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In an ongoing effort to regulate foreign influence within its borders, Russia presented a bill on February 12 aimed at expanding its crackdown on what it designates as “undesirable” organizations. This legislation, in place since 2015, currently includes 137 organizations that are barred from operating in Russia.
The introduction of the new bill is set to extend these restrictions to organizations funded by foreign states, potentially affecting international media entities such as the BBC or RFE/RL. This move is in line with Russia’s efforts to counter a range of perceived threats, including sanctions, blocked investments, and attempts to destabilize the country’s political landscape.
Led by lawmaker Vasily Piskarev, the bill specifies that direct foreign state institutions and units of organizations that Russia is part of will not be included on the list.
Moreover, the bill should be distinguished from Russia’s “foreign agents” law, another tool used by the government to regulate organizations with foreign ties. This law imposes stringent financial disclosures on labeled entities and mandates that their disseminated content carry a “foreign agent” tag.
Furthermore, President Vladimir Putin has voiced the necessity of stringent action against those labeled as ‘foreign agents’, especially those aiding Ukraine or contributing to internal strife within Russia.
FAQ About Russia’s Bill to Ban Foreign State-Funded Organizations
- What does Russia’s bill propose?
- – It proposes to expand the “undesirable” organizations list to include foreign state-funded organizations like the BBC or RFE/RL, on top of the current list that has 137 entities.
- What organizations are currently considered “undesirable” in Russia?
- – NGOs, human rights groups, independent media outlets, and others perceived as opponents to President Putin’s regime.
- What is Russia’s “foreign agents” law?
- – A separate regulation requiring organizations with foreign funding or deemed influenced by foreign entities to register as foreign agents and adhere to strict auditing and self-disclosure requirements.
- Will organizations run directly by foreign states be added to the “undesirable” list?
- – No, the bill states that direct foreign state-run organizations or those from groups Russia is a member of will not be added to this list.
Conclusion
The proposed legislation by Russian lawmakers continues the country’s trend of creating a more controlled and insular environment regarding foreign interaction and influence. With specific regard to the media, the extension of “undesirable” status to foreign state-funded organizations reflects an ongoing narrative of fortifying domestic affairs against external interference. The landscape of non-governmental operations in Russia remains dynamic and under close watch by the state, as these legislative efforts evolve.
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