In recent days, questions have arisen about if the changes proposed to the Azerbaijan Republic Law on Non-government Organizations will affect already existing organizations. Many organizations have a comparative version of the proposed legislation with no information about the "Transition Provisions” section.

The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety has obtained a copy of entire bill. According to Section VI. Transition Provisions:

   1. These provisions also apply to non-governmental organizations registered up to the time when the law goes into effect.
   2. Registered non-governmental organizations must bring their activities, even their founders, into compliance with the demands of this law by the time the law goes into affect
   3. Within a one year period after this law goes into affect relevant executive authority shall appeal to court for the liquidation of non-governmental organizations that do not harmonize with the demands of this law.

IRFS has already disseminated a statement about the proposed changes which endanger all independent NGOs in Azerbaijan. See http://www.irfs.az/content/view/2436/lang,eng/.