The Human Rights House Foundation and Norsk P.E.N. have requested minister of foreign affairs to protest against the bill to tighten control on Russia’s civil society. In another letter the Norwegian Helsinki Committee have asked for the same. The law would dramatically restrain Russia’s civil society. They fear the law is aimed at human rights NGOs that are criticizing the government policy in the Chechen Republic. (07-DEC-05)
Friday December 9th the Russian Duma will for the second time deal with the controversial bill that will dramatically restrain Russia’s civil society. The draft law would obstruct the functioning on both Russian and international civil society groups severely. Therefore members of the Norwegian civil society exert pressure on Norwegian minister of foreign affairs Jonas Gahr Støre protest against the bill.
Tool of repression
The Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian P.E.N. ask Støre in a letter to indicate that the bill should be withdrawn. They say Norway should ask president Vladimir Putin to veto the bill, in case it passes the Duma. One of their concerns is the effects the bill will have on Russian human rights organisations: “Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian P.E.N. fear the law could be used as a tool to repress critical and active organisations. Especially human rights organisations like ‘Soldiers Mothers’ and ‘Memorial’, which gather information and are critical with regard to the conflict in the Chechen Republic, will fall victim.”
Fear re-registration
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the Bellona Foundation also fear the law is aimed at human rights NGOs that are criticizing the government policy in the Chechen Republic. They also point at the consequences the law would have on international NGOs:
“The representative offices of international NGO’s, foundations, groups providing social services and others, would have to re-register as purely Russian membership organisations with headquarters in the Russian Federation or face liquidation. Furthermore the law would impose restrictions on the ability of Russian NGOs to receive foreign donations or hire foreigners to their offices. Only citizens of the Russian federation or non-citizens with a permanent residence permit will be allowed to represent the organisation.”
To read to whole letter of the Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian P.E.N. click here.
To read the letter of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the Bellona Foundation click here
