The Minister of Justice Akbar Tashkulov, signed May 26 order amending the Regulation June (2018) on the procedure for notification of planned events of non-governmental non-profit organizations (NGOs).
The amendments to the Regulation will come into force on August 30, that is, three months after the official publication.
One of the key changes is the update of the concept of an NGO event. Now, in addition to the usual forms of meetings (conferences, seminars, trainings, symposiums, etc.), it also includes the organization of visits of NGO representatives abroad, if they are related to the activities of the organization.
In addition, the wording of the paragraph that prohibits certain types of NGO events has been modified. Now it is prohibited to plan and hold events organized by NGOs that aim to violently change the constitutional order of Uzbekistan, undermine its sovereignty, integrity and security, infringe on the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, promote war, social, national, racial and religious hatred, encroach on the health and spirituality of citizens.
The new wording has prohibited to plan and hold events organized by NGOs that aim to violently change the constitutional order, oppose the state sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Uzbekistan, promote war, social, national, racial and religious hatred, encroach on the constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, public health and public morality.
Today, if two or more NGOs plan to hold a joint event, it is sufficient if one of these organizations notifies the justice authority about this event. However, now the notification procedure will be supplemented by a section on visits abroad. That is, if NGO representatives are planning travels abroad related to the activities of these organizations, each of them is obliged to notify the relevant justice authority separately.
The deadlines for filing depend on the nature of the travel. In the case of a foreign visit by NGO representatives, justice authorities must be notified at least 7 days before the date of the visit, otherwise the travel may be denied.
In the case of foreign travels by NGO representatives organized on the basis of decisions of the chambers of the Oliy Majlis, the President or the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as within the framework of the Olympic Games and other international sports competitions, notification is submitted through the platform at least 1 day before departure.
The order specifies that notification will now be submitted through the NGO electronic platform (previously in written or electronic form).
A new clause 9-1 is also introduced, which regulates special notification conditions for travels organized by decisions of government agencies or within the framework of major international sports events.
Now, notification of foreign travels is submitted in a strictly established form, which is given in the order, and the authorized person of the organization is responsible for the accuracy of the information and compliance with the deadlines. The form must indicate:
- full name of organization;
- purpose and address of travel;
- number of NGO representatives who will participate in event;
- personal data of NGO representatives - full name, passport series and number, PINFL, place of work and position, citizenship, accreditation card number;
- justification for travel;
- exact dates of travel;
- sources of funding;
- and, if any, names of partner organizations.
Changes to already submitted notifications shall be allowed, but subject to deadlines: no later than 3 working days for events within the country and 1 working day for visits abroad.
