The Ministry of Justice has developed a bill that creates the illusion of protecting non-governmental non-profit organizations. The Department proposes to establish responsibility for interference in the activities of NGOs in the form of fines of up to $ 342.
The Ministry of Justice notes that there is no punishment for the interference of officials in the work of NGOs. For this reason, they “were forcibly involved in sponsorship and other activities”, and there were cases of confiscation of property belonging to NGOs, as well as requests for documents from them in violation of the law, etc.
Prior to the new legislative initiative, a presidential decree on March 4 approved a roadmap for the implementation of the concept in 2021 and targets for the development of civil society in 2021-2025. For this, it’s envisaged to increase the volume of state support for NGOs and other institutions of civil society in the form of subsidies, grants and social orders. Funding will amount to $ 1 million 520 thousand in 2021 and $ 6 million 654 thousand in 2025.
In addition to the expected image bonuses to improve its position in international rankings, the state will finally form a financially motivated community of pro-government activists.
The legislation of the authorities of Uzbekistan has become a kind of response to criticism of international organizations. ACCA previously wrote that in April 2020, the UN Human Rights Committee expressed concern “that current legislation still restricts the right to freedom of association”, noting “the small number of registered in the member state [of the International Covenant on civil and political rights] independent NGOs, which were created on the public’s own initiative, and a high percentage of refusals to register.
The Ministry of Justice practices a selective approach to the emergence of new non-governmental non-profit organizations. Former political prisoner Agzam Turgunov, together with like-minded people, unsuccessfully uses all legal opportunities to register the organization “Human Rights House”.
On December 4, 2020, the Association of Volunteers of Uzbekistan passed the state registration with the participation of lobbyists from government agencies. However, since October 2018, a group of young activists, trying to create the volunteer center “Oltin Kanot”, has received 23 refusals to register NGO from the Justice Department of Tashkent. Even the Swedish Walking Society cannot work officially.
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