HRW calls on Kyrgyz to reject 'foreign agents' bill
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 May 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, HRW calls on Kyrgyz to reject 'foreign agents' bill, 21 May 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/558bc4b045.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 21, 2015
By RFE/RL
By RFE/RL
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Kyrgyz lawmakers to reject a bill requiring domestic NGOs that receive foreign funding and engage in "political activities" to register as "foreign agents."
In a statement issued on May 21, the New York-based group said, "Such inappropriate and unjustified interference would be incompatible with the right to freedom of association."
It said the bill "blatantly flouts" Kyrgyzstan's national and international human rights commitments.
If adopted, HRW added, the bill will "only stigmatize" NGOs working in Kyrgyzstan.
The Kyrgyz parliamentary human rights committee voted on May 19 to send the bill to full parliament for debate, and its first reading is expected in the coming days.
In 2012, Russia passed similar legislation which human rights defenders and Western governments say has been used to crack down on independent groups.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
