25.03.2009
New NGO Bill in Ethiopia to Regulate Aid Agencies' Operations
The Ethiopian Parliament endorsed a controversial bill on the work of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the country. Passed on 6 January 2009, the new bill determines the legal ground for the establishment and operation of civic institutions as well as international and local NGOs.According to the new law, local NGOs and civic institutions are now required to raise 90 percent of their income from domestic sources, failing which they would be denied citizens' rights, and would thus be considered as international NGOs.
The bill prohibits international NGOs from working in the areas of conflict resolution and peace building, democratization, human rights-related advocacy, gender and disabilities, among others. It also sets tough penalties and authority to investigate and oversee organizations providing assistance to the needy.
Meanwhile, members of the international community are requesting that the government revise the bill. The United Nations humanitarian news service IRIN writes that the law was passed despite strong criticism from opposition politicians, international human rights groups and national civil society organizations.
Critics argue that the new regulation, especially on foreign funding to local NGOs, would hurt human rights groups that are critical of the government and could disrupt their operations. The government, however, says aid organizations have been used by political activists working on "other issues" rather than "catastrophes that required assistance," according to a September 2008 statement.
The new law establishes an oversight agency, rules and supervision for the establishment of trusts and endowments, societies and charitable organizations. Regulations on fund-raising, membership and governance are also specified.
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is present in Ethiopia through its member church, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the Department for World Service (DWS) country program, which have collaborated for more than 30 years. The joint EECMY and DWS Ethiopia program focuses on food security, integrated rural development and disaster preparedness. (318 words)
(This article is edited from the original by Sofia Malmqvist from Sweden, currently on secondment with DWS Kenya. The program's work includes refugee camp management in eastern Ethiopia.)
If you want to edit this article yourself and adapt it to a given format, follow our editing information
