International Commission of Jurists says FCRA Bill incompatible with international law
4 years, 3 months ago

International Commission of Jurists says FCRA Bill incompatible with international law

The Hindu  

The International Commission of Jurists on Thursday observed that the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020 passed by Parliament on Wednesday was incompatible with international law and would hamper the work of civil society. The ICJ stressed that the Bill’s provisions would impose arbitrary and extraordinary obstacles on the capacity of human rights defenders and other civil society actors to carry out their important work”, an ICJ statement said. “At a minimum, the ICJ called on the Indian authorities to desist from implementing the provisions of the FCRA 2020 that are inconsistent with international law”, it stated. The statement cited the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on protecting human rights defenders that said “no law should criminalize or delegitimize activities in defence of human rights on account of the origin of funding”.

International Law International Fcra Jurists Icj  human  fcra  commission  provisions  law  work  statement  bill  rights  international  foreign  2020  jurists  icj  incompatible

History of this topic

No FCRA for NGOs linked to conversions, radical groups: Govt
1 month, 1 week ago

No FCRA for NGOs linked to conversions, radical groups: Govt

Hindustan Times  

The Union ministry of home affairs has, for the first time, explicitly listed the reasons for denying the clearance needed under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act to receive funds from abroad. The ministry said it is putting out “consolidated reasons” after receiving a representation from several NGOs seeking clarity on why their clearance under FCRA was denied. Key reasons for …

Six organisations whose foreign funding licence was suspended by govt
1 year, 9 months ago

Six organisations whose foreign funding licence was suspended by govt

Hindustan Times  

The Centre on Monday suspended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licence of the non-governmental organisation, Centre for Policy Research, for 180 days over an alleged violation of laws. The FCRA registration is mandatory for any NGO or association to receive foreign funds As per reports, The CPR has been asked to give clarification and documents regarding FCRA funds received by …

FCRA registrations of over 1800 organisations have been cancelled between 2019 and 2021: MHA in Lok Sabha
2 years ago

FCRA registrations of over 1800 organisations have been cancelled between 2019 and 2021: MHA in Lok Sabha

Op India  

The Foreign Contribution Act registration certificates of 1,811 associations have been cancelled from 2019 to 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. “During the last three years from 2019 to 2021, the FCRA Registration Certificates of 1,811 associations have been cancelled under section 14 of The Foreign Contribution Act, 2010 due to violation of provisions …

FCRA amendment in 2020 to discourage NGOs from spending on posh buildings and luxurious vehicles: MHA annual report
2 years, 1 month ago

FCRA amendment in 2020 to discourage NGOs from spending on posh buildings and luxurious vehicles: MHA annual report

The Hindu  

The Foreign Contribution Act was amended in 2020 to discourage expenditure by non- government organisations on “unproductive items” such as “inflated staff salaries, posh buildings and office and luxurious vehicles,” the Ministry of Home Affairs has said in its 2021-22 annual report. The Ministry said that the Foreign Contribution Amendment Act, 2020 was passed by Parliament in September 2020 and …

FCRA curbs meant to insulate democratic polity from foreign influence: SC
2 years, 8 months ago

FCRA curbs meant to insulate democratic polity from foreign influence: SC

The Hindu  

The Parliament has to periodically intervene to curb the “increasing influence” of foreign funds on the polity of the nation, the Supreme Court said on Friday in a judgment. The Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar agreed with the government’s argument that the amendments to prevent democratic polity, public institutions and “individuals working in the national democratic space from being …

Centre has justified FCRA non-renewal for NGOs in Supreme Court
2 years, 11 months ago

Centre has justified FCRA non-renewal for NGOs in Supreme Court

The Hindu  

The non-renewal of the Foreign Contribution Act registration of the Missionaries of Charity citing “audit irregularities” comes shortly after a line of argument made by the government in the Supreme Court recently that NGOs have no fundamental right to receive “unbridled foreign contributions”. Foreign contributions, considering their nature and vast expanse of abuse, area tightly and controlled means.” the MHA …

