NGO Repubblika has called on the government to immediately publish draft legislation concerning voluntary organisations and the proposed national human rights institution, arguing that laws affecting civil society and fundamental rights should not be debated in Parliament without prior public consultation.

In a statement, the NGO said it was concerned by reports that Parliament will shortly be discussing amendments to the law regulating voluntary organisations, even though civil society organisations have not yet seen the legislative proposals that the government appears to intend to present to Parliament.

The organisation said that two years ago, the government published a White Paper outlining general principles in the area and that the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations subsequently conducted consultations.

However, Repubblika said there had never been any direct communication with the responsible ministers regarding the contents of the law that now appears set for discussion in Parliament, nor had civil society organisations received any feedback on the positions and suggestions put forward during the consultation process.

The NGO said it had learned through a statement made by the Prime Minister on the Labour Party's radio station that Parliament would be discussing changes to the law which "nobody outside Government has yet had the opportunity to see."

"This is unacceptable," Repubblika said.

Repubblika said that voluntary organisations are not merely service providers or agents carrying out work entrusted to them by the state, but also play an essential role in criticising, challenging and holding public authorities accountable to citizens.

"A free, independent and critical civil society is an essential component of a healthy democracy," the organisation said, adding that the legal framework regulating voluntary organisations should therefore be subject to the highest standards of transparency, consultation and public participation.

The NGO said that regardless of the government's intentions, there could be no risk that legislative changes introduced without adequate scrutiny might have the effect, whether intended or otherwise, of reducing, restricting or weakening civic space.

"Such risks can only be assessed if the proposals are known and discussed before Parliament is asked to approve them," the statement said.

Repubblika said the issue reflects as a broader pattern in the government's approach to legislation, adding that laws are too often drafted behind closed doors and presented to Parliament without a genuine opportunity for public participation.

"Consultation becomes a formal exercise rather than a genuine process aimed at improving legislation through dialogue," the organisation said.

The NGO also raised concerns about the government's plans to establish a national human rights institution, another legislative priority announced by the Prime Minister.

Repubblika said that it and other civil society organisations have for many years called for the creation of an independent human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles, describing it as a long-standing recommendation of the European Commission and other international bodies.

It said that despite various proposals and contributions over the years from constitutional bodies and civil society organisations, the public has still not been given the opportunity to see or discuss the law that the government appears ready to place before Parliament.

The NGO said it had made this appeal directly to government officials in December during discussions between government and civil society convened by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

"On that occasion, we learned that the government was working on draft legislation and requested that we be consulted on its contents. The government ignored us," the statement said.

Repubblika said that once a law is brought before Parliament, public consultation has effectively ended, with citizens merely being invited to react to a text that the government has already decided to present.

"Laws affecting the rights, freedoms and institutional safeguards of citizens should not be presented as done deals," the NGO said.

"When the government asks Parliament to legislate without allowing the public to understand and discuss proposals beforehand, it undermines confidence in the democratic process itself," the statement said.

Repubblika also noted that the legislative priorities were announced through a controlled interview on party media rather than in an environment where journalists could request copies of the draft laws and ask questions on behalf of the public.

The NGO called on the government to immediately publish its proposals concerning the law on voluntary organisations and the national human rights institution, and allow sufficient time for public discussion before they are considered by Parliament.

"It is not democracy when laws governing civil society and laws intended to protect individuals' fundamental rights are drafted without the participation of those affected by them. In a democracy, the public should be part of the law-making process before Parliament is asked to approve legislation," the statement said.