (in Spanish). 3 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  4. ↑ Lozano, Daniel (3 April 2024). "El chavismo inventa una ley contra el fascismo para aumentar la represión en época electoral" [Chavismo invents a law against fascism to increase repression during electoral times]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 Singer, Florantonia (2 April 2024). "El chavismo aprueba una ley para prohibir organizaciones consideradas fascistas" [Chavismo approves a law to prohibit organizations considered fascist]. El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Torres, Mauricio (4 April 2024). "Cárcel, inhabilitación política y disolución de organizaciones: ¿qué propone la ley 'antifascista' que impulsa el Gobierno de Venezuela?" [Prison, political disqualification and dissolution of organizations: what does the 'anti-fascist' law promoted by the Government of Venezuela propose?] (in Spanish). CNN en Español. Archived from the original on 5 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 "Venezuela: Alarming persecution of critical and dissident voices intensifies" (PDF) (Press release). Amnesty International. 15 April 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  8. ↑ Delcas, Marie (12 April 2024). "Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro intensifies crackdown ahead of presidential election". Le Monde . ProQuest   3035437959 . Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  9. 1 2 Martinez, Juan (4 April 2024). "Maduro's Government Introduces Contested Anti-Fascism Bill". The Rio Times . Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  10. ↑ "Gremio de Periodistas en Venezuela condena avance de 'Ley Antifascista'" [Union of Journalists in Venezuela condemns advance of 'Anti-Fascist Law']. Diario Las Américas (Editorial) (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Bakich, Grayson (9 April 2024). "Rubio Condemns Venezuela's Arbitrary 'Anti-Fascism' Law to Crush Machado, Opposition". The Floridian. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Cardin, Rubio, Cassidy Issue Joint Statement on Upcoming Elections in Venezuela" (Press release). Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senate. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "Wiesenthal Center Warns of a New Proposed Dangerous and Anti-Semitic Law in Venezuela" (Press release). Simon Wiesenthal Center. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
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