The Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan’s National Assembly) has passed new legislation imposing heavier fines on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that fail to comply with laws regulating service provision and project implementation, particularly when financed by foreign sources.
The bill was approved during the final reading at an extraordinary parliamentary session.
Key Provisions of the New Law:
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Failure to submit contracts related to services or work funded by foreign sources within the legally required timeframe will result in:
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Fines of 1,500 to 2,500 AZN for responsible individuals.
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Fines of 5,000 to 7,000 AZN for legal entities (organizations).
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Providing services or performing work without a registered contract—when financed externally—will lead to:
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Fines of 2,500 to 5,000 AZN for individuals.
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Fines of 8,000 to 15,000 AZN for organizations.
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Banks and payment service providers conducting financial operations under unregistered foreign-funded NGO contracts will face:
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Fines of 2,500 to 5,000 AZN for individuals.
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Fines of 5,000 to 8,000 AZN for organizations.
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The legislation falls under the amendments to the Law on “Non-Governmental Organizations (Public Associations and Funds)” and reflects the government’s continued push for greater transparency and regulatory oversight in the NGO sector, particularly regarding foreign funding.
Observers note that Azerbaijan’s existing NGO laws were already restrictive, and these new measures risk turning civil society into a heavily policed sector, stifling legitimate activities under the pretext of financial oversight. Critics say the government’s framing of foreign funding as a security threat is a tactic to isolate independent groups and concentrate power.
