New legislative initiatives:a threat to NGOs, freedom of assembly, education and more

Conference of the Russian civil society organizations: Sakharov Center, Memorial International Society, Memorial Human Rights Center, Moscow Helsinki Group, Public Verdict Group, Sova Center for Information and Analysis, Man and Law Human rights NGO, Citizens' Watch

In November 2020, a series of new bills were introduced in the Russian State Duma (https://sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1052523-7; https://sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1057914-7; https://sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1057230-7; https://sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1057895-7) with amendments to the legislation regulating the activities of NGOs, the organization and holding of public events, mass media activities, activities in the field of education, as well as regulating measures of influence on persons involved in violations of the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.

Just a brief glance makes it clear that the bills are designed not only to suppress various activities of Russian non-profit organisations (NGOs), nongovernmental associations, branches of international non-governmental non-profit organisations and individual human rights defenders and to restrict even further Russian citizens' freedom of association, but also to interfere with the freedom of expression and the freedom to receive and impart information. They limit the freedom of assembly even further to restrict not only protests but any type of public event. And finally, the lawmakers intend to toughen regulation and oversight in the sphere of education understood in the broadest possible sense.

The new rules proposed in the above bills, should they become law, will impose even tougher – indeed, nearly total – government control over Russia's civil society. Already severely marginalised, democratic debates on issues of public interest are likely to be reduced to a bare minimum. Government bureaucrats will be "legally" allowed to ban any civic initiative which they find critical or perhaps not loyal enough. These bills, if adopted, will strip many Russians, foreigners and stateless persons living in Russia of qualified assistance with defending their civil, political and social rights and the right to habitat, with accessing education and healthcare, and benefitting from other services provided by Russian civil society.

During the news conference representatives of various NGOs will talk about the details of the proposed innovations and how their adoption threatens NGOs, the media, and all citizens.

Speakers:

• Marina Agaltsova, attorney at law, head of legal department at International Memorial, senior lawyer at Human Rights Center "Memorial"
• Alexander Verkhovsky, director of the Sova Center for Information and Analysis
• Tatiana Glushkova, senior lawyer at Human Rights Center "Memorial", Board Member
• Sergey Davidis, head of the Political Prisoners Support Programme at Human Rights Center "Memorial", Board Member
• Natalia Evdokimova, Human Rights Council of the Saint Petersburg
• Sergey Lukashevsky, director of the Sakharov Center
• Irina Protasova, сo-chair of the Man and Law Human rights organization (Republic of Mari El)

Moderator – Natalia Taubina, director of the Public Verdict Foundation

Accreditation for mass media: https://forms.gle/5muu7JQbJbTJfvGHA

Видео New legislative initiatives:a threat to NGOs, freedom of assembly, education and more канала Сахаровский Центр