Public figure Svetlana Ushakova wrote on her Facebook page about the activities of the working group under the Ministry of Culture and Information, which is preparing amendments to Kazakhstan's legislation on charity. According to Ushakova, some of the proposed amendments could seriously harm charity in Kazakhstan.
"There has been talk about the need to introduce additional regulatory measures in connection with the identified cases of misuse of charitable funds collected during floods. We all understand that fraudsters exist everywhere, but the proposed measures seem unnecessary and could create barriers to the development of charity," Ushakova said.
According to the activist, the working group members propose to empower akimats with the function of monitoring the collection of funds. She notes that such a measure, in her opinion, will only create corruption risks.
It is also proposed to create mandatory accreditation for charitable organizations and to empower akimats to determine which organizations will have the right to collect aid during emergencies. This, according to Ushakova, limits the organizations' capabilities and also creates corruption risks.
The initiators of the amendments propose to prohibit individuals from collecting funds for charitable purposes and to fine violators 80 MCI.
"How are the amendments on charity harmful to each of us? The main threat is that they practically deprive ordinary people of the opportunity to directly help other people in emergency or vital situations.
These changes will affect not only those who need support, but also the donors themselves, limiting their right to help in the form in which they can offer it now. If previously anyone could contribute to help victims of disasters or to support sick children, now they will be limited in the choice of where they can direct their donations,” Ushakova commented on the proposed measures.
The activist believes that the ban on individuals collecting donations will have a negative impact on charity in the country:
"If these amendments are adopted , ordinary citizens will no longer be able to announce fundraisers, for example, for the treatment of a child, support for victims of violence, or help for people affected by natural disasters. Today, we can raise funds for personal accounts, quickly attracting help for specific people. The new ban will allow donations to be collected exclusively for the support of plants and animals, leaving most people outside the scope of possible assistance."
Ushakova cited several cases where private fundraising organized by individuals was successful. She noted that, for example, human rights activist Dina Tansari helps victims of violence and others in need in this way.
She also recalled raising money for Aisulu Abisheva, a girl diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and financial assistance to victims of the fires in the Kostanay region in 2022.
"These examples show the power of individual initiatives in Kazakhstan and demonstrate how ordinary people, using their personal contacts and accounts, can raise significant funds to help others in emergency situations. But this will become impossible if amendments are made to the legislation on charity," the human rights activist concluded.
Ushakova notes that, in turn, the need to accredit organizations with the state will create barriers to charity, reduce the amount of available assistance and make the process complex and lengthy.
"As an alternative, they want to offer us to collect money for charitable foundations approved by the authorities. Here I would like to recall how the Akim of the Kyzylorda region withdrew more than 80 million tenge from such a fund to help Arys," the Protenge publication commented on the initiative.
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