AKP drafts bill allowing Interior Ministry to replace NGO heads

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A draft bill against chemical weapons also includes articles allowing the government to replace NGO executives with "trustees," T24 website reported.

The bill authorizes the Ministry of Interior and provincial governors to dismiss NGO executives who have an ongoing "terrorism-related" investigation against them and temporarily suspend the activities of an NGO.

Currently, the ministry has the authority to suspend local administrators who are investigated for "terrorism" charges until a ruling is given about them.

Since the local elections last March, the ministry has replaced nearly 50 mayors from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in the Kurdish-majority eastern and southeastern regions.

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The ministry and governors will also be allowed to monitor NGOs' fundraising activities and impose penalties up to 200,000 lira (~25,800 USD) for unpermitted fundraising campaigns.

Also, all associations and foundations will be obliged to inform the ministry about the donations they received from foreign countries.

The bill submitted by 52 deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is currently discussed at the parliament's Justice Committee. (HA/VK)