Today the Committee held a forum to discuss the proposed amendments to Azerbaijan’s law “On Non-Government Organisations (public unions and foundations)”. Ambassador of Norway, heads of NGOs, political parties, international donor organizations, representatives of US and British Embassies, media attended the Forum. 

Erkin Qedirli of Republicanist Alternative (REAL) analyzed the amendments and their negative impact on the development of civil society of Azerbaijan, as well as their contradiction to the democratic values, Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan’s obligation before the European Convention on Hunan Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Council of Europe and OSCE.  

Gubad Ibadoglu of Economic Research Centre gave a presentation on the support by foreign donors to Azerbaijan, its impact on social and economic development of the country.

Then the participants discussed the proposed amendments and their possible negative impacts.  

A statement on behalf of the NGOs united at the Civil Society Defence Committee was made to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 

The Forum decided to hold a picket of protest against the proposed amendments in front of the building of Milli Mejlis between 12:00-13:00 on 19 June 2009.