UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grawe told why NGOs have been so important at the round table «National Dialogue — Right to Freedom of Association» on Monday.

She gave examples of how non-profit organizations helped ordinary citizens, in particular in Batken, who suffered as a result of the September 14-17 escalation on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. They help victims of violence by providing legal support.

«I met with many different NGOs, which are like a bridge between the state and vulnerable segments of the population. They help the state to respect their rights. The measures proposed against NGOs may prevent Kyrgyzstan from achieving its goals in the course of its development,» Antje Grawe noted.

She stressed that the time had come for more participation from NGOs. «I am happy to hear the proposal to create a working group. It is very important. Kyrgyzstan will not violate its obligations to respect human rights and will provide the necessary support to its citizens. By joining the UN Human Rights Council in 2023, the country has a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to these values and fulfil its potential,» said Antje Grawe.

The Presidential Executive Office demonstrates that they are ready for dialogue, but the member of the right-wing parliamentary faction Ata Zhurt Kyrgyzstan, Nadira Narmatova, who on November 21 submitted for public discussion amendments to the laws «On Non-Commercial Organizations», «On State Registration of Legal Entities, Branches (Representative Offices)» and the Criminal Code, avoids open discussion. She did not come to today’s round table.

Meanwhile, in their expert interim opinion, representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR conclude that her initiatives are incompatible with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments. The organization recommends the author to withdraw her amendments.

Lawyers of Adilet Legal Clinic also call on Nadira Narmatova to withdraw the document amending the laws «On Non-Commercial Organizations», «On State Registration of Legal Entities, Branches (Representative Offices)» and the Criminal Code since its adoption in the presented version is inexpedient and unacceptable.

Being a deputy of the fifth convocation, Nadira Narmatova, in collaboration with Tursunbai Bakir uulu, proposed a similar document. About 80 percent of it was copied from the Russian document. The draft law was rejected in the third reading by the members of the sixth convocation in 2016.