Representatives of Russian human rights organizations are calling on all NGOs and concerned individuals to express their support. Please add your signatures – as individuals or organizations – and send this appeal on for others to sign. (01-FEB-06)

As representatives of Russian non-governmental organizations (NGO), we are outraged by the provocative statements made by representatives of the FSB (Federal Security Service) and the mass media during and after the program “Special Correspondent” broadcast on 22 January on TV Channel “Rossiya” alleging that the British Intelligence Service has been involved in the financing of Russian NGOs. This is nothing more than a flagrant distortion of facts, and has no basis in truth.

The fact that Russian NGOs were mentioned in the same breath as an intelligence service was clearly aimed at creating in the viewers’ mind an impression that there was some link between them. It is most regrettable that journalists and public officials discuss alleged financing of NGOs by the British Intelligence Service as though it were established fact. A lie, nevertheless, does not turn into the truth, however often repeated.

The non-governmental organizations mentioned by the mass media and by FSB representatives have received grants and donations on an entirely open and lawful basis from an official fund of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was carried out on the basis of agreements through Russian bank accounts and with full accountability before the tax authorities. Information about the results of the social and educational programs implemented on the basis of these grants, as well as the legal and other assistance provided to those in need, is openly available for scrutiny by the mass media. However the journalist involved did not approach any NGO when preparing his program which meant that important information was not made available to the viewer, and the actual program proved one-sided, biased and misleading. We would therefore like to make up for this professional failing.

Allocation of grants for non-profit projects from ministries of foreign affairs and foreign embassies is a practice commonly accepted throughout the world. Our country is no exception. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) has long financed the activity of foreign NGOs, and the Russian state budget for 2006 sets aside half a billion rubles (approximately 17 million US dollars) for supporting the work of NGOs in the area of promotion of democracy and human rights, including NGOs abroad. The Russian government and public authorities at various levels receive grants and large amounts of financial assistance from foreign states for their programs, including programs for chemical disarmament, utilization of old nuclear submarines, training for military offices, court and tax reform, fighting AIDS and others.

We state firmly: Russian human rights and other non-governmental organizations work in accordance with the law; their activity is transparent, legitimate and aimed at resolving issues of public significance and protecting public interests. Their authority is acknowledged by the Russian authorities which have consistently cooperated with all of the NGOs whose reputation has now been placed in question due to one unprofessional journalist’s feature program and subsequent statements issued.

We consider that the commentaries from FSB representatives and a number of media outlets are undermining the interaction between the authorities and civil society in the Russian Federation, and that the attempts by certain politicians and the State Duma Deputies to use the “spy scandal” to discredit NGOs, and particularly human rights organizations is harmful to society. We deeply regret that such actions are possible in the present day, 15 years after the fall of the Soviet regime in our country. This provocative act is reminiscent to many of the system of informing on others and slander during the notorious years of mass repressions in the USSR.

We are convinced that the television feature on channel “Rossiya” was not by chance broadcast several days after the publication of the law on non-governmental organizations which had elicited considerable well-founded criticism. The authors and supporters of the law did not then succeed in convincing the Russian public or the international community that the restrictive measures envisaged by the law were appropriate and necessary from the point of view of security. It is clear that the scandal provoked by the television program was directed at persuading Russian society, the leadership of the country and foreign partners that this stringent law is required.

Such provocation is the most effective means of putting the Russian Federation to shame and undermining its authority on the world stage at the beginning of its chairing the G8.

It is in the interests of the development of our country to support the activity of civic organizations and not to launch a witch hunt against them. Either ignoring or demonizing NGOs hinders the process of resolving Russia’s social problems, impedes the development of civil society and weakens the state.

We consider it necessary to turn to mechanisms allowed for in both Russian and international law to protect the reputation of organizations which have come under attack. We remain, however, open to dialogue – Russian human rights and civic activists have absolutely nothing to hide.

If you would like to endorse the statement please send your name, organizational affiliation (if appropriate) or occupation, city and country to julia@hro.org or add your name directly in the Internet on “Human Rights Online” web site at http://www.hro.org/ngo/about/2006/01/26-2.php.