Kyrgyz parliament debates 'foreign agent' law
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kyrgyz parliament debates 'foreign agent' law, 24 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea91a6.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. |
November 24, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – Kyrgyzstan's parliament is discussing a controversial bill that would impose "foreign agent" status on nongovernmental organizations receiving funds from abroad.
On November 24, the day when the proposal was being debated by lawmakers, the Justice Ministry issued a statement saying there was no need for such a law.
The ministry said that existing legislation was sufficient to protect national security and that re-registration of NGOs nationwide would be costly.
Nurkamal Madaliev, one of the bill's proponents, told RFE/RL that that the law was needed because "old legislation cannot fully provide national security for Kyrgyzstan in the rapidly changing world."
Many in Kyrgyzstan criticize the suggestion, calling it an attempt to copy Russia, where a "foreign agent" law was adopted in 2012 and has been criticized by civil society groups and Western governments.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
