MOSCOW: Already branded “foreign agents” while endeavouring to help abuse victims or protect the environment, Russian activists fear a new law against “undesirable” NGOs will further stymie their work.
President Vladimir Putin (pix) over the weekend signed off on legislation that allows authorities to ban international NGOs seen as threatening “state security”.
While the law – which was condemned by the West and rights groups – is aimed at foreign organisations, Russia’s beleaguered civil society fears the draconian legislation will also leave it hamstrung.
“It will primarily hit Russian organisations and activists,” Natalya Taubina of the Public Verdict group, which defends victims …read more
Source: theSun
