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Monday, 21 April 2003

KAZAKH ACTIVISTS OPPOSE DRAFT LAW ON NONCOMMERCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

Published in News Digest

By empty (4/21/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A number of Kazakh nongovernmental organizations oppose a draft law on such bodies that is being discussed by the government. Marat Aytmagambetov, head of the Network of Centers for Support of Civil Society, said in Almaty that the definitions of NGOs contained in the draft are vague and could be interpreted arbitrarily by the authorities. The definition of NGO in the draft includes noncommercial groups that are involved in public-service work and could be used to divide NGOs into those that suit the authorities and those that do not.
A number of Kazakh nongovernmental organizations oppose a draft law on such bodies that is being discussed by the government. Marat Aytmagambetov, head of the Network of Centers for Support of Civil Society, said in Almaty that the definitions of NGOs contained in the draft are vague and could be interpreted arbitrarily by the authorities. The definition of NGO in the draft includes noncommercial groups that are involved in public-service work and could be used to divide NGOs into those that suit the authorities and those that do not. The draft also includes restrictions on foreign noncommercial organizations working in Kazakhstan that could impact domestic groups, all of which are dependent to some extent on foreign grants from private groups and international institutions. Aytmagambetov said he fears foreign NGOs might have to reduce their investment in Kazakhstan\'s social sector or withdraw from the country. According to the report, he called for a public discussion of the bill. (Interfax-Kazakhstan)
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