Parliament adopts reactionary amendments to the law on grants and NGOs

Today  the deputies of parliament changes and amendments to the laws "On Grants", "Freedom of Religion" and "Non-Governmental Organizations”,  sharply limiting and complicating their work.

The author of these amendments, human rights activist Chingiz Ganizade,  tried to assure journalists that "not accountability  of NGOs to  the government  is  fraught with acts of terrorism and laundering of criminal money."

During the discussions, MPs Sabir Rustamkhanli, Iqbal Aghazadeh and Fazil Mustafa spoke against the amendments, stating that they want to give  the Ministry of Justice alsmot the functions of the Ministry of National Security.

NGOs are already reporting on the 20 types of reporting to the Ministry of Finance, the State Statistics Committee, Ministry of Taxes, and all the papers have all the data on grants and donors.

Fazil Mustafayev said that most NGOs cannot afford the proposed penalties, therefore, the courts will face the practice of not paying them.

Iqbal Aghazadeh refused to participate in the hearing, stating that the new bill is aimed at subordination of civil society to the authorities.

Sabir Rustamkhanli said that, in recent years, almost all acts adopted in parliament  are reactionary amendments to the  previously adopted laws. "We can come to a complete dictatorship, and the situation would be fatal," he said.

Chairman of the State Council to support NGOs, Azay Guliyev, supported the amendment, agreeing with too severe sanctions. The amendments were adopted with three votes “against”, and  92 votes “for.”

Tightening will  come into effect after approval by the head of state. -17D—