Russia - NGO Law Monitor - Research Center - ICNL

Russia - NGO Law Monitor - Research Center - ICNL
http://www.icnl.org/research/monitor/russia.html[11/15/2012 2:02:58 PM]
foreign-funded non-governmental organisations to register as "foreign agents", saying its main aim was to
prevent foreign meddling in Russia's domestic affairs.
Another law in blatant violation of basic international human rights standards (October 2012)
On October 23, 2012, the Russian Duma (the lower chamber of Parliament) adopted a series of amendments
to the law on treason and espionage, introducing new provisions into the Criminal Code. The new version of
the law is now expected to be examined by the Council of Federation of the Russian Federation (the upper
chamber) and, if adopted, to be signed by President Vladimir Putin. The new text expands the definition of
treason to “providing financial, technical, advisory and other assistance to a foreign State or international
organisation (…) directed at harming Russia’s security”, criminalising de facto any contact with any foreign
entity by an extremely elevated and disproportionate sanction up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The vague terms
used open the path to discretionary interpretations by the authorities, raising further concerns on how the
law will be enforced.
Russia's upper house approves law on fines for foreign agents (October 2012)
The Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, approved a law imposing administrative fines for
violating the provisions on the foreign agent status for non-profit organizations. The corresponding
amendments have been introduced to the Code of Administrative Offenses. The amendments to the code
served as an integral part of the draft law assigning a foreign agent status to Russian NGOs financed from
abroad and involved in politics.
Russia's NGO Law will inevitably result in a contraction of space and opportunity for NGOs (October 2012)
Boris Pustyntsev, Director of the Russia-based Citizens' Watch, speaks to CIVICUS about the impact of the new
'NGO Law' and recent restrictions on civil society activism in Russia.
Rights group says its researcher in Moscow is threatened (October 2012)
A researcher in Human Rights Watch’s office in Moscow received repeated threats this week of an attack
focused on her pregnancy, the rights group said, calling it the latest example of escalating pressure against
rights and civic groups in Russia.
Russia's troublesome "traditional values" resolution (October 2012)
Article 19 urges the UN Human Rights Council members to reject a draft resolution proposed by Russia on
“traditional values” as the concept may be abused to legitimize discrimination against minority groups, to
silence dissent, and violate human rights. Increasing dialogue on the role of traditional values in society and
raising understanding of the many different values held by people is positive where done within a framework
of respect for human rights. However, the draft resolution fails to recognize that traditional values are not
always invoked positively and have often been abused to legitimize discrimination against marginalized and
minority groups, to silence dissent, and violate people’s human rights.
USAID shutdown in Russia will hurt civil society (September 2012)
The United States says it will comply with Russia’s request to end all programs of the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID), which the U.S. describes as “regrettable.” Experts believe that the action
will hurt Russian NGOs that deal with democracy and human rights.
Kremlin evicts USAID from Russia in blow to ‘reset’ (September 2012)
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is ending pro-democracy and civil society programs in
Russia at the insistence of the Kremlin, according to reports from U.S. officials close to the situation.
Russia demands USAID halt work (September 2012)
The Kremlin sounded its stiffest rebuke to U.S. democracy-building efforts in Russia since the fall of the
Soviet Union, ordering the U.S. to halt the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Russia by
Oct. 1. Since 1992, USAID has distributed $2.7 billion for projects in Russia ranging from election monitoring
and prisoners' rights to tuberculosis prevention and education for the handicapped. It had planned to spend
$50 million in Russia in 2012, more than half of it on democracy and civic programs—a shift from funding in
the 1990s, which had focused more on economic development.
European Parliament concerned over worsening civil society climate in Russia (September 2012)
The human rights situation in Russia has deteriorated drastically in the last few months, with the adoption of
a series of laws that could be used to further restrict opposition and hinder freedom of expression, the
European Parliament stated in a resolution. A press release said MEPs were gravely concerned about "the
deteriorating climate" for the development of civil society in Russia, pointing to the recent legislation on
demonstrations, NGOs, defamation, and the Internet.
Russian regional administration forbids employees contact with ‘foreign agents’ as new NGO law gains
traction (September 2012)
The Administration of the Mari El Region 850 kilometers east of Moscow has issued a directive to its officials