MPs are against the freedom of civil society

The agenda of today's meeting of Milli Majlis includes bills to tighten control of grants and foreign donations to NGOs and religious communities. The goal is to transform the structures of civil society into a docile execution mechanism for "right" decisions of the authority.

Turan was told that the proposed amendments in Parliament affect laws on "Grants", "Freedom of Religion" and "Non-governmental Organizations (Public Associations and Foundations)."

In particular, Parliament plans to tighten administrative actions against violators. Thus, an amendment to Article 223 of the Code of Administrative Offences is added, which calls for fines for failure to submit to an executive agency contracts and copies of decisions on obtaining grants for registration on time. The fines will be: for officials - from 1500 to 2500 manats, and for legal entities - from 5000 to 7000 manats.

On another amendment (Article 247), religious organizations and NGOs that operate without a contract for a grant while receiving benefits from foreign NGOs will also be penalized. The officials of these institutions will be fined from 2500 to 5000 manat, and legal entities - from 8000 to 15000 manat with confiscation of assets and property.

In addition, identical changes to the law "On State Duty" and the Code of Trade Shipping Company of Azerbaijan are assumed. The bill "On compulsory medical examination of children" will be submitted for debate for the first time. 

At the beginning of the session the parliament will hear the annual report of the committee of local government policy on administrative control of the municipality. - 17D-