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Rights groups critical of Russian ban on 'undesirable' NGOs

THE OSCE, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International all oppose the law.

By Ed Adamczyk
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Duma, the Russian parliament. A new Russian law, empowering the government to bar "undesirable" foreign organizations, was criticized by human rights organizations. File photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/ UPI.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Duma, the Russian parliament. A new Russian law, empowering the government to bar "undesirable" foreign organizations, was criticized by human rights organizations. File photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/ UPI. | License Photo

MOSCOW, May 22 (UPI) -- A new Russian law, empowering the government to bar "undesirable" foreign organizations, was criticized by human rights organizations.

The law allows officials to ban any organization they regard as harmful to Russia's "constitutional order, defense capabilities or security," and was overwhelmingly passed in both the Parliament and the Federation Council this week. Vaguely worded and mentioning jail sentences and fines for those engaged in "involvement" with "undesirable" groups, the law awaits the signature of President Vladimir Putin.

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"It's not about us," said Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch's Russia arm. "The government doesn't need another repressive law to shut us down. The law is meant to stop Russian nationals maintaining contact with their foreign partners." She added the law is designed to reduce activism in Russia, "shoving it into limbo where activist will simply suffocate."

Amnesty International and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are among other non-governmental organizations critical of the law.

"The broad and imprecise wording of this legislation would impose serious restrictions on a wide array of important democratic rights, including freedom of expression and media freedom," said Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE media freedom representative.

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In a March 26 meeting with security officials, Putin claimed there are ongoing "attempts by the Western secret services to use public, nongovernmental organizations and nonpolitical bodies to discredit the authorities and destabilize Russia's internal situation."

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