The US Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Leslie Higgins, in an interview with Tazabek, commented on the possible consequences of adopting the foreign agents law. He emphasized that the US remains committed to providing assistance that benefits the Kyrgyz people, but noted that the law could limit their ability to do so depending on its final version.
Higgins highlighted that a significant portion of the aid provided by the United States to Kyrgyzstan goes through NGOs, which act as implementing partners. If these NGOs are unable to operate, the assistance to the Kyrgyz people will be affected. This includes initiatives such as providing school children with meals and textbooks, offering medical assistance for treating dangerous diseases, collaborating with Kyrgyz farmers to increase agricultural exports, and supporting the transition to a more environmentally sustainable economy, all of which could potentially be constrained by this legislation.
The Ambassador expressed concerns about baseless accusations against NGOs, emphasizing that the organizations supported by the US provide real assistance to the people of Kyrgyzstan across various regions, not just in Bishkek. The recent amendments to the Law on Non-Profit Organizations, introducing the concept of "foreign agents," were passed in the second reading on February 22 by 64 parliamentarians in favor and 5 against.
