MOSCOW, February 19. A bill clarifying the definition of political activities against NGOs, submitted February 19, deputies of all factions, nothing changes for non-profit organizations – “foreign agents”. This opinion was expressed by Chairman of the Council under the RF President on development of civil society and human rights (HRC) Mikhail Fedotov.
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“They don even count, in fact, do not change the law on NGOs-“foreign agents”. It remains as inclusive as possible, gutta-percha, rubber, and it can get any non-profit organization that received at least one ruble, directly or indirectly, from any foreign source,” said Fedotov. “So I think the President’s instruction to clarify the definition of political activities unimplemented. Instead of narrowing the definition of political activities, the authors have expanded and taken further away from that sense, which puts in it the President Putin, was “interventions” in our domestic Affairs,” – said the head of the HRC.
According to him, made by parliamentarians the bill was actually drafted by the Ministry of justice of the Russian Federation. He said that besides him, in the discussion of this issue participated, and other members of the HRC, in particular, Elena Topoleva – Soldunova, Elizabeth Glinka. “When the Ministry of justice submitted the draft, we said that the idea of underlying, mainly of a technological idea, it seems reasonable. But it is important to accurately describe all signs of political activity, but instead turned out of the lists, which cover any kind of social activity. It is much broader than the interference in internal political Affairs”, – said the Chairman of the HRC.
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According to him, the Council had hoped that the justice Ministry will forward the draft law for public discussion in accordance with the presidential decrees and a government decree. “But they placed only the bill for an independent anti-corruption examination, and it is a different procedure,” said Fedotov. Nevertheless, the HRC will present its suggestions on the bill.
Submitted today to the state Duma the draft law among the forms of political activity, in particular the participation of NGOs in the rallies and marches, in efforts “to receive result”, including the observation and formation of election commissions. In addition, political activities are recognised public appeals to the authorities about “the elimination of laws or legal acts”, the distribution of ratings of state policy, but also in shaping socio-political views by opinion polls. Stipulates that does not apply to political activities in the field of science, culture, arts, health, social protection of motherhood and childhood, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and charitable activities.
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Non-profit organizations in Russia
