CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA FACING INCREASINGLY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT – UN EXPERTS

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 14 May 2013 11:01:01 -0400
Subject: CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA FACING INCREASINGLY HOSTILE
ENVIRONMENT – UN EXPERTS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA FACING INCREASINGLY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT – UN
EXPERTSNew York, May 14 2013 11:00AMMr. Kiai stressed that this close
monitoring lacks appropriate legal basis as according to international
human rights law, the protection of sovereignty is not listed as a
legitimate ground to restrict citizens' freedom of association.

"Unfortunately, our fears seem to have been confirmed," said the
Special Rapporteur on the rights to peaceful assembly and of
association, Maina Kiai. "Since the law was passed, we now witness an
unprecedented wave of inspections some of which have led to
administrative cases against NCOs [non-commercial organizations],
including severe penalties."

In July, the experts had warned that the new law would require all
non-governmental organizations wishing to engage in "political
activities" to register as organizations "performing the functions of
foreign agents" before receiving foreign funding, and would submit
them to close monitoring by the Government and harsh penalties. The
law was adopted in November.

Mr. Kiai stressed that this close monitoring lacks appropriate legal
basis as according to international human rights law, the protection
of sovereignty is not listed as a legitimate ground to restrict
citizens' freedom of association.

"We already warned against the extensive requirements contained in
this law for NCOs allegedly 'engaging in political activities,' which
could infringe on the right of human rights defenders to publically
raise human rights issues and conduct advocacy work," said the Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret
Sekaggya.

"Defenders should be able to participate in public affairs by raising
issues of public interest in a critical way, irrespective of where
their funding comes from," she said. "This type of work should not
been seen as a political activity but as an essential component of an
open and democratic society."

The Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and
expression, Frank La Rue, underlined that "everyone should be entitled
to promote and express their ideas freely without undue restrictions."

The three Rapporteurs called on the Government to revise the law due
to its lack of compliance with international law and standards and its
adverse consequences on the work of hundreds of organizations and
human rights defenders.

They also drew special attention to the stance adopted by the UN Human
Rights Council in a recent landmark resolution against any type of
legislation used to obstruct or criminalize the work of human rights
defenders on account of the origin of their funding.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs, are appointed by the
Geneva-based Council to examine and report back on a country situation
or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the
experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work. May 14
2013 11:00AM
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