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US Ambassador to Azerbaijan expresses concern over the amendments to legislation on non-governmental organizations

17 June 2009 07:52 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Victoria Dementyeva â€“APA. US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse expressed her concerns over the amendments to the legislation on non-governmental organizations. â€œWe are closely monitoring efforts in Parliament to amend legislation
on non-governmental organizationsâ€, said Derse, US Embassy Public Affairs Office told APA. â€œWe share the concerns widely expressed by civil society leaders and international partners in Azerbaijan. NGOs are an important contributing factor in democratic development and an integral part of every modern democratic society. These amendments, if passed as described, would contravene international standards, result in further restrictions on freedom of speech and association and put development of civil society in Azerbaijan at riskâ€, said US Ambassador.

The ambassador said they encouraged broad and open debate before any changes are promulgated, including input from civil society leaders in Azerbaijan and consultation with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. â€œIt will ensure the work of civil society and citizens’ right to form and participate in the work of non-governmental organizations is not restrictedâ€, said Derse.