Russian Federation: The Observatory deplores the adoption of the bill on “undesirable foreign organisations”
Russian Federation: The Observatory deplores the
adoption of the bill on “undesirable foreign organisations”
Paris-Geneva, May 20, 2015. The Observatory for the Protection
of Human Rights Defenders, a joint FIDH and OMCT programme, is deeply alarmed by
the adoption of the bill on “undesirable foreign and international
organisations” in third reading of the Russian Parliament on May 19, 2015. The
bill criminalizes work for foreign non-profit organisations that “threaten the
constitutional order, security of the State or its defence capacity”.
Although the bill was significantly amended before the second reading, the
Observatory deplores that it remains a tool to harassnon-profitentities with
foreign origin and Russian nationalscooperating with them, hereby further
isolating Russia and igniting xenophobia and nationalism. The lawlacks clear
definition of what “threatening the constitutional order, security and defence
capacity” means. Moreover, it entitles the Prosecutor General with powers
exceeding his authority, since he and his deputies are assigned to compile alist
of undesirable organisationsin cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.Such a unilateral procedure is not only political in nature but it does
not allow the organizations listed as undesirable the right of appeal
norestablishesanyindependent judicial review of the decision.
Needless to say that one of the main goals of the bill is to undermine the
cooperation of Russian human rights defenders and civil society activists with
foreign NGOs thatmaketheir voices heard inside and outside the country. They now
face a fine up to 900 euros for working for an "undesirable organisation". The
repeated violation of the law wouldlead to the criminal responsibility of the
NGO's directorsand is punished by up to six years of deprivation of
liberty.
If labelled as "undesirable", the activity of suchanorganisation will be
banned on the territory ofRussia. Banks and other financial institutions are
prohibited from authorizing any financial operation originating from or destined
to such an organisation.
The Observatory reminds that this bill follows and complements the
restrictive legislative arsenal Russia adopted in the course of the last years
to silence all forms of criticism against the regime in contradiction with
international human rights standards. Many local experts and lawyers as well as
the Council on Human Rights, an institution under the President of the Russian
Federation have raised their criticism about the content of this new piece of
legislation.
The work of human rights defenders in Russia has already been significantly
restricted after the closing down of numerous foreign and local organisations
that used to promote freedom of expression, assembly and association as well as
civicactivism. Along with the so-called “foreign agents” law obliging NGOs to
register as such if they engage in “political activity” and receive foreign
funding and the laws restricting the registration and funding of NGOs, the bill
on "undesirable organisations" is the last in Russia's legislative arsenal used
to get rid of any critical voices. The Observatory strongly opposes the adoption
of this bill and calls on the international community to condemn its
enactment.
For more information, please contact:
· FIDH: Lucie Kroening/Arthur Manet: + 33 (0) 1 43 55
25 18
· OMCT: Miguel Martín Zumalacárregui: + 41 (0) 22 809 49
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