Istanbul, Dec. 24, (dpa/GNA) – Turkey should withdraw a draft bill regulating civil society organizations, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday, saying the proposed law could violate the right to freedom of association.
The draft law, which is currently being discussed in parliament in Ankara, could “arbitrarily restrict the activities of non-governmental organizations,” HRW said.
The bill was originally drafted to help curb the financing and proliferation of weapons, however, a large part of the provisions grant the authorities increased powers to boost scrutiny and control over independent civil society groups, including aid collection.
The proposed law allows the government to suspend group members from their posts if they are being investigated under, among other things, the law to prevent the financing of terrorism and in connection with their civil society activities.
The ministry can suspend the activities of the organization pending a court decision.
Around 500 Turkish NGOs have signed a declaration calling for the withdrawal of the proposed law, including women’s rights organizations, refugee aid groups, and trade and doctors’ unions.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in October that professional associations must be regulated.
GNA