By Sofia Menchu
GUATEMALA CITY, May 12 (Reuters) - Guatemala s Constitutional Court on Wednesday overturned an earlier ruling that stopped controversial legislation targeting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from becoming law, in a move likely to alarm rights groups and the United States.
Guatemala has been on a collision course with Washington in recent months over the make-up of its highest court, after lawmakers blocked the re-appointment of a key magistrate seen by the United States as being untainted by corruption.
In one of its first major rulings, the court said it had struck down a previous ruling which gave a reprieve to NGOs that had sued against the so-called NGO law passed by Congress in February 2020.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Constitutional Court of Guatemala, the country’s highest court, on Wednesday definitively endorsed a controversial reform of the law on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) promoted in February 2020 by the ruling party.
The decision enables the control of all non-governmental organizations established in Guatemala and its annulment by state decision in a unilateral manner.
Guatemala’s highest court gives green light to controversial NGO law. (Photo internet reproduction)
Initially, in March 2020, the Constitutional Court had suspended the law provisionally due to a legal appeal by several entities and individuals, pending a final ruling, which was finally disclosed on Wednesday.
Guatemala s president chose his chief of staff and one of his closest advisers to fill a seat on the country s highest court Wednesday, raising questions about the government s commitment to combating corruption.
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