Geneva, Concerns have been raised by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights about a new law in Kyrgyzstan, signed by President Sadyr Japarov, which could significantly undermine the operations of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country. The law mandates NGOs involved in “political activities” and receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign representatives,” a move that could affect their functioning and the broader landscape of civil rights.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the “foreign representatives” law, set to come into effect shortly, grants Kyrgyz authorities extensive oversight of NGOs and could lead to the suspension or even forced liquidation of those failing to register. This development has sparked fears of increased scrutiny and potential stigmatization of NGOs, many of which rely on international grants and contributions for their activities.

The law’s broad definition of “political activities” could compel NGOs to limit their operations or face being labeled as foreign agents, leading to possible self-censorship among organizations that opt to register under the new requirement. This could significantly hinder their role in public advocacy, human rights monitoring, and discussions on matters of public interest.

The UN rights office has called for the repeal of the legislation, urging Kyrgyz authorities to align any future laws with international human rights standards and to engage in consultations with civil society and human rights defenders to protect the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly in Kyrgyzstan.