On April 16, during Rustavi 2 TV channel’s program “Night Courier,” Irakli Kobakhidze stated that NGOs do not exist in the United States and that it is impossible to establish NGOs there.
Irakli Kobakhidze: “Why aren’t there NGOs in America? No one would dare to blatantly interfere in American politics from the outside. That’s why there are no NGOs in the United States and in some other developed, strong democratic countries. You can’t create NGOs in America. No one would even think of using NGOs for political intervention in the U.S….”
Irakli Kobakhidze’s claim that NGOs do not exist in the United States is not true. There are approximately 1.5 million non-governmental organizations operating in various fields across the U.S. There are no restrictions on foreign funding for NGOs operating in the United States.
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are approximately 1.5 million NGOs in the United States. These organizations operate in a wide variety of fields and engage in political advocacy on issues such as foreign policy, elections, environmental protection, healthcare, women’s rights, economic development, and more.
Many well-known international and U.S.-based NGOs operate in the United States. For example, Human Rights Watch, which focuses on human rights research and advocacy, is an international organization founded in the U.S. Another example is Amnesty International USA, the American branch of the U.K.-based international organization Amnesty International.
U.S. law does not restrict the establishment or operation of foreign NGOs in the country. Furthermore, there are generally no specific legal restrictions on foreign funding for NGOs operating in the U.S. However, NGOs, like individuals, are subject to certain restrictions, such as bans on accepting funding from terrorist organizations. Restrictions are also imposed on the provision of direct financial support to political candidates by foreign entities. But foreign NGOs that are connected with foreign political parties and function as think tanks or collaborate with U.S. organizations specializing in foreign policy issues, hold conferences, organize exchange programs, fund, and work on joint projects with American organizations, are free to conduct their activities.
The State Department website explains that NGOs may be subject to laws and regulations on issues such as immigration, visas, political campaign financing, lobbying, terrorism financing, and money laundering. However, these laws apply not only to NGOs but to all types of organizations and individuals. NGOs are also expected to avoid cooperation with governments or individuals sanctioned by the U.S. or designated as terrorist organizations. In all other respects, NGOs are free to collaborate with foreign governments to fulfill their missions, and the U.S. does not restrict their activities abroad or their pursuit of foreign donors.
It’s worth noting that the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), in determining the status of foreign influence, does not rely solely on the receipt of foreign funding. To be considered a foreign agent under FARA, a person or entity must act under the direction, request, or control of a foreign government and engage in political activities on behalf of that foreign power, aiming to influence public opinion, policy, or legislation. The State Department notes that some governments erroneously assert that FARA restricts political freedoms in the U.S. In reality, FARA does not inhibit freedom of expression, does not regulate the content of published materials, does not limit lobbying activities, and does not restrict the acceptance of funding.
As stated on the U.S. Department of State website, the United States firmly believes that the existence of a civil society free from government control is essential for the development of democracy.
“From the earliest days of U.S. history, civil society organizations have played a key role in protecting human rights and advancing human progress. Civil society is a source of all-encompassing ideas, promoting everything from transparency and free expression, reversing inequality, and rescuing our environment.”
The State Department notes that the regulations that impact civil society organizations are designed to facilitate and support the formation of NGOs.
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