That the atmosphere for civil society in Uzbekistan is very difficult is nothing new. After a number of international news agencies had to leave (BBC, RFERL, Deutsche Welle) and important Human Rights NGOs (like Freedom House) now even UN agencies are asked to leave (UNHCR).

While these events are alarming at an international level, the screws for national NGOs and institutions are also tightened. In January, I heard in Nukus that universities and also libraries got unofficial letters saying that they must not cooperate with international NGOs.

At official level a new article was released on 28 December 2005 for the law “About amendments and additions to the criminal law of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan about administrative responsibilities” adds new regulations that aim to control more and more the work of NGOs in Uzbekistan:

• If representatives of NGOs participate in political activities that do not correspond with their statutes it can result in a penalty of 50 to 150 minimum wages (ca 9 US$) or arrest of 15 days
• Using unregistered NGO logos results in a penalty of 50 to 100 minimum wages
• Conducting events by NGOs without prior notice to the ministry of justice can result in a penalty of 50 to 100 minimum salary

These regulations might look small but they reflect a tight net of regulations that keep NGOs busy to meet legal requirements and that can lead to their closure because of the inability to either meet these requirements or lack of financial means to pay the penalties.