Govt restrictions on NGO activities

The government has asked non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to seek permission to invite foreigners, arrange field trips for projects and organise meetings or seminars.

Sources believe the government made the move to tighten its grip on NGO activities.

The NGO leaders termed the new measures restrictive and a negative step towards the NGOs with tremendous contribution to poverty alleviation, education and women's empowerment.

The Bureau of NGO Affairs in a letter to the chief executives of various NGOs said the government took the decision to dispel 'misunderstanding on sensitive issues'.

Signed by an assistant director of the bureau, the letter said it has recently been observed that foreign delegates have been visiting Bangladesh on invitation of various NGOs.

The delegates have also been going to different parts of the country and exchanging views. In some cases, they are carrying out surveys, added the letter.

Contacted last night, Fazle Hossain Abed, chairman of BRAC, a leading NGO, said the step is restrictive and urged the government to withdraw the order.

Since the country permits visa to only those who can fulfil certain criteria, restriction should not be imposed on the people of a particular sector, he said. "It can push the country to an image crisis."

The chief executive of another leading NGO has said that there are several hundred NGOs for which donors and researchers frequently visit Bangladesh as part of projects and research.

"Bangladesh is considered to be a model abroad for micro-credit and many are curious about the success story," said the official on condition of anonymity.

The NGO leaders alleged the four-party coalition government has been trying to control NGO activities since its assumption of power.

But at a meeting with the donors earlier, the government made it clear that it had no intention of controlling the NGO activities. The government told the donors that it was preparing a policy only to facilitate their work.

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan spelled out the government's position when a five-member delegation of the Local Consultative Group (LCG) led by World Bank (WB) Country Director Frederick T Temple met him at his Secretariat office.

The LCG comprises the WB, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Commission and the Dutch embassy.

The government is shoring up the NGO affairs bureau to help the non-governmental organisations, the LGRD minister said.

Director General of the NGO affairs bureau AHM Abul Quasem told The Daily Star last night that only the foreigners willing to work on foreign-funded NGO projects need to obtain 'no-objection certificate' (NOC) from the bureau.

"The bureau wants to stay updated on the NGO activities to provide information to the government," he said.

"It's not a restriction but a measure to update us on the NGO activities."

The NGO leaders can have a clarification from the bureau as "we are working in harmony", Quasem said.

It is difficult for the bureau to have an account of NGO activities, as there are 1,700 NGOs with direct foreign donations, registered with the bureau, and another several thousands registered with other ministries, he explained.

The bureau officials said the measure was taken on an order from the high level of the government.

The NGO leaders have been learnt to be discussing the issue with the key officials of the government. A meeting has been scheduled for next week to discuss the issue further, an official said.

The government has decided to upgrade the 24-year-old NGO regulations, bringing all NGOs under the tax net, preventing NGOs from meddling in politics and banning the use of donor money in political activities, sources said.