President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has asked U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken not to intervene in the country’s internal affairs. Earlier this month, Blinken said that he was concerned over a draft law on nongovernmental organizations that the Kyrgyz parliament had been reviewing.
The draft law is aimed to strengthen control over nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Kyrgyzstan and limit their funding from foreign sources. The document was approved by the parliament in the first reading.
According to Japarov, the government of Kyrgyzstan wants to know from what sources NGOs receive their money, for what purposes and with whom in charge.
«The draft law’s concept is very similar to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938. This law imposes public disclosure obligations not only on media but also on persons and entities representing foreign interests. Any violation of the law, such as delaying registration or officially refusing such registration, can lead to administrative and even criminal prosecution. So, I am curious why is this possible for you, but not for us?» Japarov stated.
He also noted that Blinken’s statement has signs of intervention in the internal affairs of a foreign state.
According to the Kyrgyz president, the draft law pursues the only goal of making NGO activities, and the media more transparent and accountable for tax agencies.
«The government and society should be aware of what nongovernmental organizations receive money and from whom,» he emphasized.
The register of foreign agents in Kazakhstan. In late September last year, Kazakhstani authorities published «a register of persons receiving money and (or) other property from foreign states, international and foreign organizations, foreign citizens and stateless persons.»
This register includes various companies, human rights organizations and media outlets. Several Kazakhstani journalists and bloggers, registered as individual entrepreneurs, were also added to the list.
For instance, the document also includes the Public Fund Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan, Ar.Ruh.Hak, Kadyr Kasiet, MediaNet, International Legal Initiative, FemAgora, Wings of Liberty Foundation, Echo, Zertteu Research Institute, the PaperLab research center, CAPS Unlock Fund (formerly known as Soros Kazakhstan), MASA Media (masa.media) and Malim Media (malim.kz). Editorial offices of both media outlets have already requested authorities to explain why they have been put on the list.
