On April 22, 2023, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) issued directives to commercial banks to freeze the accounts of 12 non-governmental organizations. The organizations affected include:

• 5 human rights organizations
• 4 humanitarian aid organizations
• 3 community development organizations

The FIU cited provisions under the Anti-Money Laundering Act that allow for temporary freezing of accounts when there is reasonable suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing. However, the affected organizations were not provided with specific allegations or evidence prior to the account freezes.

Several of the affected organizations had recently been critical of government policies or had worked on sensitive human rights issues. Legal representatives for the NGOs have filed appeals challenging the freezing orders, arguing that they are being targeted for their legitimate activities rather than any financial impropriety.