On 14 March, Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, overwhelmingly voted in favour of adopting restrictive legislation on NGOs, imposing stringent regulations and excessive government oversight on organizations receiving funding from abroad. This legislation mandates onerous reporting on all financial, governance, and operational activities, specifically targeting independent NGOs that rely on foreign funding, which will be classified as “performing the functions of a foreign representative"

As the two-week deadline for the enactment of the law on “foreign representatives,” adopted by the Kyrgyzstani Parliament, approaches, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, said:

“It is imperative that President Sadyr Japarov vetoes a law which will have far-reaching implications on the ability of civil society to contribute to supporting the realisation of the rights of the people of Kyrgyzstan.”

“Maintaining free and favourable conditions for the work of civil society organizations is essential for securing a host of rights. Women’s rights, rural development, and access to water, improving working conditions, access to health services and inclusive environment for people with disabilities are just some of the myriads of issues that civil society organizations address, often with financial assistance from international partners.

Maintaining free and favourable conditions for the work of civil society organizations is essential for securing a host of rights

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International

“I urge President Japarov to respond positively to the invitation of Kyrgyzstan NGOs to meet with him and prioritize the protection of the interests of the Kyrgyzstani people by vetoing the law.”

Background

On 14 March, Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, overwhelmingly voted in favour of adopting restrictive legislation on NGOs, imposing stringent regulations and excessive government oversight on organizations receiving funding from abroad. This legislation mandates onerous reporting on all financial, governance, and operational activities, specifically targeting independent NGOs that rely on foreign funding, which will be classified as “performing the functions of a foreign representative.”