CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is disappointed and shocked that the Russian Duma has approved a law requiring organisations that receive international funding to label themselves as "foreign agents," opening them up to excessive government oversight. The law, "On Introducing Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Regarding the Regulation of the Activities of Non-commercial Organizations Performing the Function of Foreign Agents", if approved, will aggressively undermine the work of civil society in Russia and negatively impact broader international solidarity activities in the future.
On 18 July, the law will be reviewed by the upper house of Parliament, The Soviet of Federations and, pending their approval, is expected to be signed into law by President Vladimir Putin. We express strong condemnation of the steamrolling of this anti-people law through the Duma by Russia's government.
This news is just the latest in Russia's attempts to restrict civil actions in that country.
See recent CIVICUS actions on civil society restrictions in Russia:
