Putin signed the “Act on unwanted guests”. It is intended … – Gazeta.pl

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The law, adopted on Tuesday by the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, a day later by the Federation Council, envisages that may be considered undesirable or business organization ‘hazardous to the foundations of the constitutional system of Russia, its defense or security “.

What does the law?

The Russian authorities They will have the right to prohibit activities of foreign non-governmental organizations and prosecute employees who would threaten to six years in prison or a ban on entry to the territory of Russia. The Act also allows for the blocking of bank accounts of entities deemed undesirable; additionally Russian organizations receiving money from them will be required to “give an account” of its own activities.

The initiators of the bill – Aleksandr Tarnawski of loyal to the Kremlin Just Russia party and Anton Ishchenko of the pro-Kremlin nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR ) – argued that “it would allow preventive mode defend the constitutional basis of the state’s national interests, citizens’ rights and state security.”

They concluded that the current Russian law on NGOs – foreign agents – is not sufficient protection against “colored revolution” and the need for separate regulations for foreign and international NGOs. Authors of the project insisted that foreign organizations can be one of the tools of fighting geopolitical.

In their view, the activities threatening the security of the FR may also lead foreign companies, including multinationals.

US “deeply concerned”

The United States expressed “deep zaniepokojonie” signing by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin Act. – We are concerned that the new law will reduce the activity even more civil society organizations in Russia – said US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.

– This is another example of suppression by the Russian government independent voices and to take his measures to Russians isolation from the world – she added.

She stressed that the US is concerned about “increasingly larger restrictions imposed on independent media, civil society, minorities and the political opposition.”

Experts have criticized

Human rights defenders in Russia warn that this controversial piece of legislation – described by the Russian media as the” Act of unwanted guests “- maybe strike at organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, the International Helsinki Group, Reporters Without Borders, Greenpeace, Transparency International and Human Rights Watch.