COVID- Can Deadline For Opening FCRA Accounts By NGOs Getting Foreign Aid Be Extended?: Delhi High Court Asks Centre
3 years, 7 months ago

COVID- Can Deadline For Opening FCRA Accounts By NGOs Getting Foreign Aid Be Extended?: Delhi High Court Asks Centre

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court last week asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider extending the deadline for opening the Foreign Contribution Act account by NGOs who seek to receive foreign funds.The Bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh was hearing two Petitioners who raised an issue related to the. The Delhi High Court last week asked the Ministry of Home …

Explained : Changes Brought To Foreign Contributions Regulation Act
4 years, 2 months ago

Explained : Changes Brought To Foreign Contributions Regulation Act

Live Law  

The Parliament last week passed the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020 to amend the Foreign Contribution Act, 2010. The Amendment Bill, 2020 however completely does away with providing any such relaxations, and no transfer of foreign contributions is allowed either to a registered or unregistered person. ) The Amendment Bill, 2020 however completely does away with providing any such relaxations, …

Don’t weaponize the foreign contribution law
4 years, 3 months ago

Don’t weaponize the foreign contribution law

Live Mint  

The central government of India has passed the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020, and thereby made significant changes to the Foreign Contribution Act, or FCRA. The greatest uptick, however, has been in restrictions on international funding, which now account for 35 percent of all restrictive measures.” Rutzen goes on: “The justifications that governments use for enacting restrictions on CSOs fall …

Parliament Passes Bill To Regulate Funds Received As Foreign Contributions [Read Bill]
4 years, 3 months ago

Parliament Passes Bill To Regulate Funds Received As Foreign Contributions [Read Bill]

Live Law  

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020 to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals, associations and companies. FCRA account The Bill stipulates that foreign contribution must be 'received' only in an account designated by the bank as "FCRA account" in such branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi, as …

Parliament passes bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act
4 years, 3 months ago

Parliament passes bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

The Hindu  

Parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to make it mandatory for office bearers of NGOs to provide their Aadhaar numbers at the time of registration and also bring various other changes. Amid Opposition boycott of proceedings over suspension of eight MPs, Rajya Sabha unanimously passed The Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020. Replying to debate on the bill, Minister of State …

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act Amendment Bill — why are NGOs upset? | The Hindu In Focus podcast
4 years, 3 months ago

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act Amendment Bill — why are NGOs upset? | The Hindu In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

On September 20, the government introduced the Foreign Contribution Amendment Bill, 2020 in the Lok Sabha, and it was passed in the Lower House on September 21. The Bill amends the Foreign Contribution Act, 2010, a.k.a. Civil Society organisations and NGOs are unhappy with the changes proposed in this new Bill. To answer these questions, we have with us Venkatesh …

Bill Seeking to Amend FCRA Introduced in Lok Sabha
4 years, 3 months ago

Bill Seeking to Amend FCRA Introduced in Lok Sabha

News 18  

A bill that seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution Act, under which providing the Aadhar numbers of the office-bearers of any NGO will be mandatory for registration and public servants will be barred from receiving funds from abroad, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Sunday. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill 2020, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of …

Govt Set to Amend FCRA, Make Aadhaar Compulsory to Accept Foreign Donation
4 years, 3 months ago

Govt Set to Amend FCRA, Make Aadhaar Compulsory to Accept Foreign Donation

News 18  

The government’s proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act will make Aadhaar a compulsory identification document to accept foreign donation. The proposed section says, “Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the Central Government may require that any person who seeks prior permission or prior approval under section 11, or makes an application for grant of certificate under section 12, …

Parliament proceedings | Government tables Bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act
4 years, 3 months ago

Parliament proceedings | Government tables Bill to amend Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

The Hindu  

The Centre is set to amend the Foreign Contribution Act and proposes to make Aadhaar a mandatory identification document for all the office-bearers, directors and other key functionaries of an NGO or an association eligible to receive foreign donations. The Bill says the amendment is required to enhance transparency and accountability in the receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions worth …

Discover Related