Another NGO Under Fire
Another NGO Under Fire
The Uzbek government is following a familiar pattern by accusing yet another non-government group of breaking the its rule. NBCentralAsia experts say the action is part of an ongoing campaign against United States-funded assistance programme.
Last week, the Uzbek justice ministry accused World Vision International, a US non-government group that focuses on relief and development work, of violating local laws. The group, which has a Christian ethos, has been working in Uzbekistan since 2003.
World Vision International issued a press release on February 15 saying a justice ministry inspection the previous month had merely resulted in a request to improve the information it provided to the Uzbek authorities regarding the public events it holds, on its internal structure, and on its progress towards renewing its official registration.
In 2004, Uzbekistan introduced laws requiring NGOs to hand over information on their expenditure and inform the government of meetings in advance. NBCentralAsia observers say the action taken against World Vision International is a classic example of the kind of pressure the authorities have applied to NGOs since that legislation came into force.
Political observer Ismail Sabirov described the pattern, saying, “The accusations [against World Vision International] follow the well-worn wording used in other cases. They will be followed by a tougher set of demands, culminating in an order to close down. That’s what happened to Freedom House and Internews, and it may well happen to this organisation.”
Political scientist Anvar Muminov agreed, adding that the Uzbek authorities were pressuring American NGOs in a bid to gain greater respect. “Tashkent is trying to impose its own rules of engagement on Washington,” he said. “If the US takes the hint and makes some concessions, things could improve for American NGOs.”
When Uzbekistan pressured foreign media organisations into leaving the country, local donor groups professing similar aims emerged, such as the Foundation for the Support and Democratisation of Independent Media. That scenario is unlikely to be repeated in the case of humanitarian aid groups, commentators say.
According to Sabirov, there will be no local alternatives to humanitarian NGOs since the areas they work in already fall within the domain of government.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
Last week, the Uzbek justice ministry accused World Vision International, a US non-government group that focuses on relief and development work, of violating local laws. The group, which has a Christian ethos, has been working in Uzbekistan since 2003.
World Vision International issued a press release on February 15 saying a justice ministry inspection the previous month had merely resulted in a request to improve the information it provided to the Uzbek authorities regarding the public events it holds, on its internal structure, and on its progress towards renewing its official registration.
In 2004, Uzbekistan introduced laws requiring NGOs to hand over information on their expenditure and inform the government of meetings in advance. NBCentralAsia observers say the action taken against World Vision International is a classic example of the kind of pressure the authorities have applied to NGOs since that legislation came into force.
Political observer Ismail Sabirov described the pattern, saying, “The accusations [against World Vision International] follow the well-worn wording used in other cases. They will be followed by a tougher set of demands, culminating in an order to close down. That’s what happened to Freedom House and Internews, and it may well happen to this organisation.”
Political scientist Anvar Muminov agreed, adding that the Uzbek authorities were pressuring American NGOs in a bid to gain greater respect. “Tashkent is trying to impose its own rules of engagement on Washington,” he said. “If the US takes the hint and makes some concessions, things could improve for American NGOs.”
When Uzbekistan pressured foreign media organisations into leaving the country, local donor groups professing similar aims emerged, such as the Foundation for the Support and Democratisation of Independent Media. That scenario is unlikely to be repeated in the case of humanitarian aid groups, commentators say.
According to Sabirov, there will be no local alternatives to humanitarian NGOs since the areas they work in already fall within the domain of government.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
