Vladimir Putin signed the “Act on unwanted guests” – Virtual Poland

President Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing the Russian authorities regarded as foreign and international NGOs, as well as companies to be undesirable on the territory of FR – said the Kremlin. The law has been criticized by human rights defenders. United States expressed “deep concern” about the situation. – 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.
 

The law, adopted on Tuesday by the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament, a day later by the Federation Council, provides that as undesirable can be recognized organization or company ” hazardous to the foundations of the constitutional system of Russia, its defense or security “. The Russian authorities will have the right to prohibit activities of foreign non-governmental organizations and the trial staff, which would risk up 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 their 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 the security of the state “.
 

They considered that the current Russian law on NGOs – foreign agents is not sufficient to prevent “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 prejudicial to the security of the FR may also lead foreign companies, including multinationals.
 

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

USA anxious
 

– We are concerned that the new law further restrict the activities of 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 take his actions to isolate Russians from the world – she added.
 

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

The Act is intended to complement another provision, adopted in 2012, which requires organizations receiving funds from abroad and participating in political life FR obligation to register with the Ministry of Justice as a “foreign agent.”