Tweet
THE STATE IS TRYING TO LIMIT THE WORK OF NGOS: DISCUSSION IN YEREVAN
02.17.2015 15:58 epress.am
http://www.epress.am/en/2015/02/17/the-state-is-trying-to-limit-the-work-of-ngos-discussion-in-yerevan.html
A group of NGO leaders are concerned about a Government proposed
draft law related to NGOs. Today, during a press conference at the
Media Center, Eurasia Partnership Foundation project manager Mikayel
Hovhannisyan said that fears are that the state wishes to create
measures to limit the work of NGOs and currently the government is
conducting discussions with NGOs about the draft.
According to the draft, NGOs need to present a detailed financial
and contextual account of their work to state bodies.
Mikayel Hovhannisyan stressed that NGO representatives have fears
that the law would be used selectively, as done before in Armenia,
after it passes.
"We had initially suggested that strict reporting be fixed by the
law, but only for NGOs financed by the state. Those finances are
foundationally different than the rest from a financial perspective,"
said Open Society Foundation - Armenia Deputy Director of programs
Davit Amiryan.
With the new law, NGOs can be involved in for-profit (entrepreneurial
activities). In the past, it was necessary to register as LLC and be
its 100% shareholder, however that will no longer be necessary.
Transparency International anti-corruption center legal advisor
Heriknaz Tigranyan said that there may be limitations in that regard
as well. The for-profit activities , according to the draft, have to
fall in line with the NGO's charter goals, while Tigranyan proposes
another definition in the law, stating that an NGO's profits from
their for-profit activities must be used for implementing the NGO's
charter goals.
From: A. Papazian
02.17.2015 15:58 epress.am
http://www.epress.am/en/2015/02/17/the-state-is-trying-to-limit-the-work-of-ngos-discussion-in-yerevan.html
A group of NGO leaders are concerned about a Government proposed
draft law related to NGOs. Today, during a press conference at the
Media Center, Eurasia Partnership Foundation project manager Mikayel
Hovhannisyan said that fears are that the state wishes to create
measures to limit the work of NGOs and currently the government is
conducting discussions with NGOs about the draft.
According to the draft, NGOs need to present a detailed financial
and contextual account of their work to state bodies.
Mikayel Hovhannisyan stressed that NGO representatives have fears
that the law would be used selectively, as done before in Armenia,
after it passes.
"We had initially suggested that strict reporting be fixed by the
law, but only for NGOs financed by the state. Those finances are
foundationally different than the rest from a financial perspective,"
said Open Society Foundation - Armenia Deputy Director of programs
Davit Amiryan.
With the new law, NGOs can be involved in for-profit (entrepreneurial
activities). In the past, it was necessary to register as LLC and be
its 100% shareholder, however that will no longer be necessary.
Transparency International anti-corruption center legal advisor
Heriknaz Tigranyan said that there may be limitations in that regard
as well. The for-profit activities , according to the draft, have to
fall in line with the NGO's charter goals, while Tigranyan proposes
another definition in the law, stating that an NGO's profits from
their for-profit activities must be used for implementing the NGO's
charter goals.
From: A. Papazian