Russia's NGO Legislation

In April 2006, the Russian government issued the first executive order to implement the new non-governmental organization (NGO) legislation. This act was the first concrete step in realizing the new regulations on registration and accountability procedures for Russian non-governmental organizations and their foreign donors. After the first draft of the law had received harsh criticism from the international community and from Russian civil society, the text was amended in some respects. Nevertheless, the new regulatory framework tightens state control over Russian and foreign organizations. The measures are highly ambivalent, not least because official rhetoric is inconsistent with actual measures and bureaucratic practice. The government sought to justify the new law by referring to the fight against terrorism and money laundering. Yet the recent legislative and institutional measures have actually provided new ground for obstructing the activities of any NGO working in Russia. Eventually, the debate on the NGO Law needs to be seen in a broader context - there is more at stake than a mere law reform, and NGOs are not the only ones who will be affected.