Romania Senate committee approves bill requiring NGOs to disclose funding sources

Romania’s Senate legal committee has approved a draft bill that would require non-governmental organisations to disclose their funding sources, Romanian media reported.

The bill was supported by 76 lawmakers, while 32 voted against it.

The proposal now moves to the Chamber of Deputies, which will make the final decision.

Under the draft legislation, NGOs would be required to submit annual declarations to Romania’s tax authority detailing all income and funding sources.

It also stipulates that organisations receiving more than 5,000 Lei would have to disclose full identifying information of individuals providing funding, regardless of the origin of the funds.

Failure to submit the required declarations would result in the automatic suspension of an organisation’s activity, while non-compliance lasting more than one year would lead to the dissolution of the association or foundation.

The initiative has been criticised by more than 400 NGOs, which argue that it restricts freedom of association.