NGOs discuss draft policy in Guangzhou

By Yang Jingjie Source:Global Times Published: 2014-10-31 0:48:02

Concerned they will be affected


Representatives from NGOs and government officials in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong Province, Thursday exchanged their ideas over the management of the fast growing non-governmental sector, after a draft regulation triggered concerns due to its "vague definition of illegal NGOs."

The draft was published on the website of Guangzhou's civil affairs bureau to solicit public opinions from October 16-26. It stipulates that beginning the planning phase of setting up an NGO without proper authorization is illegal, as is operating one without registration or continuing to operate an NGO after its registration has been revoked.

The definition for illegal NGOs is in line with an interim regulation released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in 2000, but has been deemed as "obsolete" and "counterproductive" to the development of NGOs by insiders.

From October 22-25, Guangzhou-based ngocn.net conducted a survey on the draft document among 221 respondents, 171 of whom are NGO staff members or volunteers. The questionnaire found that about 65 percent of the 171 respondents believed their organizations will be affected by the draft document.

Some respondents said the definition for illegal NGOs is vague, which will lead to panic in the non-profit sector. "It is already difficult for grass-roots NGOs, who are aiding marginalized and vulnerable groups, to obtain resources and get registration. The document will bring even worse impacts to their survival," the respondents were quoted as saying in the survey results.

"Many respondents said the definition of illegal NGOs should be based on whether they had carried out illegal activities instead of whether they had been registered," said the survey results.

A staff member with ngocn.net surnamed Wu said that the survey results were sent to the authorities on Sunday, and the authorities Tuesday said they would study the results.

According to Wu, four officials from the city's civil affairs bureau had a frank dialogue with representatives from some NGOs at a seminar held by ngocn.net on Thursday. "The officials said there are some discussions about the document within the bureau, and they are mulling changes to some clauses," said Wu.

Jia Xijin, a professor with Tsinghua University studying NGOs, told caixin.com that the government should administer NGOs with legislation rather than simple definitions of what is illegal.



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