Baku, June 25
AssA-Irada

A committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) monitoring Azerbaijan’s compliance with its international obligations on Wednesday urged parliament to seek the CE Venice Commission’s opinion on the proposed changes to the legislation on NGOs.

In a statement posted on the CE Baku office website, the PACE Monitoring Committee called on the legislature “to seize the Venice Commission for an opinion” on the package of amendments to the legislation on NGOs prior to their adoption.

The committee also suggested that Azerbaijan seek an opinion on the amendments on the Law on Freedom of Religion adopted in May 2009, in line with the spirit of co-operation with the Venice Commission set forth in the Azerbaijani President’s April 3 decree.

The amendments and addenda require that local NGOs undergo audits and issue transparent financial reports. Furthermore, NGOs with over half of capital held by foreign donors are to be shut down; organizations failing to register with the state will not be allowed to operate; and opening a local representation by foreign NGOs will require an inter-governmental agreement. A number of local and international groups have opposed the envisioned legislative changes.