Registration of 722 NGOs cancelled and their activities shut down between 2009 and 2024

The registration of a total of 722 NGOs was cancelled and their activities shut down by the NGO Affairs Bureau between 2009 and 2024 for various reasons. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed gave this information in the National Parliament session on Monday (9 November).

He gave the information as the minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, in reply to a written question from member of parliament Advocate Md Jalal Uddin. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram presided over the session.

The home minister said that alongside the government, non-government organisations (NGOs) are making an important contribution to improving the socio-economic condition of Bangladesh.

Since the NGO Affairs Bureau was established in 1990, the bureau, under the Prime Minister's Office, has been coordinating the voluntary project activities of foreign-funded NGOs.

NGOs are playing an important role in achieving the present government's election manifesto and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the NGO Affairs Bureau is smoothly coordinating the activities of various projects aimed at poverty alleviation, ending hunger, public health, quality education, gender equality, tackling climate change risks, preventing violence against women, ensuring safe water and sanitation, and sustainable development.

Under its own rules and government regulations, the NGO Affairs Bureau carries out various activities, including issuing new NGO registrations, renewing registrations, approving projects, releasing funds, and observing, monitoring and supervising the implementation of NGO projects.

The home minister said that between 2009 and 2024, the number of NGOs whose registration was cancelled and whose activities were shut down by the NGO Affairs Bureau was 722 in total. The registrations of these NGOs were cancelled for various reasons.

The notable reasons for cancellation include failure to apply for renewal within the stipulated time, embezzlement of funds through signature forgery, violation of the conditions given at the time of registration and the bureau's lawful instructions afterwards, and submission of fake or forged letters of intent (LOI).