The chairman of parliament’s legal committee, Ali Huseynov, told lawmakers the legal amendments on non-governmental organisations had been withdrawn because of concerns raised by numerous NGOs.

"The initially proposed amendments ‘On NGOs’ were not directed at restricting civil society. But considering the numerous appeals from representatives of NGOs it has been decided to cancel the amendments," he said.

However, there are some issues that still concern the civil society representatives. International organizations are still concerned with the proposed amendment to 12.3 which reads: “State registration of branches and representations of foreign NGOs in the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be carried out on the basis of the agreement signed with such organizations”.

The session of the Milli Meclis was attended by the US Ambassador Anne Derse and representatives of EU Embassies, as well as international organizations. In her interview to the journalists, the US Ambassador said that it was challenging to evaluate the renewed amendments as they were not discussed publicly and they were adopted without providing any information to the public.

Protesting these amendments representatives of the NGOs intended to organize a rally in front of Milli Meclis. They gathered in the park close to the Milli Meclis with the intention of walking to the Milli Meclis. However, the police did not allow them to march towards Milli Meclis and suggested that they could send their proposal to Milli Meclis in writing. The protestors did not accept the suggestion and urged continuing the protest. They were holding slogans reading: “No” to anti-democratic law” which were taken by the police.

At the end the police allowed a delegation consisting of Qubad Ibadoglu, Ilwar Mammadov and Rovshan Agayev to go to Milli Meclis.

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According to the Azerbaijani Constitution, the Parliament has to submit the new amended Law to the President within 14 days (24 hours in case of urgency), and the later shall sign it within 56 days. The amendments will then enter into force.

HRHN’s concerns:

The Human Rights House Network expressed deep concern over the proposed amendments to the NGO law, which would severely restrict the activities of NGOs in Azerbaijan.

For more information, see:

Letters of concern:

Articles: