In Kyrgyzstan, the law on “foreign agents” was adopted in the first reading
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Deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament of Kyrgyzstan) adopted in the first reading the draft law on “foreign agents”, providing up to ten years of imprisonment for participation in the activities of NGOs under foreign influence.
52 deputies voted “for” the amendments, 7 spoke “against”. According to Kloop, the deputies adopted the bill without any discussion.
Gulya Kozhokulova, a deputy from the opposition party “Butun Kyrgyzstan”, opposed the adoption of the document. She pointed out that the bill provides for the introduction of criminal liability of up to 10 years “for taking part in an NGO”. Kozhokulova also noted that according to the current legislation of Kyrgyzstan, NGOs already submit all reports to the state.
In addition, the deputy pointed out that the draft law had not passed the appropriate examinations and urged colleagues not to vote for it. However, the Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, Nurlanbek Shakiev, stated that he supports the draft law and proposed to adopt it without discussion.
“Foreign agents” in Kyrgyzstan are proposed to be called “foreign representatives”. They will be included in the corresponding register according to the same criteria by which they were initially included in the list of “foreign agents” in Russia: foreign financing and political activity. At the same time, the authorities do not explain what will be considered political activity.
- In September 2023, an analogue of the register of “foreign agents” was created in Kazakhstan. The list was called “the register of persons receiving money or other property from foreign states, international and foreign organizations, foreigners”. 240 individuals and organizations were added to it, including journalists and independent media, environmental and human rights organizations, as well as NGOs and NGOs.
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