Controversial NGO law passed with public opinion
The Azerbaijani parliament on Tuesday passed changes
to the law on non-governmental organizations that have sparked
controversy and outcry, taking into account proposals from civil
society institutions.
Ali Huseynov, the chairman of the standing parliamentary committee on legal policy and state building, said most of the local NGOs` proposals had been taken into consideration, however, the suggestion to remove the draft law from discussion altogether did not go down well in the legislature.
According to the committee chairman, the preliminary version of the bill reflected mandatory state registration of NGOs, but the provision was later removed. Also, the provisions on imposing fines on the founders of active unregistered organizations were lifted from the Code on Administrative Offenses.
The amended law also sets out new regulations on registration of subsidiaries and representations of NGOs. It says that deputy heads of organizations founded by foreign nationals or businesses have to be Azerbaijani citizens. Expatriates who are entitled to permanent residence in Azerbaijan are allowed to establish NGOs in the country.
Huseynov said one of the proposals that had triggered utter discontent was the requirement of a minimum capital stock of 50,000 manats ($62,500) for NGOs being set up as funds. Despite the grievances, however, the availability of certain capital is one of the requirements for such organizations in countries around the world. Considering the limited financial resources of Azerbaijani NGOs, however, the committee had decided to considerably reduce the amount - to 10,000 manats ($12,500).
Huseynov went on to say that the provision that requires an inter-governmental agreement for the activity of foreign NGOs` subsidiaries and representations had been altered as well. Now, such organizations may operate in the country in accord with an agreement signed with the government.
Huseynov emphasized that the introduced changes show that the authorities are not in favor of aggravating the standing of local NGOs. "The Azerbaijani society and the international community once again became convinced that our goal is to more precisely regulate the activity of civil society and to support it. These healthy relations between Azerbaijan`s government agencies and civil society will continue to develop further."
Ali Huseynov, the chairman of the standing parliamentary committee on legal policy and state building, said most of the local NGOs` proposals had been taken into consideration, however, the suggestion to remove the draft law from discussion altogether did not go down well in the legislature.
According to the committee chairman, the preliminary version of the bill reflected mandatory state registration of NGOs, but the provision was later removed. Also, the provisions on imposing fines on the founders of active unregistered organizations were lifted from the Code on Administrative Offenses.
The amended law also sets out new regulations on registration of subsidiaries and representations of NGOs. It says that deputy heads of organizations founded by foreign nationals or businesses have to be Azerbaijani citizens. Expatriates who are entitled to permanent residence in Azerbaijan are allowed to establish NGOs in the country.
Huseynov said one of the proposals that had triggered utter discontent was the requirement of a minimum capital stock of 50,000 manats ($62,500) for NGOs being set up as funds. Despite the grievances, however, the availability of certain capital is one of the requirements for such organizations in countries around the world. Considering the limited financial resources of Azerbaijani NGOs, however, the committee had decided to considerably reduce the amount - to 10,000 manats ($12,500).
Huseynov went on to say that the provision that requires an inter-governmental agreement for the activity of foreign NGOs` subsidiaries and representations had been altered as well. Now, such organizations may operate in the country in accord with an agreement signed with the government.
Huseynov emphasized that the introduced changes show that the authorities are not in favor of aggravating the standing of local NGOs. "The Azerbaijani society and the international community once again became convinced that our goal is to more precisely regulate the activity of civil society and to support it. These healthy relations between Azerbaijan`s government agencies and civil society will continue to develop further."
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