The State Duma will consider amendments to punish the work of unregistered foreign NGOs

On June 21, the State Duma will consider five bills that are aimed at regulating the activities of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and include establishing criminal liability for the work of unregistered NGOs. About it informed Chairman of the Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption Vasily Piskarev.

The package of amendments was prepared by a commission of inquiry into the facts of foreign interference. Piskarev explained that foreign NGOs and foreign agents are trying to interfere in the elections in Russia, discredit the army and spread fakes about it, promote LGBT people, etc. They are financed by the United States, Great Britain, Germany and other NATO countries, the deputy stressed. Piskarev, citing experts’ estimates, notes that in 2022 more than 1 billion rubles were received from abroad for their work, but the amount “may be more.”

In 2022, out of 23 foreign NGOs that were deemed undesirable, only one was registered in Russia, the deputy noted. “The adoption of our amendments will help strengthen the security of the state and protect its sovereignty,” Piskarev explained.

The deputies propose to introduce a number of measures that will regulate interaction with foreign agents and participation in NGOs. The amendments propose to give the Ministry of Justice the right to issue a warning about the inadmissibility of violating the law “On Control over the Activities of Persons Under Foreign Influence” to persons who interact with foreign agents. If they do not comply with the warning within a month, they will face a fine of up to 300,000 rubles.

The bills also provide that individuals and legal entities can participate in the work of an NGO only if its representative office is entered in the register of the Ministry of Justice. Otherwise, it is proposed to establish administrative responsibility – for work in an organization that does not have the appropriate registration. For citizens, the fine will be up to 5,000 rubles, for officials – up to 50,000 rubles, and for legal entities – up to 100,000 rubles. For foreigners, it is proposed to set a fine of up to 50,000 rubles, they may also face deportation.

At the same time, the amendments also include the establishment of criminal liability for persons who during the year were twice brought to administrative responsibility for participating in the activities of such NGOs. It is also proposed to introduce criminal liability for the organizers of the work of non-registered NGOs in Russia. Punishment is up to three years in prison.