HCR312DEC16

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 16, 2005

H.CON.RES.312 Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw or modify proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation.

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BRIEF

The Resolution preamble appears to establish a contradiction between Russian President Putin’s comments about strengthening democracy in Russia and a new set of laws soon to be voted on by Russian’s Congress, the Duma.

The legislation, a seen by this Resolution, will “have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, including imposing unprecedented restraints on foreign assistance.” The Resolution supporters believe that non-governmental organizations involved in everything from politics to business to social programs is a building block of democracy and that Russia is short changing its people by limiting them.

Russian, on the other hand, believes that such organizations are used by foreign intelligence organizations and others in ways that undermines the Russian sovereignty and democratic process.

Right or wrong in that conclusion, Russia may have some grounds for concern. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are organizations recognized and at least indirectly sanctioned by a government but do not appear to be a department or agency of that government. The purpose of most NGOs is to promote a particular agenda in the host country through lobbying, activism and other means of influence. An example made by one bill supporter is the National Endowment for Democracy, a US based NGO that has been present or involved on the periphery of actions unsettling to countries around the world whose form of government or government leader the US did not support.

The Duke University Library research guide for NGOs says this about them "These organizations are not directly affiliated with any national government but often have a significant impact on the social, economic and political activity of the country or region involved." Governments today are tending to create organizations that appear to be NGOs but are actually more directly focused on promoting a political and / or social agenda in the country in which they are operating.

Commonly known NGOs are organizations like Green Peace, the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and other organizations that wish to influence circumstances or the outcome of circumstances in the country in which they are operating. There are now thousands of them around the globe.

The legislative effort could result in scrutiny of faith-based organization NGOs, forcing NGOs to re-register with the Russian State and risk registration being denied and taxing the organizations, said Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

The Resolution urges Duma to withdraw the legislation or modify it to accommodate Congress’ objections.

Sponsor: Representative Henry J. Hyde (R-IL-6^th)

Vote: Passed House 405 to 15 (RC 641) December 15, 2005

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost.

MORE INFORMATION

Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw or modify proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation.

Whereas Russian Federation President Putin has stated that `modern Russia's greatest achievement is the democratic process [and] the achievements of our civil society';

Whereas the unobstructed establishment and free and autonomous operations and activities of nongovernmental organizations and a robust civil society free from excessive government control are central and indispensable elements of a democratic society;

Whereas the free and autonomous operations of nongovernmental organizations in any society necessarily encompass activities, including political activities, that are contrary to government policies;

Whereas the Government of the Russian Federation has proposed the adoption of legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation, including imposing unprecedented restraints on foreign assistance;

Whereas regardless of the stated intent of the Government of the Russian Federation, the restrictions in this legislation will impose disabling restraints on the establishment, operations, and activities of nongovernmental organizations and on civil society throughout the Russian Federation;

Whereas the stated concerns of the Government of the Russian Federation regarding the use of nongovernmental organizations by foreign interests and intelligence agencies to undermine the Government of the Russian Federation and the security of the Russian Federation as a whole can be addressed by more limited and appropriate measures;

Whereas the proposed legislation has already passed its first reading in the State Duma and is scheduled for its second reading on an expedited basis;

Whereas Russia's many tragedies and the suffering of her people in the past centuries were made deeper and more enduring by the Russian Government's distancing of the country from the West and rejection of its practices and institutions;

Whereas Russia's destiny and the interests of her people lie in her assumption of her rightful place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies; and

Whereas the proposed measures of the Government of the Russian Federation are incompatible with membership in that community: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(1) urges the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw the proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation or to modify the legislation to ensure the unobstructed establishment and free and autonomous operations and activities of such nongovernmental organizations in accordance with the practices universally adopted by the Western democracies, including the provisions regarding foreign assistance; and

(2) in the event the proposed legislation is not withdrawn or sufficiently modified, urges the State Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly to amend the measures contained in the legislation to ensure these same freedoms.

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