Baku, June 12
AssA-Irada

Scores of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations are protesting against proposed changes to the country’s law on NGOs that envision more financial accountability.

50 groups have set up the Committee to Protect Civil Society to advance their campaign, and at least that many NGOs have now joined the protests.

The Milli Majlis (parliament) is getting ready to introduce amendments and addenda to the Law on Non-governmental Organizations and is due to discuss the amendments next week. NGOs are worried about the prospect of having to undergo audits and issue transparent financial reports. Another concern for these organizations pertains to their budgets. Under the bill envisaging the amendments, if over half of NGOs’ capital is formed in account of foreign donors, their operation will be halted.

The rules of registration are also to be altered. Thus, organizations failing to register with the state will not be allowed to operate, and, if such activities are revealed, the violators may face administrative penalties.

Moreover, opening a local representation by foreign NGOs will require a respective inter-governmental agreement between their home country and Azerbaijan.

The mentioned committee intends to undertake a number of counter-steps until the legislature tables the proposed changes next Friday. These include issuing a statement, adopting appeals to parliament, the president, international groups and diplomatic missions, trying to arrange television debates, and drafting legal feedback on the proposed amendments. Also, the NGOs plan to stage a protest on the day discussions will proceed in the Milli Majlis.