BRUSSELS — Concerns have been raised by the European Union regarding the recent implementation of El Salvador’s Foreign Agents Law, which it deems a potential threat to civil society and democratic freedoms within the Central American country. On June 7, 2025, the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a statement urging El Salvador to honor its international human rights commitments and safeguard the environment for independent civic engagement.
The law, enacted by El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly and made public on June 6, introduces stringent regulations on entities that receive foreign funding, mandating that they register as “foreign agents” and comply with extensive reporting obligations. Opponents of the law contend that it could suppress civil society by restricting access to international funding and putting activists at risk of legal and political consequences.
“The EU expresses regret over the Foreign Agents Law passed by the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly and published yesterday,” stated an EEAS spokesperson. “This legislation… poses risks to the funding access for civil society actors, which is crucial for their operations and essential to any vibrant democracy.”
Concerns Over Human Rights Defenders
The EEAS statement also expressed distress over the recent arrests of human rights advocates, imploring the Salvadoran authorities to uphold fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, due process, and personal security.
The EU emphasized El Salvador’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the nation ratified in 1996. This Covenant provides protections for civil and political rights, encompassing the freedoms of association and expression.
“These developments cast significant doubt on the state of democratic governance in El Salvador,” the EU remarked.
Potential Impact on Development Cooperation
While reiterating its dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development in El Salvador, the EU cautioned that the newly enacted law and the broader trend of diminishing civic space might endanger future development cooperation.
“The legislation concerning foreign agents and the contraction of civic space could undermine development efforts and adversely affect cooperation,” the statement indicated.
The EU has historically backed initiatives aimed at reinforcing the rule of law, transparency, and citizen engagement in El Salvador, especially in light of ongoing issues such as gang violence, corruption, and economic disparity.
Anticipation of Regional and International Responses
The EU’s public denunciation contributes to the increasing international scrutiny of President Nayib Bukele’s government, which has been criticized for centralizing power, undermining democratic institutions, and targeting dissenters under the pretext of national security.
Human rights organizations and regional entities, including the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), are anticipated to respond in the upcoming days.
As El Salvador begins to implement this contentious law, the international community will closely observe how the government navigates its national sovereignty alongside its duties to uphold democratic principles and human rights.
