Civil Society Organizations (CSOS) under the leadership of CONGOMA and the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) havepetitioned parliament not to table the amended NGO Act, 2018 which was gazette on 9th November 2018.
The CSOs have cited lack of consultation on the Amendment Act, a clear breach of the spirit and letter of the Republican Constitution, unwarranted state encroachment on the civic space and vague and overly broad provisions in the Act among the reasons why the bill must not be debated in parliament.
Apart from demanding that the Bill must not be tabled in parliament, the CSOs have further recommended that the amended Act should include seats to be occupied be members of the NGO sector in the proposed NGO Authority. Additionally, they have demanded that all appointments by the Minister (excluding the permanent ex-offcios) should be done in direct consultation with CONGOMA.
Find a copy of the petition here: CSOs Petition the Speaker on the NGO Bill