Draft Law on NGOs to Be Submitted to Government by Late Summer

The Committee on Civil Society Affairs under the Ministry of Culture and Information has initiated work on a draft law “On Non-Governmental Organizations.” A working group has been established, including ministry representatives, members of parliament, and public association leaders, Orda.kz reports.

Headed by Vice Minister of Culture and Information Aizada Kurmanova, the group is expected to prepare a regulatory policy advisory paper by June 1 and submit it to the Interdepartmental Commission on Legislative Activity under the Ministry of Justice by August 1.

The committee is currently gathering proposals from civil society. The working group includes 38 members, such as deputies Zhanna Asanova, Bibigul Zheksenbay, Murat Abenov, and Marat Bashimov, alongside legal experts, civic representatives, and other specialists.

The Ministry has pledged to keep the public informed on the bill’s development, including updates on major proposals.

Earlier, Orda.kz reported that many Kazakhstani NGOs expressed concern about tighter state oversight following the suspension of USAID funding and parliamentary proposals to introduce a foreign agents law. 

Gulmira Birzhanova, head of the Legal Media Center, warned that government financing of human rights and media organizations could result in a conflict of interest.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov