South Ossetia approves a new version of the law "On NGOs"

The Government of South Ossetia today approved a new version of the law "On non-commercial organizations (NGOs)", which introduces the concept of "an NCO performing the functions of a foreign agent" in relation to organizations receiving funding from abroad.

"For such organizations a separate register will be made, they also have to register statements more frequently than other NGOs. The Ministry of Justice may conduct unscheduled inspections and analyse the activities of foreign agents. Moreover, foreign agents must operate through the banking institutions of the republic of South Ossetia" acting Minister of Justice of the republic Murat Benaiah said, RIA Novosti reports.

If the funding source is hidden, the bill allows the Ministry of Justice to initiate the liquidation of a non-profit organization through the courts, the official says.