Putin Signs Bill Banning ‘Undesirable’ NGOs From Russia, Human Rights Groups Could Face Prison Time

Vladimir Putin signed a new law that bans “undesirable” non-governmental organizations from Russia. The controversial bill has sparked outcry across the globe from human rights activists who say the law will make it difficult for human rights organizations to have a voice in the country. The bill makes it possible for the Russian government to block the bank accounts of organizations deemed a threat to “basic values of the Russian state.” The organizations could also face hefty fines or prison sentences of up to six years.

CNN reports that the law passed both houses of the Russian parliament earlier in the week and was quickly signed into law by Putin. The bill says that a foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) may be deemed “undesirable” if it poses a threat to the constitutional order of the Russian Federation or to the country’s defense and security. However, the bill doesn’t stop there. In addition to the ability to prosecute NGOs deemed undesirable, the bill also allows for Russian citizens to be punished for involvement with the “undesirable” organizations.

Those opposing the bill note that it could hinder the ability of human rights organizations to work within the country without censorship. Some are concerned that the bill is a step towards increased restrictions of freedom. Tanya Lokshina, Russia program director for Human Rights Watch, said the new law had “the potential to severely damage our work in Russia.” She says she doesn’t feel that the law is aimed directly at the organizations, but rather at limiting Russian citizen involvement within the organizations. The bill does not specify exactly what “involvement” means in regards to involving one’s self with a NGO deemed “undesirable.” Therefore, Lokshina notes that a Russian citizen retweeting a tweet from an “undesirable” could land them in jail if the Russian government decided to prosecute the individual.

According to the BBC, Amnesty International said the bill would “squeeze the life” from civil society and pave the way to prosecuting human rights organizations and Russian activists.

“We are often asked – is this draft law aimed against international rights groups like yours? But in fact, there is little doubt that its primary targets are Russian activists and Russian independent organisations.”

The U.S. State Department has also expressed its concern over the newly implemented bill and what it means for independence voices in the country. A spokeswoman for the State Department says that “we are concerned this new power” could will further suppress “independent voices” in the country and further “isolate the Russian people from the world.”

[Image Credit: Getty Images/ Sean Gallup]