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    Putin signs law regulating Russian NGOs

    MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed into law a new measure that requires non-governmental groups receiving funding from abroad and engaging in political activity to register as foreign agents.

    Some NGOs have vowed to ignore or circumvent the law, while its critics note that the vague definition of political activity could be applied against a wide range of initiatives. Putin, meanwhile, has alleged that recent protests against him were instigated and funded by the United States.

    The law also requires NGOs identified as foreign agents to submit detailed annual financial reports, which critics say would be a time-consuming and costly burden on organizations with small staffs and meager funding.

    The law comes as authorities show increasing unease with a newly emboldened political opposition, which conducted the unprecedented wave of massive public protests in the winter and spring.

    Putin last month signed a law vastly increasing fines for taking part in unauthorized demonstrations to a maximum 300,000 rubles ($9,000).

    Some of the country's most prominent human rights groups are vowing to ignore or do what they must to sidestep the law on NGOs.

    Lev Ponomarev, head of For Human Rights, one of Russia's oldest NGOs, told the Interfax news agency that his group will ignore the regulation and challenge it in court.

    "We will never be agents and won't submit to this law. We're agents of the Russian citizens," said Ponomarev, adding that his group will continue to accept foreign funding.

    But Lyudmila Alexeyeva, head of the Moscow Helsinki Group and a veteran human rights activist, said her group will refuse foreign funding in order to get around the law, and that she's even preparing to auction off her collection of china and art to raise money.

    "We will learn to live on very little money, in order to at least keep our office," she said on Echo Moskvy radio.

     

    58 comments

    • Narob  •  Herndon, Virginia  •  1 day 4 hrs ago
      Stalinism is on its way back! Brace yourself for the next round!
    • Eugene  •  East Berlin, Pennsylvania  •  1 day 13 hrs ago
      The US should do the same for Putin's RT.
    • Eugene  •  East Berlin, Pennsylvania  •  1 day 13 hrs ago
      Even other members of the CIS, the old USSR sphere of influence?

      Maybe Ukraine, Belarus, Tajikstan, Khazakstan, etc. should do the same about the NGOs from the Russian Federation if they haven't already.
    • DRD4  •  1 day 16 hrs ago
      I think the heavy foreign funding is coming from Russians living abroad, especially in NY. I speak with young Russian women here and they are fire breathing hot against Putin.

      Supposedly, they blame him for imposing hefty tarrifs on western goods flowing into the country to manipulating elections by forcing many workers and military personnel to vote for his party and himself.

      The fire is so hot that they appear ready to take up arms to oust the current regime. With the new laws in place, there will be even greater frustration. I expect that next, they will turn to the US congress for action. Stay tuned.
      • DRD4 1 day 15 hrs ago
        I just wanted to add that when Russia joins the WTO, which Putin, just agreed to join, half of the fire breathing dragons' problems will be solved.

        Russia will be forced to reduce the hefty tariffs, now imposed. This will lead to a flood of goods into the country, from the west, automatically diluting his support from local Russian businessmen and increasing the influence from abroad along a different financial stairway.

        The quality of goods presented to the Russian consumer will rise along with western influences in the form of information flow and penetration into the Russian marketplace.

        The US will eventually win this battle because of its inherent control over the world's financial network. Money controls everything...Putin simply delayed the inevitable.
    • Hugh Murray  •  Delafield, Wisconsin  •  1 day 21 hrs ago
      I guess George Soros will have to spend his billions elsewhere, like funding all of his pro-Obama "non-partisan" front groups in the US.
    • George  •  Hillsboro, Oregon  •  2 days 3 hrs ago
      NGOs are spies normally
      in the face they are doing very organized humanitarian work
      look at the back offices
      • Niall M 1 day 22 hrs ago
        please provide some evidence of this being 'normal'
    • Mike  •  1 day 20 hrs ago
      Pudding is just another Assad
    • John M  •  2 days 9 hrs ago
      That's an idea he took from the Canadian Prime Minister, Steven Harper.

      That should tell us a little bit about both men.
    • Gary J  •  Atlanta, Georgia  •  1 day 22 hrs ago
      Why has his own people not killed him yet?
    • phil  •  Scranton, Pennsylvania  •  2 days 3 hrs ago
      I believe that.
    • MD999999  •  2 days 10 hrs ago
      Ok James, but should it be a crime to protest against Putin without his permission??? ( punishable by a $9000 fine)
    • Mr. Cool  •  Walnut Creek, California  •  2 days 7 hrs ago
      Sad day for democracy in Russia...
      • Mr. Cool 1 day 0 hrs ago
        Andrei don't be a fool stay in school...
      • Mr. Cool 1 day 0 hrs ago
        Pojo remember Freedom isn't free...
      • Mr. Cool 1 day 0 hrs ago
        Houyhnhnm Russians affiliated with NGO's will have to register as foreign agents, many NGO's are working with the Russian electorate to educate voters and help with monitoring elections and reporting fraud when found. The new laws signed by President Putin makes it easier to shut down NGO's and limit monitoring of elections as well as free speech.
    • Jonathan  •  Austin, Texas  •  2 days 7 hrs ago
      All hail President Lemon Head!!
    • Andrei  •  1 day 22 hrs ago
      The law is overdue in Russia for 20 years.
    • James  •  Charleston, South Carolina  •  2 days 13 hrs ago
      Although I am not a fan of MR. KGB, I see nothing wrong with keeping foreign agencies/governments out of local elections. We have the same laws for the same reasons.
      • Bob Jones 2 days 6 hrs ago
        On the face of it it sounds good James but it includes NGO's that are internal to russia as well as foreign based ones. Another means for him to clamp down on information other than what the state gives out. Pretty much what O'liar want to do in the U.S. if allowed to.
      • Bubba 2 days 7 hrs ago
        The funny thing is we are funding against the Russians returning to Communism and we are racing towards it, we are really making ourselves look stupid on the world stage
      • Ferry 2 days 8 hrs ago
        There is about 1 trillion USD available for charity every year all going to NGO's. The 200 million poor are getting poorer. When are people starting to understand the real situation? It is just sad for all world leaders not that Russia, yes Russia has to start the regulation of what should have been regulated long time ago, including World Bank and United Nations an many others NO SUDITS, NO CONTROLS. Just tell me where the money is going.
    • Bck Jnk  •  2 days 4 hrs ago
      there is NO DEMOCRACY in russia..A)
      Putin is just EVIL...B)
      • Glenn R 11 hrs ago
        as if you see any democracy anywhere else..A)
    • TMaker  •  2 days 7 hrs ago
      Oh Mr. Putin, you are a total disappointment to Bush. When you punch back so hard, you will only find out how they are going to do next step. You did saved Russia's natural resources. Will you be able to save Russia ? I can't wait to see! May God be with everyone!
    • McTavish  •  2 days 2 hrs ago
      Oputincare at its finest.
    • Michael  •  2 days 4 hrs ago
      Sounds like Putin does not want Hillery and Obama donating to organizations there that do nothing but stir up trouble
    • CIAburnoticeByClinton  •  Boise, Idaho  •  2 days 14 hrs ago
      Putin is a white genius.
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