Azerbaijani youth organizations voice against amendments to Law on NGOs

Today, a group of independent youth organizations of Azerbaijan have adopted an appeal to the country's president, parliament and broad public, and to international organizations, calling them to prevent the changes in the legislation, aimed to restrict the activities of NGOs.

"These amendments are directed against development of the nongovernmental sector and have the aim to put the civil society in Azerbaijan under control," runs the appeal.

The authors of the document remind that "in the last three years similar reactionary amendments to the legislation on NGOs were adopted in Russia, Cambodia and Egypt," as reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Should on June 19 the National Assembly approve these amendments, Azerbaijan will be added to this sad list," said Zaur Akper, leader of the Youth Club, has stated at the press conference held at the office of the Norwegian Human Rights House.

The appeal was signed by the Youth Club, Youth Network "Stimulus", Azerbaijani Youth Platform, Movements "Dalga" (Wave) and "Ol" (Be), Association of Liberal Youth of Azerbaijan, Organization for European Integration of Azerbaijani Youth, Youth Organization in the Name of Unity, Organizations of Scientific-Cultural Youth Development, and Organization of Youth "Kerpyu" (Bridge).

The authors of the appeal have supported the coalition of NGOs named "Committee in Defence of Civil Society" and plan to take part on June 19 in a protest action in front of the parliament.

Meanwhile, Thomas Hammerberg, Commissioner of the Council of Europe on Human Rights, has stated the necessity "to examine the amendments to the Law on NGOs proposed in Azerbaijan."

However, as stated today by Ali Guseinov, head of the parliamentary committee on legal policy and state construction, who made comments on Mr Hammerberg's appeal, the authorities are not going to send the draft of the amendments to the law "On Nongovernmental Organizations (Public Associations and Foundations)" for review to the Venetian Commission of the Council of Europe.

"Azerbaijani NGOs create committee in defence of civil society," "Azerbaijan: amendments to Law on NGOs are assessed differently."