Azernews.Az

The Council of Europe Venice Commission has expressed its opinion on the proposed amendments to Azerbaijan`s law on NGOs, citing some points on which it still falls short of international standards.

The Venice Commission thinks that despite the recent improvement in several aspects of the legal status of non-governmental organizations in Azerbaijan, the changes proposed to the relevant law adopted in 2009 and the decree of 2011, there is still some inconsistency with the requirements needed to reach international standards, the Venice Commission said in a report.

The Commission said that though in most countries the registration of NGOs is a formal process, the changes to the Azerbaijani law on NGOs complicate the complex and long registration process. It called on Azerbaijan to take steps towards the enforcement of civil and political rights of its people.

The Commission expressed its willingness to continue assisting Azerbaijani government agencies in the field of human rights.

Head of the European Union delegation in Azerbaijan, Roland Kobia, said while commenting on the amendments to the NGO law that it is very important to create favorable conditions for the work of NGOs.

For us NGOs are part of society and its partner. I believe that any government is interested in dialogue with civil society, said Kobia.

We support dialogue on this issue and want to witness the development of this sector. Dialogue with civil society is part of the EU policy, Kobia said.