Under EU rules, a member state targets CSOs with a heavy level of transparency reporting due to worries that CSOs can easily be used to disguise money laundering activities. However, these EU laws can become a facilitator for negatively impacting the civic space and work of CSOs, as seen in cases such as the debate around Romania’s anti-money laundering law and its impact on CSO, or the misuse of EU data protection law to marginalise critical voices. Some member states go beyond the minimum requirement of EU law, which results in more stringent spaces for CSO activity. ECNL calls on national courts and bodies to fight against this misuse of EU law, and suggests turning to the EU Court of Justice for guidance. They are holding a webinar on 17 November, 2020 for CSOs to learn and discuss how to use EU law to defend fundamental rights and civic space in the EU. Read more here.
Source: ECNL