Human Rights Watch has called on Kyrgyzstan's President, Sadyr Japarov, to support the country's non-governmental sector and withdraw a controversial draft law on "foreign agents" aimed at silencing active civil society voices. The proposed law requires NGOs receiving foreign funding and engaging in vaguely defined "political activities" to be listed as "foreign agents" and label all their publications accordingly. This move has raised concerns as it mirrors a Russian law previously condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for violating freedom of association and expression rights.
Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Tirana Hassan, emphasized that protecting the rights of vulnerable groups is a legitimate activity that the government should uphold, not restrict. Kyrgyzstan is a signatory to various international agreements affirming the right to seek resources from national, international, and foreign sources as an integral part of the freedom of association. The draft law's broad definition of political activities poses a serious threat to the ability of NGOs to carry out their lawful activities, including advocating for various population groups, civil education, and monitoring and expressing concerns about the country's civil and political situation.
Human rights advocates argue that labeling NGOs receiving foreign funding as "foreign agents" further stigmatizes civil society and human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan. They stress the importance of the government viewing civil society organizations, mass public movements, and rights defenders as allies in building a thriving and inclusive society. Human Rights Watch urges President Japarov to retract the draft law and ensure continued freedom and openness for Kyrgyzstan's diverse civil society.
On March 14, the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz Parliament) passed the draft law on "foreign agents" in its third reading, officially known as the draft law "On Amending the Law on Non-Profit Organizations."
