Recent Development
The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Turkey (“Ministry”) sent an additional circular presenting new measures against the COVID-19 pandemic (“Circular“) to the governorates of 81 province in Turkey on March 16, 2020. The Circular instructs governorates to temporarily postpone general assembly meetings and all kinds of meetings and activities, including trainings for non-governmental organizations, such as associations and foundations (“NGOs”).
What Does the Circular Say?
The Circular temporarily postpones general assembly meetings and all kinds of meetings and activities, including NGOs trainings that convene people (except for administrative activities requiring operational requirements) as of 24:00 on Monday, March 16, 2020.
The Ministry requested the governor and district governors to immediately plan and implement the necessary measures, in cooperation with provincial and district municipalities and law-enforcement to monitor whether the measures are implemented.
Conclusion
NGOs are advised to take swift action to postpone their general assembly meetings within the framework of the preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, NGOs should adopt a board of directors’ resolution on the postponement of their general assembly meetings for an indefinite period by explaining the postponement reasons, and notify their members accordingly. In this regard, it should also be evaluated and determined whether there are any administrative activities requiring operational requirements that are not within the scope of the postponement.
