OSCE meeting tries to resolve NGO registration issues in Azerbaijan

BAKU, 12 August 2003 - The problems facing local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in registering with state authorities is the focus of a meeting which opened today in the Azeri capital, Baku.

Through this meeting, which is the first in a series of meetings supported by the OSCE Office in Baku, organizers intend to contribute to resolving the registration problem and thus to the further development of civil society in Azerbaijan.

"NGOs have played a vital role in the OSCE process since its very beginning," said Ambassador Peter Burkhard, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, on the occasion of the event.

"The existence of a strong, independent and vigorous non-profit sector, functioning with public trust, is a fundamental component of a healthy civil society. The open approach by the Government towards independent NGOs and a will to create an appropriate environment for their activities are important elements of the positive changes in Azerbaijan."

He added: "We urge the authorities to redefine their policy towards independent NGOs and ensure the full exercise of freedom of association through greater compliance with the existing laws."

Some 70 representatives of NGOs, governmental authorities and Parliament took part at the event. Participants discussed different legal ways to pursue their rights.

As a way of attracting attention of the decision-makers and the general public, participants decided to address the President of Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, and ask for their support in resolving the key problem of the NGO sector.

A special report, presenting the findings of a survey of the registration problem - carried out in the framework of a joint initiative of the OSCE Office in Baku and the U.S.-based International Center for Not-for-Profit Law - was presented at the meeting.