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1/ The Russian government has submitted proposals to amend the "foreign agents law" that would strengthen - even further - restrictions against human rights NGOs
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#Russia #civicspace
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#Russia #civicspace
2/ Some background: The “foreign agent” law was introduced in 2012 in reaction to the “Bolotnaya Protests” of 2011. It required NGOs receiving funding from abroad to register as “foreign agents” – a term that is reminiscent of how the Soviets smeared its citizens.
3/ The law requires an NGO to label itself as a “foreign agent” on all publications,submit to extra audits+reporting, forbids certain activities & makes it harder to work with state institutions. Its aim is to hurt their image and make their everyday work more difficult.
4/ At one point there were well over 100 on the list: NGOs that worked with victims of torture, taught children history of Soviet repression, advocated for media freedom, campaigned against corruption, among many others. Many depended on outside support. https://www.hrw.org/russia-government-against-rights-groups-battle-chronicle
5/ In 2015, to make it even more difficult for NGOs, the “undesirable law” created a new list of foreign organisations, from whom it became illegal to receive money – among them many of the biggest human rights donors to Russia.
6/ The draft amendments submitted to the Duma last week propose a number of changes:the definition of “foreign funding” is to be expanded to include those benefiting from funding from companies with at least 25% non-Russian ownership.The reasons for announced audits also expanded
7/ Most significantly, however, is the fact that NGOs would be required to submit their programmatic and event plans, with the Ministry of Justice then able to refuse permission for their implementation. https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4566248
8/ Yet other amendments proposed this week seek to expand the ‘foreign agent’ status to individuals, not just organisations. https://tass.ru/obschestvo/10033455
9/ This all has potentially huge implications for civil society in #Russia. Many (tho not all) NGOs have kept going & will have to find a way to survive these changes – but if nothing else this a sad indication as to the direction the country is going
