Kyrgyz civil leaders urge president not to pressure NGOs
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 December 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kyrgyz civil leaders urge president not to pressure NGOs, 8 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be12d715.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. |
December 08, 2014
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – The leaders of 43 nongovernmental organizations in Kyrgyzstan have urged President Almazbek Atambaev not to put pressure on NGOs.
A letter addressed to Atambaev on December 8 urges him "not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors."
The NGO leaders were referring to a television interview on December 1 in which Atambaev said some NGO activities may "pose a threat" to national security.
The letter says "two previous presidents who said that NGOs threaten Kyrgyzstan's national security were threatening national security themselves, and as a result were kicked out of the country."
Kyrgyz revolutions in 2005 and 2010 ousted Presidents Askar Akaev and Kurmanbek Bakiev, respectively.
Parliament is considering a controversial bill that would impose "foreign-agent" status on NGOs receiving foreign funds.
Critics say the bill mimics a 2012 law in Russia that was heavily criticized by rights groups and Western governments.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
