Russian NGO law

The controversial NGO law stipulates the creation of a designated NGO authority, or registration authority that will work exclusively with the registration and work of NGOs. NGOs that receive funding from outside Russia are obliged to report this to the registration authorities, and also about how these funds are used. The registration authorities will also have the right to verify whether the use of funds by an NGO is in accordance with its by-laws once a year. The time limit for such verifications is not set and can take, theoretically, up to six months, Lev Levinson, a human rights lawyer said in an article published on hro.org. Financial control over NGOs will also become harsh. Under the law, NGOs not only have to inform the tax authorities, what has always been the case, but now also have to report to the registering body about sums received from abroad and the purposes of spending, and fill out a form produced by the government. This law contradicts the primary principles of democracy and fundamental human rights.

ARTICLES
[ 15.05.2013 ]
ERC Bellona’s Nikitin to meet prosecutors over administrative allegations next week
Alexander Nikitin, Chairman of the Environmental Rights Center (ERC) Bellona will attend a summons by prosecutors in St. Petersburg who have leveled various charges against the organization for alleged violations of health and fire codes as part of the intensified efforts by the Kremlin to hobble Russian NGOs receiving foreign funding.
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Bellona

[ 13.05.2013 ]
Again turning away ERC Bellona executive director, prosecutors demand chairman Nikitin
Prosecutors in St. Petersburg again refused to provide the Environmental Rights Center (ERC) Bellona’s executive director, Nikolai Rybakov, with any information concerning the disposition of a number of so-called administrative violations levied against the organization in connection with Russia’s ongoing nit-picking of NGOs under an onerous new law.
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[ 10.05.2013 ]
Bellona’s St. Petersburg office receives prosecutors’ list of alleged administrative violations – and refutes them
Prosecutors in St. Petersburg Tuesday finally turned over their complete list of alleged administrative infringements of fire and heath codes to Artyom Alexeyev, lawyer for the Environmental Rights Center (ERC) Bellona, and handed down a summons to the group’s director to appear at the prosecutor’s office on Monday, May 13, for the beginning of administrative proceedings that could end in a $20,000 fine.
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NEWS
[ 14.11.2006 ]
Duma takes aim at foreign funding of political parties

The Russian Duma has tabled a bill that would forbid foreign NGOs from contributing to local political parties in a move seen by many as a Kremlin tactic to limit the number of opposition political groups as well as curb foreign influence in the country’s political process, The Moscow Times reported.

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[ 15.12.2005 ]
Duma reading of bill to curb NGO work in Russia postponed

The crucial second of four obligatory Russian Duma readings on the bill on civil society institutes, which would harshly curb the work of both foreign and domestic NGOs in the country, has been postponed from Friday until Wednesday, December 21st , Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov told news agencies.

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[ 25.11.2005 ]
Groups appeal to Norwegian Foreign Minister to condemn draft law on NGOs in Russia

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the Bellona Foundation have sent a letter to the Norwegian minister of foreign affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, asking him to condemn the present Russian draft law "On introducing Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation."

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