BAKU, Azerbaijan (AFP)--Lawmakers in Azerbaijan Tuesday backed away from approving new restrictions on civil society that had been harshly criticized by local and foreign rights groups.
Parliament did, however, approve new amendments to laws on religion that have also come under fire from rights groups and some religious leaders.
The chairman of parliament's legal committee, Ali Huseynov, told lawmakers the legal amendments on non-governmental organisations had been withdrawn because of concerns raised by numerous NGOs.
"The initially proposed amendments 'On NGOs' were not directed at restricting civil society. But considering the numerous appeals from representatives of NGOs it has been decided to cancel the amendments," he said.
The proposals would have required NGOs to register with the state, forbidden NGOs from receiving more than 50% of their financing from abroad and required them to have branch offices in a third of Azerbaijan's administrative districts.
Foreign NGOs would also have been required to base their activities on international agreements signed by the Azerbaijani government.
Local NGOs said the proposals would have severely restricted civic groups and forced hundreds to shut down.
Leading rights group Amnesty International appealed against the curbs and Rights watchdog the Council of Europe also called on Azerbaijani authorities to postpone the decision.
But parliamentarians did approve other legal amendments banning foreign citizens from leading prayers in Azerbaijani mosques and requiring leaders of religious organizations to be approved by the state.
Lawmakers voted 93-5 to approve the changes, which authorities say are aimed at preventing Islamic extremism but rights groups allege are a violation of religious freedom.
Critics have accused President Ilham Aliyev's government of suppressing dissent in the oil-rich Caspian Sea republic through crackdowns on the media and political opposition.
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Publié le 30 Juin 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones