§ John Barrett:To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact which new laws on NGO registration in Turkmenistan will have on the ability of organisations to carry out humanitarian work; and if he will make a statement. [141373]
§ Mr. Rammell:I have been asked to reply.
I am very concerned that the new legislation on NGOs will criminalise legitimate NGO activity and give the Ministry of Justice powers to curb the work of NGOs in Turkmenistan.
Our Embassy in Ashgabat has raised these concerns with the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urging the Turkmen government not to use the legislation to penalise NGOs. Our concerns have also been raised with the Turkmen Ambassador to London.
With OSCE and other partners we have sent two Note Verbales asking for a meeting with the Turkmen Foreign Minister to discuss our concerns. We await a response and will continue to monitor this issue carefully.
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