BISHKEK — The leaders of 43 nongovernmental organizations in Kyrgyzstan have urged President Almazbek Atambaev not to put pressure on NGOs.

A letter addressed to Atambaev on December 8 urges him «not to repeat the mistakes of his predecessors.»

The NGO leaders were referring to a television interview on December 1 in which Atambaev said some NGO activities may «pose a threat» to national security.

The letter says «two previous presidents who said that NGOs threaten Kyrgyzstan’s national security were threatening national security themselves, and as a result were kicked out of the country.»

Kyrgyz revolutions in 2005 and 2010 ousted Presidents Askar Akaev and Kurmanbek Bakiev, respectively.

Parliament is considering a controversial bill that would impose «foreign-agent» status on NGOs receiving foreign funds.

Critics say the bill mimics a 2012 law in Russia that was heavily criticized by rights groups and Western governments.

http://www.rferl.org/content/kyrgyz-civil-leaders-urge-president-not-to-pressure-ngos/26731254.html