Amnesty International has called on the Parliament not to adopt the draft laws on accountability of public organizations

Amnesty International Ukraine urged the Verkhovna Rada not to vote for the draft laws on introducing changes to the Tax code and some legislative acts on the financing of the activities of public associations, because they prevent the activity of public organizations in Ukraine.

About it reported in a press-service of the international human rights organization.

“We believe that the new requirements, if accepted, would unjustifiably restrict the right to freedom of Association and to hamper the activities of public organizations in Ukraine, by creating a significant administrative obstacles. Moreover, such measures will significantly limit the right to freedom of expression, exposing the anti-corruption and other activists and activists risk harassment and intimidation,” said the Director of Amnesty International Ukraine Oksana Pokalchuk.

In addition, Amnesty International fear that the adoption of the bills will lead to increased reporting for public organizations, as it can block the work of organizations working in the conflict zone in the Donbas and in the Crimea.

“We call on Parliament to immediately review existing legislation and proposed bills and to ensure that the laws that regulate the activities of non-state organizations and their officers and employees, not imposed unreasonable restrictions and consistent with the obligations of Ukraine stipulated by the international legislation on human rights”, concluded Amnesty International.

We will remind, on March 27, President Petro Poroshenko signed the controversial amendments to the law on e-Declaration. In accordance with the new amendments, certain categories of military personnel are exempt from the requirement to provide statements about income, but to file e-Declaration now required of all representatives of public organizations. This decision provoked mixed reaction from the public.

The head of delegation of European Union to Ukraine Hugh Mingarelli expressed concern with these changes concerning the anti-corruption pressure on public organizations and urged the Ukrainian authorities not to interfere with their activities.

In July Poroshenko submitted to the Verkhovna Rada the draft laws “On amendments to the Tax code” and “On amendments to some legislative acts regarding ensuring the transparency of information on the financing of the activities of public associations and the use of international technical assistance”.

The relevant bills proposed to abolish compulsory e-Declaration of anti-corruption civil society organizations, which had previously been criticized within the European Union.

Amnesty International has called on the Parliament not to adopt the draft laws on accountability of public organizations

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