Uzbekistan Enforces Stringent Rules for Individual Charity Fundraising
A new law aimed at improving the regulation of sponsorship and charitable activities was discussed at a recent session of the Legislative Chamber. The draft law introduces specific procedures for collecting charitable donations, whether in cash, via bank transfers, or in the form of material goods, by charitable organizations, NGOs, and legal entities involved in sponsorship.
If donations are collected in cash, they must be done strictly through donation boxes or by transferring funds to official bank accounts. In cases of material goods donations, a formal inventory must be created, detailing the items received. Transparency is key, with all donation collection activities being publicly disclosed and reported via media outlets, official websites, or social media pages.
The law also imposes restrictions on individual charity efforts, limiting private individuals to raise funds for personal needs or those of close relatives. Volunteers assisting unrelated individuals can only announce fundraising efforts, not handle donations themselves. Donation boxes must be installed by registered NGOs or authorized legal entities, placed transparently, with witnesses present and video footage made public when opened.
Stricter penalties for violations have been established to address cases of fraud and exploitation of public trust in charitable fundraising. The lack of clear legal regulations has led to incidents where fraudsters have stolen money collected for charity, resulting in criminal prosecutions. This new law aims to prevent such abuses and ensure the proper and transparent management of charitable donations.
